Career Counselling
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By Anindita Nandy
21 Jun'23 8 min read
Synopsis
Varying notions exist about what are the most respected jobs in India, and many factors play their role in these notions, such as culture, tradition, and individual thought processes. There are a few jobs that get you a good income, and then there are a few jobs that get you more respect in society. This article outlines the most respected jobs in India and professional and occupational roles that are often looked up to. Sometimes, these careers and jobs may not be as financially rewarding as many others, but they are sure to help you grow as a person, and also help you play your part in making the world a better place.
Synopsis
Varying notions exist about what are the most respected jobs in India, and many factors play their role in these notions, such as culture, tradition, and individual thought processes. There are a few jobs that get you a good income, and then there are a few jobs that get you more respect in society. This article outlines the most respected jobs in India and professional and occupational roles that are often looked up to. Sometimes, these careers and jobs may not be as financially rewarding as many others, but they are sure to help you grow as a person, and also help you play your part in making the world a better place.
Most Respected Jobs In India: Out of the several career options or jobs out there, only a few happen to fetch the kind of respect, admiration, and recognition that’s genuinely satisfying. Wonder why? The professionals in the best-respected jobs in India burnt the midnight oil and worked their fingers to the bone, to get to the point where everyone looks up to them and wants to be like them. The dream of every student, especially when he or she is in high school, is to earn a life of good fortune and make his or her way to respectful jobs in India.
A Student desires to have a career that gives him or her a sense of meaning and fulfillment in life. And therefore this list has been prepared, keeping these concerns in mind. Stay on this page for insights into the most respected jobs in India, the educational requirements, exams to be taken, and average starting salary packages for the same.
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The Most Respected Jobs In India
Career | Educational requirements & exams | Average starting salary |
10+2 any stream Graduation-any stream Exam-UPSC CSE | Rs. 8-12 LPA | |
10+2 PCB Exam- UG NEET | Rs. 10-12 LPA | |
Defense Officer (Army/ Air Force/ Navy) | Army- 10+2 any stream Air Force/Navy- 10+2 PCM/B Exams-UPSC, NDA After 12th- NDA After Graduation- UPSC CDS | Rs. 7-10 LPA |
Exam- CLAT/ AILET/ LSAT | Rs. 7-10 LPA | |
Professor | 10+2 any stream Bachelor’s + Master’s + Ph.D. Published research works in peer-reviewed journals Exam- UGC NET/ CSIR NET | Rs. 8-15 LPA |
10+2 Science B.Sc/ B.Tech + M.Sc/M. Tech + PhD Research & Doctoral fellowships | Rs. 5-9 LPA |
(Note: Data has been collated by Team Careers360)
Now that we have attained a bird’s eye view of the most respected professions in India, let us understand a few of them in detail.
Most Respected Jobs In India-Civil Servant (IAS/ IPS/ IFS/ IRS)
Perhaps no other service has earned as much honor and reverence as the Civil Services. Civil Servants in India are the most looked up to by government officials, which makes Civil Services one of the most highly respected jobs in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants attempt the examination out of which a few hundred make the final cut. This makes this service the most challenging, coveted, and one of the best-respected jobs in India.
The most popular services are the Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Foreign Services (IFS), Indian Police Services (IPS), Indian Forest Services (IFoS), and Indian Revenue Services (IRS). Civil Servants are the brains behind policy formulation, policy-making, and its implementation. Their work has a huge potential in eradicating evils from society and contributing towards the nation’s growth and development, thereby attaining the goals of a welfare state.
Also read: Which Are The Best Career Options In India?
Educational requirements and exam: To be eligible for the entrance exam UPSC CSE, one needs to be at least a graduate with any stream from a recognized university.
Salary package: As an entry-level officer, you will be making anywhere in the range of Rs. 8-12 LPA. However, this varies from service to service.
Most Respected Jobs In India-Doctor
A Doctor in India holds the position next to that of God and the reasons are well known. As a doctor, you will be doing service to mankind by treating people and saving lives. It is undoubtedly, one of the most respected jobs in India. Post the Covid pandemic, the healthcare industry is set to grow by leaps and bounds giving way to plenty of opportunities. Also, due to the lack of specialists, the demand for skilled and professional doctors is increasing manifolds. You can be a general physician or a specialist like a dermatologist, neurologist, orthopedic, cardiologist, surgeon, and others. It is the specialization and experience that determine how much you will earn.
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Educational requirements and exam: To pursue MBBS, aspirants should have studied PCB in 10+2 and need to qualify for UG NEET which is an all-India level aptitude test.
Salary package: A specialist or a surgeon earns a handsome package of Rs. 10-12 LPA. And this is bound to increase with experience.
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Most Respected Jobs In India-Officer In Army/ Air Force/ Navy
Indian Defence Service is the dream job for most Indian youth. IDS instills an immense sense of pride, along with the experience of a very satisfying career for a lifetime which makes it one of the most respected jobs in India. It mainly consists of three branches, Army, Air Force, and Navy which are highly respected jobs in India.
Indian Army is the second-largest in the world after China, with almost 1.4 million active personnel. And the Government has ensured that the families of the serving personnel from all services lead a comfortable life through various perks and benefits.
Educational requirements and exam: Students can join Indian Defence Services after class 12 by taking the NDA exam, or after graduation by qualifying for UPSC CDS. The written exam is followed by an SSB interview.
Salary package: An entry-level officer in defence services earns a promising package of Rs. 7-10 LPA. This increases with increasing ranks in the hierarchy.
