Before entering active politics at the national level, what was the professional occupation of Rajiv Gandhi?

Introduction / Context:
Questions about modern Indian political leaders often appear in general knowledge and history sections of competitive exams. Rajiv Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India and a central figure in late twentieth century Indian politics. However, before entering public life he followed a different career path. This question tests awareness of his personal background and professional experience prior to politics.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question asks specifically about Rajiv Gandhi before he entered politics.- Several common professions are given as options, such as professor, lawyer, pilot and doctor.- We assume standard historical accounts of his early life and career.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, candidates should remember that Rajiv Gandhi did not initially intend to pursue a political career. Instead, he chose a technical and aviation related profession. Linking key leaders with their initial professions is a useful memory technique, for example Lal Bahadur Shastri as a freedom fighter and simple lifestyle advocate, or Dr Manmohan Singh as an economist. For Rajiv Gandhi, the association is with aviation and commercial flying.

Step-by-Step Solution:
- Step 1: Recall that Rajiv Gandhi studied engineering related subjects and later obtained a commercial pilot licence.- Step 2: He worked for Indian Airlines as a professional pilot for several years.- Step 3: Compare this with the options given. Only the profession of pilot matches his known pre political career.- Step 4: The other professions, such as lawyer or doctor, relate to many other leaders but not to Rajiv Gandhi.- Step 5: Therefore select pilot as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
A simple cross check is to recall popular narratives that Rajiv Gandhi entered politics only after the tragic death of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi and later after the assassination of his mother Indira Gandhi. Until then he had kept a low political profile and focused on his career as a commercial pilot. Newspapers and biographies often mention his experience with Indian Airlines, which supports the pilot option and rules out the others.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Professor is incorrect because Rajiv Gandhi was never known to work as a full time academic in a college or university.Lawyer is wrong since there is no record of him practising law or holding a law degree like several other Indian politicians.Doctor is not correct because he did not study medicine or work in the medical field.Engineer is misleading because although he studied some technical subjects abroad, his actual career role was that of a commercial pilot, not an engineering professional.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may confuse Rajiv Gandhi with other leaders from political families who studied law or medicine. Another mistake is to over generalise and assume that all members of prominent political families directly enter politics without any prior profession. Revising brief biographical notes of major leaders helps avoid such errors and ensures better recall in the exam hall.

Final Answer:
Before entering politics, Rajiv Gandhi worked as a pilot with Indian Airlines.