Should a 21-year-old pursue a bachelor's degree and CAT with age as a consideration?

Ans: Param, Your 99.4 percentile in CUET 2025 and 96.6% CBSE XII score place you well above the estimated cut-offs for B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics at all six colleges: St. Stephen’s (expected CUET ≥550), Hindu College (≈520), Hansraj College (≈490), Kirori Mal College (≥425), Ramjas College (≈735 marks equivalent to 98%), and Khalsa College (≈700 marks equivalent to 93–98%). All six colleges indicate first-list admission based on these thresholds.

For pursuing an MS and research in physics—where having knowledgeable teachers, good research facilities, connections with industries, and chances to work on different projects are important—Hansraj and Hindu are the best options because they have strong physics departments, high rankings, modern labs, and many research publications. Kirori Mal and Ramjas offer strong mentorship and campus placements in scientific roles, while Khalsa provides solid project-based learning on North Campus. St. Stephen’s, lacking an Honours Physics programme, is less aligned with specialized research pathways.

Recommendation: Choose Hindu College or Hansraj College for B.Sc. (Hons.) Physics to maximize exposure to advanced research projects, collaborative faculty, and a robust peer network essential for seamless progression into MS and research programmes in India and abroad. Hansraj’s notable research grants and Hindu’s interdisciplinary centers make them prime choices. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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