विशेषज्ञ की सलाह चाहिए?हमारे गुरु मदद कर सकते हैं

नवीनतम प्रश्न
Anu

Anu Krishna  |1822 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Sep 30, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 25, 2026
Relationship
Hi, I have been living in posh sector of NOIDA for 36 years with my family including my wife, daughter, son and my parents in a nice huge house of around 12 bed rooms. Three bed room set we have rented out. Now my kids have started working and due to their job profile, are not living with us. Me and my wife live separately in the same house although my kids have their rooms with my parents. Now only we four i.e. parents , me and my wife live in the huge house. My wife purchase a new 2 BHK flat nearby and wants me to move out with her. How can I leave my parents, who are in their 80's now, with whom I have been living for last 57 years since my birth. Neither can I let my wife live all alone. Kindly suggest.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Obviously the current house is too large for just the 4 of you and it only makes sense that you all move into a smaller set up together...any reason why your wife wants to live separately after so many years? It would be worth your time to actually figure out what's happening; it's possible that she's also growing tired of caring for a house and aged in-laws...
Woman that age when their kids step out like a bit of freedom and space from the regular responsibilities...have an honest conversation with her and most importantly be ready to listen to what she has to say...It will help you straighten the situation that you are currently in!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/
(more)
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11476 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 29, 2026

Money
Cani discontinue the premium payment after 2 year
Ans: » Need to Check the Policy Type

Yes, in some insurance policies, you may be able to discontinue premium payments after 2 years. But you should not stop paying without checking the exact policy conditions.

The outcome depends mainly on the type of policy, premium-paying term and policy terms.

» What Can Happen If You Stop

Depending on the policy, stopping premiums may result in:

– The policy becoming paid-up with reduced benefits.

– The policy getting discontinued or lapsing.

– A surrender value becoming available.

– The policy continuing with certain reduced benefits.

– A revival option being available later, subject to conditions.

So, simply completing 2 years does not mean that stopping the premium is always the right option.

» Check These Before Discontinuing

Please check:

– Name of the policy and plan.

– Premium-paying term.

– Total policy term.

– Premium amount and frequency.

– Current surrender value.

– Paid-up value after stopping premiums.

– Life insurance benefit that will continue after discontinuation.

» If It Is an Investment-Cum-Insurance Policy

If this is an investment-cum-insurance product, do not take the decision only because you have completed 2 years.

Compare the financial outcome of continuing, making the policy paid-up, or surrendering it, after considering the benefits already accumulated and the applicable charges.

If the policy is unsuitable for your financial goals, a review can be done before committing further premiums.

» Final Insights

You can potentially discontinue premiums after 2 years, but whether you should do so is a separate question.

Please share the policy name, annual premium, policy term and premium-paying term. If you also share the amount already paid, I can explain the likely options available to you in simple terms.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
(more)
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11476 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 29, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 28, 2026
Money
student i am 20 and non professional with saving and want to invest in mutual fund and aggressive invest and my allocation smallcap , theme,sectoral fund no dedt fund and index , style is active fund only ?
Ans: At 20, having started thinking about investing early is a strong positive. The main focus should now be building the right structure, not simply taking maximum risk.

» Your Proposed Allocation

I would not suggest putting the entire portfolio into small-cap, thematic and sectoral funds.

These categories can be aggressive, but aggressive does not automatically mean better long-term investing.

Sectoral and thematic funds have higher concentration risk because they are restricted to particular sectors or themes.

» A Better Aggressive Approach

For a 20-year-old with a long investment horizon, an equity-heavy portfolio can be considered, provided you can handle large temporary falls without stopping your SIPs.

A diversified structure can include:

– A core allocation through actively managed diversified equity funds.

– A meaningful allocation to mid-cap and small-cap funds.

– A limited allocation to thematic or sectoral funds.

– Debt is not compulsory for every young investor, but some emergency money should remain outside equity.

The key word is diversified.

» Small-Cap Funds

Small-cap funds can provide higher growth potential over a long period, but they can also experience sharp corrections.

Therefore, I would not make small-cap your entire portfolio.

Use it as one part of an aggressive portfolio rather than the complete portfolio.

» Sectoral And Thematic Funds

I would keep this allocation limited.

