Sir, My daughter JEEMains score 97.48. Getting admissions CS in IIIT Trichy and Amritha CS in AI for AEEE score. Please provide your suggestion on which college to select

Ans: Sreenivasan, IIT Indore's Mechanical Engineering program offers strong academic infrastructure with a 88.33% placement rate and average packages of INR 21.88 LPA. The institute benefits from experienced faculty, modern labs, and strong industry connections with top recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft, and Goldman Sachs. IIT Dhanbad's Electrical Engineering department established in 2005 maintains a robust placement record with 82.69% placement rate and average packages of INR 17.58 LPA. The department features well-qualified faculty and comprehensive laboratory facilities, attracting recruiters from core electrical sectors and IT companies. Both institutes provide excellent infrastructure, research opportunities, dedicated training cells, active student support, and quality campus life, ensuring strong career prospects for graduates.

Recommendation: Choose IIT Indore Mechanical Engineering for superior placement rates, higher average packages, and better overall industry engagement. Opt for IIT Dhanbad Electrical Engineering if core electrical domain expertise and established departmental legacy are priorities, despite lower placement statistics compared to IIT Indore's Mechanical program. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Your feelings are valid, but confronting her is not going to help the situation. The onus is not on her, but on your partner to care for your comfort. It is him whom you must have a conversation with. If this arrangement makes you uncomfortable, you have every right to express it. Let him know that you are not okay with it; it’s not about the money, but about the connection he still has with his ex. Let him explain himself properly because what he is saying right now sounds a bit vague.

But if his ex is indeed going through a rough patch and he is just helping her out without any romantic connection involved, you can then consider how to feel about it. But even if that makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s still valid. But first, please speak to your partner.

Best Wishes.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
First let’s talk about the not smiling part; that is common for many. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything bad. But coupled with the fact that he deletes the couple pics, it does raise a few red flags. I don’t want to outrightly say that it seems fishy but it doesn’t exactly scream green flag either. He might be telling the truth about keeping his family life private but I have to stress on the “might” here. And most importantly, your gut says it’s odd. Usually that happens only when we see other subtle signs. Please be cautious and if you ever think something more is going on, don’t hesitate to communicate your concerns. It’s the unsaid things that build up more tension in a marriage.

Hope this helps.

Ans: Anushka, After the completion of all JoSAA and CSAB counseling rounds, including the CSAB Special Round, a Spot Round may be conducted if any seats remain vacant in NITs, IIITs, IIEST, and GFTIs. This Spot Round is intended as a final opportunity to fill leftover seats and requires fresh registration and choice filling by eligible candidates. However, participation in the Spot Round is only open to those who have not yet secured and accepted a seat through earlier counselling, and once a seat is allocated in the Spot Round, withdrawal is not permitted. Candidates should monitor the official CSAB website, as spot round notifications and seat availability updates are communicated there. Institutes may also conduct their own spot rounds or waitlists if vacancies exist after CSAB rounds, but such rounds depend on individual institutional policies and are not guaranteed every year. Key factors include seat vacancy status, candidate eligibility, and adherence to counseling guidelines.

Recommendation: Stay updated with the official CSAB portals for announcements on any Spot Rounds after CSAB Special Rounds. Should vacancies exist, participating in Spot Rounds provides a last chance to secure admission. Additionally, monitor individual institute websites for any institute-specific spot rounds, but plan based on confirmed counseling rounds primarily. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Ashish Sir, Punjab Engineering College (PEC) Chandigarh offers well-established and accredited programs in Civil, Production, Metallurgy, and Materials Engineering, each supported by highly qualified faculty and updated curriculum aligned with industry needs. PEC emphasizes robust internship experiences, arranging core and research-focused internships through active industry partnerships with leading PSUs and private sector companies, ensuring practical exposure and employability skills. Placement rates are strong across these branches, with Materials and Metallurgical Engineering and Production Engineering reflecting about 75-85% placement success, driven by recruitment in core industries and manufacturing sectors. Civil Engineering at PEC benefits from the institute’s long-standing reputation and infrastructure, offering a comprehensive education with solid placement opportunities in construction, infrastructure, and consultancy firms. Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at PEC stand out for their integrated approach to materials science and engineering, supporting research and industry collaboration, which favors advanced studies abroad. Thapar University’s VLSI program in Electronics Engineering is a specialized branch with focused curriculum on device physics, digital and analog IC design, and system integration. It offers excellent labs and is ranked #29 by NIRF in 2024, with a selective intake and competitive placements averaging near ?12 lakh. Thapar encourages international academic exposure via Erasmus+ and other collaborations, beneficial for students aiming for MS abroad in microelectronics or VLSI design.

For Master’s abroad prospects, Metallurgy/Materials Engineering at PEC provides a versatile platform due to its emphasis on research, varied material sciences applications, and growing global relevance. Production Engineering’s core manufacturing focus and Civil Engineering’s infrastructure alignment also open pathways for MS in specialized or interdisciplinary domains abroad. VLSI from Thapar offers a niche skill set with strong industry and research focus, ideal for students committed to semiconductor and electronics.

