Dear Mayank,
I'm 47 years old and currently based in Manchester, UK.
I've 23 years of experience in IT sales. I'm currently not able to continue with the sales career that I had in India in the tech sector.
Frankly, I feel I'm done with business development and am not very passionate about this anymore. Now I'm trying going on my own, but am dragging my feet.
I really love the stock markets as a fundamental investor and would love to make a career switch here but cannot seem to find options suitable for me.
I also have the choice of returning to Bengaluru and re-starting my sales career again but am hesitant as my family cannot join me.
I'm financially doing fine though and have almost met my financial goals.
However, I am quite ambitious and too young to retire. I also have the option of experimenting a bit.
I’m looking forward to your advice.
Many thanks.
PS: I would like to remain anonymous.

Ans: Hemlata Madam, Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main/Advanced Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Have some other options also as back-ups instead of relying only on JEE/JoSAA.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admission and a bright future!

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Ans: With 60 percentile in JEE Mains and 88% in boards, your son is unlikely to get admission in top NITs or IIITs for AI and DS but can explore private universities like UPES Dehradun, SRM, Amity, and Bennett University, which offer specialized AI/DS programs and decent placements. State engineering colleges with lower cutoffs are also viable options. While placement packages may be moderate, these institutes provide practical exposure and industry connections essential for AI and DS careers. Prioritize colleges with good faculty, industry tie-ups, and internship opportunities to maximize career prospects in AI and Data Science. All the best for your son's admission and a bright future!

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Ans: Prefer RVCE if you Score below AIR-500 through COMKEDK, if fee is affordable for you. With a 95 percentile and around 75,000 rank in JEE Mains, admission to top NITs or IIITs for CSE is unlikely, but you can secure seats in mid-tier NITs like NIT Silchar, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Pondicherry, and NIT Raipur for Mechanical or Civil branches. These NITs are improving rapidly in academics and placements and provide good core engineering education. Tier 3 NITs such as NIT Agartala and NIT Manipur are also accessible options. BIT Mesra and PEC Chandigarh are reputed private universities with strong programs and placements in core branches and are good alternatives if you prefer private institutes. For tech-oriented branches, newer IIITs like IIIT Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Vadodara offer CSE, IT, or ECE branches with decent placement records and accept ranks around your range. Since you have equal interest in core and tech, choosing Mechanical or Civil in NITs or BIT/PEC is advisable for core engineering, while IIITs or private universities can be considered for tech branches. Balancing branch preference with college reputation and placement prospects will help you make the best choice. All the best for your admission and a bright future!

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Ans: Since he appeared for Computer Science, Maths, Physics, and English, he can apply for Several central, state, and private universities participate in CUET.
1. B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering and Artificial Intelligence & Data Science.
2. Integrated M.Tech Programs (Some universities offer a combined B.Tech + M.Tech program.
3. Bsc. in single streams.

Ans: If you want better exposure to the tech industry, Bangalore’s Jain University might be a better choice.

If you prefer strong industry internships and research opportunities, NIIT University could be a great fit.

Ans: What interests you the most, please be futuristic with listed options.

Forensic Accounting – Specializing in fraud detection and investigation could add an exciting dimension to your work.

International Taxation – If global business interests you, learning about cross-border tax laws could be valuable.

Data Analytics & AI in Finance – Gaining expertise in financial data analysis and AI-driven insights could open new doors.

Start a Consulting Firm – You could offer advisory services to businesses needing financial expertise.

Investment & Stock Market – Expanding into portfolio management or stock market analysis might align well with your skill set.

Real Estate & Property Valuation – Understanding property finance could be a great addition.
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) – This prestigious certification can elevate your credibility in investment management.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) – If you’re considering working internationally, this could be useful.

Ans: You can appear for JEE Advanced next year if you meet the eligibility criteria, including the number of attempts and JEE Main rank. The ST category cutoff in JEE Main is lower than the general category, typically around 40-45 percentile. If you do not clear the cutoff, you may be eligible for the IIT Preparatory Course, a one-year program for SC/ST/PwD candidates with at least 65% in Class 12. This course prepares you for IIT academics and grants admission upon successful completion. You can also appear for JEE Advanced while enrolled in the preparatory course. This pathway offers a valuable second chance to secure an IIT seat. All the best for your bright future!

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Ans: You may go for AI or DS.

Ans: With 89 percentile in JEE Mains and below 75% in boards, your son is eligible for admission in UPES Dehradun, SRM, Amity Noida, and Bennett University for CSE. UPES offers industry-focused courses with decent placements and moderate fees. SRM is well-established with good infrastructure and consistent placements. Amity provides diverse programs but variable placements, while Bennett University, affiliated with Times Group, is newer but growing rapidly with a modern curriculum and improving placements. Bennett requires minimum 55-60% in boards, so eligibility must be confirmed. For better opportunities, consider private universities like Shiv Nadar or Ashoka with strong CSE programs. State universities or deemed universities with flexible criteria can also be explored. Overall, UPES and SRM stand out for practical exposure and placements, while Bennett offers a promising emerging option. Your choice should balance academic quality, placements, and affordability. All the best for your Son's admission and a bright future!

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