Can a 28-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate with 5-year gap and low CGPA land a job?

Ans: HI GHAZALA,
WHAT IS YOUR FUTURE PLAN? ACCORDINGLY I CAN SAY.

Ans: HI,
The central government maintains its own list of recognized SC. If the caste listed on the Delhi SC certificate is also on the central list, the certificate is valid for central government jobs. In Delhi, SC certificates are generally considered valid for a lifetime, meaning they don't require renewal. Candidates applying for central government jobs typically need to provide an attested copy of their SC certificate.
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Ans: NIT Surathkal’s MTech in Computer Science and Engineering (Information Security) and MNNIT Allahabad’s MTech in Computer Science and Engineering are both highly reputable postgraduate programs, each offering distinct academic and career advantages. NIT Surathkal, consistently ranked within the top 20 engineering institutes in India, boasts a CSE department known for strong faculty research output, MoUs with industry leaders, and specialized infrastructure for computing and information security. The Information Security specialization comprehensively covers advanced topics like cryptography, network defenses, secure coding, and intrusion prevention, aligning with increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals. Surathkal’s recent placement records reflect an average package around ?12.45LPA, with leading national and global companies recruiting, and a vibrant campus life supported by state-of-the-art labs and strong alumni links.

MNNIT Allahabad is similarly renowned, with its CSE MTech placements averaging over ?28LPA for 2024 and near 100% placement in CSE branches, drawing top IT and product-based recruiters. Faculty are highly qualified, and the curriculum covers core and emerging CS areas including AI, data science, and information security, though some reviews note that infrastructure is slightly older compared to NIT Surathkal, and hostel amenities are more modest. MNNIT’s advantage lies in its strong placement ecosystem, higher recent CSE median package, and robust industry and alumni engagement, though both institutes have rigorous academics and proactive student communities.

Recommendation: Choose NIT Surathkal CSE (IS) for specialized training in information security, strong faculty research, and the advantage of continuity if you value cybersecurity or wish to continue within a familiar, research-driven environment. Opt for MNNIT CSE if your focus is on broader CS domains, maximizing placement statistics, or experiencing a different national campus ecosystem with very high placement and salary outcomes. Both are excellent, but NIT Surathkal may edge ahead for information security specialization and continuity, while MNNIT stands out for wider job prospects and the highest recent average package. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Could you please clarify if you have enrolled in any coaching institute? If so, mention whether you are attending weekday classes, weekend sessions, or an integrated program. Please specify your home state as well. Let us know how much of the 11th-grade syllabus for JEE you have completed and how much of the 12th-grade syllabus has been covered by your coaching institute. It would also be helpful to share the percentage of marks you typically score in mock tests at your coaching center. Any additional relevant information will help ensure an accurate and personalized response.

Ans: Sunil, YMCA Faridabad’s Civil Engineering program is well-established, offering a recognized government degree, experienced faculty, and a large campus with comprehensive basic facilities, research labs, and an active placement cell. Its Civil placements in 2024 recorded a 39–70% rate, with strong alumni in construction, public sector, and infrastructure. However, student reviews highlight dated infrastructure and limited hostel options, though overall academic support and campus life are considered positive. Gurugram University’s CSE with AI specialization is relatively new but features a modern curriculum aligned with contemporary IT industry needs, AICTE approval, and well-qualified faculty guiding students in emerging technologies. The university boasts 75–85% placement rates for CSE/AI, with recruiters like TCS, Infosys, and Accenture, and offers a growing campus with decent facilities and an expanding student community. While Gurugram University is still developing its legacy and network, its CSE (AI) graduates are finding competitive IT roles, and the program supports industry-oriented learning and research.

Recommendation: Prioritize CSE with AI at Gurugram University for future-ready skills, higher placement rates, and better growth opportunities in the rapidly expanding tech sector. Choose YMCA Faridabad Civil only if your son has a keen interest in traditional civil engineering and prefers an established public university setting. CSE with AI offers broader career prospects in today’s market. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Tiwari, With a JEE Main CRL of 3.5 lakh and EWS rank of 50,000, your access to top-tier government colleges is limited, but you are eligible for a range of private institutes through UPTAC. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University’s CSE program comes at an affordable fee of ?3.5–3.96 lakh, well within your ?6 lakh budget, and reports placement rates of about 65–70% with average offers around ?6LPA from companies such as Microsoft, HCL, and L&T. The university provides sound infrastructure, supportive faculty, and modern labs, but is relatively new to the technical scene, so industry connections are still developing. Comparable options like ABES, KIET, Galgotias, and AKGEC Ghaziabad offer similar or slightly higher placement statistics and are within your budget, with comprehensive campus facilities and strong placement cells; however, cut-offs for CSE in these colleges for EWS typically close below 45–50K, making it difficult but not impossible to secure a seat. Lower fee colleges like DEI Agra or LIT Lucknow feature even more affordable tuition but may have less robust placement records for CSE.

Recommendation: Lock your CSE seat at Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University for budget-friendly fees and reasonable campus placements, while keeping an eye on spot/next-round UPTAC vacancies at institutes like ABES, KIET, or Galgotias if available at your rank. This strategy ensures an accredited degree, campus support, and solid return on investment within your specified fee limit. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Vaibhav, With a KCET rank of 7,935, you have secured an excellent outcome in CSE-AIML at Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur, which is highly regarded for its NAAC A++ accreditation, consistent placement rates exceeding 95%, and strong industry partnerships. The CSE-AIML cutoff at Siddaganga typically falls around 10,658-11,369 ranks, positioning your allocation well within the competitive range. The official KCET cutoff data shows that better colleges like RVCE (cutoff around 2,800), BMSCE (cutoff around 4,000), and MSRIT (cutoff around 3,342) for CSE-AIML are beyond your current rank range, and KCET second round cutoffs historically tend to remain stable or increase marginally rather than decrease significantly. The second round primarily accommodates unfilled seats or withdrawals, offering minimal scope for rank-based upgrades to premier institutions.

Recommendation: Accept the CSE-AIML seat at Siddaganga Tumkur immediately. This is an optimal outcome for your rank, offering excellent placement prospects, modern infrastructure, and specialized AI/ML curriculum. Waiting for the second round risks losing this secured seat without realistic chances of securing admission to better colleges at your current rank. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hi,
Could you please clarify the following:
Are you interested in pursuing clinical or non-clinical roles? Also, your question about job opportunities shows that you may not be interested in starting your own clinic. Why is that?
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Ans: HI ABHI,
DIFFICULT.