Recommendation: Prioritize Metallurgy/Materials Engineering at PEC Chandigarh for its balanced combination of well-established academics, strong faculty, and superior research and placement opportunities facilitating MS abroad. Consider Production Engineering or Civil Engineering at PEC next for wide industrial exposure, and choose Thapar’s VLSI if a specialized, research-driven electronics career focused on microelectronics and design is preferred. Align the choice with your son’s future academic and professional goals to maximize growth and international education prospects. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Computer Science and Business Systems (CSBS) graduates are generally eligible to appear for the GATE exam, selecting the Computer Science (CS) paper, as CSBS covers core computer science subjects alongside business systems components, which aligns with GATE’s eligibility criteria. For government organizations like ISRO and DRDO, eligibility criteria for Scientist/Engineer roles typically require a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology in core disciplines such as Computer Science & Engineering or relevant equivalents. ISRO mandates at least a 65% aggregate in BE/B.Tech (including Computer Science) and considers candidates for its Scientist/Engineer exam if they meet educational and age requirements. DRDO recruits Scientist ‘B’ roles mainly through valid GATE scores in Computer Science and Engineering, requiring candidates to hold first-class Bachelor’s degrees in engineering. Although CSBS graduates' eligibility is not always explicitly mentioned, since the branch includes core Computer Science knowledge and typically awards recognized B.Tech degrees, graduates are allowed to apply for GATE and subsequent recruitment in ISRO and DRDO, provided they fulfill minimum academic standards and other criteria. However, candidates should verify the exact eligibility criteria in the specific recruitment notifications, as some positions may specify core engineering disciplines explicitly.

Recommendation: CSBS graduates should confidently appear for the GATE exam under the Computer Science paper and apply for ISRO and DRDO recruitment when eligible. It is essential to thoroughly review each recruitment notification for any specific discipline restrictions, but generally, CSBS degrees are accepted due to their strong computer science foundation and AICTE recognition. Prioritize maintaining required academic percentages and prepare accordingly for competitive exams to maximize opportunities in these premier government organizations. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Anna University’s College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) campus offers a prestigious 5-year integrated M.Sc. in Computer Science program known for strong academic rigor, experienced faculty, and robust research facilities. It boasts excellent infrastructure in the heart of Chennai and enjoys excellent industry linkages facilitating placement support for over 2000 students annually. The integrated nature of the program streamlines advanced computer science education into a single pathway, with comprehensive coverage of modern computing technologies. The program’s placements are solid, with diverse recruiters and competitive packages aligned to the evolving tech industry. Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology’s 4-year B.Tech CSE program is highly regarded locally for its effective training programs, strong industry connections, and consistent placement rate near 97.5%. It offers well-maintained infrastructure, dedicated faculty, and focused skill development initiatives, targeting practical industry readiness. However, the integrated M.Sc. at Anna University carries greater academic prestige, research opportunities, and a longer, in-depth curriculum.

Recommendation: Choose Anna University CEG’s 5-year integrated M.Sc. in Computer Science for superior academic depth, research environment, and broader long-term prospects. Consider Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology for a practical, industry-focused B.Tech CSE with strong placement consistency. The choice depends on your preference for research orientation versus direct engineering career readiness. My Suggestion Too: Prefer AU-CEG-MSc-CS. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Ramesh, The IIT Madras Web-Enabled M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence is a flexible 2.5-year program specifically designed for working professionals like data analysts seeking to upskill without interrupting their employment. It offers a rigorous curriculum covering fundamental and advanced AI techniques with extensive hands-on labs and projects, enabling students to apply learning directly to current work domains and new projects. The program is supported by experienced faculty from IIT Madras’ Wadhwani School of Data Science & AI and integrates industry-relevant skills in machine learning, deep learning, and big data analytics. Placement records for IIT Madras M.Tech programs show strong outcomes, with approximately 89% placement rates and median packages around ?28 LPA. The institute has partnerships with over 100 top global universities allowing students to pursue exchange programs and internships abroad, facilitating international exposure and increasing chances for global placements. Graduates from IIT Madras M.Tech programs are highly sought after by global tech firms and research institutions due to the brand’s excellent reputation, hands-on training, and up-to-date curriculum.

This program will enhance your ability to undertake innovative AI projects in your role as a data analyst and better position you for quality placement opportunities abroad, given IIT Madras’s strong industry connections and global academic collaborations.

Recommendation: The IIT Madras Web-Enabled M.Tech in AI is a valuable investment that will significantly boost your technical capabilities for advanced projects and improve your prospects for competitive placements globally through robust practical training and international exposure. Focus on engaging deeply with projects and leveraging the institute’s exchange programs to maximize global career opportunities. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Data Science at IIT Madras is good. But remember it is no guarantee for future placements and not on par with its BTech course.