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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10852 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 07, 2025

Career
Hello, I’m a student who recently joined the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita University. I’m aiming for a strong academic foundation and a clear career path. Could you please guide me on the following: How good is this course for research careers or higher studies (IISc, IITs, abroad)? What are the placement prospects after Integrated M.Sc Physics at Amrita? Does the program help in preparing for alternate options like UPSC, CDS/AFCAT, or technical roles? What skills (coding, research projects, certifications) should I start early to make the most of this degree?
Ans: Sree, Program Overview and Academic Foundation: Congratulations on joining the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita University. This five-year integrated program represents a rigorous pathway designed to equip you with advanced theoretical and experimental physics knowledge combined with cutting-edge scientific computing skills. The curriculum uniquely integrates a minor in Scientific Computing, which adds substantial computational capability to your profile—a critical advantage in today's research and professional landscape. The program incorporates comprehensive coursework spanning classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, advanced laboratory work, and specialized topics in materials physics, optoelectronics, and computational methods, positioning you excellently for both research and professional careers.
Research Career Prospects: IISc, IITs, and Beyond: For research-oriented careers, the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita provides an exceptional foundation. Amrita's curriculum specifically aligns with GATE and UGC-NET examination syllabi, and the institution emphasizes early research engagement. The faculty at Amrita actively publish research in Scopus-indexed journals, with over 60 publications in international venues within the past five years, exposing you to active research environments.
To pursue research at premier institutions like IISc, you would typically follow the PhD pathway. IISc accepts M.Sc graduates through their Integrated PhD programs, and with your Amrita M.Sc, you're eligible to apply. You'll need to qualify the relevant entrance examinations, and your integrated program's emphasis on research fundamentals provides strong preparation. The final year of your Integrated M.Sc is intentionally structured to be nearly free of classroom commitments, enabling engagement with research projects at institutes like IISc, IITs, and National Labs. According to Amrita's data, over 80% of M.Sc Physics students secured internship offers from reputed institutions during academic year 2019-20, directly facilitating research career transitions.
Placement and Direct Employment Opportunities: Amrita University boasts a comprehensive placement ecosystem with strong corporate and government sector connections. According to NIRF placement data for the Amrita Integrated M.Sc program (5-year), the median salary in 2023-24 stood at ?7.2 LPA with approximately 57% placement rate. However, these figures reflect general placement trends; physics graduates often secure higher packages in specialized technical roles. Many graduates join software companies like Infosys (with early offers), Google, and PayPal, where their strong analytical and computational skills command competitive compensation packages ranging from ?8-15 LPA for entry-level positions.
The Department of Corporate and Industrial Relations at Amrita provides intensive three-semester life skills training covering linguistic competence, data interpretation, group discussions, and interview techniques. This structured placement support significantly enhances your employability in both government and private sectors.
Government Sector Opportunities: UPSC, BARC, DRDO, and ISRO: Your M.Sc Physics degree opens multiple avenues for prestigious government employment. UPSC Geophysicist examinations explicitly list M.Sc Physics or Applied Physics as qualifying degrees, enabling you to compete for Group A positions in the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board. The age limit for geophysicist positions is 32 years (with relaxation for reserved categories), and the exam comprises preliminary, main, and interview stages.
BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) actively recruits M.Sc Physics graduates as Scientific Officers and Research Fellows. Recruitment occurs through the BARC Online Test or GATE scores, with positions in nuclear science, radiation protection, and atomic research. BARC Summer Internship programs are available, offering ?5,000-?10,000 monthly stipends with opportunity for future scientist recruitment.
DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) recruits M.Sc Physics graduates through CEPTAM examinations or GATE scores for roles involving defense technology, weapon systems, and laser physics research. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) regularly advertises scientist/engineer positions through competitive recruitment for candidates with strong physics backgrounds, offering opportunities in satellite technology and space science applications.
Other significant employers include the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recruiting as scientific officers, and NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited), offering stable government service with competitive compensation packages exceeding ?8-12 LPA for scientists.
Alternate Career Pathways: UPSC, CDS, and AFCAT: UPSC Civil Services (IFS - Indian Forest Service): M.Sc Physics graduates qualify for UPSC Civil Services examinations, with the forest service offering opportunities for science-based administrative roles with potential to reach senior government positions.
CDS/AFCAT (Armed Forces): While AFCAT meteorology branches specifically require "B.Sc with Maths & Physics with 60% minimum marks," the technical branches (Aeronautical Engineering and Ground Duty Technical roles) require graduation/integrated postgraduation in Engineering/Technology. An M.Sc Physics integrates well with technical qualifications, though you would need engineering background for direct officer entry. However, you remain eligible for specialized technical interviews if applying through alternate defence channels.
UGC-NET Examination: This pathway leads to Assistant Professor positions in central universities and colleges across India. NET-qualified candidates receive scholarships of ?31,000/month for 2-year JRF positions with PhD pursuit, transitioning to Assistant Professor salaries of ?41,000/month in government institutions. This route provides long-term academic career security with research opportunities.
Private Sector Technical Roles
M.Sc Physics graduates are increasingly valued in data science, software engineering, and technical consulting. Companies actively recruit physics graduates for software development, where strong problem-solving and logical reasoning translate to competitive packages of ?10-20 LPA. Specialized domains including quantum computing development, financial modeling, and scientific computing offer premium compensation. Your minor in Scientific Computing makes you particularly attractive to technology companies requiring computational expertise.
International Opportunities and Higher Studies Abroad
An M.Sc from Amrita facilitates admission to PhD programs at international institutions. German universities offer tuition-free or low-fee MSc Physics programs (2 years) with scholarships like DAAD providing €850+ monthly stipends. US universities accept M.Sc graduates directly for PhD positions with full funding (tuition coverage + stipend). These pathways require GRE scores and strong Statement of Purpose articulating research interests. Research collaboration opportunities exist with Max Planck Institute (Germany) and CalTech Summer Research Program (USA), both welcoming Indian M.Sc students.
Essential Skills and Certifications to Develop Immediately: Programming Languages: Start learning Python immediately—it's universally used in research and industry. Dedicate 2-3 hours weekly to data analysis, scientific computing libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas), and machine learning fundamentals. MATLAB is equally critical for physics applications, particularly numerical simulations and data visualization. Aim to complete MATLAB certification courses within your first year.
Research Tools: Learn Git/version control, LaTeX for scientific documentation, and data analysis frameworks. These skills are indispensable for publishing research papers and collaborating on projects.
Certifications Worth Pursuing: (1) MATLAB Certification (DIYguru or MathWorks official courses) (2) Python for Data Science (complete certificate programs from platforms like Coursera) (3) Machine Learning Fundamentals (for expanding technical versatility) & (4) Scientific Communication and Technical Writing (develop through departmental workshops)
Strategic Internship Planning: Leverage Amrita's research connections systematically. In your third year, apply to BARC Summer Internship, IISER Internships, TIFR Summer Fellowships, and IIT Internship programs (like IIT Kanpur SURGE). These expose you to frontier research while establishing connections for future PhD or scientist recruitment. Target 2-3 research internships across different specializations to develop versatility.

