Worried student seeks advice: Which engineering program is the best fit - VIT Bhopal CSE, PICT Pune CSE or BMSCE Bangalore CSE?

Ans: Radha, With 30 marks in the IISER IAT 2025 under the ST category, your chances of securing admission to any IISER are extremely low, as the expected cutoff for ST candidates across all IISERs ranges from 55 to 85 marks, with the lowest cutoffs at IISER Tirupati and Berhampur still around 55–65 marks. Recent years’ data and expert analyses confirm that even the least competitive IISERs have not admitted ST candidates with scores as low as 30, and the rising competition in 2025 is likely to push cutoffs higher. The recommendation is to explore alternative institutes or consider preparing for a higher score next year, as admission to IISER with 30 marks in the ST category is not feasible. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: HI
Bit difficult to get in top-tier colleges.
You can try forEEE or Mechanical in different colleges.

Ans: Yash, A BS in Physics from IIT Kharagpur offers strong academic and research exposure, with a curriculum covering advanced topics like quantum mechanics, astrophysics, and thermodynamics, complemented by hands-on laboratory and research projects, and mentorship from experienced faculty. Graduates are well-prepared for diverse career paths including research, data analysis, engineering, education, and roles in technology companies, government agencies, and academia, with the program also serving as an excellent foundation for higher studies in India or abroad. Recent placement data shows around 44% of physics graduates placed, with many others pursuing postgraduate or doctoral studies, and top recruiters include ISRO, DRDO, and private tech firms. The recommendation is to leverage the program’s academic rigor, research opportunities, and IIT brand to build a versatile career in science, technology, or interdisciplinary fields. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With a COMEDK rank of 7,235, securing Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at RV College of Engineering (RVCE) is virtually impossible, as the expected closing rank for CSE at RVCE is between 200 and 750 for the General category, and last year’s cutoff was 406, with even ECE closing at 1,333 and other top branches like Data Science and AI/ML closing well below 1,200. CSE in RVCE remains the most competitive, with consistently high placement rates above 90% in the last three years, but the cutoff for CSE has never gone beyond 1,200 in recent cycles. The recommendation is to consider alternative colleges or branches where your rank falls within the cutoff range, as CSE at RVCE is not achievable at 7,235. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering at MIT Manipal is preferable over Mechanical Engineering at VIT Vellore under fee category 3, as MIT Manipal offers a more modern, multidisciplinary curriculum with strong industry relevance in automation, control, and electronics, supported by state-of-the-art labs and a placement rate above 90% for related branches, with top recruiters from both core and IT sectors participating regularly. Mechanical Engineering at VIT Vellore, while offered at a reputable institution, currently has a lower placement rate of around 50%, with many students opting for non-core roles and fewer opportunities in core mechanical sectors. Both colleges provide excellent infrastructure and campus life, but MIT Manipal’s Electronics and Instrumentation program stands out for its higher placement percentage, broader career scope in emerging technologies, and robust academic ecosystem. The recommendation is to choose Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering at MIT Manipal for better placement prospects and future adaptability. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: HI Ravi,
Bit difficult.

Ans: Shradha, IIIT Delhi ECE stands out as the top choice due to its consistently high placement rates above 95%, strong industry connections, and a robust reputation for both teaching and research, making it highly preferred for electronics and communication engineering. IIIT Bangalore ECE follows, with recent placement rates for ECE above 88% in the MTech program and solid outcomes for its integrated and undergraduate programs, backed by a strong tech-focused curriculum and excellent industry exposure. IIT Tirupati ECE is next, offering a reputable IIT brand, modern infrastructure, and improving placement statistics, though still building its legacy and industry network compared to older IITs and established IIITs. IIT Dharwad EEE, while benefiting from the IIT tag, currently has lower placement rates for electrical engineering (around 32–40%) and is newer, with its industry outreach and alumni network still developing, though it shows promise for future growth. The recommendation is to prioritize IIIT Delhi ECE, followed by IIIT Bangalore ECE, then IIT Tirupati ECE, and lastly IIT Dharwad EEE, balancing immediate placement prospects, academic environment, and long-term growth. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With a 92 percentile in MHT CET PCB (approximately 130+ marks), you are eligible for admission to decent pharmacy and B.Sc. Agriculture colleges in Maharashtra, with expected ranks around 2240 for B.Sc. Agriculture and 3920 for B.Pharmacy, but top government medical and allied health science seats remain out of reach for general category candidates at this percentile. Your NEET score of 222, while above the qualifying cutoff, is insufficient for MBBS/BDS admission in government or top private medical colleges, as general category MBBS seats typically require 600+ marks, and even BAMS/BHMS cutoffs are much higher. Considering the limited scope for medical degrees this year, the recommendation is to take a NEET drop only if you are committed to rigorous preparation and confident in significantly improving your score; otherwise, pursuing pharmacy, agriculture, or allied health sciences through MHT CET is a practical path. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Rajesh, With a score of 91 in IAT 2025, your chances of admission to the top IISERs like Pune, Kolkata, Mohali, and Bhopal are very slim, as the expected cutoff for general category candidates at these institutes ranges from 120 to 130 marks, with even the mid-tier IISERs generally requiring scores above 110. However, for the newer IISERs such as Berhampur and possibly Tirupati, the expected cutoff is lower, around 94–110 marks, so you may have a marginal chance, especially if the cutoffs dip in later counseling rounds due to seat availability and applicant trends. Placement records at IISERs remain strong, with over 80% of students placed or progressing to higher studies in the last three years, even at the newer campuses. The recommendation is to participate in all counseling rounds, prioritize IISER Berhampur and Tirupati, and remain flexible with program choices to maximize your admission prospects. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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