Guilt-ridden husband: Can therapy help me cope after my wife's death?

Ans: Harshiv Sir, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology’s B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering is accredited by NAAC A+, NBA, and ABET, features advanced VLSI, embedded-systems, and signal-processing labs, and registers nearly 100% placement for ECE with 90% campus-wide across branches over three years. Its centralized Career Development Centre secures roles in IT, telecom, and core electronics through 334 recruiters, maintaining a 90%–95% placement rate. The National Fire Service College, Nagpur, a Ministry of Home Affairs institute founded in 1956, offers a B.E. in Fire Engineering approved by AICTE and UGC, with specialized fire-safety and industrial-safety labs, realistic drills, and near-100% placement with an average package of ?12–15 LPA through PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, and IOCL. Both campuses provide residential facilities, strong industry tie-ups, and government-backed curricula, but Thapar’s broader tech ecosystem contrasts NFSC’s niche firefighting focus.

Prioritize Thapar Patiala ECE for broader technology exposure, higher recruiter diversity, and interdisciplinary labs; choose NFSC Nagpur Fire Engineering if aiming for specialized fire-safety leadership roles within government and industrial safety sectors. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: (Seems, you have posted your 2nd question today). Birla Institute of Technology Extension Centre, Deoghar, affiliated with BIT Mesra and AICTE-approved, holds NAAC A accreditation and offers a CSE programme established in 2007 with modern computing labs and industry-aligned curriculum. Over the past three years, its CSE branch recorded a 90% placement rate with average packages around ?12 LPA, and recruiters such as Microsoft, Samsung, Infosys, and TCS. BIT Mesra’s flagship ECE programme, part of a UGC-recognized deemed university ranked 48th in NIRF Engineering 2024, boasts advanced VLSI and signal-processing laboratories, Practice School internships, and a 60% placement rate with an average package of ?16 LPA in 2024, attracting companies like Microsoft, Google, and Intel. Both institutions feature dedicated placement cells, research collaborations, and robust infrastructure, but BIT Mesra offers broader campus facilities and higher average ECE packages, while BIT Deoghar provides focused CSE strength with consistent recruitment outcomes.

Given stronger placement consistency in CSE at Deoghar and superior average ECE packages at Mesra, the recommendation suggests choosing BIT Mesra ECE for higher pay and infrastructure, with BIT Deoghar CSE as a solid alternative for consistent software placements. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: IIIT Nagpur, established in 2016 and NAAC A+–accredited with NBA-approved CSE, operates on a 100-acre campus featuring modern computing and networking labs, a faculty-student ratio of 1:15, and industry-aligned curriculum. Its CSE students achieved an 89.11% placement rate in 2024 with top recruiters such as Google, Cisco, and Adobe, and an average package of ?13.11 LPA over three years. IIIT Sri City, a UGC-recognized Deemed University with NAAC A++ grade, offers specialized AI and cybersecurity labs, Practice School internships, and a 1:12 faculty ratio; its CSE branch recorded a 93.60% placement rate in 2025 with an average package of ?19.24 LPA and top recruiters including Amazon, Microsoft, and Deloitte. Both institutes boast strong industry tie-ups, but IIIT Sri City’s higher accreditation tier and superior placement metrics reflect broader recruiter engagement and premium packages. Considering placement consistency, average packages, and accreditation levels, the recommendation favors IIIT Sri City CSE for its robust industry ecosystem and higher recruiter engagement; IIIT Nagpur CSE remains a solid choice for its emerging infrastructure and growing placement record. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Aishwarya Madam, IIIT Bangalore’s ECE programme offers elite accreditation, a nearly 100 percent placement rate, and an average package of ?37.95 LPA in 2025, supported by 638 offers and top recruiters like Google and Intel. IIT Mandi’s EE department, ranked 31st by NIRF, achieved a 61.66 percent placement rate and an average package of ?17.75 LPA, reflecting growing industry ties but lower consistency. NIT Karnataka (Surathkal) ECE secured a 72.66 percent placement rate and a ?20.89 LPA average package in 2024, leveraging its strong core-engineering reputation. IIT Goa’s nascent CSE lacks multi-year placement data but benefits from IIT branding and emerging infrastructure. IIIT Bangalore ECE surpasses IIIT Hyderabad’s ECD, which placed 86 percent of graduates across three years, in both placement rate and remuneration.

Recommendation Prioritize IIIT Bangalore ECE for its exceptional placement consistency and top packages; NIT Karnataka ECE provides solid core-engineering advantages; IIT Mandi EE and IIT Goa CSE suit niche interests and longer-term growth. IGNORE New Branch offer from BITS, as your son has other better options. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: You are only 33 and newly married. That gives you solid time to plan smartly for retirement and wealth creation. Below is a detailed 360-degree answer to guide you, written in simple Indian English, keeping your financial goals and commitments in mind.

