Sunday 5 July 2015

Mathematical Finance and Financial Engineering Programmes in US and Europe

Scholarships - Deadlines - Steps

1. Fulbright Scholarships for the States - Apply to the scholarship and then apply to the program. Deadline for 2016-17 applications is 1 July 2015. Min 3 years of experience required.

2. Endeavour Scholarships by Australian government - Deadlines for application is 30 June 2015 for intakes starting from 1 Jan to 30 Nov 2015. Just apply to program first.

3. Barcelona Graduate School of Economics Masters degree programs in Economics, Finance and Data Science - Deadline 25 June 2015 - Apply to the program and while applying you have to apply for this scholarship.

4. Distance learning masters for Commonwealth countries in UK - Deadline 15th May 2015

5. Oxford University: MSc in Mahematical and Computational Finance, MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, MSc in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing

DEADLINES

12 noon UK time (midday) on:
  • Friday 21 November 2014
  • Friday 23 January 2015
  • Friday 13 March 2015

Deadline for Rhodes Scholarship is July-Oct of preceding year you wish to study. 

Monday 30 March 2015

Provender innovation via my mind's eye

Jackfruit Dry Curry

Tried to make dry curry and succeeded after a lot of hard work and help from my friend Aruj.


Got this image from google images and were able to make a similar looking curry.

Gist of the method: If jackfruit is not ripened, boil in a pressure cooker for three whistles and then make like a normal chicken curry. Else no need to boil if it is ripe.

.....Would be continued with future experiments

Wednesday 18 March 2015

Ideas: Playing in the derivative jungle

Event Based Strategy: Buy or Sell based on where the event may seem to bend the situation, but cover the position with 60:40 ratio.

Daily Strategy: Sharekhan Derivative research, way2wealth, microsec

Event Based Strategies

Events are the best time to cash in the derivative market as volatility will be very high. Some examples are as follows:

When the government cancelled the mines allocated to JSPL, the stock tanked 15% whereas the puts went up by a whopping 400%. This was very easy to cash in as a single sided strategy as well as a hedged one if one wanted to minimize risk and compromise on profit. But it was a really nice time to cash in the news.

Similarly when the Supreme Court deallocated the coal mines, the stocks of all the companies except coal india tanked heavily. That was very much a predictable event that could be cashed in but opportunity missed is an opportunity lost.

Another event was the allocation of Spectrum to telecom companies, now the telecom companies would go into huge debts if the final payment is done. So their stocks tanked down.

Few lessons learnt the hard way:

Playing daily by expert opinions, one should keep the target to 3-4% if he/she is not able to sense any logic for the move.

An event having a particular impact on a company need not mean that it will impact the whole index. Rather the index depends on the general mood of the market, if majority is in a mood to sell even after some big event the index will fall heavily and vice versa.

"As per mechanism approved in October 2014, price of domestically produced natural gas were to be revised every six month using weighted average price at Henry Hub of US, National Balancing Point of UK, rates in Alberta (Canada) and Russia with a lag of one quarter. So, rate for April 1 to September 30 would be based on average price at the international hubs during January to December 2014. "
                                                                                                                  courtsey: moneycontrol.com

So the price was coming out to be equal to $ 4.56 per mmBTU but the government has made it equal to $ 5.01 from $ 5.5 for the public.

Reducing the prices by this way hurt the companies such as Reliance Industries and ONGC.

This can be used as an important parameter for future predictions.

Lesson: While playing in options keep strict stop losses say 0.6 times the value of the contract, but on the target side buy even lots everytime and for a 2.5 times the cost sell odd number of lots and leave the rest odd to go to hero or zero.

Busting Myths

Myth 1 : Prices of Indian securities will be a reflection of the previous night ADRs in US, rather it is completely opposite....Learnt the hard way


Wednesday 4 March 2015

Prelims for Indian Administrative Services

Herein I am reproducing three articles from quora which would be useful for the preparation of prelims exam i.e. General Studies in a short span of time

Q.1 How important can YouTube be for preparation of the Civil Services Examination?

