AHMEDABAD : Regulation 8 of the CHA LR 2004 provides for conducting an examination of applicants for CHA License under Regulation 4 with eligibility criteria specified in Regulation 5 and 6.
The number of applicants each year increases in comparison to earlier years.
This is a good and positive sign. There is an urgent need for a large number of qualified and well read, conversant and professionals CHA's especially in the new Export Import locations i.e. the ICD's and new ports coming up all over the country.
Before starting preparations candidates need to ponder on a few realities:
When was the last time candidate wrote an exam paper?
Does she / he remember sitting in one place for over 3 hours without getting up; talking to anyone; no tea/coffee and writing?
When did the candidate last write in neat handwriting; formulating thoughts as she/he wrote?
For starters please write 4 full scape pages without a break on any topic of your choice all the questions asked above would become relevant and important to you.
You may tackle this challenge by ensuring that you write at least 15 full scape pages per day from the time you decide to sit for the exam till the exam.
Please remember this is your biggest obstacle.
It is to be remembered that the exam is of Domain knowledge. The examiners want to evaluate your ability in understanding concepts; laws; procedures; issues related to the same and have your observations on the same. Your knowledge needs to be reflected on the answer sheets.
Regulation 8 gives you a broad syllabus.
Kindly ensure that you cover the whole syllabus.
Read up as much material as you may find on each topic.
Read the same as many times as possible.
Write as you study.
Preferably study alone.
Put in at least 4 hours daily from now onwards on preparations.
Read up related subjects/topics also INCOTERMS; WTO; WCO; Customs in the modern times; Evolution of Customs in the liberalized economy of India these will help you write better, more qualified and structured answers.
While answering it is very important that terminology as provided in the Acts; etc. is used and not colloquial terms or local terms as we use across the country.
Please freely use terms like “proper officer”, “for the time being in force”, “or similar”, “mens rea”, “ignorance of the law is no excuse”, “imported not import”, “export not exported”, “proactive”, “retrospective”, “prospective”, “principal”, “agent” etc. Names of Acts with the year; Public Notices with full numbers etc would add value to your answers.
Another question often asked is how much does one write? There can be no guidelines for the same but the exam is subjective. This would translate to at least one and a half full scape sheets for a 4 or 5 mark question. The others must go proportionately or longer. This would imply that the total answers should not be less than 30 to 35 sheets if complete justice is to be done while answering the questions.
Needless to add that: write in neat handwriting; time yourself so that the complete papers is attempted; review the paper before handing over. This leads us to how to write such a 'long' short note. Ideally each answer must contain the answer to the basic question; ensure you write the relevant section number or Para number or the relevant public notice under which the same is covered; you may add explanations as well as your observations.
For eg: a question on Drawback merits mention additionally of it is not an incentive; it is under Ministry of Finance; return of drawback with interest in case of non realization of foreign exchange proceeds etc.
Candidates must remember that the exam is conducted only to judge your ability with the subject. This is what most of the candidates know well and have been doing same for the past few years.
Kindly also note that this is a career forming exam and all Custom clearances; problems of clients; festivals; entertainment; etc. must take a back seat from now till the exams.
This views are those of the writer alone. Contributed by Mr. Samir J Shah, Chief Mentor and Director, JBS Academy P Ltd., Is conducing courses for the exam in Gandhidham and Ahmedabad as well as guiding a number of candidates at other locations. JBS Academy specializes in course in Customs; Sea Cargo Handling, Air Cargo Handling; Freight Forwarding etc.
