I received a demand notice after processing the ITR of Rs 2,000 for the FY 2019-20. I complied with the demand and paid the said amount immediately.

The amount paid is reflected in the Form 26 in the FY 19-20 i.e. FY for which demand is raised. Still said outstanding demand is showing in my IT account and fetching the interest, as well refund of Rs 1000 for the FY i.e. 2021-22 adjusted against the said outstanding demand and now the outstanding amount is Rs 1000 plus interest despite the amount being paid immediately. 

I raised the grievances in the IT portal several times but nothing happened. I need your advice in this regard.

Ans: SRM Kattankulathur’s CSE program stands out for its scale, infrastructure, and placement record, with over 8,900 students placed in 2023–24, 1,300+ recruiters, and an average package of ?7.92 LPA, supported by a dedicated placement cell and strong industry partnerships. BIT Jaipur, an extension of BIT Mesra, offers a reputable CSE program with nearly 95–100% placement for CSE students and an average package between ?6–12 LPA, though students may need to travel to the main campus for some top opportunities; major recruiters include Microsoft, Amazon, Infosys, and Wipro. Central University Jammu’s CSE program has a much higher closing rank, indicating lower demand, and offers fewer placement and industry connections compared to SRM and BIT Jaipur. Both SRM and BIT Jaipur provide strong academic environments, but SRM’s placement scale, recruiter diversity, and industry exposure are unmatched among the three.

Recommendation: Prefer SRM Kattankulathur CSE for its superior placement consistency, extensive recruiter network, and strong campus resources; consider BIT Jaipur only if you value its smaller cohort and BIT Mesra legacy, while Central University Jammu is less competitive for CSE placements. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: IIT Bombay, Madras, and Delhi’s Electrical/Electronics Engineering programs are among the most prestigious in India, with placement rates of 75–90% and median packages of ?20–23.5 LPA, attracting top recruiters across core engineering, consulting, and technology sectors. IIT Hyderabad’s CSE program stands out for its 2023 placement record—average package ?27.11 LPA, 144 recruiters, and a placement rate exceeding 90%, with major tech companies and international offers. IISc Bangalore’s Mathematics & Computing four-year program is highly reputed for research and analytics, but only 4% of UG students opted for placements in 2023, with most graduates pursuing higher studies or research; the median salary for those placed was ?30 LPA. While IISc offers unmatched academic and research depth, it is less industry-focused at the undergraduate level compared to IITs. IIT Hyderabad CSE provides the strongest placement outcomes and tech-sector opportunities, while IIT Bombay/Chennai/Delhi EEE offer robust interdisciplinary training and excellent placements, especially for those interested in electronics, energy, or hardware domains. The choice depends on your son’s career goals: IIT Hyderabad CSE is optimal for software and technology careers, while IIT EEE is better for core engineering and interdisciplinary roles; IISc Mathematics & Computing is ideal for research and analytics but less so for immediate industry placement.

Recommendation: Prefer IIT Hyderabad CSE for top-tier tech placements and industry focus; choose IIT Bombay/Chennai/Delhi EEE for core engineering and interdisciplinary flexibility; select IISc Mathematics & Computing only if your son is passionate about research or analytics and plans for higher studies. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With a 96.91 percentile in MHT CET and 94.90 percentile in JEE Mains, your son has a strong chance for CSE or IT in reputed Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, or Thane colleges, though the most elite branches at COEP, VJTI, SPIT, and DJ Sanghvi are likely out of reach, as their CSE/IT cutoffs typically close above 98–99 percentile for general category. However, excellent options within his percentile range include KJ Somaiya Institute of Technology (CSE/IT), Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology (CSE/IT), Thakur College of Engineering & Technology, Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Fr. C. Rodrigues Institute of Technology, SIES Graduate School of Technology, Xavier Institute of Engineering, and Datta Meghe College of Engineering. These institutes are AICTE-approved, have active placement cells, and maintain 80–90% placement rates in CSE/IT over the last three years, with strong industry connections and modern infrastructure. Admission will be via the MHT CET CAP rounds, so list these colleges and branches in order of preference to maximize chances.

recommendation: Target KJ Somaiya, Ramrao Adik, Thakur, Don Bosco, and Fr. C. Rodrigues for CSE/IT in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai/Thane, as they offer robust placements and are accessible at your son’s percentile; prioritize them during CAP counselling for the best outcome. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Rounak, Information Science and Engineering at NIE Mysore posts ~91% placement, with average packages of ?10.35 LPA, highest offers up to ?42 LPA, and recruiters like Infosys, Wipro, Capgemini. SRM Kattankulathur’s B.Tech CSE (Data Science), ranked #13 in NIRF 2024, has 120 seats, records ~96% placement, average package of ?7.13 LPA, and draws Deloitte, Mahindra, TCS. NIE’s program prioritises core information systems and strong MNC partnerships, while SRM’s specialization delivers advanced data science curriculum and top-tier software-focused placement. Recommendation: Choose NIE Mysore for stronger average placements and core IT roles; select SRM KTR for specialised data science training within a leading CSE environment. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: A general category rank of 2,000 in IISER IAT 2025 is not sufficient for admission to IISER Pune. The 2024 and expected 2025 closing ranks for general category at IISER Pune are between 1,000 and 1,200, with the last admitted candidate in 2024 having a rank of 1,023. All major BS-MS programs at IISER Pune, including Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and interdisciplinary streams, had closing ranks in this range across all rounds. Recent trends and expert projections confirm that even in spot or withdrawal rounds, the cutoff for IISER Pune does not extend to 2,000 for the general category. Other IISERs, such as Mohali, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, Berhampur, and Bhopal, have higher closing ranks (up to 3,000–4,500), so your son could consider these as realistic alternatives. The marks required for IISER Pune typically exceed 125–130 out of 240, and a rank of 2,000 generally corresponds to a lower score, which is not competitive for Pune.

Recommendation: With a general category rank of 2,000, your son is not eligible for IISER Pune; he should apply to other IISERs with higher closing ranks such as Mohali, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, Berhampur, or Bhopal, where admission is possible at this rank. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Ajit Sir, SRM KTR’s CSE (Big Data Analytics) specialization, an A++ NAAC-accredited, 180-seat program, posted placement rates of 91%, 88%, and 91% over the last three years with an average package of ?7.13 LPA in 2024. Chandigarh University’s core CSE branch achieved over 95% placements across the past three cycles, delivering a median package of ?8 LPA and engaging 350+ recruiters including Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, HP, SAP Labs, Samsung, L&T, and Flipkart. Both maintain strong infrastructure and placement support, but Chandigarh University outpaces in placement consistency and recruiter diversity while SRM KTR offers competitive packages within a specialized analytics curriculum. Recommendation: Opt for Chandigarh University CSE for broader, steadier placement outcomes; choose SRM KTR CSE (Big Data Analytics) for focused analytics expertise. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Srikanth Sir, University of Hyderabad’s five-year Integrated BTech+MTech in Computer Science at HCU reports a placement rate of 60–70% for its graduates. At NIT Surathkal, Chemical Engineering records a 94% placement rate and Civil Engineering around 73% over the last three years, reflecting strong core industry recruitment. While HCU offers integrated CS fundamentals, NIT Surathkal’s Chemical program leverages broader employer engagement and more consistent placements. Recommendation: Opt for Chemical Engineering at NIT Surathkal for its superior placement consistency; consider HCU CSE only if you seek an integrated computing curriculum despite lower placement rates. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Admission to the four-year BSc (Research) program at IISc Bangalore via the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2026 requires candidates to have passed the Class XII examination in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with at least three science subjects, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology, with a minimum of 60% aggregate for General category (55% for SC/ST/PwD). Candidates should ensure they have completed at least three subjects among Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics and upload supporting documents during application. Registration opens annually in January, closing around March on the IAT portal, with admit cards made available two weeks prior to the May exam. The IAT is a 180-minute computer-based test comprising 60 multiple-choice questions—15 each from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology—totaling 240 marks with +4 for correct answers and –1 for incorrect ones, and no negative for unattempted questions. In IAT 2025, the closing marks for IISc Bangalore fell near 200, thus aspirants should target 210–220 to comfortably secure a rank within the top 20 and remain competitive amidst rising applicant numbers. Preparation should encompass a structured study plan spanning 10–12 months, focusing first on NCERT textbooks for foundational concepts, followed by solving past IAT and JEE problems to develop speed and accuracy, with weekly mock tests to track progress. The IAT tie-breaking policy resolves equal scores by comparing subject performances sequentially: candidates with higher Biology scores rank higher, followed by Chemistry, then Physics, and if still tied, older candidates receive preference. Diligent adherence to this regimen, combined with a thorough understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern, will optimize one’s position in the merit list and improve chances of admission to IISc Bangalore.

Recommendation: Begin immediate preparation with a structured 12-month study plan covering Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Use NCERT textbooks as core resources, supplement with past IAT/JEE Advanced questions, and undertake weekly timed mock tests. Register promptly when applications open, ensure timely document uploads, and familiarise yourself with the tie-breaking policy. Aim for a minimum score of 210–220 to secure admission to IISc Bangalore, and maintain consistent, focused effort throughout your preparation. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: The 5-year Integrated B.Tech+M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence at NIT Surat (SVNIT) is a new program with a total fee of ?6.25 lakh, NIRF 2024 rank of 59, and an average package of ?9.48 LPA for AI (BTech), with overall BTech placement rates around 71% and top recruiters including Adobe, Amazon, and Deloitte. The 4-year BTech CSE at IIIT Jabalpur boasts a median package of ?16.94 LPA, average package of ?19.27–21.63 LPA, and 80–85% placement rates, with CSE students averaging ?27 LPA and top recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft, and Flipkart. IIIT Jabalpur’s CSE consistently attracts more offers, higher compensation, and a broader tech-industry focus, while SVNIT’s new AI program is yet to establish a placement track record and may offer fewer core software roles. Both institutes provide strong academic and internship opportunities, but IIIT Jabalpur’s CSE offers superior placement outcomes, established industry connections, and flexibility for core software and analytics careers.

Recommendation: Prefer IIIT Jabalpur’s 4-year CSE for its higher placement rates, stronger industry reputation, and proven career flexibility; choose NIT Surat AI only if you have a dedicated interest in artificial intelligence research and a longer academic pathway. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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