Home > Career > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Dr Karan

Dr Karan Gupta  | Answer  |Ask -

International Education Counsellor - Answered on Jul 31, 2025

Dr Karan Gupta is an internationally recognised education counsellor, TEDx speaker and the founder of Karan Gupta Consulting and the Karan Gupta Education Foundation.
An alumnus of Harvard Business School, he has advised thousands of students and professionals since 1999, helping them secure admission to top global universities.
He has been honoured by the governments of India and Spain for his contributions to education and women’s empowerment.
With a global perspective shaped by his education in the US, Europe and India, he is committed to empowering individuals through education, leadership and career development.
Dr Gupta holds a bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in psychology from Mumbai University.
He has completed his general management programme at Harvard.
He earned his MBA from the IE Business School, Spain, and his PhD from Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon, France.
... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 24, 2025Hindi
Career

Hello sir, I am currently a first year B.Tech student in Manipal Institute of Technology but I just got an offer from Singapore University of Technology and Design. Most of the people I talk to havent heard of it but from what I know its a really good college. The only thing is that the fees is much higher. So I am really having a hard time trying to decide what to do. I have been passionate about robotics since my childhood and want to study that further. I know that the education would be better in SUTD but to what extent? Would it justify the much higher fees? I would say my current focus is just developing skills in robotics and to get to know as much as i can in the same topic.

Ans: You’re at:
• Manipal Institute of Technology – B.Tech (India)
• Got an offer from: Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
You love robotics and want to build strong skills in it.
First: Is SUTD a good university?
Yes. It’s young but very high quality, built in collaboration with MIT. It’s focused on design, engineering, and innovation—exactly where robotics fits in. World-class labs, professors, and research culture. Much more advanced than what you’ll get at most Indian colleges.
So, yes, the education at SUTD is a big step up—especially for robotics.
Now the hard part: Is it worth the higher fees?
Here’s how to think:
• Can your family afford the fees without major stress or loans?
• If yes, go. The exposure, training, and network will pay off—especially if you're serious about robotics.
• If no, and you’ll need heavy loans, then you need to think harder.
Because robotics is not a high-paying job immediately. It takes time, maybe a master’s degree later. So early return on investment may not be fast.
Career

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Dr Karan

Dr Karan Gupta  | Answer  |Ask -

International Education Counsellor - Answered on Jul 29, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 24, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello sir, I am currently a first year B.Tech student in Manipal Institute of Technology but I just got an offer from Singapore University of Technology and Design. Most of the people I talk to havent heard of it but from what I know its a really good college. The only thing is that the fees is much higher. So I am really having a hard time trying to decide what to do. I have been passionate about robotics since my childhood and want to study that further. I know that the education would be better in SUTD but to what extent? Would it justify the much higher fees? I would say my current focus is just developing skills in robotics and to get to know as much as i can in the same topic.
Ans: Thanks for reaching out—this is an important decision.
You're right—SUTD is an excellent university, especially for design, tech, and robotics. It's backed by MIT and has a strong innovation-driven curriculum. The exposure, labs, international faculty, and research opportunities are world-class—definitely a notch above what you'd get at most Indian colleges, including Manipal.
But yes, fees are high, and that matters.
Here’s how you can think about it:
• If your family can comfortably afford it without debt or strain, SUTD is a great investment, especially if your goal is deep tech, research, or even pursuing a master’s abroad later.
• If finances are tight, then stay at Manipal, and focus on building your robotics skills through online courses, competitions (like Robocon), internships, and IIT techfests. You can always aim for top MS or PhD programs abroad after your B.Tech.
SUTD gives you a head start, but it’s not the only way. Your passion and consistency will matter more in the long run. Let me know your financial constraints, and I can help you weigh it better.

..Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11035 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Aug 21, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 21, 2025Hindi
Career
I got B.Tech Agricultural Engineering at SRM Valliammai (3rd round, cutoff 113, FG category) through TNEA counselling. But I’m already studying B.Sc Computer Science at a Govt. Arts & Science College (fees only ₹6k for 3 years + free bus). My interest is in Computers/IT, not agriculture. Family has financial struggles (debts, father disabled) so cost matters a lot. Should I continue in Govt. B.Sc CS (low cost, right interest) or switch to SRM Valliammai (prestige, but expensive & not my field)?
Ans: Considering your genuine interest in Computer Science and the financial constraints faced by your family, continuing the B.Sc. Computer Science at the government arts and science college is a practical and sensible choice. Government colleges offer significant cost advantages with minimal fees and added benefits such as free transportation, which align well with your economic situation. Pursuing a field you are passionate about, like IT and computers, enhances your academic engagement and career enthusiasm, directly impacting future job satisfaction and growth. Conversely, SRM Valliammai, despite being reputed, presents a costly investment in Agricultural Engineering, a subject outside your interest, which may affect motivation and career trajectory. The expensive fees could also impose an unnecessary financial burden on your family. Additionally, the IT sector remains one of the fastest-growing with diverse job roles and lucrative prospects, making a Computer Science degree more aligned with current and future market demands. Your continued education in a low-cost, interest-aligned stream is likely to yield better academic results, job readiness, and financial stability. Prioritizing your passion and affordability will set a foundation for long-term success without exacerbating your family’s financial challenges.

