Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Ans: At CRL 67,880, General/Open, UP, chances of a good NIT/IIIT branch through JoSAA for your son are weak. In regular JoSAA rounds, CSE/ECE/IT in NITs and established IIITs usually close much earlier. He may only get lower-demand branches in some GFTIs, newer NITs, or remote institutes, mainly in later/CSAB rounds. CSAB special rounds can give surprises, but it depends on vacancies, so fill all choices carefully. Since he already has SNU CSE, it is a strong backup and may be better than a weak/less-preferred branch in a low-cutoff institute. SNU’s official 2024–25 placement data shows 174 recruiters, a Rs.9.88 LPA average, a Rs.8.45 LPA median, and Rs.54.82 LPA highest. Better to prefer SNU CSE unless CSAB gives a clearly decent IIIT/NIT tech branch. All the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Chances are low for NIT B.Arch and B.Plan through JoSAA. For NIT Trichy B.Arch., 2025 closing ranks were much tougher. HS OBC-NCL female closed around 645 CRL, and HS OBC-NCL gender-neutral around 1879 CRL, so CRL 8342 is not safe. Other NIT B.Arch options like Calicut, Hamirpur and Patna also generally closed far below this rank range. For B.Plan, MANIT Bhopal/SPA options are also competitive. Recent OBC-NCL female planning cutoffs are much below OBC rank 1889. I suggest filling all JoSAA choices and waiting for CSAB if available, but keep strong following backups too. SPA Vijayawada/Bhopal lower rounds if rank movement happens, Tamil Nadu architecture counselling, private B.Arch colleges, and NATA-based options. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Namaste,
Welcome to the land of respect & getting opportunity to nurture budding future of our Country.
You are pursuing Advanced diploma in pre primary and primary teacher's training.
This certification opens diverse career paths in early childhood education, preschool teachers, primary teachers, curriculum developers.
Now there are some other certifications an institutes in India which offers more knowledge and keep you updated in your choosen field. Like Symbiosis, NCTA.
The salary offered once you will complete certifications: Fresher(entry level) 1.6Lakh to 3.5Lakh

Ans: You and your wife have managed many responsibilities at a young age. Owning assets, maintaining EMIs, and still thinking about planning shows strong intent. The stress you feel is mainly due to too many loans at the same time, not low income.

» Current Situation – High EMI Pressure

Combined take-home + rent is healthy
But EMIs are spread across multiple loans
This creates mental stress and cash flow pressure

Your problem is not income. It is loan structure complexity.

» Gold Loan Idea – Not Advisable
Your idea:

Take gold loan at ~8.9%
Close two top-up loans (~8.25%)

Issue:

You are replacing similar or slightly lower interest loans with another loan
No real benefit
Adds another obligation

Better:

Avoid taking new loan to close old loans

» Loan Strategy – Simplify and Attack
You have:

3 top-up loans (8.25%–8.75%)
Commercial loan (8.75%)
Home loan (7.25%)

Action plan:

Focus on closing one loan at a time
Start with:
Top-up loans (smaller size, higher interest)

Method:

Use surplus income + rent
Close smallest loan first → psychological relief
Then move to next

This is called debt snowball approach

» EMI vs Rent from Commercial Property

Expected rent: Rs 13k
EMI: Rs 27k

Gap exists

So:

Use that rent fully to support EMI
Do not divert this income elsewhere

» Baby Planning – Very Important
With baby coming:

Expenses will increase (medical + lifestyle)
Cash flow flexibility becomes critical

So next 2 years priority:

Reduce EMI burden
Build stability
Avoid new loans

» Emergency Fund – Good but Improve

Current: Rs 2 lakh
With EMIs and future baby, this is low

Target:

At least Rs 4–5 lakh

» LIC Policies – Review

You and your wife both paying Rs 2,500 monthly

Check:

If these are traditional plans with low returns

Suggested approach:

Make them paid-up after understanding terms
Redirect future premiums into mutual funds