A sector can remain out of favour for several years. A theme can also take longer than expected to deliver.

You are making a concentrated bet when you choose these categories. So they should be a satellite portion of the portfolio, not the foundation.

» Active Funds Instead Of Index Funds

If your preference is active investing, actively managed funds can certainly be considered.

However, do not select an active fund merely because it has recently beaten an index.

Look at:

– Consistency across market cycles.

– Fund manager experience and investment process.

– Portfolio diversification.

– Risk taken to generate returns.

– Expense ratio.

– Portfolio overlap with your other funds.

» No Debt Fund

At age 20, with a genuinely long investment horizon, having a high equity allocation can be reasonable.

But keep your emergency money separately in suitable low-risk and easily accessible instruments.

Do not put money needed for education, emergencies or other near-term requirements into aggressive equity funds.

» Regular Funds Through MFD

If you invest through an MFD, regular plans can provide ongoing service such as portfolio reviews, asset-allocation checks, rebalancing and goal-based guidance.

Direct plans have a lower expense ratio, but you have to manage fund selection, monitoring and rebalancing yourself.

So the choice should depend on whether you want to manage the portfolio yourself or want ongoing support through an MFD.

» Final Insights

At 20, your biggest advantage is time.

Do not try to maximise risk. Try to maximise the number of years you remain invested.

An aggressive portfolio can be mostly equity, but I would avoid making it entirely small-cap, sectoral and thematic.

Build a diversified core first. Then add small-cap and limited thematic/sectoral exposure around it.

Most importantly, continue investing regularly during market falls. That discipline can matter more than finding the perfect fund.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
(more)
Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |8635 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Sep 29, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 29, 2026
Career
I'm an NRI PCB + AI student (17F) who feels like I have no ambition in life ..I took this stream of my own volition as I was and am still interested in biology and chemistry but never planned on doing NEET (I didn't want to do medical). As I near the end of 12th grade I feel even more uncertain about what lies ahead. I thought after writing any private universities entrance exam, I would do a Bsc and then a Masters after completing that in a field like Biotech, Bioinformatics, Molecular biology or any related field ( I can't even narrow that down yet) but I feel discouraged after going through several threads on Reddit where such fields were frankly not very well liked for its scope in India. (I'm open to earning a degree in AI and ML as well since there is an available course in a uni where I live ). I'm also regretfully really out of touch with the youth culture (owing to my lack of friends there ) so the prospect of relocating for my studies seems more than daunting as an introvert when it comes with the added doubt of whether it`ll even be worth it . Due to financial constraints I dont have the privilege of switching career paths or choosing a top level college and it already feels like I'm setting myself up for failure by aiming for either the affordable colleges in my country of residence or private unis in either Bangalore or Chennai. I want a stable job that's well paid for the work and passion I put in it but it seems so impossible with the cards I've laid out for myself so far..Is it too late to make a difference in my career trajectory and what paths would the respected experts on this site recommend for me so that I can hopefully land a job after my bachelors and be able to fund higher education as well as settle abroad or live a relatively comfortable life at least. Thank you so much for taking time to read this , I will greatly appreciate all responses I get
Ans: Hey, you are not late at all @ 17; you are supposed to be uncertain.

Your interest in biology and chemistry is already a useful starting point; you don't need to decide between biotech, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and AI/ML today. Given your financial constraints, I would prioritize a bachelor’s degree that gives you employable skills after graduation, while keeping higher studies open: for example, Bioinformatics/Computational Biology can combine your PCB background with programming, statistics, and AI, whereas a pure Biology degree may require a Master's/PhD for many specialised careers.

If you genuinely enjoy mathematics/programming, AI/ML is another viable route, but don't choose it merely because Reddit says it has better scope. Whichever degree you choose, build practical skills alongside it: Python, statistics, SQL, data analysis, scientific computing, internships, and projects, and judge colleges by curriculum, affordability, internships, and placement outcomes, not reputation alone. Being introverted or anxious about relocating is not a career disadvantage; university is also where you can gradually build your social and professional circle. Most importantly, your first degree is not a life sentence: a sensible, affordable bachelor's + strong skills + work experience can give you the income and flexibility to fund a Master's later, including abroad.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam
(more)
Krishna

