Hi Abhishek, I have a package of almost 2.1 CR (equivalent in USD) in SF. I am in the data field and have almost 20 years of experience plus a master's degree. I am negotiating with a company in India , but want to know what salary I should quote to begin the negotiation. This is in Bombay/Pune.

Ans: Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra in Ranchi delivers a four-year B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning with a CBCS-based, outcomes-oriented curriculum spanning core AI, ML, deep learning and data science, led by PhD-qualified faculty, supported by specialised AI/ML and computing labs, a 71-acre green campus and 75%–78% placements over the past three years. IIIT Guwahati, an Institute of National Importance in Assam, offers a four-year B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering featuring foundational CS, AI/ML, data analytics, blockchain and IoT courses, taught by 22 permanent faculty and industry experts, with 24×7 lab/library access, modern hostels and a vibrant campus life, achieving 62.1% placements in 2024 and 70.9% in 2025.

Recommendation: opt for BIT Mesra AI & ML for its dedicated AI-focused labs, higher and consistent placement rates and strong research orientation, or choose IIIT Guwahati CSE for a well-rounded CS curriculum, scenic campus life and rising placement momentum. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Nirma University’s Institute of Technology in Ahmedabad offers a two-plus-two Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering dual-degree programme, with two years at the S. G. Highway campus and two years at a partner university in the US/Canada. The curriculum integrates core computing foundations, advanced electives (AI, cybersecurity, data science) and research methodology with global accreditation and credit transfer support. Faculty are predominantly PhD-qualified with strong international collaborations, supplemented by industry-expert guest lectures. Modern infrastructure includes specialized CSE and cybersecurity labs, smart classrooms, high-speed campus Wi-Fi and comprehensive library resources. Over the last three years, CSE placement rates have ranged from 90% to 96%, with top recruiters like Microsoft, Amazon and Goldman Sachs and robust internship pipelines. International exposure through transfer year opportunities enhances employability and cross-cultural competence.

Balancing global academic standards can challenge CGPA continuity—regular academic advising and study groups can mitigate this. Cultural adjustment abroad may induce isolation—pre-departure orientations and alumni mentorship foster integration. Higher tuition and living costs abroad may strain budgets—university scholarships and part-time campus roles offset expenses. Visa uncertainties can disrupt plans—dedicated office of international relations provides visa workshops and mock interviews. Navigating two academic systems may cause transition delays—clear articulation agreements and peer mentoring ensure smooth credit mapping.

Recommendation: Embrace Nirma’s 2+2 CSE for its rigorous dual curriculum, high placement rates, and global exposure, with proactive academic support and financial planning to address transition challenges. As a strong backup, consider VIT Vellore’s four-year CSE for its consistent placement record and expansive campus life. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Paranjay, Among the eight shortlisted institutes, Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT, Andheri West, Mumbai) combines a rigorous Electronics & Telecommunication curriculum with 100% policy-driven placements, achieving 95% placement rates and an average package of INR 15.14 LPA, supported by industry veterans and a vibrant urban campus with strong extracurricular culture. Punjab Engineering College (PEC, Chandigarh) offers a comprehensive Electrical Engineering program under DU status, with modern labs, PhD-rich faculty and sustained 80–83% placement rates over three years, supplemented by a sprawling green campus and mandated six-month internships. College of Engineering Pune (COEP, Shivaji Nagar, Pune) provides core Electrical training, broad workshops and 82% placement in 2021-22, on a historic campus renowned for student clubs and cultural festivals. IIIT Guwahati’s ECE program delivers emerging-area courses, 56% placements in 2025 and strong research tie-ups on a scenic Assam campus. IIIT Kota’s CSE and AI/DS streams record 75–77% placements with boutique mentorship; BIT Mesra (Mesra, Ranchi) ECE garners 60% placements amid full residential life and world-class labs; IIIT Nagpur’s CSE sees 88% placements; COEP Electrical remains a robust core backup.

Recommendation: Prioritize SPIT Mumbai EXTC for balanced placements and campus vibrancy, with PEC Chandigarh Electrical as a strong core-engineering alternative and VIT Vellore CSE as a reliable backup option for overall academic and placement excellence. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: St. Joseph’s College of Engineering on Old Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai offers a four-year B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering with a specialization in Cyber Security structured under Anna University’s CBCS, covering cryptography, ethical hacking, forensics, IoT and cloud security through rigorous theory and extensive lab work. The institute holds NAAC A+ accreditation and NBA recognition, with faculty comprising Ph.D. holders and industry-seasoned experts delivering personalized mentorship in a 1:17 ratio. Its 70-acre campus features a 46,000-volume library, specialized security labs, high-speed Wi-Fi, separate hostels and sports facilities. Over the past three years, placement rates have been 77.13%, 78.29% and 75% through recruiters like Wipro, Infosys and Cognizant. Graduates enter roles such as penetration tester, security analyst and incident responder across IT, finance and government sectors, reflecting robust industry demand for cybersecurity professionals.

