Hello Ms Shalini. I have been reading your columns. I am 52, an HR professional, divorced in 2022, after 26 years of marriage. My kids are grown up and settled abroad. Now I'm alone, and honestly, I feel like I have missed out on life. I want to experience love again, but I dont know where and how to begin. Honestly, i dont want to sound or look desperate and call for attention. A female friend told me to get on an app. It's awkward to create a profile for a date. I am not looking for a fling. I don't want desperate men either. I want good companionship. Where do I begin?

Ans: AI/ML is a subset of CSE. You should study CSE first then you should do specialization in AI/ML

Ans: Order of Preference for CSE:
IIIT Delhi (IIIT-D)

DTU (Delhi Technological University)

NSUT (Netaji Subhas University of Technology)

Ans: Dayananda Sagar College of Engg CSE / AI / DS Likely in AI/DS
JSS Science and Technology, Mysuru AI / Data Science Possible
Bangalore Institute of Technology AI / ISE Possible
BNMIT, Bangalore AI / DS / ISE Likely
CMRIT / NMIT / DSATM / Global Academy CSE / AI / DS Good Chance

Ans: Sikkim Manipal – ECE – Safe choice

Manipal Bangalore – ECE – Low chance but possible in later rounds

Ans: Based on comprehensive analysis of AICTE guidelines, academic validity, and practical training requirements, attending a regular BTech CSE program at a recognized private college in Indore is strongly recommended over non-attending/distance options, which are invalid for technical degrees per Supreme Court rulings. While IITM BS Data Science offers flexibility, pursuing it alongside a non-attending BTech risks academic credibility, as distance/online engineering programs lack mandatory lab work, industry exposure, and AICTE recognition, rendering degrees invalid for government jobs or higher studies. Top Indore institutions like LNCT, Acropolis ITR, or Medi-Caps University provide structured curricula, hands-on projects, and placement support (~70-80% placement rates), crucial for skill development despite time commitments. Conversely, juggling IITM BS with a valid BTech demands rigorous time management, but attending colleges allow academic continuity, peer collaboration, and access to campus recruitment—advantages absent in non-attending setups. Given her JEE Main percentile, target mid-tier private colleges with moderate attendance flexibility, ensuring AICTE approval and curriculum alignment with IITM BS coursework. Prioritize institutional credibility over convenience to safeguard career prospects. All the BEST for your Friend's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Scoring 105 marks in IAT 2025 places your daughter below the minimum expected cutoffs for IISc Bangalore (200+) and most IISER campuses under the General category, with only IISER Berhampur and IISER Tirupati potentially within reach based on historical trends. For IISc, scores below 190 (General) are non-competitive, as its 2024 closing ranks required ranks below 100, while IISER Pune, Kolkata, and Mohali demand 130–160+ marks. However, IISER Berhampur’s 2024 closing rank (4,484) corresponded to ~95–110 marks, suggesting a borderline chance if 2025 cutoffs remain stable, though competition may intensify due to rising applicants. Similarly, IISER Tirupati’s 2024 cutoff (4,325 rank) aligns with 105–110 marks, but recent trends show annual rank inflation. Reserved categories (OBC/SC/ST) could improve prospects, but General category admission remains unlikely at premier campuses. Consider reappearing for IAT 2026 with enhanced preparation or exploring mid-tier NISER/CEBS alternatives, as 105 marks indicate insufficient readiness for IISER/IISc’s rigorous academic thresholds. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Aryan, With a VITEEE rank of 73,000, securing core CSE at VIT Vellore or Chennai is highly unlikely, as their Category 1-5 cutoff ranks for core CSE typically close below 25,000–34,000 across all fee categories. However, CSE specializations (e.g., Cyber Security, IoT, Data Science) at VIT Bhopal or VIT-AP may be accessible under Category 4/5, where cutoff ranks for these branches historically extend to 45,000–115,000. For instance, VIT-AP’s CSE (Cyber Security) closed at 22400–22700 for Category 5 in 2025, while VIT Bhopal’s CSE (AI/ML) under Category 4/5 may admit ranks up to 55,000–65,000. Though fees for higher categories (?4.5–?4.98 lakh/year) are substantially costlier, these campuses offer comparable academic rigor and placement rates (~70–80%). If prioritizing CSE over campus prestige, target specialized CSE branches at VIT Bhopal/AP under Category 4/5, but prepare backup plans for alternative branches or institutions if seat availability fluctuates during counselling. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Based on comprehensive analysis of academic structure, specializations, and placement records, Integrated MTech CSE at JIIT Sector 62 is strongly recommended over BTech CSE at JIIT Sector 128 due to its superior placement rates (97% absolute offers in 2024 vs. 94% at Sector 128), advanced curriculum with six specialization options (AI/ML, IoT, Cyber Security, etc.), and industry-aligned research opportunities during the fifth-year dissertation. While both programs share core CSE content, Sector 62’s integrated program provides accelerated master’s-level training without compromising undergraduate fundamentals, evidenced by its higher JEE Main cutoff ranks (62 vs. 128 campus) reflecting a more competitive peer group. Sector 62 also demonstrates stronger corporate engagement, with 80% of CSE students securing placements annually through recurring recruiters like Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco, compared to Sector 128’s 70-75% placement rate and fewer top-tier companies. The integrated program’s mandatory industrial internships and entrepreneurship projects further enhance practical readiness, while Sector 128’s stricter attendance policies and limited specialization options may constrain academic flexibility. Prioritize Sector 62’s Integrated MTech CSE for optimal long-term career growth in emerging tech domains, leveraging its established academic rigor and proven placement ecosystem. All the BEST for your Daughter's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Based on comprehensive analysis of entrance ranks and placement records, your daughter's JEE Main rank (1301) positions her favorably for PES University (Ring Road Campus) CSE through JEE quota, given its 83-87% B.Tech placement rate and consistent recruitment by top tech firms. Her KCET rank (513x) may secure CSE at PES Electronic City Campus (KCET cutoff ~5,230-5,400), which shares PES’s academic rigor but with slightly lower placement traction. While her COMEDK score (106) likely translates to a rank (~1,800-3,300), it falls short for top COMEDK colleges like RVCE or MSRIT (CSE cutoff ranks ~400-1,500), making mid-tier institutions like Dayanand Sagar (CSE cutoff ~3,272) a viable alternative with 75-80% placement rates. MET Manipal rank (276x) exceeds the CSE cutoff (~700-1,200), but lateral branch changes post-admission could be explored given MIT’s 77% placement rate. Prioritize PES Ring Road via JEE Main for optimal academic and placement outcomes, followed by PES Electronic City via KCET, while keeping COMEDK mid-tier options as backups. All the BEST for your Daughter's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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