TO SUM UP, Your Integrated M.Sc Physics degree from Amrita positions you exceptionally well for competitive research careers at IISc/IITs, prestigious government scientist roles at BARC/DRDO/ISRO, and international PhD opportunities. The program's scientific computing emphasis differentiates you in the job market. Immediate priorities: (1) Master Python and MATLAB within the first two years; (2) Engage in research projects starting year 2-3; (3) Target internships at premiere research institutions; (4) Prepare GATE while completing your degree for maximum flexibility in recruitment; (5) Consider UGC-NET for long-term academic stability. Your career trajectory will ultimately depend on developing strong research fundamentals, demonstrating consistent excellence in specialization areas, and strategically selecting internship and research opportunities. The rigorous Amrita program combined with disciplined skill development positions you for exceptional career success across multiple sectors. Choose the most suitable option for you out of the various options available mentioned above. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Asked on - Dec 07, 2025 | Answered on Dec 07, 2025
Thankyou
Ans: Welcome Sree.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.
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Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |676 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2025Hindi
Relationship
My married ex still texts me for comfort. Because of him, I am unable to move on. He makes me feel guilty by saying he got married out of family pressure. His dad is a cardiac patient and mom is being treated for cancer. He comforts me by saying he will get separated soon and we will get married because he only loves me. We have been in a relationship for 14 years and despite everything we tried, his parents refused to accept me, so he chose to get married to someone who understands our situation. I don't know when he will separate from his wife. She knows about us too but she comes from a traditional family. She also confirmed there is no physical intimacy between them. I trust him, but is it worth losing my youth for him? Honestly, I am worried and very confused.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand how difficult it is to let go of a relationship you have built from scratch, but is it really how you want to continue? It really seems to be going nowhere. His parents are already in bad health and he married someone else for their happiness. Does it seem like he will be able to leave her? So many people’s happiness and lives depend on this one decision. I think it’s about time you and your BF have a clear conversation about the same. If he can’t give a proper timeline, please try to understand his situation. But also make sure he understands yours and maybe rethink this equation. It really isn’t healthy. You deserve a love you can have wholly, and not just in pieces, and in the shadows.