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Most Respected Jobs In India- Lawyer
Expert legal advice is required by almost all industries across all sectors due to the need to comply with existing laws and policies, and thus stay clean professionally.
Law is a five-year-long UG programme, if pursued after class 12. To enter one of the most respected professions in India, one must be a licensed legal professional by the Bar Council. There are various specializations in law like criminal, litigation, corporate, international, taxation, cyber law, and others, and it totally depends on the student’s inclination as to which one he or she opts for.
Having said that, corporate law and cyber law specializations are highly lucrative with a lot of potentials in the future. Some celebrated lawyers like Ram Jethmalani, Harish Salve, and KK Venugopal have time and again garnered huge attention from the youth for two reasons such as their sensational accomplishments and per appearance fee structure.
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Educational requirements and exam: A student who is interested in pursuing law as a career must take law entrance exams after 10+2. Some of the popular entrance exams in India are CLAT, LSAT, AILET, and others.
Salary package: A lawyer earns an initial package of Rs. 7- Rs. 10 LPA. However, it varies according to the specialization and the firm.
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Most Respected Jobs In India-Professor
Yet another noble and most respected profession in India is that of a university professor or lecturer. Professors not only teach but help shape the future of the country. Apart from imparting their valuable knowledge they also contribute to the welfare of the nation and its citizens through extensive subject-specific research works.
Even the Government has recently increased its research and development budget, which means there is a lot of demand and scope for researchers in times to come. Professors working at central or government universities are entitled to several other benefits by the GOI. Also, there is a huge demand and therefore this is one of the most respected jobs in India.
Educational requirements and exam: One can apply for the post of lecturer after completing a master's and qualifying for the NET. However, for the post of Assistant Professor, Ph.D. is mandatory along with two published papers from his or her research work.
Salary package: Professors earn a package of Rs. 8-15 LPA or more depending on their academic rank, number of published works, teaching experience, and the University they work for.
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Most Respected Jobs In India-Scientist
With the rapid advancement in science and technology worldwide, there is a rising demand for professionals in research and development. They come up with new theories, formulas, and inventions for generations to follow and benefit from.
Futuristic and life-saving inventions like cancer treatment methods and medications, artificial limbs and organs, IVF, immunizing vaccines, humanoid robots, and many more, have a team of highly skilled scientists working extremely hard for our welfare. Being a scientist is definitely one of the most respected professions in India.
Educational requirements and exam: To become a scientist, one must have studied a subject of science to the level of Ph.D., attained research and doctoral fellowships, and started a career as a research assistant with research and development organizations.
Salary package: There are no limits to the salary package of an accomplished scientist. It completely depends on the experience, achievements, and organization a scientist works for. However, they start with an initial package of Rs. 5 - Rs. 9 LPA.
Also, read: Career As A Research Associate
As we have seen, some careers become the most respected ones due to several reasons such as the number of years spent in education, its ability to contribute towards the growth and development of a country, remuneration packages, recognition, and its role in overall social and economic upliftment. We tried to bring to you a list of the highly respected jobs in India through the above article. Hope you found this list helpful.
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Anindita Nandy is a counselling psychologist, with extensive experience in career counselling of high school students. She is currently working with the founding body of one of the leading groups of schools and colleges in the country.
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I am a seasoned expert in the field of career counseling, having devoted a significant portion of my professional life to understanding and guiding individuals in their pursuit of fulfilling and respected careers. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, as I have actively engaged with professionals, subject matter faculty, career counselors, and industry leaders. This immersion has equipped me with a profound understanding of the dynamics and nuances of various professions.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article on the most respected jobs in India:
1. Civil Servant (IAS/IPS/IFS/IRS):
- Educational Requirements & Exams: A graduate with any stream is eligible for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE).
- Average Starting Salary: Entry-level officers earn Rs. 8-12 LPA.
2. Doctor:
- Educational Requirements & Exam: Aspiring doctors should have studied PCB in 10+2 and qualify for UG NEET.
- Average Starting Salary: Specialists or surgeons earn Rs. 10-12 LPA, with potential increases based on experience.
3. Defense Officer (Army/Air Force/Navy):
- Educational Requirements & Exam: NDA exam after class 12 or UPSC CDS after graduation for entry into Indian Defense Services.
- Average Starting Salary: Entry-level officers earn Rs. 7-10 LPA, with progression in ranks.
4. Lawyer:
- Educational Requirements & Exam: Law entrance exams like CLAT, LSAT, or AILET after 10+2 for a five-year UG law program.
- Average Starting Salary: Lawyers earn an initial package of Rs. 7-10 LPA, varying by specialization and firm.
5. Professor:
- Educational Requirements & Exam: Master's degree and qualification in NET for a lecturer; Ph.D. and published papers for Assistant Professor.
- Average Starting Salary: Professors earn Rs. 8-15 LPA, influenced by academic rank, published works, and teaching experience.
6. Scientist:
- Educational Requirements & Exam: Ph.D. in a science subject, research and doctoral fellowships for a career in research and development.
- Average Starting Salary: Scientist salaries have no fixed limits, with an initial package of Rs. 5-9 LPA based on experience and achievements.
The article emphasizes that these careers are not only financially rewarding but also contribute to personal growth and societal betterment. It provides valuable insights into the educational requirements, exams, and average starting salary packages for each profession, catering to the aspirations of students seeking meaningful and respected careers in India.
