41 and Single, Feeling Drawn to My Widow Maid: What Should I Do?

Ans: You must be aware that in case of transfer of long term capital asset (being flat), gain amount will be exempt if gain amount is invested in another property as per prescribed conditions.

In given case, as part of the amount (1.3 cr minus 80 lacs = 50 lacs) is contributed by you and your son. Thus, gain amount will be exempt to the extent amount contributed by you in 50 lacs.

Ans: Hi,

Your biggest goal that I understand is your kids education which cannot be compromised.
You have started an SIP of 10000 and over the next 10 years this will accumulate into an amount of approx. 23 lakhs at 12% returns.
Please note all schools typically increase fees each year between 8%-12% (same may be even more). So depending on your choices, this amount may or may not be sufficient for their education. If you look at graduation and post graduation, the amount required are much higher.

So I would recommend that you increase your SIP towards this goal and provide the best education you can.

As for the plot you wish to buy-
As you already have a home loan EMI, it indicates you already have a house. So the new plot/house is an additional asset that you wish to build. But is it prudent to use all your savings ? My opinion is this will jeopardize your financial equation.
Buying the plot and taking home loan and staying with no saving - a huge risk. Any situation where you need money for an emergency or kids education you have no asset to liquidate. A plot is not an asset that will generate income, cannot be liquidated quickly and its value (increase) will depend on many factors not in your control.
You are bound by EMIs for the next 15-20 years and you will be so closer to retirement and other goals for family/kids that you will feel a lot of strain financially.

You need to not only secure your kids future but also think of accumulating wealth for other goals in the future and most importantly Retirement.
It is prudent to save now and accumulate for the future, let the eighth wonder - "compounding" work the miracle for you.
Lets see some numbers for the next 10 years.
30 lakhs in FD - at 7% this can become approx. 59 lakhs
65000 in SIP (instead of new EMI) at 12% can become approx. 1.5 crores.
Total corpus of over 2 crores.

The above amounts are only for 10years, and if kept for another 10 years can grow to over 7crores.

You can revisit the option to buy a plot in the future once a few goals are achieved and you have accumulated good corpus.
You can consult a CFP to guide you towards a plan to achieve all your goals and provide you with options and alternatives and help you make the right decisions.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

