The Apex body of the Income Tax Department is the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which is manned by the officers of the Indian Revenue Service. This body is the administrative head of the Income Tax Department and functions under the Finance Ministry of India

You need:

Above average organising abilities

Excellent communication skills

Extrovert and dynamic personality

Sound mathematical and logical skills

Strong leadership qualities

Willingness to travel and work in new places

Awareness about national and international affairs

Interest in human affairs

The Income Tax Department recruits at two levels. Direct recruitment is made to the Indian Revenue Service at the level of Assistant Commissioners of Income Tax, through an open examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Recruitment at the level of Income Tax Inspectors and below is done by the Staff Selection Commission.

To join in as an assistant commissioner of Income tax, you have to qualify through the Indian Civil Services examination.

There are two stages in the written examination - Preliminary and final exam. If you qualify in the Preliminary examination, then you will be called for the final examination.

After you clear the final examination you will be called for an interview and personality test. If you are among the select few who manage to get through the ICS examination, then on the basis of your position in the merit list and your preference you will be allotted the various services like the IAS, IPS, IFS or the IRS.

You can also join in directly as an income tax inspector. For this you need to be a graduate in any discipline and between the age group of 20-25 years

The examination for this grade consists of two parts:

The written exam consist of an objective type question paper on the topics of General Intelligence, General English, Numerical Ability and General Awareness.

This is followed by a personal interview after which the final merit list is put up.

Some Universities offering Diploma courses in Accountancy/ Taxation are as follows:- (Note: This list is indicative not exhaustive)

Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014

Course: Diploma in Taxation

Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar 751004

Course: Diploma in Taxation law and Management Accountancy

Nagpur University, Nagpur 440001

Course: PG Diploma in Accountancy, Taxation

Madurai Kamraj University, Institute of Correspondence Courses & Continuing Education, University Building, Palkalainagar, Madurai - 625 021

Course: Diploma in Taxation, Labour & Administrative Law

University of Mysore, Institute of Correspondence Courses & Continuing Education,

Manasagangotri, Mysore - 570 006

Course: Diploma in Business Taxation.

Import/Export Management

The best way to enter this line of international business is to go for a postgraduate degree/diploma in Export Management/International Business/International Business Administration from a recognised university or institute or Indian institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).

There are many diploma courses offered by privately run institutes. These diplomas are helpful no doubt, but these are not enough to jumpstart your career. On the other hand if you opt for these diploma courses after gaining 2-3 years of experience after graduation you can expect to get a good break in the industry.

Many export firms take fresh commerce graduates in the Documentation Department. This may not fetch a handsome salary but the experience can be very enriching. Many export firms prefer MBAs or equivalent diploma holders in the marketing department. Such persons can do well if they also obtain a diploma in export management/documentation.

For entry into PG Diploma courses in International Business in reputed universities, institutes and IIFT, a student should obtain at test 45-50 per cent in graduation examination under 10+2+3 system (IIFT needs at least 50 per cent marks).

Candidates with managerial skills and aptitudes such as excellent communication skills, leadership abilities, very strong analytical and logical skills, above average interpersonal skills, creativity and innovativeness; an outspoken, extrovert personality, a dynamic go getters with lots of initiatives should do well.

The ability to analyse quickly, make purchase decisions and evaluate products before shipment needs alertness at all times. Ability to work with a team and good command over spoken and written language is a must. Working knowledge of a foreign language will be an asset. They must be updated on international law, finance, production information etc. General awareness of the international marketing scenario and awareness of socio-cultural trends will be an added advantage.

Some institutes that provide courses in Import/Export Management (Note : This list is indicative not exhaustive)

Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, 15th Lane Prabhat Road, PUNE - 411004, www.sims.edu (Masters Diploma in International Trade)

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, V. L. Mehta Road, JVPD Scheme,

Vile Parle (West), Mumbai - 400 056, www.nmims.edu (Diploma in Import - Export)