I've always dreamed of being my own boss and creating something impactful. I have a degree in business administration and a few years of experience working in a corporate sales role, but I feel a strong pull towards entrepreneurship, particularly in the social impact space. I'm exploring an idea related to sustainable rural tourism in Odisha, which could empower local communities. However, the biggest hurdle for me is funding. I don't have personal savings to start with, and approaching venture capitalists seems daunting and out of reach for a social enterprise in its nascent stage. My question is, for a first-time female entrepreneur with a social impact focus, what are the most realistic ways to find initial funding? Beyond traditional VCs, are there specific grants, incubators, or angel networks that support social ventures? How can I effectively present my vision to potential funders and overcome the initial financial challenges of launching a startup, especially as a woman navigating a male-dominated investment landscape?

Ans: With an MIT rank of 11743, your son likely won't be admitted to MIT itself. However, depending on his specific field of study and other factors, he might have a good chance at other highly ranked universities and engineering programs.

Ans: CIPET Ahmedabad has strongest industry linkages, particularly with Gujarat's petrochemical and plastics industries (ONGC, Reliance, GAIL, etc.). Direct placements into PSUs from CIPET are rare. But students can crack GATE and get into PSUs

Ans: AI/ML is a subset of CSE. You should study CSE first then you should do specialization in AI/ML

Ans: Order of Preference for CSE:
IIIT Delhi (IIIT-D)

DTU (Delhi Technological University)

NSUT (Netaji Subhas University of Technology)

Ans: Dayananda Sagar College of Engg CSE / AI / DS Likely in AI/DS
JSS Science and Technology, Mysuru AI / Data Science Possible
Bangalore Institute of Technology AI / ISE Possible
BNMIT, Bangalore AI / DS / ISE Likely
CMRIT / NMIT / DSATM / Global Academy CSE / AI / DS Good Chance

Ans: Sikkim Manipal – ECE – Safe choice

Manipal Bangalore – ECE – Low chance but possible in later rounds

Ans: Based on comprehensive analysis of AICTE guidelines, academic validity, and practical training requirements, attending a regular BTech CSE program at a recognized private college in Indore is strongly recommended over non-attending/distance options, which are invalid for technical degrees per Supreme Court rulings. While IITM BS Data Science offers flexibility, pursuing it alongside a non-attending BTech risks academic credibility, as distance/online engineering programs lack mandatory lab work, industry exposure, and AICTE recognition, rendering degrees invalid for government jobs or higher studies. Top Indore institutions like LNCT, Acropolis ITR, or Medi-Caps University provide structured curricula, hands-on projects, and placement support (~70-80% placement rates), crucial for skill development despite time commitments. Conversely, juggling IITM BS with a valid BTech demands rigorous time management, but attending colleges allow academic continuity, peer collaboration, and access to campus recruitment—advantages absent in non-attending setups. Given her JEE Main percentile, target mid-tier private colleges with moderate attendance flexibility, ensuring AICTE approval and curriculum alignment with IITM BS coursework. Prioritize institutional credibility over convenience to safeguard career prospects. All the BEST for your Friend's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Scoring 105 marks in IAT 2025 places your daughter below the minimum expected cutoffs for IISc Bangalore (200+) and most IISER campuses under the General category, with only IISER Berhampur and IISER Tirupati potentially within reach based on historical trends. For IISc, scores below 190 (General) are non-competitive, as its 2024 closing ranks required ranks below 100, while IISER Pune, Kolkata, and Mohali demand 130–160+ marks. However, IISER Berhampur’s 2024 closing rank (4,484) corresponded to ~95–110 marks, suggesting a borderline chance if 2025 cutoffs remain stable, though competition may intensify due to rising applicants. Similarly, IISER Tirupati’s 2024 cutoff (4,325 rank) aligns with 105–110 marks, but recent trends show annual rank inflation. Reserved categories (OBC/SC/ST) could improve prospects, but General category admission remains unlikely at premier campuses. Consider reappearing for IAT 2026 with enhanced preparation or exploring mid-tier NISER/CEBS alternatives, as 105 marks indicate insufficient readiness for IISER/IISc’s rigorous academic thresholds. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Aryan, With a VITEEE rank of 73,000, securing core CSE at VIT Vellore or Chennai is highly unlikely, as their Category 1-5 cutoff ranks for core CSE typically close below 25,000–34,000 across all fee categories. However, CSE specializations (e.g., Cyber Security, IoT, Data Science) at VIT Bhopal or VIT-AP may be accessible under Category 4/5, where cutoff ranks for these branches historically extend to 45,000–115,000. For instance, VIT-AP’s CSE (Cyber Security) closed at 22400–22700 for Category 5 in 2025, while VIT Bhopal’s CSE (AI/ML) under Category 4/5 may admit ranks up to 55,000–65,000. Though fees for higher categories (?4.5–?4.98 lakh/year) are substantially costlier, these campuses offer comparable academic rigor and placement rates (~70–80%). If prioritizing CSE over campus prestige, target specialized CSE branches at VIT Bhopal/AP under Category 4/5, but prepare backup plans for alternative branches or institutions if seat availability fluctuates during counselling. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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