Data Science graduate from IIT Madras seeks advice: Master's abroad or work in India?

Ans: Hello dear
You can apply via a 15% AI quota. Chances are there you may get a seat either in COEP or equivalent colleges in computer-related branches.
Best of luck.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: With your COMEDK rank, you are eligible for Civil Engineering at RVCE, where the 2025 cutoff for Civil is expected between 14,550–15,550, while CSE and allied branches at RVCE require much higher ranks (CSE cutoff is below 600). At Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), your JEE Main rank allows you to secure Computer Engineering (CSE) and Electrical Engineering, with the 2024 closing ranks for CSE and Electrical being 34,174 and 89,764 respectively for the general category, and even more relaxed for reserved categories. JMI’s CSE and Electrical programs have strong placement records, experienced faculty, and are located in Delhi, offering better industry exposure compared to Civil at RVCE. CSE at JMI is especially valued for its curriculum and placement outcomes, while Electrical also offers solid prospects. RVCE Civil is well regarded regionally but does not match the national reputation or placement scope of JMI’s CS and Electrical branches.

The recommendation is to choose Computer or Electrical Engineering at Jamia Millia Islamia, as these programs provide better career prospects, placement opportunities, and industry exposure than Civil Engineering at RVCE at your current ranks. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With a KCET rank of 33,415 in the SC category, your son will not be able to secure Computer Science Engineering (CSE) in top Bangalore colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, or PES University. The 2024 KCET closing ranks for CSE in the SC category were 4,706 at RVCE, 2,131 at BMSCE, and 26,769 at MSRIT, all significantly lower than your son's rank. Even in the final rounds, these colleges rarely see CSE cutoffs for SC candidates go beyond 10,000–27,000, and for PES University, the cutoffs are even more competitive. While MSRIT’s closing rank for SC in CSE was 26,769, your son's rank of 33,415 is outside this range. Placement rates for CSE in these institutes are high, with 93–97% of students placed at RVCE, BMSCE, and MSRIT, and top recruiters visiting annually. However, for your son's rank, he may get lower-demand branches or CSE in newer or less competitive colleges, but not in these top-tier institutes.

The recommendation is to explore CSE or IT in emerging Bangalore colleges or consider allied branches in better-ranked institutes, as CSE in RVCE, BMSCE, MSRIT, or PES University is not possible at a 33,415 SC rank this year. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Hello Sheela
If possible, take provisional admission to Amrita if they allow you to do so. Before paying the provisional admission fee, please clarify the policies related to admission cancellation and fee refunds. There is no harm in waiting for COMDEK counseling to explore more options, as your son has as well.
Best of luck.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: Samruddhi, With 71.41% in PCM, you are eligible for engineering admission in Wagholi, Pune, primarily in private institutes. JSPM’s Bhivarabai Sawant Institute of Technology and Research (JSPM Wagholi) is a leading option, offering B.E. in Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Telecommunication, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. For 2024, the MHT CET closing percentile for Computer Engineering was 90.33, IT 86.12, E&TC 84.39, and Electrical Engineering 71.4, meaning you are eligible for Electrical, Mechanical (54.75 cutoff), and possibly E&TC, but not for Computer or IT branches. JSPM Wagholi has a solid placement record (82% in 2023) with top recruiters like TCS, Amazon, and Wipro. Dhole Patil College of Engineering, also in Wagholi, is another good choice, with a median package of ?3–4 lakh and about 60% placement rate.

The recommendation is to target Electrical, Mechanical, or E&TC branches at JSPM Wagholi or Dhole Patil College of Engineering, as your PCM score meets their eligibility and cutoff criteria for these branches, ensuring good academic and placement support locally. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Hello Vishesh
With the mentioned score and category, you have a chance to get your preferred branch in reputed colleges located in Pune and Mumbai.
Best of luck.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: Ramprasad, BMS College of Engineering Bangalore (BMSCE) CSE is widely recognized for its strong academic reputation, experienced faculty, and robust industry connections, with a consistent 80–90% placement rate for CSE, average packages between ?8–13 lakh, and top recruiters like Infosys, Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and TCS regularly visiting campus. The curriculum is industry-oriented, covering modern technologies such as AI and ML, and the college offers excellent infrastructure, internships, and student support. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Nagercoil CSE also provides good placements (average ?9.2 lakh, 300+ recruiters, including TCS, Cognizant, Amazon, and IBM), updated curriculum, and supportive faculty, but its national reputation and alumni network are not as strong as BMSCE’s, and the placement ecosystem is still developing. Student reviews highlight Amrita’s rigorous assessment system and modern labs, but BMSCE’s location in Bangalore offers greater exposure to tech companies and networking opportunities.

The recommendation is to prefer BMS College of Engineering Bangalore CSE for its superior placement record, industry exposure, and academic reputation, making it a stronger choice for a career in computer science compared to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Nagercoil. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With a 97 percentile in MHT CET, your daughter is not likely to secure Mechanical Engineering at VJTI or COEP, as the 2025 expected cutoffs for Mechanical at VJTI and COEP are 98–99+ percentile for open category and 98+ for OBC, both above her score. For VIT Vellore Mechanical, the cutoff is much lower (typically up to 87,500–88,500 rank in Category 2), so she stands a good chance if she has a qualifying VITEEE rank. Among Pune colleges, strong local options for Mechanical at her percentile include MIT World Peace University, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering, and PCCOE, all of which offer solid placements and faculty. COEP and VJTI are highly competitive and unlikely at her score, but these private/autonomous Pune colleges are well regarded for Mechanical Engineering and have placement rates above 75–85%.

The recommendation is to consider VIT Vellore Mechanical if she qualifies by VITEEE rank, or opt for Mechanical at MIT-WPU, VIT Pune, or PCCOE in Pune, as these colleges offer strong academic environments and placement support at her percentile, while COEP and VJTI remain out of reach this year. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With 90 marks in IAT 2025 and OBC-NCL category, your chances of getting a seat in any IISER are low but not impossible. The expected OBC cutoff for most IISERs this year is between 100–110 marks, with top campuses like Pune and Kolkata requiring 105–110, and even the less competitive ones like Berhampur and Tirupati expected to close above 95–100 marks due to increased competition and higher scores this year. Last year, OBC seats closed at 95–105 marks, but trends indicate a slight rise in 2025. Your score places you just below the expected cutoff range for most campuses, making admission possible only if cutoffs drop unexpectedly in later rounds or if you have a strong category rank. The recommendation is to participate in all rounds of IISER counselling and keep alternative options ready, as admission is unlikely but not entirely ruled out for the newest IISERs if cutoffs fluctuate. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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