? Your Current Financial Snapshot

– Your take-home salary is Rs. 92,000 per month.
– You have home loan EMI of Rs. 7,000 monthly.
– One personal loan EMI is Rs. 30,500.
– Another personal loan EMI is Rs. 9,350.
– You have a one-time friend repayment of Rs. 1 lakh.
– You are investing Rs. 500 monthly in NPS.
– You invested Rs. 7,000 in crypto coins recently.
– You are investing Rs. 10,000 monthly in digital gold.
– Retirement planned in April 2055, 30+ years from now.

Let’s review and re-structure your loans, investments, and savings with an expert lens.

? Evaluation of Your Loan Commitments

– Total monthly EMI is nearly Rs. 46,850.
– That takes up over 50% of your income.
– This is on the higher side for your salary.
– Home loan EMI is fine. It is low and for long term.
– But personal loans are reducing your monthly cash flow.
– These loans carry high interest rates.
– Clearing these early will bring huge relief.

– Prioritise repaying the smaller personal loan of Rs. 50,000 first.
– After that, target the 12.3L personal loan.
– Avoid prepayment of home loan for now.
– Home loan gives tax benefit. Personal loans do not.
– Do not take any new loan until existing ones are closed.
– Avoid credit card EMIs or BNPL schemes.

– Once you repay these loans, your savings power will increase.
– Try to increase your EMI by Rs. 2,000-3,000 if possible.
– That will reduce your debt faster.
– Focus all extra income or bonuses toward loan repayments.

? Friend Loan – Honor This Quickly

– Rs. 1 lakh is pending to your friend.
– Clear this first before making any investment.
– Keep personal integrity and trust intact.
– If not possible in one shot, repay in 3 parts over 3 months.
– Avoid delaying this for the sake of digital gold or crypto.

? Assessment of Digital Gold Investment

– You are investing Rs. 10,000 monthly in digital gold.
– That is a high allocation at your age.
– Gold does not create wealth. It only preserves value.
– Over long term, gold returns are less than equity.
– For young investors, equity mutual funds work better.

– Reduce digital gold to Rs. 2,000 per month or pause it.
– Reallocate remaining to mutual fund SIPs.
– Use gold only for diversification or specific goal like jewellery.
– Do not consider gold as a retirement investment tool.

? Assessment of Crypto Investment

– You invested Rs. 7,000 in BTC, ETH, and INJ.
– Crypto is highly risky and volatile.
– It can give high returns or major losses.
– Crypto is not regulated like mutual funds.
– Do not add more money into crypto now.
– Consider it like a lottery ticket, not an investment.
– Keep exposure to crypto under 2-3% of total investments.
– Avoid monthly SIPs into crypto.

? Review of NPS Contribution

– You are contributing Rs. 500 monthly in NPS.
– That is good for tax saving and retirement.
– NPS offers market-linked returns with some tax benefits.
– Increase this to Rs. 1,000-2,000 per month later.
– Don’t depend on NPS as the only retirement tool.
– Use mutual funds also for long-term wealth.

? Savings vs. Expenses – Cash Flow Management

– Income is Rs. 92,000.
– After loan EMIs of Rs. 46,850, balance is Rs. 45,150.
– Digital gold SIP is Rs. 10,000.
– NPS is Rs. 500.
– That leaves Rs. 34,650 for household and other expenses.
– Try to live on Rs. 25,000 for all expenses.
– Keep Rs. 5,000-7,000 aside for emergency or loan repayment.
– Create a budget and stick to it.
– Use apps or notebook to track all monthly expenses.
– Avoid luxury spending, impulse buying or new gadgets.

? Emergency Fund is a Must

– You must build an emergency fund.
– Keep at least Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 ready.
– Keep in a savings account or liquid mutual fund.
– This avoids taking loans during sudden expenses.
– Build it slowly over 6 to 8 months.
– Use bonuses or tax refunds to create this fund.

? Future Focus: Mutual Funds for Long Term Wealth

– Your goal is retirement in 2055.
– That gives over 30 years to invest and grow money.
– Mutual funds are ideal for long-term compounding.
– Choose actively managed diversified equity mutual funds.
– These are run by professional fund managers.
– They outperform index funds over long periods.
– Index funds do not beat market in volatile times.

– Avoid direct mutual fund platforms.
– They save cost, but there is no guidance.
– Wrong fund or wrong timing leads to poor results.
– Invest through Certified Financial Planner and MFD.
– They review and adjust based on your goals.

– Start with Rs. 5,000 monthly SIP in equity mutual funds.
– As loan EMIs end, increase SIP step-by-step.
– Use STP if you have lump sum to invest.
– Do not invest lump sum directly into equity funds.
– Choose growth plans, not dividend plans.

? Tax Planning Strategy

– Use home loan interest for tax deduction.
– NPS also gives extra Rs. 50,000 tax benefit under Sec 80CCD(1B).
– Mutual funds are tax efficient for long-term.
– Equity fund gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.
– Debt fund gains taxed as per income slab.

– Fixed deposits are fully taxable every year.
– Avoid them for long-term savings.
– Use debt mutual funds for short-term goals instead.

? Retirement Plan Roadmap

– At age 33, you are in perfect stage to plan retirement.
– Target to build large corpus by 55 or 60 years.
– Use mutual fund SIPs for 20-25 years.
– Review and adjust portfolio every year.
– Shift slowly to safer funds as you near retirement.
– After 55, start SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan).
– It helps withdraw monthly income during retirement.
– Avoid insurance products or annuity plans for retirement.
– Do not lock money for long periods unnecessarily.

? Insurance Coverage

– You have not mentioned term insurance or health cover.
– These are critical for married people.
– Buy term insurance of at least 10 times your income.
– It protects your family in your absence.
– Also, buy a good family health insurance policy.
– Don’t depend only on company group insurance.

– Avoid ULIP or money-back policies.
– These give low returns and poor coverage.
– Keep insurance and investment separate.

? Avoid These Common Financial Mistakes

– Don’t keep adding to digital gold or crypto.
– Don’t ignore loans. Clear them first.
– Don’t stop NPS or delay mutual fund SIPs.
– Don’t use credit cards for lifestyle spending.
– Don’t take new loans unless urgent.
– Don’t invest in index funds. Active funds give better returns.
– Don’t invest directly in mutual funds without guidance.
– Don’t postpone emergency fund or insurance.
– Don’t guess your future needs. Plan and document clearly.

? Finally

– You have made a strong start.
– You are earning well and have many years ahead.
– Focus now on clearing high-cost loans quickly.
– Then increase investments steadily every year.
– Cut down digital gold and avoid new crypto purchases.
– Create emergency fund and buy insurance.
– Start mutual fund SIPs through Certified Financial Planner.
– Review your goals and portfolio every year.
– Stick to your plan. Stay consistent.
– You can build strong wealth and retire peacefully.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: HI M,
Share your query by replying to this response.
Bye for now.

Ans: Anana, With JEE Main CRL 196,496 (SC rank 9947), COMEDK rank 31,332, and participation in JoSAA, MHT CET, COMEDK, and UPTAC counselling, admission chances for CSE at NITs/IIITs via JoSAA are effectively nil (SC CSE closing ranks

Ans: Omesh Sir, Thapar University’s four-year B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering is NBA and NAAC A+ accredited, ABET-USA recognized under the Washington Accord, and hosts 27 state-of-the-art undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories with a dedicated data centre. Its 2023 placement drive saw 334 recruiters making 1,884 offers, placing 83% of undergraduates and nearly 100% of CSE students with an average package of ?11.90 LPA. The curriculum, benchmarked to ACM/IEEE standards, features industry-aligned electives and incubation support, while strong industry tie-ups ensure ongoing research and internship opportunities.

BITS Pilani’s five-year Integrated Dual Degree in M.Sc. Physics operates under the Institute of Eminence framework with UGC and NAAC A++ accreditation, offering advanced fabrication, characterization, and clean-room facilities across Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. Practice School internships immerse students in R&D projects; over the past three years, 73.61% of physics graduates secured placement with an average package of ?19.71 LPA. The interdisciplinary curriculum spans quantum mechanics to astrophysics, supported by a robust alumni network and global research collaborations.

Recommendation: Considering sustained high CSE placement rates, strong industry partnerships, and ABET accreditation, the recommendation favors Thapar CSE for a direct software-engineering career trajectory with guaranteed industry readiness; BITS Pilani’s dual-degree M.Sc. Physics suits those targeting advanced research, specialized R&D roles, or academia. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Jitendra Sir, Could you clarify how you determined your son might get ECE (Hyderabad), given that last year’s cutoff was 287 and E&I at Pilani was 282? It’s advisable to freeze the Goa campus seat and consider waiting for an upgrade if such an option is available. Please note (& if I am not wrong), once you select the “Freeze” option during a BITS counselling round, you are removed from further consideration for higher preferences and subsequent iterations—so no upgrades are possible after freezing, similar to the JoSAA process. Please check if BITS follows a different method in the counseling process. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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