Krishna Kumar  |420 Answers  |Ask -

Workplace Expert - Answered on Sep 28, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 28, 2026
Career
Lost in Life. Seems like I'm finished I’m 25 years old and will turn 26 in October. I completed my B.Tech in Computer Science in 2022. After graduation, I worked as a Graduate Engineer Trainee until November 2023. I resigned from my job because I wanted to seriously prepare for the UPSC examination. I never imagined that the next few years would completely change my life. I lost my father, and overnight, a huge part of the responsibility for my family came onto my shoulders. Then lost my grandfather. Since then, life has been less about career choices and more about dealing with one responsibility after another. I had to take care of my sister’s wedding. Then came my mother’s surgery. My grandmother has Parkinson’s disease and requires care as well. There were things happening in my family that I simply could not ignore or walk away from. I had plans for my career. I had dreams. I wanted to prepare for UPSC and build something meaningful for myself. But circumstances kept forcing me to put everything else aside. Today, I’m in a very difficult position. Our primary source of income is currently half of my grandmother’s pension. I came to Noida in January with the hope that I would find a job, become financially independent again, and start rebuilding my life. Since then, I have been applying and attending interviews. I have been rejected, ghosted, and left without any response multiple times. At one point, I was selected by an MNC, and I genuinely thought things were finally going to get better. But then the company froze the recruitment. That one decision completely shattered the little financial stability and hope I had at that point. I’m currently living in Noida and paying more than ₹12,000 every month just for my living, apart from food, travel, and other expenses. Every month, I have to think about how I’m going to manage the next one. And honestly, it is becoming extremely difficult. There are days when I feel completely exhausted. I’m dealing with a lot of anxiety, stress, and what feels like depression. I wake up knowing that my family depends on me, but at the same time, I don’t have a stable source of income myself. Despite all of this, I haven’t completely given up. I have started preparing for government examinations, particularly Computer Science-related posts, because I want a stable career and, more importantly, I want to be in a position where I can take care of my family without constantly worrying about losing my income. But I’m extremely confused about what I should do now. I’m not looking for shortcuts or sympathy. I’m looking for practical advice from people who have been through career gaps, difficult circumstances, job searches, or similar situations. I have a B.Tech in Computer Science, professional experience, and I’m willing to work hard. I’m not afraid of starting again from a lower position if necessary. I just need an opportunity to get back on my feet. Please don’t suggest BPO or similar jobs. I’m specifically looking for decent technical, operations, analyst, or other professional roles where my education and previous experience can be useful, while still leaving me enough stability and time to prepare for government examinations. My biggest concern right now is not just my career. It is my family. I need to become financially stable, support my mother and grandmother, rebuild my career after this gap, and somehow keep moving forward instead of feeling like I’m constantly falling behind. If you were in my position at with a B.Tech, around 1.5 years of work experience, a career gap due to UPSC preparation and family responsibilities, limited financial support, and immediate pressure to start earning again - what would you do? I would genuinely appreciate any practical, honest advice, career leads, or direction you can provide. I’m trying very hard not to give up. I just need to figure out which direction to take from here.
Ans: Hello

Let me confess it's not easy for anyone to be in your situation, life has thrown multiple challenges at you from all the directions.

What is admirable is your never say die attitude. From your words I can tell that you are willing to try again and again and not give up. This is your biggest strength.

Here is what I would suggest.

While preparing for UPSC exam is indeed commendable, suggest you put time and efforts to get a job in private sector in your domain which is Computer Science.

I am sure you are aware of the rapid development and opportunities in the the field of AI-ML, given your B.Tech in CS, May I suggest you self educate yourself in this domain. For someone like you with a great attitude to learn and grow, I am sure you will be able to master the field and find good breakthrough.

So learn AI-ML field, get a job in private sector so that you can steady your income and then prepare for UPSC exams. Steady income and job will give you more confidence to prepare for the exams and also give you a sense of satisfaction of taking care of family responsibilities.

You need to balance between:

Your Dream, which is clearing UPSC exam.....
Your current family Responsibilities, which is need for a steady income.....
and your Reality, which is multiple challenges.

Accept all three...don't deny anything...work with Patience and believe me You Will Succeed...!!

Wishing you the very best.

