If you love solving puzzles and investigating small incidents in your life then your mind is already adapted with critical thinking. If you are interested in biology, it will be a bonus point to choose to become a MPPSC Scientific Officer.
The Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) regularly recruits Scientific Officers to work in the state’s Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL). If you have a strong education degree with biology and chemistry then you can apply for this role. It is one of the most unique, respected, and fascinating government jobs out there.
It requires specialized skills as this is such a specialized role, you probably have a lot of questions like how can you apply for this role?
Here is the whole guide to become a Scientific Officer and eligibility criteria to apply for the MPPSC Scientific Officer role.
What Does an MPPSC Scientific Officer Actually Do?
You probably imagine a government job as tons of files on the desk and endless tasks to complete. But the role of a Scientific Officer is entirely different.
The Criminal Justice system needs a man with expertise to identify and analyze the founding elements (evidence) from a crime scene. This duty comes with a huge responsibility that is why the Scientific Officer considered the backbone of the criminal justice system. If you are selected for this job, you will be posted in any forensic labs across Madhya Pradesh.
The job is divided into different disciplines based on your educational background:
Physics Division: Marks on the wall, floor, crack glass, tool marks, are the expertise of the Scientific Officer (physics division) who has to analyze the crime scenes and examine crime scene photographs.
Chemistry & Toxicology Division: Any crime conducted using chemicals, illicit drugs, explosives, are the Chemistry & Toxicology Division Scientific Officer responsibility to examine. He also tests for poisons in biological samples.
Biology & Serology Division: Involves with biology evidence like DNA from hair and blood stain and profiling is Biology & Serology Division Scientific Officer responsibility.
In this role, you are not working in the lab. The police department and court rely upon your reports. It can literally make or break a criminal investigation. So, it’s a strong sense of ethics and absolute precision.
Who Can Apply?
Since it’s such a technical position, you can’t just walk in with a regular bachelor’s degree. The MPPSC needs experts on the subject.
Educational Qualifications:
You need a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) but choose a particular subject according to the requirement of the division.
You can choose Physics or Forensic Science in both BSc and MSc if you want to enter a physics division.
You can choose Chemistry or Forensic Science in both BSc and MSc if you want to enter a chemistry division.
You can choose Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, or Forensic Science in both BSc and MSc if you want to enter a Biology division.
Age Limit:
For candidates from Madhya Pradesh the age limit is generally 21 to 40 years. But, a big age relaxation is there mentioned for SC/ST/OBC candidates, women candidates and govt employees of mp. The upper age limit for the candidates applying from out of madhya pradesh is usually 28 or 30 years, as per the particular notification.
The Exam Pattern
The MPPSC selection process for this post is quite simple. There are generally two stages: a written exam (OMR-based) and an interview.
So, Let’s check at the written exam: It is in two parts and the full exam is of 450 marks with 50 marks for the interview.
Part A: General Knowledge and Computer Knowledge (150 Marks)
This is the stumbling block for many science students. Maybe you’re a genius in the lab, but you›ve also got to know your state. Part A comprises of:
B) General Knowledge of Madhya Pradesh – History, geography, economy, arts and culture of MP. You have to know the state like the back of your hand.
National and International Current Affairs: What the world and India is up to at present.
Information and Communication Technology: Basic computer literacy, internet, cybersecurity and e-governance.
Part B: Your Subject Specialization (300 Marks)
This is your moment to shine. B is completely specific to the subject you applied for (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology). The syllabus of this part is actually your whole M.sc. You can anticipate deep, conceptual, and technical multiple choice questions.
One mark can be cut from your answer sheet if you answer incorrectly and give you 3 marks for the right answer.
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Salary of the MPPSC Scientific Officer
Scientific Officer is a Class-II Gazetted Officer post. So this is equal to respect to and you enjoy a good pay scale. The pay scale and the grade pay of the basic pay fall under a very comfortable range of pay (usually basic pay would be in the range of Rs. 56,100 as per 7th Pay Commission).
After including DA, HRA and other government benefits, your net salary becomes very attractive. In addition, you receive unbeatable job security afforded by a state government position, plus health care and a pension plan.
Conclusion
MPPSC Scientific Officer is not merely a job, rather it’s a platform to utilize your scientific knowledge for the welfare of the society. It’s hard, mind-bending work, and a fantastic feeling.
The competition exists, but as the eligibility is limited to certain post-graduate degrees, the crowd is much lesser when compared to common exams like the State Service Exam (PCS). You don’t have to compete against millions; you have to compete against your peers.
If you have the prescribed qualification and a planned study schedule, then there is no way this exam can not be cleared by you. Be clear with your concepts, be updated with current affairs of mp and start your preparation from today itself. Good luck!