Hope this helps
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Mayank

Mayank Chandel  |2569 Answers  |Ask -

IIT-JEE, NEET-UG, SAT, CLAT, CA, CS Exam Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Career
My son will be appearing for JEE Main & JEE Advanced 2026 and will participate in JoSAA Counselling 2026. I request clarification regarding the GEN-EWS certificate date requirement for next year. I have already applied for an EWS certificate for current year 2025, and the application is under process. However, I am unsure whether this certificate will be accepted during JoSAA 2026, or whether candidates will be required to submit a fresh certificate for FY 2026–27 (issued on or after 1 April 2026). My concern is that if JoSAA requires a certificate issued after 1 April 2026, students will have only 1–1.5 months to complete the entire procedure, which is difficult considering normal government processing timelines. Also, during current JEE form filling, students are asked to upload a GEN-EWS certificate issued on or after 1 April 2025, or an application acknowledgement. This has created confusion among parents regarding which year’s certificate will finally be valid at the time of counselling. I request your kind guidance on: Which GEN-EWS certificate will be accepted for JoSAA Counselling 2026 — a certificate for FY 2025–26 (issued after 1 April 2025), or a new certificate for FY 2026–27 (issued after 1 April 2026)?
Ans: Hi
You need not worry about the EWS certificate. Even if you apply for the next year's certificate on 1 Apr 2026, the second session of JEE MAINS will still be held, followed by JEE ADVANCED, which will be held in May. JOSAA starts in June. so you will have 2 months in hand for fresh EWS certificate.
Asked on - Dec 08, 2025 | Answered on Dec 08, 2025
Okay Sir. Thanks a lot.
Ans: welcome sir.
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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10852 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Career
Pls guide which entrance tests to apply for besides jee mains for good engineering colleges in India?
Ans: Radhika, I encourage you to thoroughly explore the alternatives listed below and select approximately 7-8 options as contingency plans to complement your JEE Main preparation. When evaluating these options, consider factors such as your academic standing, career objectives, preferred geographic location, and institutional strengths to identify the best-suited programs for your engineering journey. Southern India Private Engineering Colleges (Top 5): The Southern region hosts several premier private engineering institutions. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, secured NIRF rank 16 in 2025 and accepts students through VITEEE (VIT Engineering Entrance Examination) in addition to JEE Main scores. The institution is renowned for infrastructure including 24x7 laboratories, smart classrooms, dedicated research centres, and consistent 95%+ placements with average packages reaching 9.5 lakhs and peak packages touching 45 lakhs annually. SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, ranked 14th in NIRF 2025, conducts SRMJEEE (SRM Joint Engineering Entrance Exam) for admissions alongside accepting JEE Main qualifiers. SRM's sprawling campus features world-class facilities, strong academic partnerships with industry leaders like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, resulting in average placements of 8 lakhs with maximum packages exceeding 50 lakhs. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, ranked 23rd by NIRF 2025, accepts students through AMRITAEEE entrance examination. The institute maintains excellence through state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and a robust internship ecosystem, delivering 100% placement records with average salary packages of 9 lakhs. Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar (SSN) College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Tamil Nadu, ranked 46th in NIRF 2025, conducts its proprietary entrance test SSN GATE (Greenfield Aptitude Test for Engineering) for admissions. SSN's infrastructure encompasses advanced computing facilities, maker spaces, and industry collaborations, consistently achieving 100% placements with average packages exceeding 10 lakhs. Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education (KARE), Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, ranked 36th in NIRF 2025, accepts JEE Main scores and conducts KASAT entrance examination. The institution features modern laboratories, research facilities, and strong industry partnerships, maintaining 98%+ placement rates with average packages of 7.5 lakhs.

Northern India Private Engineering Colleges (Top 5): Northern India's premier private engineering institutions include BITS Pilani, Pilani, Rajasthan, which achieved NIRF rank 11 in 2025 and conducts the selective BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test) entrance examination. BITS Pilani's state-of-the-art facilities, global academic partnerships, world-class research centers, and consistent placements with average packages reaching 12 lakhs and highest packages exceeding 60 lakhs make it highly sought after. Chandigarh University, Chandigarh, Punjab, ranked 32nd in NIRF 2025, conducts CUCET (Chandigarh University Common Entrance Test) and accepts JEE Main qualifiers. The university offers modern infrastructure including laboratories equipped with latest technologies, innovation hubs, and strong placement support resulting in average salaries of 7 lakhs with peak packages reaching 35 lakhs. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, ranked 29th by NIRF 2025, accepts JEE Main scores and conducts THAPAR ENGINEERING ENTRANCE EXAM. The institute maintains excellent infrastructure with dedicated research facilities, industry collaborations with major tech companies, delivering consistent placements averaging 8.5 lakhs. Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar, Punjab, ranked within top 100 by NIRF 2025, conducts LPUNEST (LPU National Entrance and Scholarship Test) entrance examination. LPU features one of India's largest campuses with state-of-the-art facilities, strong IT industry connections, and placement records with average packages of 6.5 lakhs. Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, ranked 30th in NIRF 2025, conducts AMITY JEE alongside accepting JEE Main scores. Amity operates across multiple campuses with excellent laboratories, industry partnerships spanning Fortune 500 companies, delivering average placements of 7 lakhs with competitive peak packages.

Eastern India Private Engineering Colleges (Top 5): Eastern India's prominent private engineering institutions include Institute of Engineering and Management (IEM), Kolkata, West Bengal, conducts IEM GATE entrance test and accepts JEE Main qualifications. IEM features modern infrastructure, strong academic framework, and industry connections, maintaining placement rates with average packages around 6 lakhs and selective branches achieving higher figures. Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, achieved NIRF rank 26 in 2025 and conducts SUAT (SOA Unified Admission Test) entrance examination. SOA's comprehensive campus includes advanced laboratories, research facilities, and consistent 90%+ placements with average packages of 7.5 lakhs. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, ranked 37th by NIRF 2025, accepts KIIT entrance test scores alongside JEE Main. KIIT operates state-of-the-art facilities, maintains strong research focus, achieving 95%+ placements with average packages around 7 lakhs. Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal, conducts ADAMAS ENTRANCE TEST and accepts JEE Main scores. The institution features modern teaching laboratories, research centers, and good placement support with average packages of 5-6 lakhs. Techno India University (TIU), Kolkata, West Bengal, conducts TIU entrance examination. TIU maintains good infrastructure, industry partnerships, and consistent placement support with average packages reaching 6 lakhs.

Western India Private Engineering Colleges (Top 5): Western region's top private engineering colleges include Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, conducts NUA (Nirma University Aptitude) entrance test alongside accepting JEE Main. Nirma features excellent infrastructure, research facilities, and strong industry connections delivering average placements of 7-8 lakhs with peak packages exceeding 30 lakhs. SVKM's NMIMS University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, accepts JEE Main scores and conducts NMAT entrance exam. NMIMS maintains premium infrastructure, strong corporate connections, consistent 100% placements with average packages around 9-10 lakhs. Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering, Mumbai, Maharashtra, accepts JEE Main qualifiers and conducts DJ Sanghvi entrance examination. The institution features modern laboratories, maker spaces, and good placement records with average packages of 6-7 lakhs. DJ Sanghvi's focus on technology and innovation ensures competitive career outcomes. Rai University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, conducts RAI entrance test. Rai operates with good infrastructure, industry partnerships, maintaining placement rates with average packages of 5-6 lakhs. Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT), Pune, Maharashtra, conducts PTC entrance examination. PICT features strong IT curriculum, modern labs, and consistent placements with average packages of 7-8 lakhs.

