PlaceTrack — Enterprise Student Placement Portal & Accreditation Engine

An enterprise-grade campus recruitment automation platform and institutional accreditation reporting engine built for colleges and universities. Engineered to streamline placement operations, perform live drive eligibility checks with 1-click student registration, offer structured company preparation with an interactive question bank, and generate official NAAC Criterion 5.2.1 / NIRF audit PDF & Excel documentation.

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Live Deployment & Preview

Environment	URL	Status
Production Web Application	student-placement-tracker-navy.vercel.app	Active
API Health Check	https://student-placement-tracker.onrender.com/api/health	Active

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Key Core Pillars & Architecture

graph TD
    A[Student / TPO User] -->|HTTPS| B[PlaceTrack Client - React 18 SPA]
    B -->|REST API & JWT| C[API Gateway - Express Server]
    B <-->|WebSockets| D[Socket.IO Push Notification Engine]
    C -->|Mongoose ORM| E[(MongoDB Atlas Central Database)]
    C -->|jsPDF & SheetJS| F[NAAC Criterion 5.2.1 PDF & Excel Engine]
    C -->|Gemini AI API| G[AI Resume ATS & Mock Interview Service]
    C -->|Nodemailer SMTP| H[Email Automation Notification Service]

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Enterprise Feature Modules

1. Campus Recruitment Drives & 1-Click Apply Engine

• Real-Time Drive Eligibility Engine: Automatically cross-references incoming campus drive requirements against the logged-in student's live academic profile across 4 criteria:
  1. Minimum CGPA (e.g. $\ge 7.0$)
  2. Maximum Backlogs Allowed (e.g. $\le 0$)
  3. Eligible Branches (e.g. CSE, ISE, ECE)
  4. Placement Status (unplaced students only)
• 1-Click Apply & Immediate Audit Lock: Eligible students can register for active campus drives with a single click. The backend validates criteria server-side and saves a point-in-time snapshot of the student's credentials.
• Compound Unique Indexing: { company: 1, student: 1 } guarantees zero duplicate registrations under concurrent conditions.
• Student Withdrawal Support: Allows students to withdraw applications before drive cutoffs.
• TPO Applicant Roster: Placement officers can view registered student rosters with search filters and export company HR-ready .xlsx spreadsheets in 1 click.

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2. Official NAAC Criterion 5.2.1 & NIRF Audit Report Generator

• Institutional Accreditation Letterhead: Formatted specifically for Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru (Autonomous Institute Affiliated to VTU Belagavi, AICTE Approved, NAAC 'A' Grade, NBA Accredited).
• Accreditation Key Indicators (Criterion 5.2.1):
  • Total Graduating Outgoing Cohort Strength
  • Total Verified Placed Students & Overall Institutional Placement Ratio (%)
  • Total Employment Offers Received
  • Compensation Metrics: Highest Package (₹XX.XX LPA) & Average Package (₹XX.XX LPA)
• Department-Wise NAAC Audit Table: Generates program-by-program breakdown of cohort size, placed count, unplaced count, placement percentage, and average CGPA.
• NIRF Salary Tier Classification: Classifies offers into Super Dream ($\ge 15\text{ LPA}$), Dream ($8 - 14.99\text{ LPA}$), Core IT ($5 - 7.99\text{ LPA}$), and Foundation ($< 5\text{ LPA}$) categories.
• Official Attestation & Signatures: Features certified sign-off boxes for Placement Coordinator, Head - Training & Placement (TPO), and Principal / Head of Institution with college seal placeholders.
• Multi-Page Vector PDF Output: Vector lines, running headers, and running page numbering (Page X of Y) via jsPDF and jspdf-autotable.
• NAAC Portal Excel Export: Generates a 3-sheet .xlsx file formatted to match the NAAC SSR portal template.

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3. Company Prep Hub & Interactive Interview Question Bank

• Company Recruitment Guides: Detailed round-by-round selection roadmaps (Online Assessment, Tech Round 1, Tech Round 2, HR/Managerial) for major campus recruiters:
  • TCS, Infosys, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Wipro, Swiggy, Accenture, Cognizant, PhonePe
• Topic-Categorized Question Bank:
  • Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA): Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, Sliding Window, DP.
  • Database & SQL: Subqueries, DENSE_RANK(), GROUP BY ... HAVING, Joins, Indexing, ACID.
  • Core Computer Science: Operating Systems (Processes vs. Threads), Computer Networks (DNS & TCP/IP), OOP Principles, System Design.
  • Web Development: Event Loop, Promises, REST API status codes, React mechanics.
  • Quantitative Aptitude: LCM unitary work method, Relative speed, Probability, Profit & Loss.
  • HR & Behavioral: 90-Second Self Introduction template, STAR behavioral methodology.
• Expandable Solutions & Reference Code: Step-by-step logic, syntax-highlighted code snippets, copy button, key takeaways, and gotcha tips.
• Readiness Tracker: LocalStorage-persisted "Mark as Mastered" progress bar (e.g., 12 / 24 Mastered (50% readiness)).
• Peer Contribution: Placed students and administrators can contribute verified interview questions.