Warm Regards
KK
(more)
Dr Nagarajan J S K

Dr Nagarajan J S K   |3315 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Sep 28, 2026

Career
Hello Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance regarding my EWS certificate and GATE 2027/M.Tech admission. My situation is a little unusual, so I wanted to explain it clearly. My family is originally from Bihar. We still have our family/home there, and my mother's address and documents are from Bihar. I also have a valid Bihar EWS Income & Asset Certificate. However, I was born in Kolkata because my parents moved to Kolkata, and I have lived in Kolkata throughout my life. My schooling and graduation were also completed in Kolkata. My current/permanent residential address is Kolkata, West Bengal. I am now applying for GATE 2027 from Kolkata and intend to use my GATE score for M.Tech admission in IITs/NITs through the relevant counselling process. My family circumstances are also a little complicated: My father is deceased. My grandfather is deceased. My mother lives with me in Kolkata, but her official address/documents are from Bihar. I do not own any agricultural land/property. My mother does not own any agricultural land/property. Actually, I lived with my paternal uncle. My main concern is regarding the Bihar EWS certificate vs. my Kolkata permanent address. Since my EWS certificate is issued by Bihar, but I was born and educated in Kolkata, my current/permanent address is Kolkata, and I will be applying for GATE from Kolkata, could this create any issue during M.Tech admission/counselling document verification? Specifically, I would like to know: Can I use my Bihar EWS certificate for Central EWS reservation in GATE-based M.Tech admissions? Is there any requirement that the address/state mentioned in my EWS certificate must match my current/permanent address in the GATE application? Could the fact that my GATE application shows Kolkata, West Bengal, while my EWS certificate is from Bihar, cause a problem during CCMT/IIT/NIT document verification? Since my family genuinely belongs to Bihar, we have a home there, and my mother's official address is Bihar, does this establish my connection/residence with Bihar for the purpose of the EWS certificate? Do I need any additional document or affidavit explaining that my family is originally from Bihar but my parents moved to Kolkata, where I was born, raised, and educated? I want to make sure everything is correct before GATE 2027 counselling/admission, because I don't want any problem during document verification later. Could you please advise me whether my Bihar EWS certificate + Kolkata permanent address/GATE application combination is acceptable, and whether I need any additional documents
Ans: Hi Ujwal.
Greetings from the REDIFFGURUS!
Before I can answer your query, I need two clarifications from you:

1. Do you belong to the General category? If you do not belong to the General category, then you are not eligible to apply for EWS.

2. Do you own any property, land, or a home (not rented)? There seems to be a discrepancy in your statements. You mentioned that you do not have property or land in Bihar, but you also stated that you have a home in Bihar and that your mother's official address is in Bihar. Which one is correct?

Kindly share the details.

BEST WISHES.
(more)
Komal

Komal Jethmalani  |500 Answers  |Ask -

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Sep 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 16, 2026
Health
My office day starts around 8:30–8:45 am, and I currently weigh 110 kg. I usually have a cup of black coffee when I arrive, then eat breakfast around 9:50 am from our canteen. The options are mostly bread- or pav-based items such as misal pav, bread pakoda, butter bread or pav vada. I have another black coffee around 11:30 am, but between 11:30 and 12:30 I often start munching on something because lunch is only at 1:15 pm. I’m not always sure whether I’m genuinely hungry or just eating because I’m sitting at my desk with coffee. Is this routine unhealthy, especially given my weight, and what would be a better way to plan my breakfast or mid-morning snack so I can manage my hunger, avoid unnecessary munching and support healthy weight loss before lunch?
Ans: Your current routine can trigger unnecessary hunger and snacking—not because you lack discipline, but because the timing, food type, and coffee pattern are working against your natural appetite rhythms. Misal pav, bread pakoda, butter bread, vada pav are all high?carb, low?protein foods. Coffee reduces appetite for 45–90 minutes, but when it wears off, hunger rebounds sharply, acidity increases and cravings feel stronger. Have your black coffee, but add one small protein source before or with it. like boiled eggs (1–2), greek yogurt / curd cup or roasted channa. Avoid or limit bread pakoda, butter bread, pav vada etc. Ideal mini-snacks (100–150 kcal)
include fruit (banana, apple, pear) or a handful of nuts.
(more)
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11476 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 26, 2026

Money
I invested Rs. 17000 in digital gold in the month of February 2026 when the gold was rallying northward with the hope of making some quick bucks but since then it has always remained in the negative with no signs of upward movement. What should I do now. Shall I stay put or I should come out it because even the PM has requested not to purchase gold even during the upcoming wedding season.
Ans: It is good that you are reviewing the decision instead of reacting only to the current negative return.

