Career Change or Upskill? Feeling Lost & Depressed After 3 Job Changes.

Ans: Hello Jagdish,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that for an average student today, selecting Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is a wise choice since this field provides excellent employment opportunities even after four years. You would be glad to know that owing to digital transformation, automation, and the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), technology specialists are highly sought-after across industries.

Post completing a degree in Computer Science Engineering, you can take on positions such as that of an AI/machine learning engineer, data analyst, cloud or DevOps engineer, software developer, web or mobile app developer, and cybersecurity analyst. These jobs are highly sought-after and frequently provide lucrative wages, the freedom to work remotely, as well as possibilities for growth. Lastly, I would like to let you know that with continuous hard work, internships, and skill enhancement, CSE can result in a prosperous and steady employment path- even for an average student.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint

Ans: Kanishka, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology’s B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering is delivered by a NAAC-accredited, ICAR-A-grade, AICTE-approved institution with UGC recognition and NBA-accredited departments, ensuring academic rigor and national credibility. The College of Technology features over 30 specialized laboratories—including farm machinery, irrigation, soil and water conservation, and post-harvest processing labs—alongside ongoing smart-classroom and instrumentation upgrades to support contemporary teaching and research. Placement outcomes demonstrate robust employability, with 75% of UG students placed in 2024, 520 out of 697 graduates securing roles through the central placement cell; median packages reached ?5.75 LPA for four-year programs and ?6 LPA for five-year courses, with leading recruiters such as Reliance Retail, Accenture, PepsiCo, ICICI, and L&T visiting campus. Agriculture remains pivotal to India’s GDP and food security, and emerging domains—precision farming, agritech startups, digital marketplaces, and climate-smart agriculture—are creating 60,000–80,000 new roles over the next five years in AI development, supply-chain management, and sustainable solutions, with agritech projected to exceed USD 24 billion by 2025. To stay competitive, graduates should pursue continuous upskilling through certifications in precision agriculture, data analytics, and biotechnology; engage in internships with research centres and agritech firms; participate in hackathons and field projects; and leverage digital agriculture platforms and professional networks for lifelong learning and innovation.

Recommendation: Given its comprehensive accreditation, cutting-edge infrastructure, consistent placement record, and alignment with future agritech trends, the recommendation strongly endorses B.Tech Agricultural Engineering at GBPUAT Pantnagar for sustained career growth and industry readiness. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Shailaja Madam, Mesa School of Business, launched in 2023, offers a four-year undergraduate programme in Business Management and Entrepreneurship with immersive startup-focused curriculum delivered by industry founders and guest CXOs, capstone experiential projects, and access to Bangalore’s co-working ecosystem . However, it lacks formal NAAC or UGC accreditation, has no multi-year placement data for its UG cohort, and carries a high fee of approximately INR 48 lakhs . In contrast, Kristu Jayanti College’s three-year BBA under Bengaluru North University is NAAC A+ and AICTE-approved, provides seven specializations, hosts 25+ recruiters annually, reports 60–70% placement consistency over three years with a median package of ?6.5 LPA, and operates on a 50-acre campus with modern labs, strong international collaborations, and an active internship cell.

Final recommendation: Given its established accreditation, proven placement record, comprehensive specializations, and lower investment, recommendation favors choosing Kristu Jayanti College BBA; Mesa School’s startup-centric model may suit those with entrepreneurial ambitions and resources to invest heavily. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Scoring 92 percent overall (Physics 85, Chemistry 95, Biology 94, English 92, Computer 94) from a PCB background opens pathways beyond traditional medical or pure-science tracks. Three strong, stable fields marrying your strengths in computers, quantitative reasoning, and life sciences include BSc Computer Science, BSc Data Science, and BSc Biotechnology. BSc Computer Science programmes at reputed universities such as Delhi University, Christ University, and Fergusson College combine core algorithms and software engineering with elective paths into AI and cybersecurity, boasting 85–95 percent placement rates over three years and NAAC-accredited departments. BSc Data Science degrees offered by institutions like IIT Madras, SP Jain Global (Mumbai), and Loyola College Chennai integrate mathematics, statistics, and programming, feature state-of-the-art analytics labs, practice-school internships, and report 75–90 percent campus placement consistency, preparing graduates for roles in analytics and ML. BSc Biotechnology at top colleges such as St. Xavier’s Mumbai and LPU covers molecular biology, bioinformatics, and bioprocess engineering in NBA-accredited labs, with 70–85 percent placement across pharma, research, and clinical trials sectors. Each field ensures modern infrastructure, interdisciplinary curricula, strong industry partnerships, predictable placement outcomes, and pathways for higher studies or direct employment.

