AIML at Thapar vs. IT at UIET Chandigarh: Choosing the Right Path for My Son

Ans: With a COMEDK rank of 65658, CSE seats are available at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology (cutoff 60000–63000), East West Institute of Technology (62492–65492), ACS College of Engineering (CSE-IoT, 62000–96000), and Ballari Institute of Technology and Management (CSE-Data Science, 63000–66000). Additional options include Alvas Institute of Engineering (68500–72500) and Jain University accepting COMEDK ranks up to 1 lakh for CSE. Beyond state exams, consider national-level private entrances such as BITSAT or VITEEE for premier CSE programs aligned with a 62.14 percentile in JEE Main. The recommendation is to prioritise Adichunchanagiri and East West Institute for core CSE admission while pursuing VITEEE as backup. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Yes, with a rank of 4993 in SRMJEEE Phase 2, you have a good chance of getting ECE at the SRM main campus (Kattankulathur). While securing a top branch like CSE can be competitive, ECE is generally achievable with this rank, especially considering the number of seats and the counseling process.

Ans: Energy Science programs recorded a 66% placement rate in 2024 at IIT Bombay and emphasize sustainable energy research, grid technology, and materials science. In contrast, M.Sc Astronomy at IIT Indore achieved a 65% placement rate and provides core astrophysics courses—stellar physics, cosmology, observational techniques, instrumentation labs, and data analysis. Astrophysics research groups at IISc Bangalore and IIT Hyderabad require strong physics foundations that Energy Science lacks. Energy Science coursework is misaligned with astrophysics skills, making it a suboptimal path toward astrophysics careers. The recommendation is to opt for a dedicated M.Sc Astronomy or M.Sc Physics program aligned with astrophysics objectives. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: With a rank of 7680 in SRMJEEE 2025, you fall within the expected cutoff range for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) at SRM Kattankulathur (main campus), which is projected to be up to 8,000–9,000 this year. Previous years’ data consistently show the CSE cutoff at KTR closing between 8,000 and 9,000, so your rank is well-positioned for this highly sought-after branch. CSE at KTR is the most competitive, but your score gives you a realistic chance of securing a seat in the first or subsequent rounds of counseling. The program is supported by excellent placement records, with 80–95% placement rates in recent years, top recruiters like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and an average package that continues to rise. The recommendation is to proceed confidently with counseling for CSE at SRM Kattankulathur, as your rank is within the safe range for admission to this flagship branch. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Nithin, With an IAT 2025 rank of 3981 (overall) and an OBC-NCL category rank of 822, your son has a realistic chance of securing a seat in one of the IISERs, particularly at the newer or less preferred campuses. The OBC-NCL closing ranks for BS-MS programs in 2024 were 2327 (Berhampur), 2242 (Tirupati), 1712 (Bhopal), 1781 (Mohali), 1409 (Thiruvananthapuram), and 1369 (Kolkata), all comfortably above your son’s OBC rank. For 2025, expected OBC-NCL cutoffs remain around 100–110 marks, and your son’s rank of 822 is well within last year’s and projected cutoffs for several IISERs, especially Berhampur, Tirupati, and possibly Bhopal or Mohali. While top campuses like Pune and Kolkata may be challenging, the seat matrix and rising cutoffs indicate that seats at the newer IISERs are likely for OBC-NCL ranks below 1000. The recommendation is to participate actively in all rounds of IISER counselling, prioritizing Berhampur, Tirupati, and Mohali, as your son stands a strong chance of admission at these institutes with his OBC rank. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Sreeni Sir, With an OBC-NCL rank of 4303 in IAT-2025, your son will not be able to secure a seat in any IISER. The closing OBC-NCL ranks for the least preferred IISERs, such as Berhampur and Tirupati, are expected to be around 1600–1800 this year, and last year’s data shows the highest OBC-NCL closing ranks for any IISER did not exceed 4484, with most popular campuses closing well below 2000. The total number of OBC-NCL seats is limited due to the 27% reservation and high competition, and even with category reservation, the cutoff ranks remain significantly lower than your son's rank. All reliable sources and cutoff trends confirm that an OBC-NCL rank of 4303 is outside the admission range for the BS-MS and BS programs at all IISERs in 2025. The recommendation is to consider alternative science institutes or state-level universities, as IISER admission is not feasible at this rank. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hello Kashvi
Prefer CGC if possible. The final decision will be yours.
Good luck!
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Both are strong options. You can prefer any one which is suitable to you from a travelling point of view. Yet to suggest, prefer CSE @ MIT Manipal.
Good luck!
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Radheshyam

Ans: At 61, with a pension-backed lifestyle and a strong mutual fund portfolio, you and your wife are in a better financial condition than many retirees. You have been investing smartly and consistently. This shows your discipline and patience. Let us now take a detailed look at your situation and provide a 360-degree strategy to help you make informed decisions on whether to continue with SIPs or shift to fixed deposits.

Overview of Your Current Financial Position

Let us first look at your numbers clearly:

You are 61 and retired. You get Rs. 44,000 as monthly pension.

You invest this pension into SIPs in mutual funds.

You have Rs. 34 lakh in fixed deposits. You get Rs. 25,000 monthly from it.

You contribute Rs. 25,000 to the monthly household cost of Rs. 50,000.

Your wife is also retired and receives about the same pension.

She has Rs. 52 lakh in fixed deposit and Rs. 30 lakh invested in mutual funds.

You have invested Rs. 30 lakh in mutual funds which have grown to Rs. 52 lakh.

Your wife is investing Rs. 25 lakh through SIPs now.

You own your flat and have one married son living in another city.

This is a financially balanced situation. Now let us assess each part to offer deeper insights.

1. Monthly Cash Flow – Sustainable and Comfortable

Together, you and your wife receive around Rs. 88,000 per month as pension.

You also get Rs. 25,000 monthly as FD interest.

This makes your total monthly income around Rs. 1.13 lakh.

Your household expense is only Rs. 50,000. That leaves a surplus of over Rs. 60,000.

You are not dependent on your mutual fund corpus for monthly expenses. This is a very strong position for any retiree.

2. Fixed Deposit Income – Reliable but Low Growth

Your total FD value (you + wife) is Rs. 86 lakh.

You both get monthly income from it.

This is good for safety and liquidity.

But FD interest is fully taxable and may fall in future.

FD returns rarely beat inflation over long term.

You can keep some FD for stability, but not everything.

FD should be used only for emergency buffer and short-term goals.

3. Mutual Fund Corpus – Impressive Growth and Wealth Creator

Your mutual fund investment of Rs. 30 lakh has grown to Rs. 52 lakh.

That is a strong capital appreciation.

Your wife has Rs. 30 lakh in mutual funds.

Together, your mutual fund corpus is Rs. 82 lakh.

This shows you have trusted mutual funds and stayed invested.

This decision has paid off well, and you should continue.

4. Ongoing SIPs – Excellent Habit, Keep It Going

You invest your entire pension in SIPs.

Your wife is investing Rs. 25 lakh through SIPs.

These SIPs are creating long-term wealth.

Mutual fund SIPs are flexible, tax efficient and help in rupee cost averaging.

You should continue the SIPs without stopping them.

These SIPs will give you more financial freedom later.

5. Should You Shift to FD from SIP? No, Here’s Why

SIPs are giving higher returns than FDs over 5–10 years.

FD returns are taxable fully and get lower in real value due to inflation.

SIPs in equity mutual funds are taxed efficiently.

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at only 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%.

SIPs offer better inflation protection and long-term growth.

Since your risk appetite is good, and you do not depend on MF money for expenses, you can take market ups and downs calmly.

Stopping SIPs now will reduce future wealth.

Stay invested. Do not stop or pause the SIPs.

6. Use Mutual Funds for Future Monthly Income

After 65 or 70, you can start Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP).

