Thursday, 31 October 2019
Where to get Degree Programs in Foreign Language in India?
Tuesday, 15 October 2019
How to score higher band in IELTS exam?
Scoring a high band in the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam requires effective preparation, a clear understanding of the exam format, and consistent practice.
The IELTS exam is divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, each contributing equally to your overall score. We at Palium Skills offer courses for IELTS exam preparation and Spoken English.
Based on our past experience, to score well, you'll need to perform well in all four areas.
Here are some detailed strategies to help you achieve a high band score in each section:
General Tips for All Sections
1. Understand the Band Descriptors:
- IELTS scoring is based on a 9-band scale, where Band 9 is an expert level and Band 1 is a non-user of English.
- Be aware of what each band means in terms of your language proficiency. Understanding the specific criteria for scoring will help you tailor your preparation.
2. Time Management:
- All sections of the IELTS exam are timed. Learn how to manage time effectively, as this can make a big difference in your performance, particularly in the reading and writing sections.
3. Practice with Real IELTS Materials:
- Use official IELTS practice tests and materials from recognized sources. This helps familiarize you with the format and question types.
4. Improve Vocabulary and Grammar:
- A wide range of vocabulary and proper grammar are essential for scoring higher. Avoid using very simple vocabulary and aim for a variety of sentence structures in your writing and speaking.
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1. Listening
The Listening section consists of 4 recordings (dialogues and monologues) and has 40 questions in total. You’ll listen to each recording once and answer the questions based on what you hear.
Tips to score higher in Listening:
- Practice Listening to Different Accents: IELTS uses a variety of English accents (British, Australian, American, etc.). Practice listening to different types of English to get used to diverse pronunciation styles.
- Focus on Keywords: In the listening section, keywords in the questions will help guide you to the correct answer. Pay attention to the words and phrases used in the questions, as they often appear in the recording.
- Take Notes: While listening, make quick notes of important details (names, numbers, dates, etc.). This helps when answering detailed questions.
- Listen for Synonyms: The answers are not always exact matches to the questions. Sometimes, the words used in the audio may be synonyms or paraphrases of the words in the questions.
- Avoid Overthinking: If you miss a question, don't dwell on it. Focus on the next one because you will get to hear the audio only once.
Practice Resources:
- Listen to English podcasts, watch movies, and follow news channels in English to get used to listening to various speeds and accents.
---
2. Reading
The Reading section consists of 3 long texts, with a total of 40 questions. The texts get progressively more difficult, and the questions range from multiple choice to true/false/not given.
Tips to score higher in Reading:
- Skim and Scan: Don’t read word-for-word. Skim through the text to get the general idea, and then scan for specific information related to the questions.
- Understand the Question Types: Familiarize yourself with the different question formats (e.g., multiple choice, matching headings, fill-in-the-blanks). Each type requires a different approach.
- Pay Attention to Time: You have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions. Allocate your time wisely and don't spend too long on any one question.
- Practice with Time Limits: Regular practice under timed conditions is essential. Try to complete reading tests in under an hour, so you get accustomed to the time pressure.
- Don’t Overthink: If you're unsure of an answer, make an educated guess and move on. The reading test is designed to be tricky, and overthinking can waste precious time.
Practice Resources:
- Use IELTS practice materials or reading comprehension tests available online. Regular practice with different kinds of texts (e.g., academic articles, newspaper stories, etc.) will improve your reading skills.
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3. Writing
The Writing section has two tasks:
- Task 1: A graph, chart, or diagram where you summarize information (for Academic IELTS) or write a letter (for General Training IELTS).
- Task 2: An essay where you address a problem, opinion, or discussion.
Tips to score higher in Writing:
- Task Achievement and Response: In Task 1, make sure you summarize the data accurately, and in Task 2, ensure you answer the question completely. Stay on topic and avoid irrelevant information.
- Coherence and Cohesion: Structure your writing logically. Use clear paragraphs, and connect ideas with linking words (e.g., furthermore, however, because). Don’t jump between unrelated points.
- Grammatical Range: Use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, complex). Avoid repetitive sentence patterns.
- Vocabulary: Use a range of vocabulary. Avoid repeating the same words; instead, use synonyms where appropriate.
- Time Management: Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. Task 2 has more weight, so allocate more time to it.
- Plan Your Essays: Spend a few minutes planning your writing. Make sure you have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
- Proofread: Always leave a couple of minutes to check for errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
Practice Resources:
- Write essays and reports regularly. You can find sample questions and prompts online. Use feedback from teachers or tutors to improve.