Your original purpose was to make quick money from a rising gold price. That is important. Gold is generally better treated as a diversification asset, not as a short-term trading instrument.

Also, the recent fall does not mean that gold has permanently lost its value. Gold prices had a sharp rally earlier in 2026 and have also seen a meaningful correction and volatility since then.

» About the PMs Statement

Yes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to Indians to avoid buying gold unless it is necessary. The context was reducing discretionary imports and promoting domestic spending and self-reliance.

However, this should not be treated as a direct investment call to sell your existing gold.

There is a difference between:

– A policy appeal to reduce unnecessary gold purchases.

– An investment decision about an amount you have already invested.

So I would not sell merely because of that statement.

» The Bigger Issue: Digital Gold

There is another important point in your case.

SEBI has cautioned investors about digital gold products offered through online platforms. Such products are outside SEBI's regulatory framework and may involve counterparty and operational risks.

The investor-protection mechanisms applicable to SEBI-regulated securities are not available for such products.

Therefore, your decision should not be based only on whether your Rs.17,000 is currently showing a loss.

You should also ask:

– Why am I holding digital gold?

– Is the platform and product structure suitable for long-term holding?

– Was the investment intended for short-term trading or diversification?

» What I Would Do

Since the original intention was quick profit, I would not continue holding it simply with the hope that it will soon recover.

If you have no specific long-term requirement for gold, you can consider exiting the digital gold and redirecting the money towards a properly planned investment aligned with your goals.

At Rs.17,000, the bigger lesson is more important than the current profit or loss.

Avoid making investment decisions based on recent price momentum. Gold was rising sharply when you bought it, which probably influenced the decision. The same emotion can now make you hold it because you want to recover the loss.

Both decisions are driven by the market price rather than your financial goal.

» If You Still Want Gold Exposure

If gold is part of your overall asset allocation, it can have a role as a diversification asset.

But I would prefer a regulated investment route rather than accumulating digital gold merely for price speculation. The important point is to decide the appropriate allocation first and then select the investment vehicle.

Do not keep adding money just because the price has fallen.

» 360-Degree View

For your overall financial plan, I would look at:

– Emergency fund and liquidity.

– Life and health insurance adequacy.

– Existing equity and debt investments.

– Gold exposure, including physical and digital gold.

– Near-term financial goals.

– Retirement requirements.

– Tax impact before selling any investment.

– Whether the investment is being made for a goal or merely for a quick return.

The Rs.17,000 itself is not likely to materially change your financial future. The investment behaviour you develop from this experience can.

» Final Insights

I would not sell digital gold merely because the PM has advised against unnecessary gold purchases.

But I also would not hold it indefinitely just to recover the current loss.

Since your original objective was quick profit, reassess that objective first. If you no longer have a reason to hold digital gold, exiting and moving towards a goal-based, diversified investment plan can be considered.

Most importantly, dont chase a rising asset after a rally. Decide the purpose and allocation first, then invest.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
(more)
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11476 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 25, 2026

Money
Hi Sir, I got a gold about 30gms which we got as gift for my son on his 1st birthday form his grand parents and relatives. I and my wife thought to sell that gold and invest that liquid amount in FD or any other cashflow instrument for his education purpose. As we admitted him in good pvt school going forward we feel that it will be difficult for us to afford his education. I would like to know your view on this.
Ans: It is a thoughtful decision to use an asset received for your sons future education. At the same time, I would not rush to sell the gold only because school expenses may increase.

» Purpose of the Gold

– The 30 grams of gold was received as a family gift for your son. So it has both financial and emotional value.

– Gold can also act as a long-term asset and need not be treated as an idle investment.

– Before selling, discuss with your wife whether you are comfortable converting this family gift into an education corpus.

» Should You Sell the Gold?

– If the gold is jewellery, selling it may involve making charges and other deductions. The amount received may therefore be lower than the current market value of the gold.

