Post by Keshav Agarwal

Is India witnessing a quiet reset in higher education? Every admission season, millions of students focus on ranks, cut-offs and college names. But beneath this annual rush, a much bigger change is taking place. 🔹 Engineering colleges are closing because they cannot fill seats. 🔹 Hundreds of technical courses are being discontinued. 🔹 Employers are increasingly valuing skills over degrees. 🔹 Strong placement records are becoming more important than brand names. 🔹 Excellent opportunities now exist beyond traditional choices like MBBS and conventional engineering. After counselling students and parents for over 26 years, I have realised that the biggest admission mistake is choosing a college based on reputation alone rather than outcomes. A college is not just a place where you study for four years. It is a launchpad for your career. Before taking admission, every student should ask: ✅ What is the median placement? ✅ Which companies recruit? ✅ What internships are offered? ✅ How strong is the alumni network? ✅ Are students developing future-ready skills such as AI, Data Science and Cyber Security? In my latest Substack article, "The Quiet Sorting: A Student's Guide to India's Changing Higher Education Landscape", I discuss: • Why colleges are shutting down despite rising demand for higher education. • The best alternatives beyond MBBS and traditional engineering. • Hidden gems in Indian higher education. • Emerging careers that will define the next decade. • The biggest mistakes parents make during admissions. • A practical checklist to help students choose the right college. This article is not about creating fear. It is about helping students and parents make informed decisions in a rapidly changing education landscape. I would love to hear your thoughts. What, in your opinion, should be the single most important factor while choosing a college today—brand name, placements, faculty, affordability, location, or something else? 🔗 Read the full article on my Substack https://lnkd.in/g5eaH7Bg #HigherEducation #CollegeAdmissions #CareerCounselling #NEP2020 #Engineering #MedicalEducation #Skills #ArtificialIntelligence #HigherEducationIndia #Students #Parents #CareerGuidance #Education #FutureOfWork