Following are the details:

Student until (F1) : 7th July
OPT started : 8th July
H1b approved : 29th September

Which forms should I fill for my case above. I came to US in 2003 on F1.

Thank you very much for your guidance.

Jjohar:

You are a dual-status alien. You can file as:

- a dual-status alien (which requires both Form 1040 and 1040NR and, unless you are Indian, means you cannot claim the Standard Deduction)
Or
- a resident alien under First Year Choice (which means you file Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ, but you could not file until early May 2006; this option allows you to claim the $5,000 Standard Deduction).

Thanks Atlanta expert for your answer. You said that unless you are an indian, you cannot claim standard deduction. I am an indian so could you please make the first point more specific. I had been using turbotax online and I came to a section of deductibles and I wasn't sure how one should claim it. Is their any good reference on how it should be done.
Thank you very much for your time.

Since you are an Indian citizen, your standard deduction is $5,000.

Check out IRS Pub 519 as to where to put the standard deduction on Form 1040NR. You have to cite the U.S.-India Treaty on Form 1040NR.