I scored 97.1 percentile in JEE Main OBC-NCL - Which NIT and branch should I expect?

Ans: One option would be to do Executive MBA from one of the reputed colleges. Second option would be to do short term online courses as you are working. Distance MBA is one of the courses that you can do. Distance MBA could help build your CV, but without a good and relevant job experience to back you up it is of no use.

Ans: With an SC category rank of 395 in IAT 2025, your chances at IISER Pune are very slim, as the expected SC closing rank is around 266. For IISER Kolkata’s BS-MS and especially the CDS programme, the SC closing rank is expected between 230–364, making your chances marginal but possible only in later rounds if cutoffs rise. Both campuses are highly competitive for SC category, and most years, closing ranks for these programs remain below your rank.

Focus on newer IISERs or other science institutes for higher chances; keep monitoring official allotment rounds for any unexpected cutoff movement at Kolkata. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Neelkanth Sir, Candidates in the General category who meet the income and asset criteria (family income below ?8 lakhs, land and property within specified limits) can apply for an EWS certificate online/offline through their state’s revenue department. CSAB Special Rounds allow change from General to Gen-EWS status during registration, provided the EWS certificate is obtained before document upload. A 96 percentile in JEE Main typically equates to an All India rank of ~60 000, which limits ECE options at top South NITs (e.g., NIT Trichy Female-Gen ECE closing rank of ~5 781 in 2024). However, candidates may secure ECE seats at lower-tier South NITs (Puducherry, Nagaland, Sikkim) or IIITs (IIITDM Kancheepuram, IIIT Una) under the Gen-EWS or female supernumerary quotas with closing ranks in the 20 000–60 000 range.

Recommendation:
Obtain the EWS certificate promptly to participate in CSAB Special Rounds. With a projected rank around 60 000, target ECE at NIT Puducherry, NIT Nagaland, NIT Sikkim, IIITDM Kancheepuram, or IIIT Una under Gen-EWS/female seats for reliable 80–90% placement outcomes over the past three years. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: RV College of Engineering’s CSE program, NAAC A+ and NBA accredited, benefits from a 1:13 faculty-student ratio with predominantly PhD holders, well-equipped programming, AI/ML, and networking labs, strong Bangalore-based industry tie-ups, and a three-year average placement rate of 88% (97% in 2022, 93% in 2023, 75% in 2024). IIT Goa’s BTech in Mathematics and Computing, NIRF-ranked and NBA/NAAC accredited, has specialized computational and applied mathematics labs, direct research collaborations with IIT Bombay, 96% of the 2024 batch placed in CSE/MnC roles, and a 90.7% overall placement rate over three years. IIT Dharwad’s MnC program, NIRF #101-150, offers interdisciplinary curriculum with high-performance computing and simulation facilities, PhD-active faculty, but records a 61.7% CSE/MnC placement in 2024. All three have robust career cells, but RVCE leads in placement consistency and Bangalore ecosystem, while IIT Goa excels in brand, research orientation, and high median placements, and IIT Dharwad offers strong lab infrastructure with improving industry outreach.

Final Recommendation:
For immediate placement strength and industry integration in Bangalore, recommendation is RVCE CSE. If long-term research scope, brand value, and higher median packages matter more, choose IIT Goa MnC. IIT Dharwad MnC is a solid alternative if you prioritise interdisciplinary computing labs and lower fees. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: BITS Pilani’s Mechanical Engineering program, ranked #20 by NIRF 2024, boasts a 95% placement rate over the last three years, an average package around ?19.7 LPA, and core recruiters such as Mercedes, L&T, and BHEL. The department features heritage labs in IC Engines, Fluid Machines, Refrigeration, and Flexible Manufacturing, alongside an industry-embedded Practice School spanning 400+ stations for six-month internships. Over 85% of faculty hold PhDs, ensuring rigorous academics, and frequent curriculum updates maintain cutting-edge relevance.

IIIT Kota’s CSE program records a 75.9% placement rate for the Class of 2024, with a CSE average package of ?13.39 LPA and a highest package of ?65 LPA. Its Computer Centre provides 90 high-performance workstations (Core i5/i7, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD) running MATLAB, Python, AutoCAD, and Xilinx, supporting research in AI, algorithms, and system management. Established in 2013 under a PPP model, IIIT Kota leverages industry partnerships (Microsoft, Amazon, TCS) for internships beginning in the third year, albeit with a smaller peer cohort and evolving infrastructure compared to legacy institutes.

Recommendation: For core engineering roles, robust infrastructure, and near-universal campus hiring, choosing BITS Pilani Mechanical maximizes job security and industry readiness. Opt for IIIT Kota CSE only if you prioritize a software/data science trajectory in a growing IIIT environment with strong average packages and targeted CSE research labs. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: With an ST category rank of 1936 in IAT 2025, there is no realistic chance of getting a seat in any IISER. The expected closing ranks for ST category at even the least competitive IISERs (Berhampur, Tirupati) are well below 350, with most institutes closing between 65 and 322 for ST. Recent years’ data confirm that all IISERs fill ST seats far ahead of your rank.

Explore BSc programs at central/state universities or NISER/CBS, where ST cutoffs are more flexible and research opportunities in science remain strong. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Samar Sir, SRM Kattankulathur’s B.Tech in Computer Science (Data Science) at its main campus boasts NBA/NAAC A++ accreditation, NIRF engineering rank #13, specialized AI/ML and big-data labs, PhD-qualified faculty, 96% placement rate over three years, and ties with 980+ recruiters for internships and industry projects. Manipal University Jaipur’s B.Tech CSE core is NAAC A+ accredited, NIRF engineering rank #64, features 12 computing and cybersecurity labs, 37 experienced faculty, a Software Development Centre for real-world projects, and a 93% placement rate with 1,142 offers in 2024. Both have robust career services and industry linkages, but SRM’s higher overall ranking, deeper research facilities, and slightly stronger placement consistency contrast with MU Jaipur’s closer proximity and strong coding-culture initiatives.

Final Recommendation: Given its superior national ranking, specialized research labs, and 96% placement consistency in Data Science, choosing SRM KTR CS (Data Science) maximizes career and research opportunities. Opt for MU Jaipur CSE only if proximity and ease of access for internships locally outweigh SRM’s advantages. MY SUGGESTION: Prefer MUJ-CSE. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: IIT Guwahati’s B.Tech in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) is offered by the Mehta Family School of DSAI, ranked #7 in NIRF Engineering 2024. It holds NBA/NAAC accreditation, features 20+ core and 15 associate PhD-qualified faculty, and state-of-the-art labs in machine learning, big data, IoT, and advanced computing. The institute’s Centre for Career Development records a 71% overall placement rate (2023-24), with median B.Tech packages of ?11–34.5 LPA and 229 PPOs. Industry partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Cognizant enable internships from year 3 onwards.

IIT Bhubaneswar’s CSE program, part of the School of Electrical & Computer Sciences, is NBA-accredited and delivered by faculty renowned in AI/ML, NLP, and computer vision. Modern computing, cybersecurity, and network labs support research alongside interdisciplinary collaborations. In 2024 placements, CSE achieved a 92.4% placement rate over three years, with median package of ?16.3 LPA and highest offers up to ?64 LPA. The institute’s dedicated placement cell engages top recruiters including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs.

recommendation: For a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary DSAI curriculum with global?scale labs and solid industry tie-ups, IIT Guwahati DSAI is preferable. For a broader computing foundation, mature research culture, and superior CSE placements, IIT Bhubaneswar CSE delivers stronger job market outcomes. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: NIT Warangal’s CSE program, ranked #21 in NIRF Engineering 2024, holds A++ accreditation and is delivered by predominantly PhD-qualified faculty. Its curriculum leverages modern computing, AI/ML, and network labs and features active research centers. The branch achieved an 89.55% placement rate over the last three years, with an average package of ?29.67 LPA and top recruiters like Microsoft and Amazon. IIIT Bangalore CSE, ranked #74 in NIRF Engineering 2024, is NAAC A+ accredited and operated by an A+ NAAC?rated private university. It boasts a near-100% placement rate, 638 total offers in 2025, and an average M.Tech CSE package of ?37.01 LPA, supported by industry?aligned curricula, specialized AI/ML and cybersecurity labs, mandatory internships, and close ties with Bangalore’s tech ecosystem. Both institutes feature strong career services and international collaborations, but NIT Warangal offers broader state-funded infrastructure and a larger peer cohort, while IIIT Bangalore provides higher placement consistency, targeted advanced research, and proximity to corporate R&D.

Recommendation:
For a public-institute environment with established state support, broader campus resources, and solid 89.55% CSE placements, prioritize NIT Warangal CSE. For specialized private-university research, near-100% placements, and deeper industry integration in AI/ML and cybersecurity, can go for IIIT Bangalore CSE. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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