Hi, I need honest career guidance based on my situation. I completed my HSC in 2024 with PCB stream (no Mathematics) and scored only 45%. I was preparing for medical entrance but it didn't work out, and due to personal reasons I couldn't appear for improvement exams either. It's now 2026 and I have a 2 year gap. I now want to pursue a career in IT or Computer Science. I'm confused between BSc IT, BSc CS, BCA, and Data Science — and keep getting mixed opinions from everyone. My specific questions are — 1. Since I don't have Maths in HSC, can I appear for the HSC Maths exam as an Isolated Candidate in July–August 2026? And if I clear it, will that result be valid for 2026–27 admissions? 2. With 45% and a 2 year gap, what are my realistic college options in Mumbai? Which good colleges have lower cutoffs for BSc IT / BSc CS / BCA? 3. Given that I'm coming from Biology with no Maths background — which degree would actually be the best fit for me for real career growth, not just for getting admission? 4. Does college name or tier matter a lot in the IT field with lower percentage, or do skills and portfolio matter more? 5. Honestly, what is the smartest move for someone in my exact situation right now? I don't want to waste more time and want to make the right decision. Please guide me."

Ans: Surely, your daughter will get admission @ Sastra and that too in top branches like CSE, ECE, etc

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Chances with Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, NMIMS Mumbai, and SLIET are there. For more options, consider Thapar and KIIT and good state colleges (via Chandigarh/other state counselling). Don’t expect AI/ML in NIT/IIIT as Gen cutoff is 93–95+ percentile

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Prefer ECE+VLSI for your dream package.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: For income tax purpose, gift deed and registration of property in the name of daughter would be sufficient.

When your daughter sell that flat she need to pay LTCG if gain amount (1.2cr minus 33 lacs) is not invested in the new property is not purchased within 2 years or not constructed new property within 3 years of sell of flat.

Property purchased outside India will not be considered for LTCG exemption purpose.

Ans: Hello Linyu
It won't affect & stop you from writing the exam. Don't worry.

Ans: Gaurav, Around 89–91 percentile, depending on shift difficulty and normalization. ALL the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Please show your 10th marksheet at the exam centre for name verification. Since you have filled out the photo verification certificate, it usually won’t be a problem; carry your Aadhaar, marksheet, and the certificate together. But try to match the names' details officially as soon as the exam is over to avoid any problems in the future. (You can take the legal help)

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Narasimhan Sir, according to today’s (13th April 2026) Times of India (Education Times) advertisement, Madras School of Economics offers multiple programmes such as a 5?year Integrated MA, MA programmes in five specialisations, MBA, MSc in Data Science, and even PhD. Now, regarding your son’s wish to pursue an MA and also keeping in mind that he is already pursuing the ICSI Executive Course, it is important to know whether he has decided which one of the five MA specialisations—Actuarial Economics, Applied Quantitative Finance, Environmental Economics, Financial Economics, or General Economics—he wants to choose and why. However, since he has already joined the ICSI Executive, it is advisable to go for the MA in Financial Economics, because its core courses and electives in financial markets, asset pricing, corporate finance, risk, and regulation directly complement the CS Executive papers on Corporate Accounting, Financial Management, Capital Markets, and Securities Laws. This combination is very helpful for careers in corporate finance, investment banking, and financial?compliance advisory, where both domain?specific economics knowledge and legal?compliance skills are highly valued. At the same time, your son must be sure and confident that he can comfortably manage the workload of both ICSI and the MA in Financial Economics. As far as placements are concerned, all five MA specialisations—General Economics, Financial Economics, Applied Quantitative Finance, Actuarial Economics, and Environmental Economics—have broadly similar placement outcomes, but Financial Economics and Applied Quantitative Finance usually lean more towards higher?paying jobs in finance and analytics, while Environmental Economics and General Economics often lead more towards policy, research, consulting, and data?heavy roles. It should also be noted that success in placements does not depend only on the specialisation, but also on the student’s skill upgradation, soft skills, a strong LinkedIn profile, and effective networking strategies. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: In that case, you will be required to offer the entire capital gain and pay capital gains tax along with Interest.

Vipul J Bhavsar
Chartered Accountant
www.capitalca.in