» Investment Strategy – Start Strong Now

SIP of Rs 100 is just symbolic

You have capacity to do more

Start with:

At least Rs 5k–10k SIP combined
Increase gradually every year

Focus:

Diversified, actively managed mutual funds

» Expense Control – Minor Tweaks

Your expenses are reasonable
No major cuts needed

Just ensure:

No lifestyle inflation
Track spending monthly

» Term Insurance – Must Check

With loans + upcoming child

You should have:

Adequate term insurance (at least Rs 1 Cr each)

» Practical 3-Year Roadmap

Year 1:
Build emergency fund
Start SIP properly
Close 1 top-up loan
Year 2:
Close next top-up loan
Increase SIP
Year 3:
Reduce major EMI pressure
Strengthen investments

» Finally

Do not take new loan (gold loan is not useful)
Simplify loans and close one by one
Prepare for baby by improving cash flow
Increase SIP meaningfully
Keep patience – you are already on the right track

Once 1–2 loans are closed, your stress will reduce sharply and wealth creation will accelerate.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

Ans: This is a very common situation. The fact that you are noticing it means you are ready to fix it. Income is not the problem. System is missing.

» Why Money Comes but Does Not Stay

No fixed structure for saving
Spending happens first, saving later
Small leakages (daily expenses, lifestyle upgrades)
No clear goal-based allocation

Result:

Money flows out without control

» First Rule – Pay Yourself First

Do not wait to save what is left
Save first, then spend

Action:

As soon as salary comes, move 20% to 30% into investments
Treat this like a non-negotiable expense

» Create 3 Simple Buckets
Keep it very simple:

Survival (needs)
Rent, food, EMI, bills
Lifestyle (wants)
Eating out, shopping, travel
Future (wealth)
SIP, savings, emergency fund

Fix limits:

Needs: ~50%
Wants: ~20–30%
Future: at least 20–30%

» Automate Everything

Start SIPs immediately after salary date
Set auto-transfer to savings/investment

This removes:

Laziness
Emotional spending

» Control Leakages
You don’t need big cuts, just control small ones:

Frequent online orders
Impulse buying
Subscriptions not used

Track for 30 days:

You will clearly see where money is leaking

» Emergency Fund – Build Stability

Keep at least 3–6 months expenses aside
This avoids breaking investments

» Give Purpose to Money
Money stays only when it has a job

Create goals:

Short term (1–3 years)
Long term (retirement, child, etc.)

When money has purpose:

You will not spend it casually

» Behaviour Change – Real Key

Do not aim for perfection
Aim for consistency

Even if you save small amount regularly:

It builds discipline
Discipline builds wealth

» Finally

Your issue is not earning, it is flow control
Save first, spend later
Automate savings
Track expenses for awareness

Once system is set, money will start staying without struggle.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

Ans: Prefer ECE @ Jadhavpur if possible. The final choice will be yours.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Admission to IIITs/GFTIs seems to be challenging. You do have realistic chances for ECE in lower/mid IPU colleges (especially in later/spot rounds), while top IPU colleges may be borderline/unlikely.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Yes. Strong chances are there.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Target lower/mid NIT branches (Civil/Mechanical/Chemical/Production/Metallurgy in newer/lower-cutoff NITs), some ECE-type branches in select lower NITs if lucky, and several IIIT/GFTI options for non-top branches. Fill choices broadly and keep CSAB active because many such seats are open there.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: CSE in several Tier-2/lower-mid NITs is achievable (especially newer/lower-cutoff NITs, and some mid NITs depending on round/HS advantage), though top Tier-2 options may remain competitive or challenging.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Chances are almost slim/dim.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Admission to some lower- or mid-tier IPU-affiliated colleges is possible, especially in non-top branches or in later/spot rounds, but admission to top IPU colleges/branches will be difficult. It is advisable to search for a reputed private college if your daughter is interested in top tech branches, from a safer point of view.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Chances in CSE/ECE at PEC Chandigarh seem very challenging (almost dim). VLSI Design is realistic and a good branch with a solid future scope in semiconductors/electronics. Worth considering if she is comfortable with an electronics-oriented curriculum.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: You have a moderate/strong chance of getting a seat in IIIT Delhi ECE/EVE/CS-specialization branches like CSSS/CSB.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Try with lower-demand branches in some newer/lower-cutoff NITs/IIITs may be possible in later rounds/CSAB; if he has a solid branch at SNU, that may be the stronger option unless a clearly better fit appears.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Chances of getting a seat in a mid- or top NIT are slim/dim. You may have slim chances only in lower-demand NITs/GFTIs. Participate in both CSAB and JoSAA, and keep strong backups ready

