Sir, i have competed my BE civil in 2020 and i have an exp of 3 yrs in industrial project and i got admisison in NICMAR -REUIM ,Should i join the course or continue my job as post NICMAR Salaries not paid as expected....and my UG percentage is 58%which may effect my placement in NICMAR ..Pls advice wether to continue job and grow or go for PG.

Ans: Hi,
It is better to stay in the same company for security. In any case, your company has promised to bring you back to your core area after 3 years.

Ans: It's natural to feel conflicted about whether to pursue your passion or stick with a secure job, especially when considering factors like job market volatility and personal abilities. Here are some points to consider that might help you make a decision: Consider the balance between pursuing your passion for control and robotics fields and the stability offered by your current government job at a PSU. Think about what will ultimately bring you more fulfillment and satisfaction in the long run. While the job market for control and robotics fields may have some volatility, these sectors also offer opportunities for growth and innovation. Research the demand for professionals in these fields, the potential for career advancement, and the types of companies or industries that are investing in automation and robotics technologies. Reflect on your interest in the control and robotics fields and your desire to learn and grow professionally. Pursuing a master's degree in these areas could provide you with valuable skills, knowledge, and experiences that align better with your career aspirations and interests. While age can be a factor in career decisions, it's important to prioritize your long-term career goals and personal fulfillment. With good financial support and a willingness to learn, you can overcome any perceived limitations and make meaningful progress in your career. Assess the potential risks and rewards associated with transitioning to a new field versus staying in your current job. Consider developing a backup plan or exploring part-time or online learning options that allow you to gain skills in control and robotics fields while maintaining your current job security. 

Assess the potential risks and rewards associated with transitioning to a new field versus staying in your current job. Consider developing a backup plan or exploring part-time or online learning options that allow you to gain skills in control and robotics fields while maintaining your current job security.

Ans: (1) Better to continue with the Start-up, your Son is working & gaining experience.
(2) To sincerely work and prove himself as a good performer and ask for a hike in salary after 6-months.
(3) However, should continue upgrading his skills through Coursera, Internshala, LinkedIn, NPTEL etc.
(4) Advise him to have a Professional LinkedIn and keep Job Alerts to know the job market trends, related to his domain.
(5) After gaining minimum 1-year experience from the start-up he is now, he can start applying for jobs, especially through LinkedIn.
(6) To keep monitoring the overall performance of the start-up to ensure whether he can continue with the job or to start searching for another job.
(7) Should continue researching about his domain and know the job market trends in Google, LinkedIn, Job Portals etc.

All the BEST for Your Son's Bright Future.

To know more on ‘ Careers | Education | Jobs’, ask / Follow Us here in RediffGURUS.

Ans: You’ve shown real commitment by becoming disciplined in recent years.
Let’s now create a 360-degree plan to secure your financial future.

Your Current Financial Profile
Age: 46 years

Employment: Central Government

Monthly in-hand salary: Rs. 88,000

NPS corpus: Rs. 30 lakhs

LIC investment: Rs. 8 lakhs (matures in 2027)

Gold bought from 2020 till now: Rs. 25 lakhs

Owns ancestral home; no housing rent or EMI burden

Married late; has 3-year-old son

No other investments currently

You have built a strong NPS corpus.
You also have gold and an LIC policy.
But your asset allocation is unbalanced.
It needs more diversification for stability and growth.

Understanding NPS and the New UPS Option
Government employees now have the choice to move from NPS to UPS.
This switch is optional and available for a limited time.

Let’s compare them carefully before any decision.

NPS – National Pension System
Pension is based on market performance

No assured income in retirement

Allows investment choice in equity and debt

Gives tax benefits under multiple sections

Offers flexibility but comes with market risk

NPS is good for growth but lacks guaranteed pension.
Returns depend on fund performance.
Pension amount at retirement is not fixed.
You will need to buy annuity at the end.
But annuity returns are generally low.
Also, annuity income is taxable.