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4. Speaking
The Speaking section is a one-on-one interview with an examiner, which takes about 11-14 minutes. It’s divided into 3 parts:
- Part 1: Introduction and general questions (e.g., about your hometown, hobbies, etc.).
- Part 2: Speaking for 1-2 minutes on a given topic (you get a minute to prepare).
- Part 3: Discussion based on the theme of Part 2, where the examiner asks more abstract questions.
Tips to score higher in Speaking:
- Fluency: Speak clearly and naturally. Don’t rush, but also avoid long pauses. If you don’t know the answer, try to talk around the topic.
- Pronunciation: While perfect pronunciation is not required, make sure that your speech is clear. Practice pronunciation of difficult words and focus on intonation and stress.
- Vocabulary: Use a variety of words and phrases. Avoid repeating the same words too often.
- Answer Fully: Don’t give short, yes/no answers. Expand your answers with explanations or examples.
- Practice Speaking Regularly: Speak English daily. Practice with a speaking partner or tutor. If possible, try to have conversations with native speakers.
- Stay Calm: The speaking test is conversational, so don’t be nervous. Take a deep breath and focus on the content of your answers.
Practice Resources:
- Use online platforms like italki or Preply to have mock speaking tests with native speakers. You can also practice with a friend or tutor.
Additional Strategies
1. Take Practice Tests: Regularly take full-length IELTS practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and timing.
2. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify your weaknesses in listening, reading, writing, or speaking and focus on improving those areas.
3. Use Official IELTS Resources: Use books like the Cambridge IELTS series, official practice materials from the British Council or IDP, or apps like IELTS Prep to simulate real test conditions.
4. Stay Positive and Manage Stress: Test anxiety can affect your performance. Stay calm, and remember that practice and preparation are the keys to success.
By following the above strategies and consistently practicing, you can improve your chances of scoring a higher band on the IELTS exam.
Palium Skills offer courses for IELTS exam preparation and Spoken English that help individuals to score higher.
Monday, 14 October 2019
FAQs about IELTS
Questions about IELTS :
1- What is the IELTS exam? The IELTS is an English Proficiency test governed by IDP, It has 4 Modules i.e. Listening, Reading, WRiting and Speaking.
2- Types of IELTS Exam.
There are Majorly two types of IELTS :
• IELTS Academic : For Study Visa, usually for Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs
• IELTS General : For Non Academic Purposes i.e as PR, Job and others
3-What is LRWS : LRWS means;
There are Majorly two types of IELTS :
• Listening: : 30 minutes
• Reading: : 60 minutes
• Writing: : 60 minutes
• Speaking : 11–14 minutes
4- What is Band in IELTS ? :
Band is IELTS defines your Ability as a user in English Language
• 0 Band : Did not Appear
• 1 Band: : No capacity
• 2 Band: : Very Basic User
• 3 Band : Beginne
• 4 Band : Limited User
• 5 Band : Modest User
• 6 Band : Effective User
• 7 Band : Good User
• 8 Band : Excellent User
• 9 Band : Perfect User
5- Validity of IELTS ? :
6- Can I take the IELTS more than 1 time ? :
There is no restriction to give IELTS exams, Which
Means you may take IELTS exams as many Times as you Like. It generally
takes place twice every month.
7- What is the IELTS exam Fee ? :
The Current Fee for IELTS Exam is 17,000 INR
8- What Documents are Needed for IELTS ? :
The Only Document that you require to book IELTS
exam is your Passport, Without Passport, you can not book IELTS Exam.
9- What is IELTS Life skill ? :
IELTS Life skill is designed for People with very
limited ability of English Language, It is only demanded under certain
situations i.e Spouse visa or so. It consists only 2 modules i.e
Listening and Writing
Why Palium Skills for IELTS :
• Excellent faculty
• Enjoy Hybrid Training( Online + Offline)
• Most Reasonable Training Courses
• Complementary Grammar and Vocabulary Support
• Complementary assistance in Study abroad counselling and further visa related Process
• Unmatched Success Ratio
• Classes available for Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish,
Sunday, 6 October 2019
Microsoft Excel Training – Basic to Advanced
🧮 Microsoft Excel Training – Basic to Advanced
Offered by Palium Skills, Kolkata
Excel skills are essential for students, professionals, and businesses. Palium Skills offers structured Basic and Advanced Excel Training programs — available in both Classroom (Kolkata) and Live Online modes — to help participants master Excel for real-world applications.