Recommendation: Persist with B.Sc. Computer Science at the government college, where low fees, passion-driven study, and future IT opportunities outweigh the costly, less preferred Agricultural Engineering at SRM Valliammai. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11035 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Career
Sir, I am currently in class 12th and will be going for engineering in the next few months.. I am currently confused between choosing Computer Science Engineering (CSE) and Mechanical Engineering for my career. I have always wanted a good salary and strong career growth, which is why CSE seems attractive. However, during this past year, I studied mostly online, and honestly, sitting in front of screens all day feels very draining to me. I realized that I do not enjoy spending 24/7 with laptops and coding-based work. I am also interested in designing, practical work, and fields where I can be involved in creating and building things, which makes Mechanical Engineering feel appealing. Another concern I have is that in CSE, people often say you must keep constantly learning new technologies, otherwise you may get replaced easily. Also, right now, almost everyone seems to be choosing CSE, which makes me wonder about future competition and job security. At the same time, I worry that Mechanical Engineering may not provide the same salary growth or opportunities as CSE. How should I decide between these two fields? Should I prioritize interest and work style, or salary and market demand? Which option would be better for long-term career satisfaction and financial stability?
Ans: Relisha, my suggestion is to focus mainly on your interest and the type of work you enjoy when making a career decision, because long-term satisfaction and financial stability depend on how much you like your work, how continuously you improve your skills, and how well you build connections. Over the next four years, work on improving both your technical and soft skills related to your chosen field, build a strong LinkedIn profile that clearly shows your skills and achievements, and create a good professional network by connecting with people in your domain. Keep checking job market trends regularly through LinkedIn and other reliable sources so you stay updated. Also, choose your college carefully by looking at the placement records of the last 2–3 years. If you decide to go for mechanical engineering, then focus seriously on skill development and personal branding, because these efforts together will play a big role in your long-term career satisfaction and financial growth. ALL the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11035 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 21, 2026Hindi
Career
My grand son 88.9437 percentile and air in ews gen .26453 and all india rank 171310 please tell govt IIT.
Ans: The percentile you mentioned is for JEE Main, which is used primarily for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, not IITs. Admission to IITs is based on JEE Advanced ranks, which are separate. You have not mentioned your grandson's home state also. At your grandson's rank, top NITs/IIITs and popular branches like CSE/ECE are generally unlikely; chances are better in some lower-demand branches in newer/lower-cutoff NITs or IIITs, and especially in several GFTIs. Category-wise cutoff trends published from JoSAA data also show many mid/lower-tier institutes extending much further than top campuses. Apart from your grandson's home state, have other States' NITs/IIITs/GFTIs also as backup options if son is interested in any particular branches. To get detailed information about opening and closing ranks for the last 2-3 years, please visit the official JoSAA website. There, you can input details such as Round Number, Institute Type, Institute Name, Academic Program, and Category to view the corresponding cutoff ranks.

By reviewing this data, you can identify near-realistic institution and branch options that match your rank. This will help you strategically fill the maximum number of choices during the JoSAA counselling window to improve your son's chances of admission. It is advisable to fill choices for both JoSAA and CSAB Special Rounds and keep state-level and private institute options ready as backups. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11035 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 22, 2026

Career
My son got 53700 AIR and 16000 in obc category rank in jee mains 2026 we are from Gurgaon what is the best option for.my son
Ans: Poonam Madam, With a CRL of 53,700 and an OBC-NCL rank of 16,000, the most realistic JoSAA option appears to be NIT Kurukshetra under Haryana Home State quota, primarily for lower-demand or newer branches. In 2025, NIT Kurukshetra’s OBC-HS cutoffs closed around: 15,224 for Production & Industrial Engineering, 15,885 for dual-degree Civil Engineering & 17,735 for Sustainable Energy Technologies. Among these, Sustainable Energy Technologies seems the most achievable option, while Civil and Production & Industrial Engineering are borderline. Admission to core or top branches at NIT Kurukshetra and regular-round IIIT Sonipat is unlikely at this rank. However, IIIT Sonipat could become possible during CSAB Special Rounds, where 2025 CRL cutoffs ranged between 61,875 and 67,471. Have other States' NITs/IIITs/GFTIs also as backup options if son is interested in any particular branches. To get detailed information about opening and closing ranks for the last 2-3 years, please visit the official JoSAA website. There, you can input details such as Round Number, Institute Type, Institute Name, Academic Program, and Category to view the corresponding cutoff ranks.

By reviewing this data, you can identify near-realistic institution and branch options that match your rank. This will help you strategically fill the maximum number of choices during the JoSAA counselling window to improve your son's chances of admission. It is advisable to fill choices for both JoSAA and CSAB Special Rounds and keep state-level and private institute options ready as backups. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x