Dear Mayank Sir
I would like to keep my identity a secret.
I am being sexually harassed at work. Once, my boss even kissed me in his cabin.
I was trying to avoid being alone with him as much as possible. Then, because of COVID and work from home, things became better because we not in the same physical location. He tried different ways of troubling me during this time, but I managed.
Now, office has opened and we have to go to work three days a week. I am finding it difficult to avoid him.
I have been looking for another job but nothing is available.
I need my job.
What do I do? Please advise.
Name withheld on request.

Ans: As per income tax provisions, person can not accept more than 2 lacs from any person. Further, in normal cases property transactions should not be below stamp duty value.

For any transactions carried out against your PAN, you will be liable to face penal consequences and indemnity by any person will not save you from penal consequences, if any.

Ans: It is advisable to file return with actual income and not as per AIS. Further, AIS can be updated at later stage if reporting entity missed to report which might not be the case as per facts provided by you. 26AS can be updated till 6 years and there is no timelimit for AIS

Ans: For FY 25-26, tax slab rate has been changed and substantial reduction in tax liability is expected in your case.

Ans: To reach ?2 crore in 14 years, you’ll need to invest in a way that leverages compounding and equity growth. Assuming a 12–14% annual return (reasonable for diversified equity mutual funds or direct stock investments with discipline), here’s what the math looks like:
Monthly Invetsment: 10,000/-
Duration: 14 Years
Assumes returns (CAGR): 13%
Future Value: 2.01CR
So, ?10,000/month is your sweet spot to hit ?2 crore by 45
Suggested Investment Strategy:
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in Mutual Funds
• Start with ?10,000/month in SIPs across 3–4 diversified equity mutual funds.
• Suggested allocation:
• Large Cap Fund – ?3,000
• Flexi Cap Fund – ?3,000
• Mid Cap Fund – ?2,000
• Small Cap Fund – ?2,000

Increase your SIP by 5–10% annually as your income grows. This helps you beat inflation and reach your goal faster.

Ans: I think its well diversified and good to hold for more than 10yrs

Ans: Ayushi, With 72% in Class XII, you meet eligibility for most RCI-approved undergraduate psychology programs, which typically require 50–55% in PCM/Science or Humanities and English proficiency. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) mandates that psychology graduates from approved institutions can register as professionals, so ensure the college holds RCI recognition or operates under a parent university with RCI-approved syllabi.

In West Bengal, government options are limited. The closely watched University of Calcutta offers a three-year BA Psychology through its morning shift at Ashutosh College and evening shift at Surendranath College with cutoffs often around 80% in general category. Vacancy rounds sometimes dip to 70–72%, so mop-up rounds could open seats. Rabindra Bharati University provides BA Psychology via merit; its cutoff hovers near 75%. Vidyasagar University in Midnapore and North Bengal University at Jalpaiguri offer BSc Psychology with lower cutoffs (65–70%), making them accessible.

Government colleges in Northern India include University of Delhi’s Cluster Innovation Centre and Gargi College, both offering BA Psychology admissions purely on Class XII marks. Their cutoffs range from 85–90%, so direct admission is unlikely at 72%, though invitation to waitlists in niche sections (e.g., evening courses) can occur. Banaras Hindu University’s BSc Psychology has a 70–75% cutoff in mop-up rounds. Panjab University (Chandigarh) and Punjab University (Patiala) allow 65–70% entries in BSc Psychology programs. University of Lucknow and Aligarh Muslim University also admit on board marks, often requiring 70–75%.

Affordable private institutions in West Bengal with RCI-approved curricula include St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, which conducts its own merit list and lowers cutoffs to 72% in later rounds. Presidency University also admits psychology undergraduates through its merit list. In North India, Christ University (Bengaluru campus) and Amity University offer scholarships to board-mark entrants drops seats for those without CUET scores, but fees remain higher. DAV College, Chandigarh, and Maitreyi College, Delhi, provide BA Psychology at moderate fees (?30,000–40,000 per year) based on 12th marks.