📘 Basic Excel Training
Duration: 12 Hours
Mode: Classroom / Live Online
Level: Beginner
Course Overview
This course introduces participants to Microsoft Excel’s interface, tools, and functions. It focuses on building confidence in managing data, formatting, calculations, and charts.
Course Modules
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Getting Started with Excel
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Excel interface, workbooks, and worksheets
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Data entry, navigation, and editing
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Formatting and Layout
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Formatting cells, rows, and columns
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Using number formats, borders, and alignment
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Basic Formulas & Functions
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Introduction to relative & absolute references
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Data Management
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Freezing panes, hiding/unhiding sheets
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Charts & Conditional Formatting
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Creating column, bar, pie, and line charts
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Applying conditional formatting rules
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Printing & Page Setup
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Page layout, print areas, and headers/footers
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Key Highlights
✅ Hands-on exercises
✅ Step-by-step guided practice
✅ Certificate of Completion
Learning Outcome
Participants will be able to prepare reports, use formulas efficiently, and present data clearly in charts and tables.
📗 Advanced Excel Training
Duration: 16 Hours
Mode: Classroom / Live Online
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Course Overview
This course takes Excel skills to the next level — teaching participants how to analyze data, use complex functions, and create interactive dashboards.
Course Modules
Basic Excel Brushup
Cell Referencing
Hyperlink
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Data Tools & Validation
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Conditional Formatting
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Consolidation and subtotals
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Advanced Functions & Formulas
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Text, Date, and Array functions
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Logical (IF, AND, OR, IFERROR)
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PivotTables & PivotCharts
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Data Analysis Techniques
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Advanced Visualization
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Conditional formatting with formulas
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Sparklines and advanced charting
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Automation with Macros (VBA Intro)
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Recording and running macros
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Introduction to VBA concepts
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Data Protection & Collaboration
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Linking and sharing workbooks
Key Highlights
✅ Real-life case studies & exercises
✅ Excel Dashboard creation
✅ Course completion certificate
Learning Outcome
Participants will be able to handle large datasets, automate repetitive tasks, and design professional dashboards for business reporting.
🎓 Why Learn with Palium Skills?
-
Experienced corporate trainers
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Small batch sizes for personalized attention
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Both offline (Kolkata) and live online options available
📞 Contact Palium Skills
Phone: +91 84205 94969 / +91 70448 71915
Email: info@paliumskills.com
Website: www.paliumskills.com
Start mastering Excel today — the skill that every professional needs!
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
What to know before visiting a foreign country?
Which country do you want to visit? The country that you have always wanted to visit. A country of
your dreams, a land that has been beckoning you since your childhood. But before you go there one
needs to prepare for the trip. Preparation does not mean only shopping and luggage. It means reading
up on local customs and traditions, learning about the people, their food habits, their culture,
literature and language.
Language is particularly important as in some of the countries no foreign languages are understood.
Countries in Europe, South America, parts of Africa require knowledge of German, Spanish and
French. Infact in some of these countries it is very important to know the survival basics. One needs to know the custom, traditions and culture so one can better identify with the people else very often visitors end up making fools of themselves due to their ignorance or lack of efforts to learn about these vital aspects of any country.
Learn the language of the country...it will help you to understand the country and its people in a better
way... You may have a different reason for going to a new country- for employment, for business, for higher studies or just as a tourist ... whatever be the reason, make sure you know the local language.
It is not only important for survival but also for understanding the local culture and traditions
Article 53: Payroll Processing in India – A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals
SEO Title: Payroll Processing in India: Complete Step-by-Step HR Guide
Meta Description: Learn payroll processing in India step by step, including salary structure, attendance, deductions, PF, ESI, PT, TDS, payslips, payroll reconciliation and HR best practices.
Payroll is one of the most important operational functions handled by HR and payroll teams. Accurate payroll processing ensures that employees receive their salaries correctly and that the organisation maintains proper payroll records and follows applicable statutory requirements.
For students, freshers and working professionals planning a career in HR and Payroll, practical knowledge of the payroll cycle is highly valuable.
What Is Payroll Processing?
Payroll processing is the systematic process of calculating employee salaries and processing the final salary payable for a particular payroll period.
A typical payroll cycle can involve:
Employee Master Data → Attendance & Leave → Earnings → Deductions → Payroll Calculation → Verification → Payslip → Salary Processing → Reports
The exact process varies according to the organisation's salary structure, payroll system, policies and applicable laws.
Why Is Payroll Important?
An effective payroll process helps organisations:
Pay employees accurately and on time
Maintain salary records
Process approved attendance and leave inputs
Calculate applicable deductions
Generate payslips
Prepare payroll reports
Maintain payroll documentation
Support statutory compliance
Even a small payroll data error can create employee dissatisfaction, so accuracy and reconciliation are critical HR skills.