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4. Placement Analytics & Executive Dashboard

• Real-Time Metric Tiles: Live placement rate percentage with visual progress bars, average package, highest package, total offers, and active companies.
• Multi-Chart Intelligence:
  • Branch-Wise Placement Comparison (Bar Chart)
  • Placed vs. Unplaced Cohort Breakdown (Doughnut Chart)
  • Salary Tier Package Distribution (Distribution Bar Chart)
  • Monthly Hiring Trends & Seasonality (Smooth Line Chart)
  • Top Recruiting Companies by Total Hires (Horizontal Bar Chart)
• Batch Filtering: Analyze historical placement trends across graduating classes (e.g. Batch 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026).

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5. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) & Security

Feature / Action	Training & Placement Officer (Admin)	Student	Viewer / Faculty
Executive Dashboard & Analytics	Yes	Yes	Yes
Campus Drives (View & Check Eligibility)	Yes	Yes	Yes
1-Click Apply & Withdraw Registration	No	Yes	No
View Applicant Rosters & Export HR Excel	Yes	No	No
Official NAAC Criterion 5.2.1 PDF Generator	Yes	Yes	Yes
Company Prep Hub & Question Bank	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mark Questions as Mastered	No	Yes	No
Add / Edit Student Academic Records	Yes	Self Profile	No
Add / Edit Company Recruiting Profiles	Yes	No	No
Record Verified Placements	Yes	No	No
Real-Time Push Notifications	Yes	Yes	No

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Technology Stack

Frontend:
  ├── React 18 (Functional components, custom hooks)
  ├── React Router v6 (SPA declarative routing)
  ├── Chart.js & react-chartjs-2 (Data visualization)
  ├── Bootstrap 5 & Bootstrap Icons (Clean developer layout)
  ├── jsPDF & jspdf-autotable (Institutional vector PDF generation)
  ├── SheetJS (xlsx) (Accreditation & HR spreadsheet generation)
  └── Socket.IO Client (Real-time duplex communication)

Backend:
  ├── Node.js & Express.js (RESTful micro-service API)
  ├── MongoDB & Mongoose ODM (Aggregation pipelines, compound indexing)
  ├── Socket.IO Server (Room-based push notification dispatch)
  ├── JWT & bcryptjs (Stateless auth & salted password hashing)
  ├── Nodemailer (Automated HTML email notifications)
  └── Google Generative AI SDK (Resume ATS keyword analyzer & mock interview bot)

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Project Structure

placement-tracker/
├── server/
│   ├── models/
│   │   ├── User.js                 # Authentication & studentRef linkage
│   │   ├── Student.js              # Academic credentials, CGPA, backlogs, branch
│   │   ├── Company.js              # Criteria (minCGPA, backlogs, branches), package
│   │   ├── DriveApplication.js    # Compound index { company: 1, student: 1 }
│   │   ├── PrepQuestion.js         # Curated question bank schema with filters
│   │   ├── Placement.js            # Verified job offers & compensation records
│   │   ├── Interview.js            # Senior interview experience writeups
│   │   └── Notification.js         # User alert logs
│   ├── routes/
│   │   ├── auth.js                 # JWT signin, signup, profile resolver
│   │   ├── applications.js         # Eligibility engine, 1-click apply & Excel export
│   │   ├── prep.js                 # Question bank, company hiring guides, upvotes
│   │   ├── stats.js                # Aggregation pipelines for overview & branch stats
│   │   ├── students.js             # Student CRUD, batch filters, search
│   │   ├── companies.js            # Recruiting partners CRUD
│   │   ├── placements.js           # Placement tracking & email trigger
│   │   ├── eligibility.js          # Direct company eligibility evaluations
│   │   ├── ats.js                  # Resume parser & ATS match analysis
│   │   └── mockInterview.js        # AI interview question generation & scoring
│   ├── socket/
│   │   └── socketHandler.js        # Real-time WebSocket emitter
│   ├── utils/
│   │   ├── studentHelper.js        # Auto-link user to student profile
│   │   └── emailService.js         # Nodemailer HTML templates
│   ├── index.js                    # Server bootstrap & WebSocket attach
│   └── database.js                 # MongoDB connection handler
│
└── client/
    ├── src/
    │   ├── pages/
    │   │   ├── Dashboard.js        # Executive KPIs, hero banner & analytics
    │   │   ├── CampusDrives.js     # Live criteria evaluation & 1-click apply
    │   │   ├── CompanyPrepHub.js   # Question bank, company guides & readiness bar
    │   │   ├── Students.js         # Student roster with filters & pagination
    │   │   ├── Companies.js        # Company directory & hiring stats
    │   │   ├── Placements.js       # Placement records & offer management
    │   │   ├── Analytics.js        # In-depth multi-chart reporting
    │   │   ├── Profile.js          # Student portal, resume upload & password
    │   │   └── Interviews.js       # Senior interview experiences
    │   ├── components/
    │   │   ├── NAACReportModal.js  # Interactive NAAC 5.2.1 audit preview modal
    │   │   ├── DriveApplicantsModal.js # HR applicant list & Excel exporter
    │   │   ├── Layout.js           # Responsive sidebar navigation & topbar
    │   │   ├── ConfirmModal.js     # Reusable confirmation dialogs
    │   │   └── NotificationBell.js # Real-time notification drawer
    │   ├── utils/
    │   │   ├── naacReportGenerator.js # Official vector PDF & NAAC Excel generator
    │   │   ├── exportUtils.js      # General XLSX & PDF exporter
    │   │   └── runtimeConfig.js    # Environment URL resolution
    │   └── index.css               # Design system & dark/light mode tokens

