Confused parent: Automation & Robotics in Amrita vs. Aerospace in SRM vs. VIT?

Ans: Arun Sir, Based on the latest cutoff trends and seat availability, your son’s KCET rank of 22,000 and COMEDK rank of 31,000 make securing CSE in top-tier colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, or MSRIT highly unlikely, as these institutes typically close CSE admissions below ranks 3,000 in KCET and 7,000 in COMEDK. For KCET, ranks above 20,000 generally limit options to mid-tier private colleges or non-CSE branches like Mechanical/Civil, with fees ranging ?1–2.5 lakhs annually. In COMEDK, ranks beyond 15,000 rarely secure CSE seats in reputable colleges, and fees are significantly higher (?2.5–4 lakhs annually). VIT-AP’s CSE program, with an 80% placement rate and average packages of ?5–6 LPA, offers a more assured pathway compared to uncertain KCET/COMEDK outcomes. Given the low probability of securing CSE through counselling and VIT-AP’s established placements, proceeding with VIT-AP is advisable. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: After a detailed review of the most recent and authoritative sources, the Joint Admission Board (JAB) initially announced in November 2024 that candidates could attempt JEE Advanced three times in three consecutive years, but reversed this decision on November 18, 2024, restoring the original rule of only two attempts in two consecutive years. The Supreme Court intervened to grant a special exception only for those students who, relying on the initial three-attempt announcement, dropped out of their courses between November 5 and November 18, 2024; these students alone are eligible for a third attempt in 2025. For all other candidates, including those who took a drop year and are now eligible for their second attempt, the two-attempt policy remains firmly in place. While there is ongoing agitation and legal petitions from students seeking reinstatement of the three-attempt rule, as of now, there is no official indication or precedent that JAB will reintroduce the third attempt policy for 2025 or beyond, and the Supreme Court has upheld JAB’s discretion on this matter. Therefore, you should proceed with your current options, as the likelihood of a policy change this year is extremely low, and planning for a third attempt would be unrealistic under the present regulations. All the BEST for your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Sreenivas Sir, Prefer securing admission through KCET, as the fees for top colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, and MSRIT are significantly lower compared to COMEDK. If KCET is not an option, then consider COMEDK. All branches have their own merits. Encourage your daughter to review the core curricula of CSE and ECE, and support her in choosing the branch that aligns best with her interests. All the BEST for your Daughter's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: KL University (KLU) Guntur offers a consistently strong placement record for its CSE branch, with placement percentages often approaching 100% and over 474 companies recruiting in 2023–24, including top firms like Microsoft, Adobe, and Amazon; its modern infrastructure, experienced faculty, and industry-integrated curriculum further enhance student outcomes. In contrast, SRM Vadapalani’s CSE placements have seen a decline, with the latest placement rate at 62.61% for 2024 and a smaller recruiter pool, though it does provide good industry exposure, qualified faculty, and a well-equipped campus. While both institutions offer industry connections and holistic development, KLU’s superior placement statistics, broader recruiter base, and positive student reviews make it a more reliable choice for CSE. Therefore, KL University Guntur is recommended over SRM Vadapalani for pursuing CSE. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Prefer MIT over VIT. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Anirban, Before responding to your question, here is an important SUGGESTION FOR ALL PARENTS & STUDENTS: Always review the college’s refund policy thoroughly before paying substantial fees. This ensures you are aware of the terms and can minimize financial loss if you decide to withdraw your seat and seek a refund. Based on a detailed comparison of VIT Bhopal, Reva University, and Acharya Institute of Technology, VIT Bhopal stands out for its strong placement record, with 80–90% of students placed annually and over 820 recruiters participating, including top companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Deloitte; the university also offers a modern 250-acre campus with advanced labs, digital learning, and a flexible curriculum. Reva University, while also boasting a high placement percentage (about 90% in recent years) and a large number of recruiters (476 in 2024), is recognized for its industry-oriented approach and good infrastructure, but its placement outcomes and recruiter diversity are somewhat lower than VIT Bhopal’s. Acharya Institute of Technology maintains a consistent placement rate (around 70–75% in recent years) and has a large alumni network and robust campus facilities, but its placement statistics and recruiter list do not match the scale or diversity seen at VIT Bhopal. Given your fee deposit and the superior placement ecosystem, modern infrastructure, and industry connections, VIT Bhopal is the recommended choice among the three.