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Government engineering colleges are possible, especially lower/newer NITs, some GFTIs, and many state government colleges, depending on home state, branch preference, and counselling rounds.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: You have a strong chance for several NIT B.Arch programs and possibly lower/mid SPAs, but SPA Delhi is unlikely unless cutoffs shift significantly. Please target NITs like NIT Hamirpur/Patna/Raipur/Bhopal, IIEST Shibpur, BIT Mesra, and state architecture colleges.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Try lower-tier Haryana government/private colleges and realistic CSE/ECE options at private institutes, keeping branch flexibility (IT/AI/EEE) open rather than insisting only on top CSE/ECE colleges.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Sidharth, ECE chances are good in many strong self-financing colleges, but top ECE seats like CEG/ACTech/MIT, PSG, SSN, Thiagarajar, Coimbatore Institute of Technology may be difficult depending on rank. Use the official TNEA cutoff portal for college-wise ECE trends. Suggested ECE options are Kumaraguru, Sri Krishna, Sri Sairam, Rajalakshmi, KCG, Easwari, Panimalar, Velammal, Kongu, and Bannari Amman. However, for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding eligibility criteria for students from other states in TNEA counselling, it is advisable to refer directly to the official TNEA website or contact the Directorate of Technical Education, Tamil Nadu. This will ensure you have the latest guidelines, any changes in policy, and detailed instructions specific to your situation. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Amar, At CRL 226,889, getting GFTI through regular JoSAA is difficult, but CSAB Special Round is worth trying, especially for Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or production-type branches in less-demanded GFTIs. Your best chance will be in CSAB, because it fills vacant NIT/IIIT/GFTI seats after JoSAA, and CSAB publishes separate special-round opening/closing ranks. Fill all GFTIs, lower branches, and newer institutes. Do not restrict it only to EE/Civil/Mechanical. Also keep backups through state counselling, government-aided colleges, and 4-5 reputed private colleges/universities instead of relying only on JoSAA/CSAB. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Durga Dinesh, With CRL 86,989 and OBC-NCL rank around 27,000, IIIT Dharwad DSAI through CSAB 2026 is possible but not guaranteed. Your observation is correct: 2025 CSAB Special Round closing for DSAI OBC-NCL was around CRL 86,797, so you are only about 192 ranks away. Since cutoffs can shift by a few hundred or few thousand depending on vacancies, withdrawals, and choice filling, you should definitely participate in CSAB and keep DSAI above lower-preference branches. CSAB officially publishes special-round opening/closing ranks after JoSAA vacancy rounds. Between CSE and DSAI, choose CSE first if available, because it is broader and keeps options open in software, AI, data, cybersecurity, and higher studies. Choose DSAI next because IIIT Dharwad’s curriculum includes data science/AI-focused learning and the institute reports decent placement figures, though 2025 data is still ongoing.

So your choice order can be CSE > DSAI > ECE at IIIT Dharwad. Also fill IIIT Kottayam/Kurnool/Ranchi/Una/Nagpur lower branches as backups along with 4-5 reputed Private Engineering Colleges as backup options.