Step 1: Maintain Employee Master Data
Payroll starts with accurate employee information.
The employee master may contain:
Employee ID
Employee name
Department
Designation
Date of joining
Salary structure
Bank details
Applicable payroll information
Attendance details
Other required employee information
Any changes in salary, designation, department or employee status should be properly authorised and updated.
Step 2: Understand the Salary Structure
Before processing payroll, HR professionals need to understand the employee's compensation structure.
A salary structure may contain components such as:
Earnings
Basic Salary
House Rent Allowance
Special Allowance
Conveyance or other applicable allowances
Incentives
Overtime, where applicable
Deductions
Provident Fund, where applicable
ESI, where applicable
Professional Tax, where applicable
TDS, where applicable
Other authorised deductions
The actual structure differs between organisations.
Step 3: Collect Attendance Data
Attendance is an important payroll input.
HR or payroll teams may collect:
Days worked
Paid leave
Unpaid leave
Absence
Late attendance
Overtime
Shift information
Attendance should be reviewed before payroll is processed.
Step 4: Process Leave Information
Payroll teams may need to identify:
Approved paid leave
Unpaid leave
Leave without pay
Other applicable attendance adjustments
For example, approved unpaid absence may result in an applicable Loss of Pay (LOP) adjustment.
The calculation should follow the organisation's approved payroll policy.
Step 5: Calculate Earnings
The payroll system calculates applicable employee earnings based on the salary structure and approved inputs.
For example:
Basic Salary + Allowances + Applicable Variable Earnings = Gross Earnings
Variable components may include incentives, overtime or other eligible payments.
Step 6: Calculate Applicable Deductions
Payroll then calculates applicable deductions.
Depending on the employee and organisation, deductions may include:
Provident Fund
Employees' State Insurance
Professional Tax
Tax Deducted at Source
Approved recoveries
Other authorised deductions
Not every deduction applies to every employee.
Step 7: Understand PF in Payroll
Provident Fund (PF) is an important payroll-related area in India.
HR and payroll professionals should understand:
Employee PF contribution
Employer contribution
Applicable wage components
Eligibility and applicability
Payroll reporting
Actual contributions and applicability should always be determined according to the prevailing rules and the employee's circumstances.
Step 8: Understand ESI in Payroll
Employees' State Insurance (ESI) is another important area for payroll professionals.
Payroll teams may need to understand:
Employee contribution
Employer contribution
Applicability
Wage considerations
Payroll records
The applicable rules and contribution requirements should be checked against the current statutory framework.
Step 9: Understand Professional Tax
Professional Tax (PT) is a state-level tax applicable in states that levy it.
Payroll professionals should understand that:
Rules can vary by state
Eligibility may depend on salary and other conditions
Payroll deductions must follow the applicable state rules
Step 10: Understand TDS on Salary
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) may apply to salary income according to applicable income-tax rules.
Payroll teams may need to consider:
Employee declarations
Taxable salary
Eligible deductions and exemptions under the applicable tax regime
Tax calculation
Monthly deductions
Relevant reporting
Tax rules can change, so payroll professionals should work with current statutory guidance.
Step 11: Calculate Net Salary
A simplified representation is:
Gross Earnings – Applicable Deductions = Net Salary
For example, if an employee has:
Gross earnings: ₹50,000
Applicable deductions: ₹5,000
Then:
Net Salary = ₹45,000
This is only an illustrative calculation. Actual payroll depends on the employee's salary structure, attendance and applicable deductions.
Step 12: Payroll Verification
Payroll should be checked before final processing.
HR/payroll teams may verify:
New joiners
Resignations
Salary revisions
Attendance
Leave
LOP
Overtime
Incentives
Deductions
Bank information
A payroll checklist can help reduce errors.
Step 13: Payroll Reconciliation
Payroll reconciliation is an important control activity.
The payroll team can compare:
Payroll Data ↔ Employee Master ↔ Attendance ↔ Leave ↔ Salary Changes ↔ Deductions
The objective is to identify discrepancies before salary processing.
Step 14: Generate Payslips
After payroll processing, employees may receive salary payslips.
A payslip commonly includes:
Employee information
Pay period
Earnings
Deductions
Gross salary
Net salary
Payslips should be handled securely because they contain employee financial information.
Step 15: Process Salary Payments
After final payroll approval, salary payment is processed according to the organisation's payroll process.
The payroll team may coordinate with the finance/accounts department for salary disbursement.