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REST API Reference

1. Campus Drive Applications (/api/applications)

Method	Endpoint	Access	Description
GET	/api/applications/drives	Authenticated	Returns all active drives with computed student eligibility & status
POST	/api/applications/apply/:companyId	Student	1-Click registration with server-side validation & snapshotting
DELETE	/api/applications/withdraw/:companyId	Student	Withdraws registered application
GET	/api/applications/company/:id/applicants	Admin / TPO	Returns full applicant roster with contact & academic info
GET	/api/applications/my-applications	Student	Returns student's active drive applications

2. Company Prep Hub & Question Bank (/api/prep)

Method	Endpoint	Access	Description
GET	/api/prep/questions	Authenticated	Returns questions filtered by topic, difficulty, company, search
POST	/api/prep/questions	Authenticated	Contributes a new question to the bank
PUT	/api/prep/questions/:id/like	Authenticated	Upvotes / marks question as helpful
GET	/api/prep/companies	Authenticated	Returns curated round-by-round company recruitment guides

3. Analytics & Statistics (/api/stats)

Method	Endpoint	Access	Description
GET	/api/stats/overview	Authenticated	Key indicators (Total students, placed, rate, avg/max package)
GET	/api/stats/branch-wise	Authenticated	Department-wise cohort size, placed count, average CGPA
GET	/api/stats/package-distribution	Authenticated	CTC tier classification counts
GET	/api/stats/monthly-trend	Authenticated	Monthly offer volume & average package seasonality
GET	/api/stats/company-wise	Authenticated	Top recruiters by total offers extended
GET	/api/stats/batches	Authenticated	Available graduating batch cohorts

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Local Development & Setup

Prerequisites

• Node.js: v18.0.0 or higher
• MongoDB: Local MongoDB instance or MongoDB Atlas cluster connection string
• Package Manager: npm or yarn

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/anoopcodehack/Student-Placement-Tracker.git
cd Student-Placement-Tracker

2. Backend Configuration & Startup

Navigate into the server directory:

cd placement-tracker/server
npm install

Create a .env file in placement-tracker/server/ (refer to .env.example):

PORT=5000
MONGO_URI=your_mongodb_connection_string
JWT_SECRET=your_secure_jwt_secret_key
CLIENT_URL=http://localhost:3000
NODE_ENV=development

# Optional Integrations
GEMINI_API_KEY=your_gemini_api_key
EMAIL_USER=your_college_tpo_email@gmail.com
EMAIL_PASS=your_gmail_app_password

Start the backend server:

npm run dev
# Server starts on http://localhost:5000 with MongoDB connected & auto-seeded

3. Frontend Configuration & Startup

In a separate terminal, navigate into the client directory:

cd placement-tracker/client
npm install
npm start
# Client application opens at http://localhost:3000

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Demo Credentials

Role	Email ID	Password	Access Capabilities
Placement Officer (Admin)	admin@college.edu	admin123	Full portal access, drive creation, applicant exports, NAAC audit generator
Student	Sign up with any USN / Roll No	Self-selected	Personal eligibility engine, 1-click apply, prep hub, ATS scanner
Auditor / Faculty (Viewer)	viewer@college.edu	viewer123	Read-only analytics, dashboard, and accreditation metrics inspection

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Institutional Context & Attribution

Developed for Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru to support the Training & Placement Department, improve placement outcomes, and streamline documentation for NAAC (Criterion 5.2.1), NBA, and NIRF audits.

Lead Developer & Maintainer:

• Anoop A — Full Stack Developer & GFG Campus Mantri, Sahyadri College
• GitHub: @anoopcodehack
• LinkedIn: Anoop A

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. Free to use, adapt, and build upon for educational and institutional placement management.