YouTube + The Hindu >
Online preparation at its best!
YouTube has become a very important part of our lives these days and as far as CSE is
concerned, there is no dearth of online lectures virtually on all the topics. You can go
through following videos on YouTube during the course of your preparation:
Vinay Lal's YouTube channel: Page on youtube.com
This is one of the best sources from where you can study comprehensive Indian
history. He is an assistant professor of history at UCLA. Following courses are
available on YouTube:

1. History of British India (20 Lectures)
2. History of Indian Civilization (26 Lectures)
3. Political and Cultural History of Contemporary India (20 Lectures)
4. The Global Indian Diaspora (20 Lectures)

Samvidhaan by Rajya Sabha TV:
It gives you an insight into the Indian constitution in a best possible way.
This will surely make you proud of our constitution.

Pradhanmantri:
You'll find very few sources that deals with the history of India after 1947. This is one
of the most reliable one.

There are many more to gain from YouTube which are beyond description. I'll advice
you to subscribe to following channels in addition to above:

>Documentaries HD Channel: Page on youtube.com

>National Geographic: National Geographic

>Nat Geo TV: Page on youtube.com

>History Channel: History Channel

>Animal Planet: Animal Planet

>Crash Course: CrashCourse

>Rajya Sabha TV: Rajya Sabha TV

>CEC UGC: Cec Ugc

Following channels may be very helpful during the course of your preparation. They
focus on UPSC preparation only:

>UPSC Preparation: UPSC preparation

>UPSC Online: UPSCONLINE

>Mahesh Kulkarni: Mahesh Kulkarni

>Unacademy: Unacademy

In addition, innumerable documentaries are available on YouTube which can really
provide you with some great knowledge. Just search for them using relevant keywords
but make sure that the video you're watching is from reliable source and has
considerable amount of research in it because wrong knowledge is worse than no
knowledge at all.


Q. 2 How should I prepare to crack IAS 2015 in my first attempt without any coaching?

Note: Here I assume that you're very determined and motivated to be an IAS officer
and currently you stand at zero level of preparation. I'll skip the optional subject part as
it will require another big answer. I'll keep the time frame in mind (approx 6 months
are left).
First of all, go through the last six months' newspapers extensively (preferably The
Hindu) because a lot of things have happened during this period. Read very carefully
each and every editorial and try to form your rational opinion on those topics. Don't
stop reading newspapers until you qualify the exam.
Start reading ALL NCERT books from Class VI to Class X. Read them in three passes.
First, reading them like a novel. Second, read them very carefully and third, read them
while making notes. Ultimately, your notes will prove to be the best book you possess.
I'll come to notes making later in this answer. Selective reading is required from Class
XI and Class XII. Read all the chapters from History, Political Science, Geography and
Economics. Some chapters from Chemistry, Physics and Biology are required to be
read. Read them in the same way I described earlier. Keep revising your notes
regularly. Taking them out only a day before exam after making them won't be much
helpful.
If you put this much of effort sincerely in these six months, you won't face any
problem in qualifying prelims. I don't think you have time to read any reference book
or even you need to as far as general studies is concerned. It is just a hype created by
masses. Now let's come to the writing strategy.
While making notes, keep 10% rule in mind which states that if the source material has
100 words, your notes should NOT exceed 10 words i.e., 10% of the source material.
writing. The best way to start doing so is, pick up your NCERT book, open any chapter
which you've read and attempt the questions given at the back of the chapter. Believe
me, the questions are really good. After attempting them, start solving previous years'
questions. Before that, know what the keywords mean. How examine is different from
critically examine or how analyse is different from examine.
Finally, solve some mock papers. Enroll into any test series by a good coaching
institute (if possible). Get your answers to be reviewed by someone in your reach who
specializes in that topic, take their feedback very seriously and work upon it. Start
writing your opinion to the best of your ability which covers the asked topic
comprehensively because ultimately, it is your opinion which carries the maximum
marks in exam.
No matter how much you read, but if you don't write, you won't be able to qualify
mains. So write write and write. Keep writing until your hands give up!
I would like to conclude the answer with the timeless words by Robert Frost:
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep...
Have faith in yourself. All the Best!

