17-Year-Old Aspiring for UPSC: Choosing the Right Degree and College

Ans: It is good that you tried to follow a certain path but did not succeed. Accept this reality and move ahead and the pursue a career of your choice. You must appreciate the fact that the UPSC exam preparations lent you lot of experience, learnings that you can leverage. Best course for him would be to upskill his computer science knowledge as this is one area that can lend opportunities to work from home. There are several online forums that can open up job opportunities. Similarly he can connect with his network of friends and classmates from your college over Linkedin or Whatsapp or Facebook groups and seek connections to jobs that his network may know.

Ans: Hi,
It's great to know that you know your positives & negatives well. You cannot sail in 2 boats, my friends. UPSC & CAT are completely different from each other & require different approaches. Decide your goal first and then give it all.

Ans: Kavitha,

If you're serious about UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) and want an engineering subject that aligns well with the exam syllabus, consider:

Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering at top NITs, DTU, or COEP – These subjects have significant overlap with UPSC Mains optional subjects, making preparation easier.

If UPSC is a backup option and you prioritize job security, consider:
Computer Science (CS) or Information Technology (IT) at NITs, IIITs, or DTU – These fields offer excellent job opportunities in case you decide not to pursue UPSC later.

If you prefer to stay close to Delhi for UPSC coaching, consider:
DTU, NSUT, or IIIT Delhi – Being in Delhi gives easy access to top UPSC coaching institutes and a strong competitive environment.

Key Advice Before Choosing Your Engineering Path:
After JEE Advanced, before participating in JoSAA counselling, take time to thoroughly research the UPSC exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation requirements.
If committed to UPSC, start preparing during your B.Tech by joining UPSC preparation groups, attempting mock tests, and balancing studies effectively.
Choose an engineering branch that allows you enough free time for UPSC preparation while also serving as a strong career backup in case your plans change.

Select a branch and college strategically to balance both UPSC preparation and career security for the best possible outcome.

All the best for your admissions!

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