Leave encashment limit raised to Rs. 25L in new finance bill 2023. Is it applicable to new or old tax regime?

Ans: Hello dear
Since you’re from Maharashtra State Board PCM and aiming for CSE (AI/DS) through MHT-CET, focus heavily on the Class 12 syllabus because it carries more weight (about 80% in CET), but don’t neglect key Class 11 basics. For Physics, master topics like Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects, Optics, Modern Physics, and Semiconductors, etc. In Chemistry, prioritize Chemical Kinetics, Electrochemistry, Coordination Compounds, p-Block & d-Block Elements, Thermodynamics, and Organic Chemistry reaction mechanisms, etc. In Mathematics, focus on Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, Application), Probability, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Matrices, Complex Numbers, and Trigonometry, etc. Practice from past CET papers and mock tests to adapt to its speed-based MCQ format, strengthen formula recall, and improve accuracy under time pressure. This approach will maximize your percentile for top CSE branches.
Most important: Keep a safe distance from electronic gadgets and friends who waste time and cause frustration.
Make your teachers friends so that you can ask them about your difficulties at any time.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Rosesh Sir, Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology (RAIT), under DY Patil Deemed University Navi Mumbai, offers a specialized B.Tech in Computer Science and Business Systems (CSBS) with strong industry-aligned curriculum, reputed faculty, and active student support including entrepreneurship initiatives. RAIT's placement rate is robust, approximately 80%, with median packages around INR 7.5 LPA and top recruiters like TCS, Accenture, Infosys, and Morgan Stanley. The institute encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, supported by its Entrepreneurship Cell, events, and access to startup funding opportunities. On the other hand, Pillai College of Engineering (PCE) in New Panvel provides a B.Tech in Electronics and Computer Science Engineering with a focus on core electronics and computing fundamentals. PCE has about 80% placement consistency with average packages near INR 4.4 LPA and strong IT sector recruiter presence. PCE also fosters entrepreneurship through its Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, hosting business plan competitions and startup mentorship. While PCE offers a lower fee structure, RAIT’s specialized CSBS program combined with better placement metrics and stronger entrepreneurship ecosystem gives it an edge for students inclined toward business, technology, and startups.

Recommendation: Opt for RAIT’s Computer Science and Business Systems for superior placement prospects, integrated business-technology curriculum, and active entrepreneurship support, which align well with your son’s interest in computer science and future entrepreneurship aspirations. Choose Pillai College if budget constraints are higher priority, with a strong core engineering foundation and entrepreneurship opportunities still available. The decision should balance financial considerations with academic and career ambitions. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Rishit Sir, Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology (GTBIT) offers a well-regarded Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) program with around 60-70% placement rates, average packages near ?5-6 LPA, and recruitment by companies like Amazon, TCS, Infosys, and Paytm. The faculty are qualified and provide good industry readiness. Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering (BVCOE) Pune’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) branch boasts about 73% placement, with average packages near ?5.5 LPA and top recruiters including Accenture, Hexaware, and JP Morgan Chase. BVCOE has experienced faculty and modern labs supporting strong academic training. While GTBIT’s ECE focuses on core communication and electronics specialized knowledge, BVCOE's EEE includes broader electrical engineering fundamentals, providing versatile engineering skills and slightly higher placement consistency.

Recommendation: Opt for Bharati Vidyapeeth EEE for a slightly stronger placement record, diverse recruiter base, and versatile electrical engineering foundation. Choose GTBIT ECE if your daughter prefers core electronics and communication with good campus support and decent placements, aligning with her interests in telecom and embedded systems. The decision depends on her preferred engineering domain and priority between specialized or broad electrical engineering education. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hello dear
If you prefer a brand name, then Mechanical @ IIT Delhi is a preferable choice. However, considering current market trends, student interests, and a bright future in the tech field, it is advisable to choose CSE @ IITGN.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Vikkas Sir, For a Biomedical Engineering graduate from Thapar University Patiala, several MBA streams offer excellent career alignment. Healthcare Management emerges as the most suitable option, providing specialized knowledge in hospital administration, healthcare policy, pharmaceutical management, and biotech business operations, directly leveraging her technical background in medical devices and healthcare systems. Biotechnology Management represents another compelling choice, focusing on biopharmaceutical companies, clinical research, regulatory affairs, and biotech entrepreneurship, where her engineering skills complement business acumen in scientific product development and commercialization. Operations Management offers opportunities in manufacturing processes optimization, quality control systems, and supply chain management across pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Marketing specialization in healthcare/pharmaceutical sectors enables roles in product management, medical marketing, and market research for biotech products. Top NIRF-ranked institutions like IIMs, XLRI, FMS Delhi, and NMIMS offer specialized healthcare tracks, while institutions such as NMIMS Healthcare Management MBA and ISB provide industry-focused curricula. Admission typically requires CAT/XAT/GMAT scores with 50% undergraduate marks, and placement opportunities span pharmaceutical giants like Cipla, Dr. Reddy's, healthcare consulting firms, and medical device companies. The combination of biomedical engineering background with business education creates unique value in bridging technical innovation with market needs, particularly valuable in India's growing healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors where professionals who understand both technology and business dynamics are highly sought after for leadership roles.

Recommendation: Pursue MBA in Healthcare Management for optimal career alignment, combining biomedical engineering expertise with specialized business knowledge for pharmaceutical and healthcare industry leadership opportunities. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hello dear
If your son's goal is to gain extensive computer science exposure and networking for future entrepreneurship, RAIT’s CSBS might be worth the higher fees. However, if cost is a major concern and he is self-motivated to learn beyond the curriculum, Pillai’s ECS offers better value. I suggest going with RAIT if possible. The final decision is yours.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: You are already showing a strong habit of investing despite having a loan.
You have built Rs. 1.6 lakh corpus through SIP.
This shows commitment to long-term financial health.

» Understanding your current position
– Monthly income is Rs. 20,000.
– Monthly expense is Rs. 15,000.
– SIP of Rs. 5,000 has accumulated Rs. 1.6 lakh.
– Gold loan is Rs. 3 lakh at 13% flat interest.
– Flat rate means effective cost is much higher than it appears.

» Assessing the gold loan impact
– Gold loan interest is high and constant each year.
– Flat rate makes repayment costlier than reducing balance loans.
– The longer you keep it, the more interest you pay.
– Prepayment will save significant interest outflow.

» Comparing SIP returns and loan cost
– Equity SIPs can give higher returns long term.
– But short-term returns are not guaranteed.
– Loan cost is fixed and much higher than current SIP gains.
– Paying off high-cost debt is safer than chasing returns now.

» Why prepayment makes sense here
– Prepaying gold loan will give risk-free saving equal to loan interest rate.
– It frees monthly cash flow used for EMI.
– This extra cash can restart SIP after loan closure.
– It reduces financial pressure and mental stress.

» Emergency fund consideration
– Current cash is not mentioned beyond SIP corpus.
– Ensure you keep at least 3 months’ expenses in safe liquid form.
– This avoids taking fresh loans in emergencies.
– Use part of SIP redemption only after securing this fund.

» Redeeming SIP for loan closure
– Redeem the accumulated Rs. 1.6 lakh from SIP.
– Use it to part-prepay gold loan immediately.
– Continue paying regular EMI for reduced loan balance.
– This will cut interest outgo and shorten loan term.

» Restarting investments after loan closure
– Once gold loan is cleared, restart SIP without delay.
– Increase SIP amount by what was earlier paid as EMI.
– This will recover the lost investment period faster.
– Equity SIP works best over long term with uninterrupted contributions.

» Avoiding high-cost loans in future
– Gold loan flat rate is costly compared to many other credit options.
– Always compare reducing balance rate before taking loans.
– Build an emergency fund to avoid such borrowings again.
– Plan large expenses in advance to fund them through savings.

» Maintaining insurance protection
– Even small income earners need life and health cover.
– A basic term plan protects dependents from future liabilities.
– Health insurance avoids medical emergencies draining your corpus.
– Premiums are small compared to the risk of not having cover.

» Building wealth after debt clearance
– With loan gone, invest more towards future goals.
– Divide investments between equity for growth and debt for stability.
– Use actively managed funds over index funds.
– Index funds blindly follow market, including bad-performing stocks.
– Actively managed funds have research-driven selection and timely exits.
– This improves risk-adjusted returns when guided by a Certified Financial Planner.

» Avoiding direct fund risks
– Direct funds may look cheaper but lack ongoing guidance.
– Wrong asset allocation can harm returns more than expense ratio savings.
– Many investors exit at wrong time due to market fear.
– Regular plans with a CFP ensure timely rebalancing and monitoring.

» Psychological benefit of being debt-free
– No loan means more peace of mind.
– Cash flow feels lighter and more controllable.
– Investments can grow without debt cost eating into returns.
– You feel more confident in taking bigger financial decisions.

» Finally
– Your priority now should be clearing the gold loan.
– Redeem SIP corpus after keeping small emergency fund aside.
– Prepay as much as possible to reduce high-interest cost.
– Resume and increase SIP after debt clearance.
– Build insurance and emergency corpus to avoid future costly borrowings.
– Use actively managed funds with CFP guidance for long-term growth.
– This will give both financial safety and wealth creation over time.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Hello dear.
If you are from Maharashtra, prefer CSE @ PICT.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear
If you are interested in research, then go with C+DS @ VIT Bhopal, else choose the traditional path of CSE @ Aditya, which is an added advantage as the college lies in your home state WB. The final decision will be yours.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam