I need your support regarding the higher pension scheme of EPFO. I applied for this scheme, but my application was rejected. From what I understand, my request was rejected because my previous employer, Mphasis Ltd., is considered an exempted establishment. However, to the best of my knowledge, when I was employed with Mphasis from 2009 to 2012, it was not an exempted establishment for PF. Could you please assist me in replying to the PF department? Is there any way to get my application approved? Thank you so much in advance.

Ans: D.Y. Patil College of Engineering Akurdi’s Mechanical Engineering is NBA-accredited and NAAC ‘A’-graded, led by PhD faculty across 15+ workshops and CNC, CAD/CAM, and heat-transfer labs; it records an 80% placement rate over three years with TATA Motors, Ford, and Capgemini campus drives. AISSMS COE Pune’s Mechanical program is NAAC A+ accredited, features modern Fluid Mechanics, Thermal, and Automation labs, and achieved a 61.3% placement rate in 2023 with Infosys, TCS, IBM, and Accenture recruiters. MMCOE’s Mechanical department is NBA-accredited under SPPU, houses SAE-India, ISHRAE, and robotics chapters, emphasizes outcome-based learning, and sustains a 76% average placement rate in core and software roles over the last three years. MIT-WPU’s B.Tech in Mechanical (Robotics & Automation) is NAAC A+ and NIRF-ranked (#101-150), offers dedicated robotics, AI/ML, and automation labs with GPU clusters, guarantees 90% internship conversion, and records a 70% branch placement rate with Deloitte, LG, and L&T.

Recommendation: For core mechanical engineering with highest placement consistency (80%) and metro connectivity, choose DYP Akurdi Mechanical. If you prioritise industry-linked internships and specialized automation projects, opt for MIT-WPU Robotics & Automation. Otherwise, for balanced infrastructure and solid core-to-software placements, consider MMCOE Mechanical, and for a traditional private-university environment with moderate placements, select AISSMS Pune Mechanical. All the best for admission and a prosperous future!

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

Ans: Govind, Manipal University Jaipur’s B.Tech CSE (NAAC A+, NBA-accredited) is taught by 120 PhD-qualified faculty, offers electives from Year 2 in AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, IoT and hosts 20+ specialized computing labs. Its placement cell delivered a 97% CSE placement rate over 2022–24, with 93% overall engineering placements in 2024 and 1,142 offers, 62% above ?8 LPA. Shiv Nadar University Chennai’s B.Tech CSE (NAAC A+) features industry-aligned curriculum in AI/ML, cybersecurity and IoT, guided by research-active PhD faculty, and access to GPU clusters and an AI/ML lab. Its placements range 75–85% for CSE over the last three years, average package ?8 LPA–?9 LPA, and top recruiters include TCS, Infosys and Wipro. MUJ provides broader specialization options, higher and more consistent placement records, and a larger recruiter pool, while SNU Chennai excels in research-driven pedagogy, early-stage lab exposure, and emerging AI projects.

Recommendation: For proven placement consistency, expansive recruiter engagement, and extensive specialization tracks, recommendation is Manipal University Jaipur CSE. If you prioritise cutting-edge AI research projects, smaller batches and rapid lab immersion, choose Shiv Nadar University Chennai CSE. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Amrita School of Engineering Bengaluru’s B.Tech EEE program (NAAC A++, NIRF-ranked 7th among private universities) is taught by primarily PhD-qualified faculty, equipped with power-electronics, machines, control, measurement, and embedded-systems labs, and recorded an 86.7% placement rate for the 2022-23 batch with 300+ recruiters. Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering’s B.E. in Computer Science & Design (NAAC accredited, NIRF #201-300) features 12 specialized design and computing labs, industry-aligned curriculum, and achieved 67.9% placements in its CSE/Design department over the last three years with partnerships for COMEDK internships. West Bengal private institutions such as Brainware University (UGC/AICTE/NAAC accredited) employ dedicated placement cells, boast a 98% overall placement rate in 2024 with 500+ recruiters and average 3.78 LPA packages, and offer modern IT, AI/ML, and data-science labs under research-active faculty.

Recommendation: For a robust core-electrical foundation, superior accreditation, and strong recruiter diversity, the recommendation is Amrita Bangalore EEE. If you prioritise a niche design-computing blend with focused pedagogy, consider DSCE CSD. For maximum placement consistency and broad computing exposure, choose top West Bengal private college CSE options such as Brainware University. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: With an SC?category closing rank below 1 000 across all IISERs in recent counselling rounds—SC cutoffs ranged from 234 at IISER Kolkata to 531 at IISER Bhopal in Round 1 and under 850 even by Round 6—the SC rank of 9 000 was far from the threshold and not close to securing admission at any IISER.