Please note, success in any career depends less on the degree itself and more on how you invest your time. Focus on honing technical, communication, presentation, and leadership skills. Build a strong professional profile through projects and internships, actively network with alumni and industry experts, and maintain visibility on platforms like LinkedIn. Additionally, developing emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial to navigate your career path with confidence. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Dear Mr.Manish

Please refer to NRF ranking of top engineering college.

https://www.nirfindia.org/Rankings/2025/EngineeringRanking.html

You may select any of the top private colleges such as Birla Institute, SRM, Vellore, Manipal, Kalinga, Amrita and others...

Hope this helps. All the best.

Best Regards

Ans: Try with DTU/NSUT lower-to-mid branches like Mechanical/Civil/Biotech/Environmental and possibly EE/EP in favorable rounds, plus DSEU/other Delhi govt institutes as safer options. Otherwise, try with private universities located in the nearby area of Delhi.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Try with UIET Kurukshetra (best shot for ECE/EE), DCRUST Murthal/GJU Hisar for EE or Chemical, and lower-demand branches in Chandigarh/Punjab state counselling if available.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Sachin Sir, At a CRL rank of 41,000, securing a seat in DA-IICT’s regular B.Tech programs is unlikely, as recent closing ranks for ICT, MnC, and VLSI are much higher. However, the institute’s newly launched 5-year BS–MS Dual Degree programs in IT and Data Science & AI offer a more realistic alternative. These programs admit students based on JEE Main Mathematics percentile or CUET scores, not overall CRL, and since 2026 is their first admission cycle, competition may be less intense.

This 5-year, 200-credit curriculum is ideal if your son is passionate about coding, AI, data science, cybersecurity, or research-oriented tech careers—provided the fee structure and longer commitment are manageable. It’s also wise to keep several reliable backup options rather than relying solely on DA-IICT.

Ultimately, success depends less on the degree and more on how your son invests his time: honing technical and communication skills, building a professional profile through projects/internships, networking with alumni and industry experts, maintaining visibility on platforms like LinkedIn, and developing emotional intelligence to confidently navigate his career path. All the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Your query has already been replied. Please copy and paste the following link into your browser to read it: https://gurus.rediff.com/question/qdtl/career/day-scored-crl-36600-jee-mains-2026-general-category-without/5251183

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: While the IIT Madras BS in Data Science is a government-recognized, UGC-entitled degree, it is highly recommended to pursue it alongside a regular, on-campus undergraduate degree. A traditional, physical campus experience provides essential components that an online program inherently lacks: professional networking, holistic skill development, and versatility. A core campus degree (like B.Tech, B.Sc., or B.Com) combined with the IITM BS provides a powerful "hybrid" profile, showcasing both disciplinary depth and specialized technical expertise. The IITM program is specifically designed for this flexibility. Many students leverage it as a "value-add" qualification, significantly enhancing their employability by stacking high-demand data science skills onto their primary foundational degree. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Sriram Sir, you have not mentioned which Board (State/CBSE etc.) you are referring to? From which online platform did you come to know this? What your son has been doing since July 2024 till today? Please clarify these to answer precisely.