Q. 3 Right now I am doing my masters but I am planning to take the civil services exam in 2016. I
can afford four hours of study time daily. What are some good ways to use these hours judiciously?

I would like to start the answer by telling you that if you sincerely devote 4 hours daily
for the next one and a half years, no doubt you'll qualify the exam with flying colors.
I assume you'll start your preparation from scratch and reading newspaper (except
editorials) don't come under those four hours.
Don't take up NCERT books now. This line may sound awkward but there is a reason
based on experience. Watch documentaries on YouTube as much as you can especially
about ancient history and geography for three hours daily (75% of your available time)
because these are two subjects we all find difficult to visualize while reading from any
book. Devote remaining one hour reading editorials. Keep making notes
simultaneously and form your opinion on each and every happening you come across
during this time (I'll tell you how to make notes further in the answer). After some
time, take up a reference book (still not NCERT) like India after Gandhi (I personally
loved this book) and read it in two passes. First read it like novel and second, read it
very carefully and while making notes.
Now you take up every NCERT book from Class VI to Class X. First, read those books
like a novel. Enjoy all the happenings you come across. Now since you've already
watched the documentaries, it won't be much difficult for you to visualize even the
paleolithic age and different colors of India (that's why I advise you to watch the
documentaries first). During second pass, read the books very carefully by analyzing
every new thing you see while reading. In the third pass, make notes and your
opinions. Very selective and careful reading is required from Class XI and Class XII
books. Keep reading your optional subject simultaneously.

Now after this, devote yourself completely into newspapers and writing practice. If
you've analyzed this year's mains general studies' papers, you must have noticed that
almost all the questions asked your opinion about the happenings which took place in
India within the last one year. Remember that your opinion carries maximum marks in
any answer you write. Start solving mock papers and enroll yourself in any good test
series.
About notes writing, follow 10% rule which states that your notes should not exceed
10% of the total number of words present in the source material. This way you'll be
able to express yourself while being within the prescribed word limit. The good thing
with you is that you'll be left with enough amount of time to practice writing answers.
This is the most important part of your preparation, make use of it to the best of your
ability. Without writing practice, no matter how much you read, you won't be able to
qualify mains (you may get through prelims though). So write good answers and get
them evaluated by your teachers or mentors who specialize in that subject.
The problem with most of the aspirants is that they devote maximum amount of their
time to read rather than to write and this is something which creates the difference
between selected and not selected candidates. Make sure to write your answers as
beautifully and comprehensively as you can. This comes only via practice. Solve as
many mock papers as you can.
You may find this answer useful as well: Avinash Mishra's answer to How should I
prepare to crack IAS 2015 in my first attempt without any coaching?
I conclude the answer with the following words by Emily Dickinson:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain...
I hope after becoming the IAS officer, you'll ease many lives' pain. All the best!

Ideas : Structural Analysis

Problems related to hinges in the structures

1. Hinges are internal information in the structure and the external summation of forces and bending moment should be done first to satisfy the equilibrium

The solution is obtained by first writing the three equations for the whole system and then breaking using hinges and writing additional equations to solve for the external reactions

....to be continued

Monday 2 March 2015

Ideas for Indian Engineering Services exam (Civil Engineering)

Although I am still preparing, but still would love to share my mind's eye on how to crack it in one year

Going by the syllabus and what books to follow and topics to study from the books as time is short

Link for made easy notes
http://www.only4engineer.com/2014/10/made-easy-hand-written-notes-for-CE.html
Paper I
1. BUILDING MATERIALS
Timber: Different types and species of structural timber, density-moisture relationship, strength in different directions, defects, influence of defects on permissible stress, preservation, dry and wet rots, codal provisions for design, Plywood.
Bricks: Types, Indian Standard classification, absorption, saturation factor, strength in masonry, influence of morter strength on masonry strength.
Book: Engineering Materials by Rangwala 
Cement: Compounds of, different types, setting times, strength.
Cement Mortar: Ingredients, proportions, water demand, mortars for plastering and masonry.
Concrete: Importance of W/C Ratio, Strength, ingredients including admixtures, workability, testing for strength, elasticity, non-destructive testing, mix design methods.
Book: Concrete Technology by ML Gambhir 
2. SOLID MECHANICS
Elastic constants, stress, plane stress, Mohr’s circle of stress, strains, plane strain, Mohr’s circle of strain, combined stress; Elastic theories of failure; Simple bending, shear; Torsion of circular and rectangular sections and simple members.
Book: Engineering Mechnics by Shames, followed by Solid Mechanics by Egor P. Popov
3. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Analysis of determinate structures - different methods including graphical methods.
Analysis of indeterminate skeletal frames - moment distribution, slope-deflection, stiffness and force methods, energy methods, Muller-Breslau principle and application.
Plastic analysis of indeterminate beams and simple frames - shape factors.
Book: Ramamrutham and CS Reddy
4. DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURES
Principles of working stress method. Design of connections, simple members, Built-up sections and frames, Design of Industrial roofs. Principles of ultimate load design(Actually the ultimate load is found from the strength of steel in plastic range). Design of simple members and frames.
Book: SK Duggal, IS 800, LS Negi
5. DESIGN OF CONCRETE AND MASONRY STRUCTURES
Limit state design for bending, shear, axial compression and combined forces. Codal provisions for slabs, beams, walls and footings. Working stress method of design of R.C. members.
Book: AK Jain, ML Gambhir, IS 456
Principles of prestressed concrete design, materials, methods of prestressing, losses. Design of simple members and determinate structures. Introductions to prestressing of indeterminate structures.
Book: Krishna Raju
Design of brick masonry as per I.S. Codes.
Book: Building Construction by BC Punmia
6. CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Concreting Equipment:
Weight Batcher, Mixer, vibrator, batching plant, concrete pump.
Cranes, hoists, lifting equipment.
Earthwork Equipment:
Power shovel, hoe, dozer, dumper, trailers and tractor, rollers, sheep foot rollers, pumps.
Books: Peurifoy, Made Easy Notes
Construction, Planning and Management:
Bar chart, linked bar chart, work-break down structures, Activity - on - arrow diagrams. Critical path, probabilistic Activity durations; Event-based networks.
PERT network: Time-cost study, crashing; Resource allocation.
Book: Project Planning and Control with PERT and CPM by BC Punmia, Made Easy Notes
Paper II
1 A. FLUID MECHANICS, OPEN CHANNEL FLOW, PIPE FLOW
Fluid Properties, Pressure, Thrust, Buoyancy; Flow Kinematics; Integration of flow equations; Flow measurement; Relative motion; Moment of momentum; Viscosity, Boundary layer and Control, Drag, Lift; dimensional Analysis, Modelling; Cavitation; Flow oscillations; Momentum and Energy principles in Open channel flow, Flow controls, Hydraulic jump, Flow sections and properties; Normal flow, Gradually varied flow; Surges; Flow development and losses in pipe flows, Measurements; Siphons; Surges and Water hammer; Delivery of Power Pipe networks.
Book: RK Bansal
1 B. HYDRAULIC MACHINES AND HYDROPOWER
Centrifugal pumps, types, performance parameters, scaling, pumps in parallel; Reciprocating pumps, air vessels, performance parameters; Hydraulic ram; Hydraulic turbines, types, performance parameters, controls, choice; Power house, classification and layout, storage, pondage, control of supply.
Book: RK Bansal, Made Easy Notes
2 A. HYDROLOGY
Hydrological cycle, precipitation and related data analyses, PMP, unit and synthetic hydrographs; Evaporation and transpiration; Floods and their management, PMF; Streams and their gauging; River morphology; Routing of floods; Capacity of Reservoirs.
Book: Subramanya