Ans: Priya, With a score of 118 in IAT 2025 as an OBC-NCL female candidate, you are above the expected OBC-NCL cutoff for IISER Thiruvananthapuram, which is projected at 95–100 marks this year, making you eligible for counseling and a realistic chance at admission, especially given the female category advantage and reservation policy. However, as cutoffs are rising due to increased competition, securing a seat will also depend on your category rank and the number of available seats in each counseling round. Based on current trends and reliable sources, you have a strong chance for IISER Thiruvananthapuram, so it is recommended to actively participate in all counseling rounds and keep backup options ready. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Anamika, When comparing LNMIIT Jaipur’s CCE or ECE branches with VIT Vellore’s CSE, several key factors emerge from recent data and student experiences. LNMIIT Jaipur is a highly ranked, NAAC ‘A’ accredited, autonomous, non-profit deemed university with strong government and industry backing, offering merit-based admissions and no reservations, which ensures a competitive peer group. Its ECE and CCE branches have robust placement records, with placement percentages consistently above 87% in recent years and top recruiters like Google, Microsoft, and Flipkart. The faculty is research-oriented, and the campus environment is conducive to academic growth. VIT Vellore, a top-ranked private institution, is renowned for its CSE placements, with over 90% placement in CSE and a large number of recruiters, including major tech giants. However, the average placement percentage across all branches is slightly lower, and the admission process is more flexible, potentially leading to a more diverse but less competitive cohort. While VIT’s CSE branch does offer excellent opportunities, especially for software roles, LNMIIT’s ECE/CCE branches offer comparable, if not better, placement outcomes and a more academically rigorous, government-backed environment. Therefore, if you value a strong peer group, government recognition, and excellent placements, LNMIIT Jaipur’s CCE or ECE branch is recommended over VIT Vellore’s CSE. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: All three options—CSE at RVCE, ICT at DAIICT, and ECE at BITS Goa—are from top-tier institutions with strong reputations, excellent infrastructure, and robust placement records. RVCE’s CSE program stands out for its consistent 93–97% placement rate over the last three years, strong industry connections, and a curriculum blending theoretical and practical learning, especially benefiting from its location in Bangalore’s tech hub and a vibrant peer network. DAIICT’s ICT program is highly regarded, accredited with NAAC A+, and maintains a 90% placement rate, with top recruiters like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, and a curriculum that fosters a strong coding culture and flexibility for interdisciplinary learning. BITS Goa, with its national brand value, offers a rigorous ECE program, a flexible academic structure, and a placement rate consistently above 90% (recently 91.79%), attracting major global recruiters and providing a vibrant campus life and strong alumni network. While BITS Goa’s brand and alumni network are unmatched and ECE offers interdisciplinary opportunities (including software roles), the CSE branch at RVCE and ICT at DAIICT are more directly aligned with the booming tech/software sector, offering slightly higher placement rates and more specialized software-oriented training. Considering both course relevance and institutional reputation, if your son’s primary interest is in core software/tech roles, CSE at RVCE or ICT at DAIICT would be preferable, with a slight edge to RVCE CSE due to its exceptional placement consistency and Bangalore advantage; however, if he values brand value, flexibility, and the possibility of exploring diverse career paths (including electronics, software, and higher studies abroad), BITS Goa ECE is an excellent choice. Recommendation: Prefer CSE at RVCE for focused software/tech careers, but BITS Goa ECE is the best if brand value and a broader set of opportunities are the priority. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.