– If you do not have adequate emergency savings, selling the gold and keeping the entire amount in an FD may not be the best use of the money.

– However, if your emergency fund is already comfortable and you have a clear education goal, converting part or all of the gold into a financial investment can be considered.

– The key point is not gold versus FD. The key question is how much money you need for your sons education and when you will need it.

» FD or Growth-Oriented Investment?

– If the education requirement is very close, capital safety becomes more important. FD or other suitable fixed-income options can have a role.

– If your son is still very young and the education goal is many years away, you have more time to use growth-oriented investments.

– For a long-term education goal, a combination of equity-oriented mutual funds and safer fixed-income investments can be considered.

– Do not put the entire education corpus into equity. As the education date comes closer, gradually reduce the exposure to market-linked assets.

» Build the Education Corpus Separately

– Your regular monthly SIP should ideally continue for retirement and other long-term goals.

– Create a separate education corpus for your son.

– The gold sale proceeds, if you decide to sell, can become the initial contribution to this corpus.

– Going forward, even a small monthly SIP dedicated only to education can make the plan stronger.

– As school fees rise over the years, review the education corpus once every year and increase the contribution whenever your income improves.

» Do Not Depend Only on FD

– FD gives stability and predictable interest, but long-term education costs can rise faster than the return available after tax.

– Therefore, using only FD for a very long education goal may reduce the growth potential of the corpus.

– A mix of growth assets and safer assets can provide better balance between growth and capital protection.

» 360-Degree Financial Check

– Before using the gold, first ensure you have an adequate emergency fund.

– Check that health insurance is sufficient for the family.

– Ensure adequate term insurance for the earning members.

– Keep retirement planning separate from your sons education planning.

– Avoid taking large loans later only because education expenses were underestimated today.

» My View

– If your son is still many years away from higher education, I would not sell the gold merely to put the money into an FD.

– If you are comfortable emotionally with selling the gift and your emergency fund and insurance are already in place, the gold can be converted into a dedicated education corpus.

– The better approach is to combine the initial corpus with regular monthly investments and review the goal every year.

– Most importantly, do not allow the good private school expense to disturb your retirement savings. Your sons education and your retirement need to be planned together.

» Final Insights

– The 30 grams of gold is a useful starting asset, but it need not carry the entire education burden.

– With disciplined monthly investing, increasing contributions as income grows, and gradually moving towards safer assets when the education date approaches, you can build a meaningful education corpus.

– A goal-based review will give you much better clarity than simply choosing between gold and FD.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
(more)
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |12574 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Sep 24, 2026

Career
Namaste..This is my story. My name is Prateek Kumar and I am 19. I am very confused in my life regarding my career choices. I passed my class 12 in 2025 from CBSE board PCB stream. Till class 10, I did not know anything about what to choose after going to class 11 and what career scope is there in which thing. I was very confused for many days in the beginning whether I should take PCM, PCB or Commerce? I asked everyone, and everyone had their own advice. Finally, When the last date for registration came, something had to be decided ,after listening to my family and friends, I took the PCB, because everyone said it was the safest. There are many more reasons I myself don't know why I chose PCB stream. My confusion did not end, rather, I started exploring more and more career options and started knowing about them on the internet and everywhere. Gradually my personality started making me a multiple interested person and I became interested in many things. I started to feel that I have the potential and I can do any work, but there is no clarity, I want to be sure once so I did that work with full concentration. Although I had taken medical stream, gradually I got attracted towards engineering, technology, business, IITs, NITs. I don't know what the reason was for this, it could be social media influence or the people around me were my friends. Gradually I started getting interested in things like law, business, finance, economics, statistics, MBA, aviation AI, machine learning, data science etc. Even after passing class 12, I was applying for the online AI and Data Science program of IIT Jodhpur but I did not have maths so I could not eligible. I started feeling that I don't have maths and that's why I am missing out on all these options. But I wasn't sure. I firmly decided that I would take math and prepare for the JEE, hoping to at least get into the NIT. But I came to know that I will not be eligible with single subject maths, for that I should have marksheet of 5 subjects from one proper board with PCM. I was afraid to take that step again to get the 75% criteria to study for Class 12, so I didn't take that step to do math again. But I was so scared, I felt that if I choose this path then the other options will be lost and then I will regret it and hence I could not take any decision. Since after I passed class 12 , I thought of taking a gap of one year to figure out which direction I want to go and which career I want to choose. But unfortunately that year was wasted due to a lot of instability like death of my grandmother and financial problems at home and many more. There was some negligence on my part too. I had gone too much into my comfort zone, Movies and travelling had become too much. This is also a main reason for my gap year getting wasted. Last when January 2026 came and the form for CUET came, I became serious, I thought that I should study and I started preparing for CUET. But I didn't know which course I was preparing for because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I also enrolled at UP Polytechnic for diploma in engineering and pharmacy. Due to lack of preparation, I didn't score well. I scored 347 out of 1250 on the CUET. I applied to a few universities with that score but I didn't know the courses, so I applied to all the courses in which I had even a little interest and were related to my stream.Like bsc biology related courses like bsc biotechnology, biomedical, microbiology, b pharma and also non biology courses like ba economics, political science, bca, and it was here that I became interested in courses like BA LLB If I tell you the truth, I started feeling like doing B.Tech like B.Tech biotechnology, biomedical engineering, mechanical civil and then architecture. I felt like doing MBA, so I wanted to do courses like B.Sc. Hons. Statistics or B.Sc. Hons. Economics. I was interested in top government jobs like IAS, IFS, and RBI. At that point, I was very very confused. I did not get admission in all those courses on the basis of that score of my CUET and even if I was getting admission, I was not able to take it from because I felt that I was still not clear about What do I want to do, which career field should I go into? I feel that I have potential, but I just don't have clarity and satisfaction about which direction to take. One of my friends is preparing for NEET, one is preparing for UPSC, two of my friends have gone to IIT, one wants to make a career in trading, one wants to do coding and one wants to become a doctor. Everyone knows what to do in their life, only I don't know anything. Many people suggested me to get admission in BA or B.Sc here in my village and prepare for government job but I did not want to study here. The truth is that I don't know what I want to do. I did not take admission anywhere this year either, neither in any college, nor in D Pharma, nor in Polytechnic. All my friends are doing something or the other, either preparation or college, but I am not able to decide anything. The thing is, I don't even know which direction to take or what my career goals are. I look at the people around me and see that everyone has some kind of aim or direction. I have not been able to decide anything yet. Today it has been 1.5 years since I passed class 12 and yet I haven't been able to make any decisions. Sometimes I think about adding math, maybe it will open up more options. But still, I can't tell myself what to do. It's getting worse and worse for me. Time is just passing by, but I'm not doing anything. Sometimes I worry so much. I feel a lot of anxiety from within about not doing anything, please help. I'm stuck in decision paralysis analysis. I have a lot of procrastination and overthinking. I feel FOMO. It seems everyone is happy with their decisions and moving forward, but I'm the only one seeking perfection. What should I do? Which career should I pursue?Many options are slowly closing, and the regret of not taking them is immense. So much regret that I sometimes feel like crying just thinking about it. I had thought that I would add maths after class 12, but due to the same analysis paralysis, perfectionism and need for clarity, I did nothing till date. And I regret it too, but still I am not able to take even a single step. Please help sir, anyone please help.I don't want a life where I always live in dissatisfaction and regret. I want to explore and experience a lot. But I can't figure out what to do. Whenever I think about making a decision, the rest seem right, while the one I've made seems wrong. What should I do, please help me because no one is able to understand this, neither my family nor my friends...
Ans: Prateek, your main challenge is decision paralysis driven by a desire to avoid making the wrong choice, often intensified by the vast amount of conflicting information online. It's natural to seek certainty, but comparing your journey to others can obscure your unique strengths and potential. To move forward constructively, consider shortlisting three realistic pathways you qualify for right now—such as Pharmacy, BCA, or Law. Over the next two weeks, you can gain practical insights by reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn rather than continuing endless online research, with the goal of committing to a concrete enrollment decision by the end of next month. Finding a "perfect" career immediately is not necessary; choosing a reasonable direction and testing it through action will help build the clarity you need. If the pressure of making this decision feels too overwhelming or significantly impacts your daily well-being, please prioritize speaking with a qualified professional for guidance. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.
(more)
Loading...Please wait!
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x