Practical Roadmap and Solutions
Track Mop-Up Rounds and Merit Lists: Immediately monitor UC, Rabindra Bharati, Presidency, and St. Xavier’s websites daily for vacancies. Prepare scanned documents for swift online submission.

Apply to Multiple Institutes: Simultaneously apply to Vidyasagar University, North Bengal University, BHU, Panjab University, and Lucknow University in their ongoing merit-based admission windows. Their lower cutoffs increase chances.

Secure Waiting-List Positions: For high-demand colleges like Calcutta University and Delhi University, join all available waitlists, including evening programmes, which often have softer cutoffs.

Explore Evening/Shift Courses: Many reputed institutions offer evening or self-financed sections with relaxed cutoffs. Investigate Ashutosh College evening shift, DU evening courses, and PU self-financed sections.

Financial Planning for Private Colleges: Shortlist affordable options Inquire about scholarships or fee-installment plans at DAV College Chandigarh and Maitreyi College to help mitigate costs.

Bridge Courses and Summer Programs: As you finalize admissions, consider enrolling in online certificate courses in introductory psychology, research methods, and statistics from platforms like NPTEL or Coursera to enhance your portfolio.

Consider Gap-Year Strategy: If no suitable seat materializes by mid-October, plan a structured gap year focused on significantly improving CUET scores. Engage in disciplined self-study with coaching for CUET’s aptitude, English, and psychology modules.

CUET Preparation: Develop a timetable allocating two hours daily for CUET Psychology syllabus (foundations, developmental, abnormal, social, and research methods) and one hour for General English and Logical Reasoning. Use previous years’ CUET papers and take weekly mocks to track progress.

Alternate Entrance Exams: Some private universities conduct their own entrance tests (Christ University’s CUCET, Amity’s AUEET). Register for these supplementary exams to widen your admission avenues.

Mentorship and Counseling: Seek guidance from academic mentors or a career counselor to evaluate admission offers, financial implications, and long-term career trajectories in clinical, counseling, or research psychology.

By following this multipronged approach—pursuing merit-based vacancies, evening/self-financed programs, affordable private colleges, and preparing for CUET retake if required—you can maximize your chances of enrolling in an RCI-approved psychology UG programme without forfeiting a year.

Exhaust mop-up and merit-based admission options in government and reputed private colleges by mid-October, while preparing a robust CUET retake plan during a potential gap year to secure admission into top-tier psychology programs. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Swami Vivekananda Institute of Science and Technology (SVIST), Kolkata, achieved autonomous status two years ago and has demonstrated remarkable improvement in its Computer Science branch. The college boasts 25 dedicated CSE faculty members, modern infrastructure including 61 laboratories and 445 computers, and a well-stocked library with over 52,000 books. Recent placement records show 72.15% placement in 2024 with the highest package of 8 LPA and average of 3.25 LPA, marking consistent improvement from previous years. Top recruiters include TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Amazon, and Microsoft. The autonomous status allows for updated curriculum design, flexibility in examination patterns, and enhanced industry-academia collaboration. Student reviews highlight supportive faculty, excellent laboratory facilities, and active placement cell support, though some mention average campus life and hostel accommodations. The college emphasizes skill development training from the first year and maintains strong corporate partnerships for internships and placements. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Post 23 July 2024, there is no indexation available. So Capital Gain is simply Net sales price minus FMV as on 1 Apr 2001.
However, you will be able to get tax benefit of tax with indexation or tax without indexation whichever is lower can be opted

Ans: IIIT Bhagalpur is a relatively new institute established in 2017 and mentored by IIT Guwahati. Its CSE branch offers a curriculum that integrates theoretical and practical learning with a strong emphasis on cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and machine learning. The college infrastructure includes well-equipped labs, air-conditioned classrooms, high-speed internet, and hostels with adequate facilities. Placement rates hover around 60-70%, with notable recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft, and Infosys offering roles including software development and data analysis. Student reviews appreciate the supportive faculty and growing alumni network but mention campus life and mess food as areas for improvement. Overall, IIIT Bhagalpur is emerging rapidly as a promising institute with significant potential for career growth in CSE. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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