UPS – Unified Pension Scheme (New Option)
Offers guaranteed pension after retirement

Pension amount is fixed at 50% of average last salary

Needs at least 25 years of service

Government will contribute more than under NPS

Gives peace of mind with predictable income

UPS gives financial stability in retirement.
It is not linked to market returns.
But you lose the flexibility and market growth of NPS.
You also don’t have control over your retirement corpus.
It may fall short of inflation-adjusted needs.

Which is Better for You?
You are 46 now.
So, you may have already completed more than 20 years of service.
If your qualifying service is 25 years, you can choose UPS.

Choose UPS if:

You want assured income in retirement

You are uncomfortable with market risks

You don’t want to manage investments post-retirement

Stay with NPS if:

You want growth potential with flexibility

You are okay with variable pension income

You are willing to plan annuity and withdrawals

Since you are already in NPS with Rs. 30 lakh corpus,
you should weigh the impact of switching carefully.
You can’t reverse it once opted.
Compare estimated pension under UPS
with possible pension from NPS corpus.

About the LIC Policy
You mentioned LIC worth Rs. 8 lakhs maturing in 2027.
You didn’t specify if it is term or endowment.

If it is an endowment plan, returns will be very low.

Consider surrendering the policy post-maturity.
Reinvest the maturity amount into mutual funds
through a Certified Financial Planner and MFD.

Avoid mixing insurance and investment.

Over-Exposure to Gold: A Concern
You’ve accumulated Rs. 25 lakhs worth of gold.

That’s a very high allocation to a single asset.

Gold does not give regular income.
It doesn’t beat inflation in the long term.
Also, jewellery has making charges and low resale value.
Liquidity is also limited compared to financial assets.

You may retain some portion as family reserve.
But avoid fresh investment in gold.
Avoid considering gold as your core long-term asset.

Create an Emergency Fund
You have a dependent child and only one income.
Maintain an emergency fund of 6 months’ expenses.

Keep it in a liquid fund or savings account.
This will help during medical or job emergencies.

Plan for Child’s Education
Your son is only 3 years old.
You have 15 years before his higher education.

Start a SIP now for his future.
Use a diversified mutual fund with long-term potential.

As he grows, reduce equity exposure gradually.

Create a dedicated portfolio only for education.
Don’t mix it with other goals.

Start SIP in Mutual Funds for Growth
Mutual funds offer good diversification and professional management.
Avoid direct funds, especially if you lack expertise.

Regular funds with support of CFP and MFD
offer hand-holding, periodic review, and behavioural support.

Direct funds lack personal guidance.
You may end up choosing unsuitable schemes.

Investing through an MFD with CFP credential
brings strategy, discipline, and peace of mind.

Avoid index funds.
They just follow the market blindly.
They don’t protect during market fall.

Actively managed mutual funds are better.
They aim for alpha returns and are guided by research.

Retirement Planning Must Start Now
You have only around 14 years left before retirement.

Depending only on UPS/NPS will not be enough.

You need an additional retirement corpus
to handle inflation and rising medical costs.

Start a separate SIP only for retirement.

This will help supplement your pension.

If you retire at 60 and live till 85,
your retirement will last 25 years.

Plan well in advance to avoid dependence later.

Do a Monthly Budgeting Exercise
Your current in-hand salary is Rs. 88,000.
You can still start small SIPs with Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000.

Track expenses.
Avoid unnecessary purchases.
Gold buying can be stopped.

Assign money towards education, retirement, and emergency fund.

Check for Existing Insurance
Check if you have life cover.
If not, take a pure term insurance plan.

This will secure your son’s future.
Also take family health insurance.

Medical bills can wipe out savings.

Do Not Depend on Physical Assets Only
Gold is not income-producing.
House is for living, not for income.

You need financial assets for retirement cash flows.

Create a financial asset base now
through mutual funds and NPS.

Final Insights
You have taken a step in the right direction.
Your gold assets and NPS corpus give a base.

But you need to balance and grow wisely.
Don’t depend only on government pension.
Start SIPs for retirement and child’s future.

Don’t lock money in low-return products.
Seek professional support for fund selection and goal tracking.

Make every rupee count from now on.
That’s how you can create financial freedom in retirement.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment