wondering what are the options for people already present in Canada on student visa? What steps can they take to significantly increase their chances for PR?
Study route steps: Get admitted to a Canadian school -> Apply to IRCC for study visa -> Get your visa if you can convince IRCC you're not trying to get back to school just to get a PR -> Finish your studies -> Apply for PGWP if you're eligible -> Find a job in Canada if you can and work for 1+ years -> Apply for PR under CEC (or TR to PR if it still exists at the time you're applying)
The absolute shortest time of any program you will find will be 1 year; but that's risky because a 1 year program usually gives you a 1 year PGWP. I'm sure you understand why it's risky. So you'll be looking at 2 year programs (master's probably). Assuming you graduate in 2 years (might take longer), you get a 3 year long PGWP which is the max duration of it you can get. Assuming you end up lucky and find a job immediately after graduating, you're looking at 2 + 1 = 3 years from the start date of your studies before you can get your PR. A more realistic time to your PR is below:
Today's date + time till you start your program (~1 year if you ask me) + time to your graduation (>2 years) + time to find a job in Canada (6-12 months) + 1 year Canadian work experience = Today's date + at least 4.5 years
If you end up lucky and find a TR-to-PR opportunity, then you remove the 1 year work experience and get to apply for PR in 3.5 years from today.
I think you're saying you're already on a study permit, then...
Finish your studies (~1 year?) + time to find a job in Canada (6-12 months) + 1 year Canadian work experience = Today's date + at least 2.5 (?) years