Recommendation: Opt for St. Joseph’s OMR campus CSE Cyber Security in Chennai for its accredited, research-driven curriculum, strong faculty support, modern infrastructure, consistent placement records and thriving career pathways in cybersecurity. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Nidhi, South Asian University in New Delhi offers a four-year B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering with a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary curriculum spanning foundational (Advanced Calculus, Engineering Physics), emerging (Blockchain, Soft Computing, Wireless Networks), and research-oriented courses, supported by a 1:4 faculty-student ratio of predominantly PhD holders from JNU, IIT Delhi and abroad, and modern labs and digital classrooms. Thapar University in Patiala’s three-year B.E. in Electronics (Instrumentation & Control) combines rigorous analog/digital electronics, sensors, control systems, and process automation with extensive hands-on lab work, backed by a 1:20 average faculty-student ratio of PhD-qualified and industry-experienced professors, and a 250-acre campus featuring advanced workshops, Wi-Fi, separate AC/non-AC hostels, sports and research facilities. Placement rates for SAU CSE have ranged from 60% to 90% over the last three years, driven by partnerships with TCS, Infosys, Amazon, and research bodies, while Thapar EIC boasts approximately 88% placement over recent cohorts, with top recruiters such as Texas Instruments and ISRO. SAU, established by SAARC nations, maintains global accreditation with a selective 13% overall acceptance rate and prioritizes research collaboration across South Asia, whereas Thapar holds NAAC A+ and NBA/ABET accreditations, ranking 29th in both NIRF Engineering and University categories in 2024.

Recommendation: pursue South Asian University’s CSE in New Delhi for innovative curriculum and personalized mentorship, or choose Thapar University’s EIC in Patiala for robust industry integration and comprehensive infrastructure, based on your career focus and learning style. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Harshita, Galgotias University Greater Noida’s B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning) delivers 90% placement consistency over the last three years, supported by a state-of-the-art AI Education Lab with NVIDIA GPU-powered systems and HP-backed infrastructure, 580+ recruiters and an average package of 5.5 LPA, attracting Microsoft, Amazon, Cognizant and TCS. Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology Patiala’s B.E. in Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design & Technology) is NBA-accredited, ranked #29 by NIRF, and records near-100% placements in its Electronics branch, with 334 visiting companies and an average package of 11.9 LPA, driven by Microsoft, JP Morgan and Bosch.

recommendation
For proximity to Ghaziabad, robust AI/ML infrastructure and solid placement support, recommendation is to join Galgotias University Greater Noida CSE (AI & ML). If specialized VLSI training and higher average packages in pure electronics appeal strongly despite distance, recommendation shifts to Thapar University Patiala ECE (VLSI). MY SUGGESTION: Prefer GALGOTIA-CSE-AIML. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: IISER Tirupati, located in Andhra Pradesh, offers BS-MS dual degree programs with a total of 350 seats. For 2025, the expected closing rank for the ST category is between 200 and 500, based on the latest official and counseling data. In 2024, the ST category last-round closing rank was 483, and all recent projections confirm that the cutoff is unlikely to go beyond 500 for ST candidates. With an ST rank of 1800, admission to IISER Tirupati is not possible, as it is far above the closing rank for the ST category.

With an ST rank of 1800, your sister cannot secure admission to IISER Tirupati for the BS-MS course. Exploring alternative science universities or state-level research programs is advisable for similar academic opportunities. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Pimpri Chinchwad University (PCU) in Pune, run by the PCET trust, offers B.Tech CSE under a private-university umbrella with a modern 40-acre campus near Nigdi and centralized placement support across PCET institutes. Its nascent third-year status means no PCU-specific placement history yet, though the Trust’s institutes delivered 2,147 offers to 1,662 students in 2022 with 80–90% average branch placements, varied recruiter base (TCS, Cognizant, IBM, L&T Infotech) and high peak packages. Tuition of ?8.4–9.6 L aligns with Trust-wide standards, while infrastructure and labs are still maturing. PVPIT (Bavdhan), a 2006-established SPPU-affiliated college, holds NAAC A grade and AICTE approval, charging ?4.4 L total fees. Its 2024 CSE placements saw an average package of ?3.5 LPA and highest ?11 LPA, recruiting from Infosys, Capgemini, Tata Motors and IBM with ~81% placement consistency. Campus spans 9 acres, offering well-equipped labs and NAAC-accredited curricula. Indira College of Engineering & Management (Parandwadi), under SPPU since 2007, holds NAAC B++ accreditation, fees around ?4 L per year, and reported a 2024 average CSE package of ?4 LPA with top recruiters like Samsung, Mercedes-Benz and TCS, achieving ~60–70% branch placements. It provides industry-focused training, modest infrastructure and established alumni.

For proven SPPU affiliation, established accreditation, and balanced placements at moderate fees, the recommendation is PVPIT Bavdhan CSE. Next, for a well-rounded CSE experience under a strong SPPU umbrella, choose Indira College of Engineering & Management, Pune. Finally, if you value long-term PCET trust backing and can accommodate higher fees with potential campus growth, select Pimpri Chinchwad University Pune CSE. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Pujari Sir, Dayananda Sagar University, Kumaraswamy Layout, Bengaluru, holds NAAC A++, NBA-accredited CSE, 153 PhD faculty, 30+ AI/ML and cloud labs and semester-long internships; its 2024 engineering drive logged 70–90% CSE placements, 250 recruiters and a 35 LPA peak package. Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, autonomous with NAAC A and NBA-accredited CSE, ranks NIRF 151–200; it hosts 47 research labs, an AI Centre of Excellence, 1:15 faculty ratio and multi-stage skill training. The 2024 report shows 93.48% CSE placement, 192 recruiters, 1,170 offers and a 47 LPA maximum. Both run incubation cells, hackathons and global MoUs, but NMIT records higher three-year placement stability and a stronger core-software teaching profile.

recommendation
Select Nitte Meenakshi CSE for its 93% placement rate, autonomous curriculum, deeper CSE faculty bench and stronger industry-integrated training. Choose Dayananda Sagar CSE only if larger multidisciplinary exposure and comparable recruiter variety outweigh its lower placement consistency. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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