Step 16: Prepare Payroll Reports
HR and payroll teams may prepare reports such as:
Monthly payroll summary
Department-wise payroll
New joiner report
Exit report
Deduction report
LOP report
Overtime report
Payroll variance report
These reports can support management decisions and payroll controls.
Payroll Processing Example
Consider an employee with an illustrative monthly salary structure:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Salary | ₹25,000 |
| HRA | ₹10,000 |
| Special Allowance | ₹10,000 |
| Other Earnings | ₹5,000 |
| Gross Earnings | ₹50,000 |
Suppose applicable deductions total ₹5,000.
Illustrative Net Salary = ₹50,000 – ₹5,000 = ₹45,000
The actual payroll calculation would depend on the employee's applicable deductions, attendance, tax position and company salary structure.
Payroll Processing Using Excel
Excel remains useful for HR and payroll reporting.
HR professionals can use:
IF
SUM
SUMIFS
COUNTIFS
XLOOKUP
VLOOKUP
Pivot Tables
Conditional Formatting
Data Validation
Charts
Excel can be used to create:
Employee master
Attendance tracker
Salary calculator
Payroll register
HR MIS
Payroll dashboard
Payroll Processing Using HRMS
An HRMS or payroll system can automate many payroll activities.
Depending on the software, it may support:
Employee master data
Attendance
Leave
Salary structures
Payroll calculations
Payslips
Payroll reports
Statutory deductions
Employee self-service
Automation can reduce repetitive manual work, but payroll data still requires proper review and controls.
Common Payroll ErrorsSome common payroll problems include:
Incorrect Attendance
Wrong attendance inputs can affect salary calculations.
Incorrect Salary Structure
An outdated salary structure can result in incorrect earnings.
Missing New Joiner
A newly joined employee may not be included correctly in the payroll cycle.
Incorrect Exit Processing
An employee who has left may require appropriate final payroll treatment.
Incorrect Deduction
An applicable deduction may be missing or incorrectly calculated.
Data Entry Errors
Manual data entry can introduce errors into employee and payroll records.
Payroll Processing Checklist Before finalising payroll, HR professionals can check:
☐ Employee master updated
☐ New joiners added
☐ Exits updated
☐ Salary revisions updated
☐ Attendance verified
☐ Leave verified
☐ LOP reviewed
☐ Overtime verified
☐ Earnings checked
☐ Applicable deductions checked
☐ Payroll reconciled
☐ Payslips generated
☐ Payroll approved
Skills Required for HR & Payroll Professionals
To build a career in HR and Payroll, develop practical skills in:
HR Operations
Payroll Processing
Salary Structure
Attendance Management
Leave Management
PF Concepts
ESI Concepts
Professional Tax
TDS Concepts
Advanced Excel
HR MIS
HRMS/Payroll Software
Full & Final SettlementPayroll Processing Career Opportunities Practical payroll knowledge can help candidates prepare for roles such as:
HR Executive
HR & Payroll Executive
Payroll Executive
HR Operations Executive
Payroll Associate
HR Generalist
Compensation & Benefits Executive
With experience, professionals can progress into specialised payroll, HR operations or compensation and benefits roles.Learn Practical HR & Payroll at Palium Skills
Palium Skills offers practical HR & Payroll training for students, freshers and working professionals who want to develop job-oriented HR skills.
Program Highlights
HR Operations
Recruitment
Employee Onboarding
Attendance & Leave Management
Practical Payroll Processing
PF, ESI, PT & TDS Concepts
Advanced Excel for HR
HR MIS
HRMS and Payroll Software
Practical 50-Employee Payroll Project
Full & Final Settlement
HR Analytics
AI Applications for HR
Classroom + Live Online Learning
The training focuses on practical exercises and workplace-oriented HR and payroll processes.
Palium Skills Training Centers
South Kolkata Center
1st Floor, Sheeba Bhavan
1/22 Poddar Nagar
Near South City Mall
Kolkata – 700068
Salt Lake Center
5th Floor, RDB Boulevard
Block GP, Salt Lake Electronic Complex
Kolkata – 700091
Contact Palium Skills
📞 Call: +91 8420594969
💬 WhatsApp: +91 9903130500
📧 Email: info@paliumskills.com
🌐 Website: Palium Skills
Conclusion
Payroll processing requires a combination of HR knowledge, numerical accuracy, Excel skills, payroll software knowledge and attention to detail.
For HR freshers, learning payroll alongside recruitment, HR operations, attendance, leave management and HR MIS can provide a stronger foundation for an HR career.