2 B. WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING
Water resources of the globe: Multipurpose uses of Water: Soil-Plant-Water relationships, irrigation systems, water demand assessment; Storages and their yields, ground water yield and well hydraulics; Waterlogging, drainage design; Irrigation revenue; Design of rigid boundary canals, Lacey’s and Tractive force concepts in canal design, lining of canals; Sediment transport in canals; Non-Overflow and overflow sections of gravity dams and their design, Energy dissipators and tailwater rating; Design of headworks, distribution works, falls, cross-drainage works, outlets; River training.
Book: SK Garg
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
3 A. WATER SUPPLY ENGINEERING
Sources of supply, yields, design of intakes and conductors; Estimation of demand; Water quality standards; Control of Water-borne diseases; Primary and secondary treatment, detailing and maintenance of treatment units; Conveyance and distribution systems of treated water, leakages and control; Rural water supply; Institutional and industrial water supply.
Book: SK Garg
3 B. WASTE WATER ENGINEERING
Urban rain water disposal; Systems of sewage collection and disposal; Design of sewers and sewerage systems; pumping; Characteristics of sewage and its treatment, Disposal of products of sewage treatment, streamflow rejuvenation Institutional and industrial sewage management; Plumbing Systems; Rural and semi-urban sanitation.
Book: SK Garg
3 C. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Sources, classification, collection and disposal; Design and Management of landfills.
Book: SK Garg
3 D. AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION AND ECOLOGY
Sources and effects of air pollution, monitoring of air pollution; Noise pollution and standards; Ecological chain and balance, Environmental assessment.
Book: SK Garg
4 A. SOIL MECHANICS
Properties of soils, classification and interrelationship; Compaction behaviour, methods of compaction and their choice; Permeability and seepage, flow nets, Inverted filters; Compressibility and consolidation; Shearing resistance, stresses and failure; soil testing in laboratory and in-situ; Stress path and applications; Earth pressure theories, stress distribution in soil; soil exploration, samplers, load tests, penetration tests.
Book: Gopal Ranjan
4 B. FOUNDATION ENGINEERING
Types of foundations, Selection criteria, bearing capacity, settlement, laboratory and field tests; Types of piles and their design and layout, Foundations on expansive soils, swelling and its prevention, foundation on swelling soils.
Book: Gopal Ranjan
5 A. SURVEYING
Classification of surveys, scales, accuracy; Measurement of distances - direct and indirect methods; optical and electronic devices; Measurement of directions, prismatic compass, local attraction; Theodolites - types; Measurement of elevations - Spirit and trigonometric levelling; Relief representation; Contours; Digital elevation modelling concept; Establishment of control by triangulations and traversing - measurements and adjustment of observations, computation of coordinates; Field astronomy, Concept of global positioning system; Map preparation by plane tabling and by photogrammetry; Remote sensing concepts, map substitutes.
Book: BC Punmia
5 B. TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
Planning of highway systems, alignment and geometric design, horizontal and vertical curves, grade separation; Materials and construction methods for different surfaces and maintenance: Principles of pavement design; Drainage.
Traffic surveys, Intersections, signalling: Mass transit systems, accessibility, networking.
Tunnelling, alignment, methods of construction, disposal of muck, drainage, lighting and ventilation, traffic control, emergency management.
Book: Highway Engineering by Khanna and Justo
Planning of railway systems, terminology and designs, relating to gauge, track, controls, transits, rolling stock, tractive power and track modernisation; Maintenance; Appurtenant works; Containerisation.
Book: Railway Engineering by Saxena and Arora
Harbours - layouts, shipping lanes, anchoring, location identification; Littoral transport with erosion and deposition; sounding methods; Dry and Wet docks, components and operational Tidal data and analyses.
Book: Docks and Harbours by Rangwala
Airports - layout and orientation; Runway and taxiway design and drainage management; Zoning laws; Visual aids and air traffic control; Helipads, hangers, service equipment.
Book: Airport Engineering by Saxena and Arora