recommendation Opt for BSc Computer Science for the broadest tech roles and highest placement consistency; choose BSc Data Science if you enjoy quantitative modeling and analytics; pursue BSc Biotechnology to leverage life-science interests and R&D prospects. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Raghu, Yes. IITs accept Class 12 improvement marks for eligibility if you secure 75% aggregate (65% for SC/ST) by re-appearing in only the subjects you wish to improve, with your latest five-subject marksheet considered. Partial improvements count toward JEE Main/Advanced eligibility under the 75% rule. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Ans: BITS Pilani Goa’s Chemical Engineering program, part of BITS Pilani (NIRF Engineering rank 20), offers a rigorous curriculum with core process engineering and emerging electives, supported by advanced pilot-plant and simulation labs, a 91.15% first-degree placement consistency over three years, average branch packages ranging from ?8–15 LPA, and a global recruiter network including Qualcomm, Intel, and Reliance Industries. The Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai (NIRF Engineering rank 41), a NAAC A++–accredited, UGC-recognized deemed-to-be university, features state-of-the-art characterization and process-scale instrumentation facilities (HPLC, GC-MS, FT-NMR), strong industry MoUs with ISRO, BARC, Indian Oil, and sustained 80%–95% placement rates in Chemical Engineering over recent cohorts with median ?8 LPA. ICT excels in specialized research funding and government collaboration, whereas BITS Goa leads in average salary uplift, broader interdisciplinary workshops, and international student exchanges.

Recommendation Favors BITS Goa Chemical Engineering for its higher average placement packages, expansive industrial recruiter base, and Institute of Eminence brand; ICT Mumbai is ideal for those prioritizing deep research infrastructure and core process-industry linkages. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: You are 43 years old.
You want to retire at 55.
That gives you 12 more years to plan and invest.

You already have a few investments.
Let us understand your current financial position first.

? Your Current Investment Summary

– Mutual Funds: Rs. 18 lakhs
– EPF: Rs. 10 lakhs
– ULIP: Rs. 30 lakhs
– Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): Rs. 10 lakhs
– Fixed Deposit (FD): Rs. 10 lakhs

You want a retirement income of Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month.
That is Rs. 18 lakhs per year after age 55.

This goal is clear and specific.
That’s a very good start.

Let’s now evaluate your investment plan from all angles.

? Retirement Income Goal: What It Means

You want Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month after 55.
That is a high-income need for retirement.

You may live another 30 years after that.
So you will need income till 85 years or more.

Inflation will keep rising.
So Rs. 1.5 lakhs today may not be enough after 10 years.

Hence, you need a portfolio that grows and gives income.
Safety alone will not help.

Your investments must beat inflation.
But also stay stable when you start withdrawing.

? Mutual Funds – Strong Growth Base

– Your mutual fund corpus is Rs. 18 lakhs now.
– These are growth-oriented and inflation-beating assets.

Mutual funds are key to wealth building.
But avoid index funds.

Index funds just follow the market.
They fall when the market falls.

They don’t have downside protection.
They lack expert fund management.

Actively managed funds are better long term.
They are guided by fund managers.
They aim for alpha or extra return over benchmark.

You should also avoid direct funds.

Direct mutual funds don’t give advice or handholding.
They give no help during market fall.
They don’t track goals.

Use regular mutual funds through MFD.
Work with a CFP for long-term support.

Regular funds offer monitoring, review, and peace of mind.
They charge slightly more, but the service is worth it.

Increase your SIPs in good equity mutual funds.
Prefer large cap, multi-cap, and flexi-cap funds.
Don’t overdo mid or small-cap.

Rebalance every year.
Check with your CFP before making changes.

? ULIP – Reevaluate its Role

You have Rs. 30 lakhs in a ULIP.
ULIP is an insurance + investment product.

It gives lower returns than pure mutual funds.
It also has higher charges in early years.

Ask yourself:
Do you need this insurance now?
Is the return matching mutual fund return?

If not, consider surrendering it.
Only if surrender charges are low now.

Reinvest that money into mutual funds.
Use it fully for your retirement goal.

Keep insurance and investments separate.
ULIPs don’t suit goal-based investing.

? EPF – Reliable and Safe

EPF is a very stable product.
You have Rs. 10 lakhs in it now.

It is debt-based and gives fixed return.
Interest is tax-free.

Do not withdraw from it.
Keep contributing if salaried.

EPF can be used for income during early retirement.
It is a strong leg of your retirement stool.