Central India Private Engineering Colleges (Top 5): Central India's prominent private engineering institutions include Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, though primarily government-aided, acts as a key player. For private sector, Shobhit University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, conducts SUAT entrance test. Shobhit maintains good infrastructure, growing industry partnerships, with placements averaging 5-6 lakhs. Manipal University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, ranked 58th by NIRF 2025, conducts MUJ entrance examination. Manipal features modern facilities, strong academic programs, consistent placements with average packages around 6.5 lakhs. IMS Engineering College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, conducts IMSECE entrance test. IMS maintains competitive infrastructure and good placement support with average packages of 5-6 lakhs. JSS Academy of Technical Education (JSSATE), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, ranked 201st in NIRF 2025, conducts JSS entrance test. JSSATE features modern laboratories, industry collaborations, with average placements reaching 6.5 lakhs. State-Level Entrance Exams Open to All-India Candidates (Top 5): COMEDK UGET (Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka - Unified General Entrance Test), Karnataka, is an all-India level entrance examination conducted by Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges. This exam opens access to 190+ private engineering colleges across Karnataka. Top colleges accepting COMEDK include RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru (NIRF ranked, average package 9+ lakhs), MSRIT (M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology), Bengaluru (strong placements 7+ lakhs), and BMSCE (B.M.S. College of Engineering), Bengaluru (known for CSE placements, average 8+ lakhs). KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test), Karnataka, (primarily for Karnataka State students only), allows Indian nationals to compete for approximately 35,000 engineering seats across government and private institutions. Leading private colleges through KCET include Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management (DSATM), Bengaluru, and New Horizon College of Engineering. WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination), West Bengal, is an all-India entrance test opening access to engineering colleges throughout West Bengal. Prominent colleges include Institute of Engineering and Management (IEM), Kolkata (average package 6+ lakhs), Jadavpur University's engineering wing, and International School of Photonics (IIESTM). HARYANA Entrance Test (HEEE), though primarily Haryana-based, accepts all-India candidates. Leading colleges include Chandigarh University's Haryana centers and various private institutions across NCR region. INAT (Institute of National Assessment for Engineering), conducted by multiple engineering institutes pan-India, provides alternative pathway for students seeking admission to top private engineering colleges without appearing in JEE Main or state-specific tests, accepting qualifications from various regional engineering entrance exams simultaneously.

This comprehensive regional analysis demonstrates that India's top private engineering colleges below NIRF 250 rank offer diverse admission pathways through state-specific and national entrance exams, with robust infrastructure, strong industry placements, and competitive salary packages, making them excellent alternatives to IIT/NIT admissions for engineering aspirants. All engineering colleges mentioned possess unique strengths and considerations worthy of evaluation. To optimize your college selection process, I suggest identifying 7-8 preferred institutions/entrance exams, based on your individual requirements, location preferences, and career aspirations. Undertake detailed research on each shortlisted college, including reviewing official websites, placement data, student testimonials, infrastructure facilities, and academic specializations. This systematic approach will equip you with comprehensive knowledge to confidently select the most appropriate institution(s) following your performance in all entrance examinations. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |417 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 20, 2025Hindi
Money
I am a 39 year old living in Bangalore with wife, 2 children (6 year old and 1 year old). My mutual fund (all equity) portfolio is 31 lac. Current monthly SIP is 50000. Current EPF balance 18 lac. My wife and I have PPF accounts, whose balance is 40 lac together. I have an own house and have no plans to construct another. What should be my retirement corpus if I want to retire in 8 years from now. I'm planning to use both PPF accounts money for children education. When should I withdraw my EPF completely? How should I make use of my EPF+SIP money into SWP in order to sustain the corpus till I'm 75? Please suggest.
Ans: Hi,

You have great clarity wrt your investments and goals. Let us address your queries in detail:
1. Planning to use current PPF of 40 lakhs for kid's education. A wise decision but wrong allocation. Returns of 7.1% will not beat education inflation of around 13%. You need to allocate this amount to aggressive funds to get the desired corpus that wou will require when your kids turn 18 years. Consider moving the entire amount into mutual funds when the PPF matures or you will require additional amount for this goal.
2. EPF - 18 lakhs currently.
3. Mutual funds - corpus after 8 years will be around 2 crores if you continue investing 50k with 10% stepup for coming 8 years getting a return of 13%.