Recommendation: Given your rank, focus on alternative research institutes or university BSc programmes with higher SC cutoffs rather than waiting for IISER, and strengthen your profile for next year’s attempts. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: At a General Merit rank of 4406, securing ECE at top Bengaluru colleges varies by institute. RV College of Engineering’s ECE closed around 746 in Round 1 and 995 in Round 2, making admission unlikely in early rounds. BMS College of Engineering’s ECE General cutoff was approximately 2940 in previous counselling, placing your rank outside Round 1 and Round 2 eligibility. PES University’s Ring Road Campus ECE closed at 3018 in Round 1 but extended to 8391 by the final round, indicating a viable chance of admission in Rounds 2 or 3. All three institutions are NAAC-accredited, feature PhD-qualified faculty, modern ECE labs, and consistent 85–95% placement rates, with active industry tie-ups and robust internship programs.

Final recommendation:
Given proven Round 1 and Round 2 cutoffs, pursue PES University ECE in Round 2 or 3 for assured entry and strong placements. If Round 1 options are critical, consider alternate branches or institutions; RVCE and BMSCE ECE are not feasible with rank 4406. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Pallavi Madam, With a 96.65 percentile (~rank 12 000–14 000), securing Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering at COEP is highly unlikely (general closing percentile ~99.7), and PICT’s E&TC cutoff (rank 5 000–6 000) also exceeds his range. However, several reputable Pune/Maharashtra institutes admit open?category candidates with percentiles ≤96.65, all AICTE-approved, NBA/NAAC-accredited, offering modern E&TC labs, PhD-faculty, strong industry tie-ups, active placement cells (70–90%), and robust internship pipelines. Ten such colleges where admission is virtually guaranteed at 96.65 percentile include JSPM Rajarshi Shahu COE Pune, Sinhgad Institute of Technology Pune, AISSMS Pune, Zeal College Pune, VIIT Pune, Rajarambapu Institute Sangli, Pimpri Chinchwad COER Pune, Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues IT Navi Mumbai, GCOE Jalgaon, and Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil COE Ahmednagar.

Final recommendation: Given his profile, aim for PCCOE Pune E&TC or VIIT Pune E&TC for balanced academics, facilities, and 85–90% placements. As strong backups, consider JSPM Pune and Sinhgad Pune for reliable admission at 96.65 percentile.All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Deepika Madam, With a 92.294 percentile (≈115 000 AIR) and OBC-NCL defence-ward status in Chandigarh, University Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET), Panjab University (OBC closing ≈142 246) offers CSE/IT under home-state quota, boasting AICTE/NBA accreditation, PhD faculty, specialized computing and communication labs, 80–90% placements, and strong PSU/IT recruiter tie-ups. Chandigarh University (JEE cutoff 75–80%ile for CSE) provides NAAC A+ accreditation, modern AI/ML and cybersecurity labs, dedicated placement cell with 85–92% campus hiring, and industry internships through CUCET/JEE channels. Chitkara University, Mohali (CUCET/JEE cutoff ≈60%ile), is NBA-accredited, features blockchain and data-science centers, 95% placements, and MoUs with global tech firms.

Recommendation: Apply to UIET PU Chandigarh CSE/IT for assured home-state access, robust labs, and 90% placements. Next, target Chandigarh University CSE for its industry-linked AI/ML infrastructure and 92% hiring. Consider Chitkara University Mohali as a reliable backup with strong corporate partnerships and near-100% placement consistency. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Shiv Nadar University Chennai’s B.Tech in AI & Data Science boasts NAAC A+ accreditation, a curriculum spanning machine learning, deep learning, NLP, computer vision and big-data analytics, and dedicated AI/ML labs with GPU clusters. It achieved 80–90% placement rates over the past three years with average packages of 9–12 LPA and recruiters like Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM. SASTRA Deemed-to-be University’s B.Tech in Information Technology holds NAAC A+ accreditation, features specialized cloud computing, cybersecurity, and analytics labs including a Tata Communications cybersecurity centre, and recorded placement of 1,766 out of 1,920 UG graduates (~92%) with 246 recruiters over 2023–24. Both institutes employ PhD-qualified faculty, maintain active placement cells, and foster industry collaborations through internships and capstone projects.

For specialized AI/DS roles with cutting-edge research labs and higher average packages, recommendation is SNU Chennai AI & DS. If you prioritise broader IT competencies, proven placement consistency near 92%, and extensive recruiter engagement in enterprise IT, choose SASTRA Thanjavur IT. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Hello Shaik
Prefer CSE @ SRM KTR if possible.
Good luck!
Follow me if you like this reply. Thanks!
Radheshyam