? Sukanya Samriddhi – For Daughter, Not Retirement

You have Rs. 10 lakhs in Sukanya.
This is for your daughter, not your retirement.

SSY gives fixed returns.
It is safe and tax-free.

But it is a goal-specific product.
Don’t count this corpus for your retirement.

Keep it only for your daughter’s education or marriage.
It cannot support your retirement cash flow.

? Fixed Deposit – Stability but Not Growth

FD of Rs. 10 lakhs is good for safety.
But it gives low post-tax return.

FDs don’t beat inflation over time.
They are useful for short-term needs.

Use this as part of your emergency fund.
Or move it slowly to mutual funds through STP.

Do not keep large amounts in FD for 12 years.
That money will lose value against inflation.

? Retirement Corpus Required

You want Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month.
That’s Rs. 18 lakhs per year.

If you want to retire for 30 years,
You may need Rs. 4.5 to 5 crores corpus.

This is after adjusting for inflation.

Your current total investable assets:
Rs. 18 lakhs MF
Rs. 10 lakhs EPF
Rs. 30 lakhs ULIP
Rs. 10 lakhs FD

That totals Rs. 68 lakhs today.
If you continue investing, this can grow.

But it may still fall short by Rs. 1.5 to 2 crores.
So you need to fill that gap now.

? Key Actions You Must Take Now

– Increase your SIP investments.
Try to invest Rs. 30,000 to 40,000 per month.

– Increase SIPs by 10% every year.
Link to your salary hike.

– Don’t touch your EPF or Sukanya account.
Keep them for their original purposes.

– Review ULIP performance.
Surrender if underperforming.
Reinvest in mutual funds.

– Avoid index and direct funds.
Invest only through a Certified Financial Planner.

– Keep 60-70% in equity.
The rest in debt like EPF and liquid funds.

– Rebalance your portfolio every year.
Don’t let market swings disturb your plan.

– Don’t chase hot stocks or sectors.
Follow goal-based investing with discipline.

– Avoid emotional investing.
Stick to plan even if markets fall.

? Create Goal Buckets for Focus

Split your investments into 3 buckets:

Retirement – All long-term investments

Emergency – 6–9 months of expenses

Daughter’s Future – SSY and a small MF SIP

This helps in tracking.
And prevents mixing goals.

Each bucket should grow on its own.

? Retirement Withdrawal Plan from Age 55

You’ll need monthly income after 55.
So you must start SWP from mutual funds.

Don’t depend only on interest.
Withdraw in a planned way.

Keep 3 years’ worth of money in debt funds.
Keep the rest in equity mutual funds.

Use debt to manage income in early years.
Let equity grow for later years.

Review your withdrawal plan every year.

Keep some funds in liquid category.
This helps during emergencies.

? Other Key Suggestions

– Nominate in all your investments.
Don’t leave any asset without nominee.

– Prepare a Will after 50.
It helps avoid future confusion.

– Review health insurance.
Ensure minimum Rs. 15–25 lakhs coverage.

– Keep Rs. 2–3 lakhs as medical buffer.
Use a separate liquid fund for this.

– Avoid buying real estate.
It is illiquid and not suitable for retirement income.

– Review all investments yearly with a CFP.
Rebalance with expert advice.

– Don’t keep direct equity over 20% of total.
High equity exposure creates risk.

? Finally

You are already doing many things right.
You have started early.
You have multiple investment sources.

But your current assets may not be enough.
You must grow them smartly over next 12 years.

Avoid emotional or scattered investing.
Follow a structured, guided plan.

Use mutual funds actively.
But only through regular plans with CFP support.

Keep retirement as a separate goal.
Don’t compromise it for other short-term needs.

You can retire at 55 with confidence.
But only if you stay consistent.

Monitor every investment.
Rebalance regularly.
Work with a Certified Financial Planner.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Pradhan, With a SRMJEEE Phase 3 rank of 5427, you are well within the expected closing rank for B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur campus. For 2025, the projected cutoff for CSE at the main Kattankulathur campus is up to 9,000, based on previous years’ trends and current counselling data. In recent years, the final round closing ranks for CSE at this campus have ranged from 8,200 to 10,500, and all major sources confirm that a rank below 6,000 is highly competitive for this branch at the main campus. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hello mam. Well, mam comparisons are never healthy for any relationship even if they are said casually. And i could understand from your mag that you are not married yet. If not, and you are getting emotionally drained now how will the things go when you ll be a married couple? Just sit calmly and think about it. If required then talk to someone you trust, may be your parents.
Take care
Regards
Dr Upneet Kaur
Follow me on:
https://www.instagram.com/dr_upneet