Total of 2.5 crores can be parked into a mix of equity and debt giving an average return of 11%. You can withdraw 1.25 lakhs per month with 4% annual increase forever from this corpus and still leave crores of legacy for your kids. IT depends on your annual expenses at that time. You can share more precise details of your monthly expenses for me to help you better.

Also as your MF portfolio is 31 lakhs, it is better to consult a professional to have your investments in alignment to your goals. Hence get in touch with a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/
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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |417 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Money
Hello gurus. Currently I am 36 years old. I have just started investing in mutual funds. (a) parag parekh flexi cap - 7500/- per month (B) GROWW nifty midcap 150 index fund -2500/- per month (C) mirae asset ELLS tax saver -5000/- (D) pGIM india mid cap opp. Fund -5000/- (E) quant infrastructure fund-3500/- (F) quant small cap fund -4000/- (G) qyant active fund -3500/- (H) quant absolute fund-5000/- Total i am investing 36000/- per month. I want to get 2 crore till 2035. Additionally i want to invest 1 lakh per annum So my questions is ARE THESE MUTUAL FUNDS ARE OK or I should change any fund and in case of change, which fund I should exit And where should I invest this additional 1 lkh rupee per annum. These all funds are direct growth funds.
Ans: Hi Rajesh,

Appreciate your dedication in investing in mutual funds for long term. The funds selected by you are very random and not recommended for your goal. Overall investments are also not in alignment, this portfolio is a very random one.
Currently you are investing 36000 per month - keep your investments simple in largecap, midcap, smallcap and mutlicap fund. Keep additional 1 lakh as well in these funds.

You should consider exiting funds like quant and shift to more stable ones.

Your current funds are direct, but direct funds are over-rated. A random portfolio like this can instead give less returns than a professionally designed one. It is always better to go for a regular portfolio suggested by a professional. Proper funds with a designed dedicated plan will help you reach your goal of 2 crores in 10 years in an efficient way.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/
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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |417 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi, I’m 32 years old, and I am planning to achieve financial freedom by the age of 50. I currently have ₹6.8 lakh in mutual funds and I am doing ₹37,000 SIP in the following funds: 1. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap (Direct) – ₹10,000 2. Edelweiss Mid Cap (Direct) – ₹10,000 3. SBI Contra – ₹8,500 4. Mirae Asset Small Cap – ₹8,500 I also have ₹14.5 lakh in Fixed Deposits and ₹2.5 lakh in EPF. I can increase my SIP to ₹50,000 per month. I have three major goals: My 1-year-old daughter’s education Buying a home (a simple, stable home by age 50) Retirement planning My monthly take-home salary is ₹1.85 lakh, and I receive a yearly bonus of ₹2 lakh. Please suggest how I should approach my financial planning, and whether my current funds are good to continue or if I should make any changes.
Ans: Hi,

You have built a great corpus at your age and it is commendable. LEt us go through these details:
- 14.5 lakhs in FD. Can decrease it to 10 lakhs and invest rest 4.5 lakhs in mutual funds.
- EPf of 2.5 lakhs
- You should also have a proper term and health insurance for yourself and family.
- Current investments 37000 and want to increase it to 50000. The funds you are investing currently are all direct funds but diversification is way too less. Although direct funds are popular due to their less expense ratio, but going for regular funds with professional's advice outperform the performance of direct funds. Do consult a professional and redesign the investment strategy.
- You have a lot of time to plan and achieve your goals. A dedicated aggressive SIP of 25k per month for 17 years will give you 2 crores for your daughter when she turns 18.
- Invest remaining 25k for 18 years with 10% increment to get down payment for your house and your reitrement corpus.
- Focus on increasing your investments to more amount to get more wealth.