Ans: Harshraj, With a JEE Main rank of 15,000, securing CSE at IIIT Jabalpur (2024 cutoff: ~8,044–46,514, 71.8% placements via TCS/Infosys) is feasible, offering specialized training in smart manufacturing and IoT with robust labs. NIT Jalandhar CSE (cutoff: ~5,350–6,444) is unlikely but monitor vacancy rounds for potential drops. For ECE, NIT Surat (66% placements, embedded systems roles via Intel/Qualcomm) and NIT Bhopal (65% placements, IoT projects via Bosch) provide strong core-sector opportunities, though lag behind CSE in tech flexibility. IIIT Gwalior MnSC (Mathematics and Scientific Computing) offers interdisciplinary rigor (median ?22 LPA) but fewer core-tech roles, requiring upskilling for software careers. Prioritize IIIT Jabalpur CSE for tech specialization or NIT Surat ECE for institutional reputation and regional industry access, balancing branch relevance and placement consistency. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Mallesh Sir, With a JEE Advanced rank of 6,514, securing Mechanical Engineering at IIT BHU (2024 cutoff: ~6,008–7,083) is feasible, offering 85% placements in core sectors (L&T, Tata Motors) and robust infrastructure despite moderate hostel conditions. IIT Indore Mechanical (cutoff: ~6,812–7,474) provides 88.33% placements with modern labs and interdisciplinary projects, though newer than IIT BHU. NIT Warangal EEE (2024 cutoff: ~7,132–7,227 via JEE Main) boasts 81.09% placements in electrical roles (Intel, Qualcomm) and strong regional industry ties. Prioritize IIT BHU for legacy and core mechanical opportunities, IIT Indore for contemporary research ecosystems, or NIT Warangal EEE for specialized electrical training and proximity to Telangana. Confirm branch alignment and institutional resources during counselling. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Sangeeta Madam, With an 88.58 percentile in JEE Main (EWS category), your son’s rank is estimated between 135,695–183,105 (General) but significantly lower for EWS due to reservation benefits. For CSE, prioritize newer NITs like NIT Sikkim (2024 EWS cutoff: ~35,000–40,000), NIT Meghalaya (cutoff: ~31,000–38,000), or NIT Manipur (cutoff: ~53,827), which offer feasible admission chances despite moderate placement rates (60–75%). For Electrical Engineering, consider NIT Goa (cutoff: ~6,373–8,104) or NIT Andhra Pradesh (cutoff: ~29,420–34,680), balancing core-sector opportunities (L&T, Tata Steel). IIITs like IIITDM Kancheepuram (Smart Manufacturing cutoff: ~48,128) or IIIT Guwahati (IT cutoff: ~26,817) are viable via vacancy rounds, though CSE remains competitive. During JoSAA counselling, prioritize newer NITs in early rounds and monitor IIIT vacancy rounds for upgrades. If seats are unavailable, explore state colleges (via regional exams) or private universities via management quotas. Confirm branch-specific EWS cutoffs and fee structures during choice filling. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: What were you doing during the three-year gap that you haven't mentioned? For a female ECE graduate with a three-year career gap aiming for a rapid, high-paying career transition, VIT Vellore’s M.Tech in VLSI Design is the more strategic choice over SRM KTR’s M.Tech in Data Science. VIT Vellore ranks #11 in NIRF Engineering (2024), is NAAC A++ accredited, and boasts a nearly 90% placement rate in VLSI, with top recruiters such as Intel, Qualcomm, Synopsys, and AMD regularly offering roles in design, verification, and semiconductor industries. The VLSI sector is currently experiencing robust demand in India and globally, especially for women engineers, with strong campus placement support and super dream offers. The program’s two-year duration and focused curriculum allow for a swift return to the workforce, and VIT’s placement cell is known for converting internships into full-time roles, which is especially advantageous for those re-entering after a gap. In contrast, SRM KTR’s M.Tech Data Science program, while industry-aligned and offering 60–70% placements with companies like TCS, IBM, and Wipro, has a more competitive and saturated job market, and placement rates for M.Tech Data Science remain lower than VLSI at VIT. Additionally, VIT’s VLSI program is well-recognized by semiconductor giants, and the average package and placement consistency are higher, making it a safer bet for immediate employment and career growth. As a backup, consider M.Tech VLSI at VIT Chennai (90% placements) or M.Tech Data Science at SRM Valliammai or SRM AP, but prioritize VIT Vellore’s VLSI for its superior placement ecosystem, employer recognition, and suitability for women returning to the workforce. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Opting for ECE at PES EC Campus is advisable due to its 85–95% placement rate (2024 data) with recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel, supported by robust industry collaborations, proximity to Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem, and a commute-friendly location (20–25 minutes from Hosur). While CCE at Amrita Chennai offers specialized training in communication engineering, its 70–80% placements (TCS, Infosys) and higher fees (4th slab) make it less favorable. VIT Bhopal/Amaravati CSE (90–95% placements) provides stronger tech opportunities but requires relocating outside Tamil Nadu. In further Amrita rounds, upgrading to ECE/ELC at Coimbatore/Bengaluru is unlikely with an AEEE rank of 13,204 (cutoffs: ~15,000–18,000 for ECE). Prioritize PES EC ECE for balanced academic rigor, internship access (via IEEE RAS/IoT labs), and regional industry ties, or VIT CSE for direct tech roles if relocation is feasible. Confirm internship support and curriculum alignment during enrollment. (If possible, try to get admission into PES-RR Campus which is comparatively better than EC Campus). Additionally, it is important to mention that your son should continue to enhance his skills, establish a robust profile, and conduct research on job market trends in order to remain competitive with other students during on-campus and off-campus placements, regardless of the institution or branch he enrolls in. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Opting for the Integrated B.Tech-M.Tech in CSE at Jaypee Noida is preferable if you aim to avoid hardware domains, as the program focuses on software development, AI/ML, and data science with 98% placements (2024 data) in tech roles via Amazon, Microsoft, and Cisco. The curriculum integrates advanced coding, cloud computing, and interdisciplinary projects, aligning with software careers. While ECE offers 70–80% placements, its core courses (embedded systems, VLSI) prioritize hardware, though electives like IoT/AI provide limited software exposure. The CSE dual degree ensures deeper specialization in software engineering and access to JIIT’s robust coding ecosystems, making it ideal for non-hardware aspirations. Confirm elective flexibility and internship opportunities during enrollment. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Opting for ECE at PES EC Campus is advisable due to its 85–95% placement rate (2024 data) with recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft, and Intel, supported by robust industry collaborations, proximity to Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem, and a commute-friendly location (20–25 minutes from Hosur). While CCE at Amrita Chennai offers specialized training in communication engineering, its 70–80% placements (TCS, Infosys) and higher fees (4th slab) make it less favorable. VIT Bhopal/Amaravati CSE (90–95% placements) provides stronger tech opportunities but requires relocating outside Tamil Nadu. In further Amrita rounds, upgrading to ECE/ELC at Coimbatore/Bengaluru is unlikely with an AEEE rank of 13,204 (cutoffs: ~15,000–18,000 for ECE). Prioritize PES EC ECE for balanced academic rigor, internship access (via IEEE RAS/IoT labs), and regional industry ties, or VIT CSE for direct tech roles if relocation is feasible. Confirm internship support and curriculum alignment during enrollment. (If possible, try to get admission into PES-RR Campus which is comparatively better than EC Campus). Additionally, it is important to mention that your son should continue to enhance his skills, establish a robust profile, and conduct research on job market trends in order to remain competitive with other students during on-campus and off-campus placements, regardless of the institution or branch he enrolls in. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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