This will create monthly income from mutual fund corpus.

SIP grows wealth. SWP gives regular income later.

This will help reduce FD dependence later.

Use SWP only after your capital grows more.

For now, keep investing. Later, enjoy the income.

7. Asset Allocation – Review Regularly, Not Reactively

You have almost Rs. 1.68 crore between you both.

About 48% is in mutual funds. Around 52% is in fixed deposits.

This is a balanced allocation for your stage.

But over the next few years, gradually increase mutual fund share to 60%.

Keep 30% in fixed deposit.

Remaining 10% can be in liquid or ultra-short funds for short-term needs.

Do not over-allocate to FDs even in retirement.

8. Emergency Fund – Always Keep a Separate Pool

Keep Rs. 4–6 lakh each in a separate emergency fund.

Use liquid funds or short-term FDs for this.

Do not disturb long-term mutual funds for sudden needs.

This keeps your investments stable.

Safety pool is essential for peace of mind.

9. No Need for Real Estate or Gold

You already own a flat.

You do not need to invest more in real estate.

Real estate is illiquid, costly, and hard to manage.

Also, do not over-invest in gold.

Keep only small amount for personal use.

Keep your capital in growth and income-generating assets.

10. Avoid Index Funds and Direct Funds

Do not invest in index funds now.

Index funds invest in all stocks, good and bad.

They give no active selection or risk management.

In falling markets, they fall as much as the index.

Actively managed funds are better in volatile times.

Fund managers help select good stocks, avoid poor ones.

Also avoid direct mutual funds:

Direct funds have no advisor support.

No one guides you on when to redeem or switch.

Emotionally hard to manage during market corrections.

Regular plans through a Mutual Fund Distributor with CFP give full support.

Keep investing through regular plans only.

11. Estate Planning – Act Now, Not Later

You have significant wealth. Now is the right time for estate planning.

Write a Will each.

Include details of mutual fund holdings, FDs, and your flat.

Mention who gets what.

Register the Will to avoid legal trouble later.

Also, ensure nominee names are added in all financial assets.

Nominee is not the legal heir. Only Will decides distribution.

Plan this early. It will protect your family from confusion later.

12. Tax Planning – Keep Things Clean and Simple

Keep a track of all capital gains in mutual funds.

Do not redeem unless needed, or for rebalancing.

Redeem wisely to avoid higher tax.

Use joint names in FDs and mutual funds for convenience.

Keep all investments linked to PAN and updated KYC.

Keep your documentation clear and updated.

13. Retirement Security – You Are Already There

Your expenses are less than income.

Your investments are growing well.

You do not need to depend on your son financially.

You have enough funds for future.

But keep tracking expenses. Inflation can rise slowly over years.

14. Health Insurance – Important to Recheck

Please make sure you and your wife have a good health insurance cover.

Minimum cover should be Rs. 10–15 lakh.

Use a super top-up plan if needed.

Keep health policy active till the end of life.

Medical costs can rise suddenly.

15. Role of Certified Financial Planner – Don’t Skip It

You both are managing well.

But engaging a Certified Financial Planner can help optimise further.

A CFP helps with:

Goal mapping

Asset rebalancing

Tax-efficient withdrawals

Portfolio review

Succession planning

CFP offers guidance that is personal, not generic.

They help avoid emotional or wrong decisions in future.

Finally

You are in a very strong financial position today. Your lifestyle is secure. Your investments are growing. Your habits are disciplined. This is a clear example of smart retirement planning.

There is no need to move to FD from SIP. You can continue SIPs as long as you are financially comfortable and mentally relaxed. SIPs are building your financial legacy and keeping you ahead of inflation.

What you need now is:

Continue SIPs in regular mutual funds.

Slowly shift from growth to income-oriented strategies (like SWP) after a few years.

Rebalance asset allocation every 1–2 years.

Keep insurance updated.

Complete estate planning soon.

Your journey so far has been consistent and thoughtful. Keep going.

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