Yes I agree with what you have been told.
2k+ is the bare minimum I would accept if I am you.
Have you got any honours?
Have you gotten through at least beyond the initial interview? Could your presentation skills have hindered you? I guess nothing to do but keep trying.
1.8k is decent diploma pay man, for SIM, i am guessing it should not be that low.
Any of your friends gotten jobs already? Hows their pay like? I cant answer with clarity as I am not from SIM. I am a job seeker too
and offers are really quite easy to come by now.