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Engineering Aspirant with Low Score: Should He Pursue Mechanical or Electronics?

Radheshyam Zanwar |1410 Answers |Ask -Follow

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Mar 11, 2025

Radheshyam Zanwar is the founder of Zanwar Classes which prepares aspirants for competitive exams such as MHT-CET, IIT-JEE and NEET-UG.
Based in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, it provides coaching for Class 10 and Class 12 students as well.
Since the last 25 years, Radheshyam has been teaching mathematics to Class 11 and Class 12 students and coaching them for engineering and medical entrance examinations.
Radheshyam completed his civil engineering from the Government Engineering College in Aurangabad.... more

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 11, 2025Hindi

Dear Sir. As parent, I have two questions - first is which engineering course to pursue and second is which institute to get admission - based on some trails mentioned below. My son registers for JEE 2025 Session II, BITSAT 2025, VIT 2025, COMEDK UGET 2025, MHT CET 2025. As plan-B option, he has also registered for IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2025, NEST (NISER 2025). Score in JEE Session I is 78.43 Percentile (Physics 90.76, Mathematics 84.1 & Chemistry 15.44). He has no interest in chemistry - which is also reflected in subject wise percentile. However, he has keen interest in deep-thinking, particularly in physics. Based on the association with my son, I clearly understand that his ability not at all aligns with his poor performance. As regards career, at present, he has strong desire to work in ISRO. He often share his idea with me by saying "I don't want to pursue Computer Science and thereafter money to become rich but I love to explore Space/Aerospace and so I want to join ISRO. But at his young age, my son is too immature to take the decision that which course will help him to land in ISRO. My son, somehow, comes to know that ISRO absorbs mechanical engineer through ICRB examination. Based on this information, he wants to pursue mechanical engineering. But, according to my opinion, as of today, as mechanical engineering has less scope in job-opportunities, it might be a risky choice. So, to remain on safer side, I insist him to pursue Electronics and communication engineering. My idea is if he pursues Electronics and communication and finally gets absorbed in ISRO, it is fine. Otherwise, (if not in ISRO), one can find job in other sectors (Government/ Private) as a Plan-B option. But with mechanical engineering, as of today, it may be difficult to find a suitable job of one's choice because of less job-opportunity in this field. Please suggest whether I am right or wrong in making this decision. My second question is which college should I choose for my son, based on his test in academic? As with this low percentile, my son will not be able to bag a seat in reputed government institute like IIT/NIT, so I decide to get his admission in some reputed private college/university. In this regard, I hear from people that when it comes to quality of education in private institution, South India is better. So, I decide to get his admission with Electronics and communication in some reputed college/university in Bangalore (although I and my son belong to north India). So, please suggest me whether I am right or wrong in making this decision. Also, please suggest me the name of reputed institute based on this perspective. Your valuable suggestions will my son to navigate in choosing his career path with desirable engineering course from a good/worthy institute - where he can flourish/nurture his taste of his choice.

Ans: Hello Dear.
I am pleased to note your kind attention towards your son. Additionally, you provided a lot of information to answer your queries in detail to some extent. Your son is interested in pursuing a career in the field of Space, specifically Aerospace, and he is keenly passionate about Physics. He is very clear that he does not want to pursue CSE or other computer-related engineering branches. He took his first attempt at the JEE but scored lower than both his and your expectations. However, he has another attempt in April where he has the opportunity to excel. Let us hope positively. Along with JEE, you are also encouraging him to sit for the BITSAT, VIT, COMEDK UGET, MHT-CET, IISER, and NEST entrance examinations, which is a wise decision.
Here is a point-wise reply to your questions: (1) Let him take all the above entrance examinations and the JEE second attempt, and gather the scorecards from these exams. (2) Based on these scores, you can choose the appropriate college and branch, excluding mechanical engineering. (3) Although your son aims to join ISRO, it would be safer to be admitted to a reputed engineering college in a good branch to avoid potential issues in the future. (4) Once admission is confirmed in a reputed college and branch, your son will have ample time to prepare for the entrance examinations conducted by ISRO and other institutions like NASA. (5) Even if he does not get into ISRO, he still has the chance to join a reputable company based on his degree. (6) Undoubtedly, Bangalore would be the best choice if your son were interested in CSE. However, since he has little interest in the computer field, there is no point in relocating from North to South India. It would be better to choose a college in the Northern region, particularly from the Delhi area. (7) If you are not interested in Mechanical Engineering and your son is not keen on computer-related branches, then it would be better to focus on getting admission to aerospace engineering. Numerous reputed institutes in India offer aerospace engineering courses; a quick Google search for "aerospace engineering colleges in India" can help. (8) Enrolling in aerospace engineering will boost your son's confidence right from the first year. (9) Your decision is neither wrong nor right. As a parent, your concern for your son's future is valid. However, navigating the entrance exams is your best option. Just wait for all the results to make the best choice. I hope this reply has satisfied you to some extent.
Follow me, if you are satisfied, else ask again.
Thanks
Radheshyam