If you didn’t secure a good rank in ICAR PG and are considering SHUATS, note that since it’s now non-ICAR, your degree may not be valid for ICAR fellowships, JRF, or some government research jobs. However, it’s still recognized by UGC, so you can pursue private or state-level opportunities and even PhD later. If you aim for research or government roles, dropping a year to improve your ICAR rank is better. Otherwise, SHUATS can be a decent option to continue your studies without a gap.