Do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/
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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |417 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Money
Hello Sir, I am 40-year-old, my monthly in hand income is Rs. 67000/-. My monthly expense is Rs. 40 K-45 K. I have parental home, currently don’t have any loan, all expenses covered in monthly expense. Monthly investment as per below details: 1) Rs. 5K in PPF (currently 2.5 Lacs in PPF) 2) Rs. 2K in SBI Ulip policy for 30 years- started in 2013. 3) Started SIP 8 months back- Rs. 1.5 K each in -SBI gold direct, parag parikh flexi cap, quant small cap, nippon india small cap, Motilal oswal midcap. My question is: 1) Current returns on mutual funds are not so good can you suggest continuing above. 2) Also are this above investment sufficient for my children studies (Son-4 yrs, daughter-8 yrs) after 10-12 years. 3) Can you please suggest other investment option for future retirement purpose.
Ans: Hi Piyush,

Let us cover the details one by one:
1. You are left with approx 25k per month to invest in order to achieve your goals.
2. Make sure to have proper emergency fund of 1.5 lakhs in FD.
3. You should have proper term and health insurance for yourself and family.
4. Monthly investment in PPF - 5k. It is a good debt instrument and gives tax free return of 7.1%. Can continue with it.
5. 2k in SBI Ulip - not recommended. ULIPs are very high charging policies and usually gives an average return of 7-8% which is at par with that of FD. It comes with high hidden charges. Hence avoid taking such policies in future.
6. 12k monthly in mutual funds. OVerall a good amount but not sufficient to cover your goals. You should increase this amount to your maximum capacity.
7. Also start investing some amount for your retired life.

And funds that you mentioned are overlapped and not recommended. Ideally just have large, mid, small and multi cap fund in your portfolio. This mix will give a return of 12-14% on an yearly basis.
Try not to follow random online advice to invest your hard earned money. Take the help of a professional advisor to guide you through.

Hence, stop your current mutual funds and redirect them onto the mentioned mix. Also consider consulting a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/
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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10852 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 03, 2025

Career
Jee mains percentile for cs nits
Ans: Radhika, Assuming you belong to the General Category, the following information addresses your query regarding JEE Main requirements for Computer Science admission across NITs: Computer Science Engineering (CSE) remains the most competitive branch across all National Institutes of Technology in India. For General Category candidates seeking admission to NIT Computer Science programs, JEE Main ranks requirement typically ranges from 754 (NIT Karnataka, Surathkal) to 39,594 (NIT Nagaland) depending on the institute's tier, location, and reputation. The cutoff ranks vary significantly across six rounds of JoSAA counselling, with Round 1 having the most stringent ranks as best NITs fill seats quickly, and later rounds showing relaxation as seats remain unfilled.

During JoSAA 2025 Round 6 (Final Round), NIT Tiruchirappalli's Computer Science program had opening rank of 659 and closing rank of 1,449. NIT Warangal recorded opening rank of 1,521 and closing rank of 2,409. NIT Karnataka, Surathkal had opening rank of 1,191 and closing rank of 1,827. NIT Rourkela showed opening rank of 2,442 and closing rank of 3,431. NIT Delhi had opening rank of 2,363 and closing rank of 7,651. Motilal Nehru NIT Allahabad recorded opening rank of 2,730 and closing rank of 4,594. Malaviya NIT Jaipur had opening rank of 3,027 and closing rank of 5,601. NIT Calicut showed opening rank of 3,651 and closing rank of 5,222. Visvesvaraya NIT Nagpur recorded opening rank of 4,442 and closing rank of 6,359. NIT Kurukshetra had opening rank of 5,180 and closing rank of 7,037. Maulana Azad NIT Bhopal showed opening rank of 5,942 and closing rank of 9,249. NIT Jamshedpur recorded opening rank of 6,378 and closing rank of 8,902. Sardar Vallabhbhai NIT Surat had opening rank of 6,343 and closing rank of 8,130. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar showed opening rank of 7,991 and closing rank of 11,262. NIT Silchar recorded opening rank of 8,010 and closing rank of 12,665. NIT Raipur had opening rank of 8,140 and closing rank of 13,559. NIT Goa showed opening rank of 10,279 and closing rank of 13,640. NIT Patna recorded opening rank of 10,529 and closing rank of 14,996. NIT Hamirpur had opening rank of 9,637 and closing rank of 12,586. NIT Puducherry showed opening rank of 11,429 and closing rank of 19,758. NIT Agartala recorded opening rank of 13,104 and closing rank of 22,013. NIT Andhra Pradesh had opening rank of 11,739 and closing rank of 18,183. NIT Uttarakhand showed opening rank of 16,359 and closing rank of 18,491. NIT Srinagar recorded opening rank of 15,080 and closing rank of 26,171. NIT Sikkim had opening rank of 15,389 and closing rank of 26,616. NIT Meghalaya showed opening rank of 20,712 and closing rank of 24,074. NIT Arunachal Pradesh recorded opening rank of 27,500 and closing rank of 30,607. NIT Manipur had opening rank of 26,617 and closing rank of 33,098. NIT Mizoram showed opening rank of 35,504 and closing rank of 37,751. NIT Nagaland recorded opening rank of 32,717 and closing rank of 39,594. IIEST Shibpur had opening rank of 13,917 and closing rank of 16,765.

For Computer Science in top-tier NITs including NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Rourkela, and NIT Delhi, candidates need opening rank approximately 659-2,363 (98-99 percentile) and closing rank approximately 1,449-7,651 (95-98 percentile), equivalent to JEE Main score of 255+ marks out of 300. For mid-tier NITs like NIT Karnataka, MNIT Jaipur, NIT Calicut, opening rank requirement stands around 2,730-3,651 (96-97 percentile) with closing rank approximately 4,594-5,601 (93-95 percentile), requiring approximately 215-235 marks. For Tier-2 NITs such as NIT Hamirpur, NIT Patna, NIT Goa, NIT Silchar, opening rank requirement is approximately 8,010-11,262 (85-90 percentile) with closing rank around 12,586-19,758 (80-85 percentile), generally requiring 180-200 marks. For lower-tier NITs including NIT Agartala, NIT Srinagar, NIT Meghalaya, and NIT Nagaland, opening rank requirement is approximately 13,104-35,504 (60-85 percentile) with closing rank approximately 22,013-39,594 (50-80 percentile), where 140-180 marks may suffice.

Comparing JoSAA 2024 and 2025 data, cutoff ranks remain relatively stable year-over-year for top NITs with minor fluctuations of approximately 500 ranks depending on examination difficulty and candidate performance. Computer Science continues being the most competitive branch, with significantly lower closing ranks compared to other engineering disciplines. For percentile benchmarks, the 99th percentile guarantees admission to top 3 NITs including Trichy, Warangal, Rourkela. Between 95-97 percentile secures admission to top 10 NITs including NIT Delhi and NIT Karnataka. Between 90-95 percentile provides good chances at mid-tier NITs like NIT Hamirpur, NIT Patna, NIT Goa. Between 80-90 percentile is realistic for lower-ranked NITs. Below 80 percentile may require consideration of non-CSE branches or private institutions. Actual rank requirements depend on total number of JEE Main qualified candidates appearing for JoSAA counselling, examination difficulty level across sessions, seat availability and category-wise reservation quotas, home state quota considerations available in several NITs, and individual candidate's choice filling strategy and preference order. To secure Computer Science admission through JoSAA counselling at reputed NITs, General category candidates should target a minimum 95 percentile in JEE Main for mid-to top-tier NITs, while for tier-2 NITs, 85-90 percentile provides reasonable chances. Actual admission depends on the cumulative performance of all qualified candidates and seat availability across counselling rounds. Important Disclaimer: The admission probability assessments provided are estimates based on historical data and should be considered indicative only. Opening and closing ranks experience annual fluctuations due to multiple dynamic factors, including exam difficulty variations, candidate participation rates, performance distributions, institutional seat matrix adjustments, policy modifications in reservation criteria, evolving student preferences across disciplines, shifting institutional rankings, historical cutoff influences, economic trends affecting branch demand, increases/decreases in students' intake, and multi-round counselling processes.

Strategic Recommendation: Include as many institute-branch combinations as possible in JoSAA Counselling Process, beginning with your preferred options first. Also, to optimize your admission prospects, we strongly encourage maintaining a diversified application portfolio by preparing/appearing for 4-5 additional engineering entrance examinations for private institutions alongside JEE/JoSAA. This comprehensive approach ensures multiple pathways to quality engineering education beyond the highly competitive IIT/NIT/IIIT/GFTI ecosystem. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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