Ans: Kumar, for IIIT-Delhi CSAI, your chance is very good as a Delhi OBC-NCL candidate through JAC-Delhi. It is advisable to also participate in JoSAA/CSAB apart from having 4-5 reputed Private Engineering Colleges as backups in and around Delhi.
All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Sahadev Sir, With OBC-NCL rank around 181,452, chances through JoSAA for NITs/IIITs are almost nil, because even lower-demand branches usually close far earlier. For GFTIs, chances are also very low in JoSAA, but he should still fill maximum choices, especially lower-demand branches like Civil, Mechanical, Food/Agriculture-related branches, and less popular GFTIs. The better chance may come in CSAB Special Rounds, which fill vacant seats after JoSAA. It is also advisable to have 4-5 backups of Private Engineering Colleges apart from your son's State Counselling, instead of relying only on JoSAA/CSAB. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Most boards allow candidates to appear for a single-subject improvement in the next year (2026), but not specifically in July. Improvements are only allowed during the regular board exam cycle (Feb–Mar 2026). However, you must verify the exact year’s eligibility when forms open for your board exams, including limits on improvement attempts and timing. It is highly advisable to contact the administrative office of your college and the board office for the most recent updates.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: IIIT Jabalpur CSE > MANIT Bhopal ECE > IIITM Gwalior IT+MBA (only if comfortable with an integrated/dual-degree structure) > MANIT Bhopal Mathematics & Data Science > Top NIT EE. The final preference order and choice will be yours. We can only recommend, but it is not mandatory to follow it.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Consider colleges like Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering, and Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, and possibly lower CS-related branches or better non-CS branches at higher colleges. CS at VJTI/COEP/SPIT is unlikely at this percentile, based on recent cutoff trends. Hope your son appeared for MHT-CET. If he scores well in this examination, the chances of CSE are higher in colleges like COEP/PICT/VIT, etc. (You did not mention anything about the MHT-CET examination.)

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Section 80U of the Income Tax Act, 1961, allows resident individuals with disabilities to claim a flat deduction of Rs 75,000 or Rs 1.25 lakh for severe disabilities from their total income.

Section 80DD of the Income Tax Act, 1961, offers tax deductions to resident individuals or Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) for expenses incurred on the medical treatment, training, and rehabilitation of a disabled dependent. Deductions are fixed at ?75,000 (40%-80% disability) or ?1,25,000 (80%+ severe disability), regardless of actual expenditure.

Ans: Please clarify which state's CET you are referring to. I assume you have wrongly typed out JEE as JW. Please clarify.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
First of all, it's great that you are choosing to speak about it; it can't be easy to deal with so much all alone. Yes, being with someone else while married to another person is not ethically correct, but your situation is more nuanced than anyone can understand. Right now, the best course of action will be to sever ties with this person and focus on yourself. Being with someone else will not fill the void that your marriage is creating in your life. It will only leave you feeling more empty and guilty. I strongly suggest having an open discussion with your husband. Seek professional help of a marriage counselor. If the marriage seems salvageable, work on it, or else, get out of it respectfully, instead of cheating and hurting each other.

Please don't undervalue yourself so much that you allow yourself to be someone's "temporary." You deserve much more than that.

Best wishes.

Ans: Manas, the order of preference can be 1) IIIT Una ECE, 2) LNMIIT Jaipur ECE, 3) IIIT Dharwad ECE, 4) IIIT Bhubaneswar ETC/ECE. IIIT Una looks like the best balance because it has the national IIIT tag, better recent placement visibility, and official JoSAA/placement data shows strong ECE outcomes. IIIT Una reported an ECE average around ?9.90 LPA, and 83.33% placed in 2025. LNMIIT Jaipur is also a strong private option, especially if you want a better coding culture, a Jaipur location and a mature campus. Its official placement page shows healthy overall averages, but fees are higher, and the ECE-specific advantage over IIIT Una is not clear. IIIT Dharwad is improving and has high cutoff flexibility, but campus/placement maturity is still developing. Also consider IIIT Nagpur ECE, IIIT Kottayam ECE, IIIT Bhopal ECE, BIT Mesra ECE, and Thapar ECE as backups. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: She may get newer or lower-demand branches (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, ECE) in later rounds at state GFTIs/private govt colleges like SGSITS Indore (lower branches), UIT RGPV Bhopal campuses, JEC Jabalpur, OIST/Oriental/Truba, etc., with the best chances in Mechanical/Civil/Electrical rather than CSE. But if your daughter is keenly interested only in tech branches, then choose a seat from the management quota in any good private college.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Chances with CSE/ECE/EE with top NITs are almost nil. But he has good chances of EE/ECE in lower NITs like NIT Manipur (home state advantage), NIT Agartala, NIT Nagaland, NIT Mizoram, plus CSE/ECE only in newer IIITs or GFTIs via CSAB/spot rounds.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam