क्या मुझे सॉफ्टवेयर इंजीनियर बनने के लिए 28 साल की उम्र में स्कूल वापस जाना चाहिए?

Ans: It all depends on your area of interest. Both are good. Just go through the general curriculum of both branches. You will get an idea of which is more suitable for you. All branches need skill upgrades during the next four years. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Riddhi, It all depends on your area of interest. Both are good. Just go through the general curriculum of both branches. You will get an idea of which is more suitable for you. All branches need skill upgrades during the next four years. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: You have shared detailed inputs. I really appreciate your clarity and effort. Your goals are big and your commitment towards them is sincere. Now let us assess your mutual fund portfolio, analyse gaps and plan a proper rebalancing strategy.

Below is a complete 360-degree review of your investments and recommendations.

Investment Goals Review
You have two important goals.

First, Rs 1 crore for your child’s education after 10 years.

Second, Rs 1 crore for your retirement after 10 years.

Both goals are clear, time-bound and realistic.

Your goal-based investing mindset is appreciable.

Your high risk appetite also helps in targeting long-term wealth creation.

Since your goals are after 10 years, an equity-oriented strategy suits you well.

But continuous monitoring and timely rebalancing is important.

Staying invested is not enough. Strategic adjustments are needed over time.

Let us evaluate your existing SIPs next.

Existing SIP Portfolio Assessment
You are currently investing Rs 15,500 every month through SIPs.

All your funds are from equity categories.

Your portfolio has coverage in large cap, mid cap, flexicap and large & mid cap.

This gives a decent diversification within equity.

There is sectoral and market cap mix in place.

You have avoided overlapping funds, which is good.

Overall fund selection shows that you are targeting growth.

The portfolio leans more towards mid cap and flexicap strategies.

These have potential for high growth but also higher volatility.

A balance of stability and growth is needed going ahead.

There is no hybrid or balanced allocation yet.

This limits protection during market downturns.

SIP amounts also need to be increased gradually towards your Rs 25,000 limit.

Let us now look at your discontinued SIPs.

Analysis of Discontinued SIPs
You have stopped SIPs in two equity funds.

First, a small cap fund with Rs 56,000 invested.

Second, an emerging bluechip fund with Rs 2.64 lakhs invested.

You have not redeemed them yet.

Retaining them without active investment creates portfolio imbalance.

These funds are lying idle without a goal alignment.

Small caps are highly volatile and risky in nature.

In a high-risk profile, small caps are okay but in limited exposure only.

The emerging bluechip fund has a mid and large cap mix.

But as you have stopped SIPs here, it's not adding consistency anymore.

Keeping these without integration weakens your portfolio structure.

You must rebalance and reinvest them wisely.

Rebalancing Strategy for Idle Funds
You can plan fresh allocation from the Rs 3.2 lakh idle investments.

Divide it between small cap and hybrid funds.

Allocate Rs 1 lakh to small cap fund in lumpsum.

Use only a high-quality, consistently performing small cap fund.

Start fresh SIP of Rs 2,000 in the same small cap fund monthly.

Avoid sector-based or thematic small caps. Use only diversified fund.

Allocate remaining Rs 2.2 lakhs into a hybrid aggressive equity fund.

This hybrid fund will provide cushion during volatile market periods.

Hybrid funds offer growth and protection.

They rebalance equity and debt dynamically.

They reduce emotional panic during market corrections.

Also start SIP of Rs 2,000 in the same hybrid fund.

Gradual entry through SIP helps reduce risk.

Monthly SIP Reallocation
You can invest up to Rs 25,000 monthly in SIPs.

You are currently investing Rs 15,500.

Increase SIPs by Rs 9,500 across suggested categories.

Here is a balanced approach for this:

Increase flexicap fund SIP by Rs 2,000.

Start fresh SIP in hybrid aggressive fund for Rs 2,000.

Start fresh SIP in a small cap fund for Rs 2,000.

Increase SIP in large and midcap fund by Rs 1,500.

Increase SIP in large cap fund by Rs 2,000.

This mix will offer growth and controlled volatility.

Key Strengths in Your Portfolio
You are consistent in SIP investments.

You have selected funds from different categories.

Your goals are clear and measurable.

You have stopped some SIPs but not exited impulsively.

You have stayed invested in equity through all phases.

Your risk profile is well aligned to your strategy.

Areas That Need Improvement
There is no allocation to hybrid or debt.

All current SIPs are in pure equity.

Portfolio lacks downside protection.

Small caps need to be handled cautiously.

Idle investments must be put to use.

SIP amount is under-utilised. You can invest more.

No automatic rebalancing mechanism is in place.

Future goals need better alignment with asset allocation.

Importance of Diversified Allocation
Equity is good for growth.

But combining it with hybrid gives better stability.

Flexicap and large & mid cap give market-wide coverage.

Small cap must be less than 10-15% of overall portfolio.

Hybrid funds manage asset mix smartly.

They reduce emotional decision-making in volatile markets.

Flexibility in funds increases long-term success.

Risk Management Suggestions
Equity funds carry market risk.

Small cap and mid cap have high volatility.

Avoid overexposure to one market cap.

Limit small cap exposure to 10-12% of total.

Maintain some investments in hybrid or balanced funds.

Don’t try to time the market.

Stay invested through ups and downs.

Review your portfolio once every 6 months.

Taxation Awareness
When selling equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%.

Plan redemption only after checking tax impact.

Keep track of each fund’s holding period.

Avoid Direct Funds
You did not mention direct funds. But here is a key note.

Direct funds may look cheaper.

But they don’t offer guidance or support.

Investing through an MFD with CFP certification adds great value.

You get timely reviews, goal alignment and hand-holding.

Many investors lose more by mistakes in direct funds.

Avoid Index Funds
Index funds follow a passive strategy.

They just copy the market index.

No active selection or exit is done by the fund manager.

During market falls, index funds also fall without protection.

Actively managed funds aim for better risk-adjusted returns.

Good active funds can beat benchmarks consistently.

Next Steps to Follow
Reinvest idle funds into small cap and hybrid fund.

Start fresh SIPs of Rs 2,000 in each.

Increase existing SIPs to reach Rs 25,000 monthly.

Focus on flexicap, hybrid, large and midcap.

Keep small cap SIP under 15% of monthly SIP.

Stay invested with discipline for 10 years.

Don’t panic during market corrections.

Do portfolio review every 6 months.

Take guidance from Certified Financial Planner regularly.

Finally
You have built a good foundation.

You just need sharper planning now.

Your goals are possible with a better structure.

Rebalance idle investments.

Allocate monthly SIPs smartly.

Focus on stability, growth and discipline.

You are on the right track. Continue with focus and patience.

A Certified Financial Planner can guide you further with custom planning.

Keep your financial journey goal-driven and well-monitored.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: With 100 marks in IAT (OBC-NCL), admission to IISc Bangalore is unlikely, as its 2024 cutoff for OBC-NCL required ~180–190 marks (expected rank ~420–515). However, newer IISERs like IISER Berhampur (2024 OBC-NCL cutoff: ~95–110 marks) and IISER Tirupati (cutoff: ~100–120 marks) are feasible. For IISER Pune/Kolkata, scores of 160+ marks are typically needed, making them unattainable. Focus on IISER Berhampur or Tirupati during counseling, where your marks align with historical cutoffs. Confirm your category rank post-results, as seat allocation depends on rank, not absolute marks. While IISc remains improbable, mid-tier IISERs offer viable pathways for BS-MS programs. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Hopna, depends upon your Interest. If you like Maths more compared to Biology, go for PCM. Else, prefer PCB. However, Please AVOID taking both Maths & Biology. Choose either Maths or Biology. All the BEST for your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Choosing between VIT AP (Category 5 CSE) and Karunya University Coimbatore (CSE) depends on institutional strengths and career goals. VIT AP offers ABET-accredited programs with industry partnerships (Cisco, Amazon) and modern labs (NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core), but its newer campus (established 2017) has limited alumni networks and inconsistent non-CSE placements. Karunya University, a NAAC A++ institution since 1986, provides robust infrastructure, SUSE-certified cloud/AI labs, and stronger alumni ties, with 83.9% CSE placements (2024) and niche roles in cybersecurity/embedded systems. While VIT AP’s VIT brand aids IT recruitment, Karunya’s established industry collaborations (Intel, Mercedes-Benz) and lower student-to-faculty ratio (15:1) ensure personalized mentorship. Prioritize VIT AP for VIT’s pan-India IT recruiter access or Karunya for specialized training and stable academic ecosystems. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Rajan Sir, With a JEE Main rank of 44,500 and 70% in CBSE, your son is not eligible for ECE or AI branches at DTU or NSUT under the General category. The closing ranks for Electronics and Communication Engineering at DTU have consistently been below 24,000, and for Artificial Intelligence and related CSE specializations at NSUT, the cutoffs are typically under 10,000–13,000 for General candidates. Even for less competitive branches like Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, the cutoffs at both DTU and NSUT are well below your son’s current rank. Both universities reserve most seats for Delhi domicile students, and competition for All India seats is intense, especially for popular branches. Admission to ECE or AI at these institutions would require a much lower rank, generally within the top 20,000–25,000. Given his current rank, it is advisable to consider other reputable engineering colleges or state-level institutions where the cutoffs are more attainable, or to explore allied branches such as Instrumentation, Manufacturing, or newer specializations in emerging institutes. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: I assume you are referring to TNEA Counselling for 144.5 Cutoff. Answer to your question: With a TNEA cutoff of 144.5, admission to CSE or ECE in top Tamil Nadu colleges like Anna University, PSG Tech, or CIT is not feasible, as their cutoffs for these branches are much higher. However, you have good chances for CSE, ECE, or IT in reputable mid-tier colleges such as Hindusthan Institute of Technology (Coimbatore), Sree Sastha College of Engineering (Thiruvallur), Prathyusha Institute of Technology and Management (Thiruvallur), M Kumarasamy College of Engineering (Karur), and Government College of Engineering, Bargur, all of which typically accept students with cutoffs in the 140–160 range. Branches like Mechanical, Civil, and EEE are also accessible in these institutions. With a VITEEE rank of 86,687, CSE or ECE at VIT Vellore or Chennai is not possible, but you are eligible for CSE, ECE, IT, or allied branches at VIT-AP and VIT Bhopal, typically under higher fee categories. For JEE Main, a 74.26 percentile does not secure CSE/ECE in NITs or IIITs but may help in private universities or state counseling. Overall, prioritize CSE or ECE in mid-tier Tamil Nadu colleges through TNEA and consider VIT-AP or VIT Bhopal for similar branches, focusing on institutions with solid placement records and infrastructure. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Ans: Both Merchant Navy (Deck Side) and Computer Science at GL Bajaj or Jaypee Institute offer distinct career trajectories. The Merchant Navy provides an adventurous, well-structured path starting as a deck cadet, requiring a minimum of 60% in PCM, physical fitness, and a strong commitment to extended periods at sea—typically six months onboard, followed by shore leave. Progression involves pre-sea training, 18 months of sea service, and successive exams for officer ranks, but the lifestyle demands long separations and adaptability to challenging environments. In contrast, Computer Science at GL Bajaj or potentially Jaypee (Sector 128) offers a stable, land-based career with opportunities in software, IT, and emerging tech fields, allowing for greater work-life balance and proximity to family. If your son is passionate about travel, maritime life, and can handle long durations away from home, Merchant Navy can be rewarding and prestigious. However, if family presence, flexibility, and a technology-driven career are priorities, Computer Science from a reputable institute is preferable, especially as the tech sector offers diverse roles and growth. Consider his temperament, adaptability, and long-term lifestyle preferences before making a decision. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURURS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.