NICT ‘O’ Level

Introduction:- 'O' level course of NICT Scheme is equivalent to a Foundation Level Course in Computer Applications. Students can acquire this qualification by undergoing this course and passing the examination conducted by the NICT. Working professionals can also appear in this examination directly, provided they possess the requisite educational qualification as indicated below.

Objective of the ‘O’ Level Course:- The objective of the course is to enable a student to acquire the knowledge pertaining to fundamentals of Information Technology (IT Tools and Business Systems, Internet Technology and Web design, Programming and Problem Solving through ‘C’ Language, Application of .NET Technology, Introduction to Multimedia, Introduction to ICT Resources, a Practical and Project Work).

In order to serve the IT industry better, the NICT ‘O’ Level course has been designed to develop the basic skills for the above.

The career options available to a NICT ‘O’ level qualifiers are:

•  Junior Programmer

•  EDP Assistant

 • Web Designer

•  Lab Demonstrator

Eligibility:- i) For students appearing through an institute: 10 + 2 or ITI Certificate (one year) after class 10 followed in each case by an accredited 'O' Level Course.

OR

Successful completion of the second year of a Government recognized polytechnic engineering / diploma course after class 10, followed by an accredited 'O' level course concurrently during the third year of the said polytechnic engineering diploma course. ii) For students-at-large (Direct Applicants): 10 + 2 or ITI Certificate (one year) after

       class 10 followed in each case, by one-year relevant experience. (Relevant experience cannot job experience in IT, including teaching in a recognized institution as faculty        member, excludes coaching.

                                                                                                                                                           OR

A pass in the NCVT-DP&CS (Data Processing & Computer Software) Examination conducted by DGE&T (Govt. of India).

NICT “O” Level Course:-

NICT ‘O’ Level Course consists of four theory modules (three compulsory modules and one elective module), one Practical and one Project. The structure of the ‘O’ Level syllabus is indicated below:-

The structure of the ‘O’ Level course is:

. IT Tools and Business System

. Internet Technology and Web Design

. Programming and Problem Solving Through ‘C’ Language

. Elective: (One Module out of the following three modules to be  chosen)

. Application of .NET Technology

. Introduction to Multimedia

. Introduction to ICT Resources

. Practical

. Project

Duration of Course:-   Minimum duration of the ‘O’ Level course is One Year .

PRACTICAL:- The students have to devote half of the total time allotted to each module of the course for the practical session. Practical assignments have been worked out for each theory module. The Practical examination will be based on the syllabus of ‘O’ Level course.

PROJECT :- NICT curriculum has a project as an important component of ‘O’ Level course. The Project is carried out by the student under guidance and support of faculty and management of the respective Institute / Organization. It is felt that such a project provides an opportunity to the student to apply his / her knowledge and skills to real life problems (including oral and written communication skills), and as such the project should be given utmost importance and priority both by the students as well as institution faculty / management in respect of its identification, planning and implementation.

Objective of the Project:- The aim of the project is to give the students an additional hand-on experience in solving a real life problem by applying knowledge and skills gained on completion of theory papers in a course at a given Level. It provides an

occasion for students to develop written and communication skills, Project also helps the students to realize the importance of resource and time management, ownership of task towards deliverables, innovation and efficiency in task management apart from presentation skills. It also provides a good opportunity for students to build, enhance and sustain high levels of professional conduct and performance and evolves a problem solver frame of mind in the students. It is also felt that taking up the project by a student prepares him for a job in industry and elsewhere.

EXAMINATION PATTERN :- The theory examination for each module under syllabus would be for duration of three hours and the total marks for each subject would be 100. One Practical examination of three hours duration and 100 marks.

Dates for the various activities connected with examinations will be announced on NICT website, well in advance of the examinations.

Laboratory/ Practical work will be conducted at Institutions / organizations, which are running the course. The NICT will be responsible for holding the examination for theory and practical both for the students from Accredited Centers and student at large.

Pass Percentage :- To qualify for a pass in a module, a candidate must have obtained at least 50% in each theory and practical examination.

The marks will be translated into grades, while communicating results to the candidates. The gradation structure is as below:-