IT Graduate with Job Offer in Limbo: Which Path to Shine - IAS or MBA?

Ans: Ganesh Sir, Choosing between EIE at MIT Manipal and ECE at Amrita Coimbatore hinges on balancing career goals, academic focus, and financial considerations. EIE at Manipal offers a lower fee structure (?8.12–13.1 lakhs total) compared to Amrita’s ECE (?20 lakhs), attributed to lower demand for instrumentation engineering and institutional pricing strategies. Academically, Manipal’s EIE emphasizes robotics, automation, and process control, aligning with Industry 4.0 trends, and reports 70–80% placement rates with core-sector recruiters like Bosch and Tata Power. However, placements skew toward niche roles in oil/gas and manufacturing, limiting IT opportunities. In contrast, Amrita’s ECE provides 94.19% placements (2023) with broader IT/telecom recruitment (Amazon, Cisco) and a curriculum covering 5G, IoT, and embedded systems.

Growth Prospects:

EIE suits students passionate about industrial automation and control systems, with opportunities in renewable energy and smart manufacturing.

ECE offers versatility for careers in semiconductor design, telecom, and software development, with higher IT-sector uptake.

While Amrita’s ECE ensures stronger placement traction and diverse roles, Manipal’s EIE is ideal for cost-conscious students targeting core instrumentation sectors. Prioritize Amrita ECE if seeking IT versatility and high placement reliability, while Manipal EIE suits those prioritizing affordability and niche industrial roles. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hi,

Your current savings/investment of 22L will support your expenses for only a few years at this time.

Today if you wish to retire, you will need over 2 crores in FD earning 7% returns to last for your life expectancy of 70 years.

I recommend you focus on saving and investing across different asset classes to maximize your corpus over time. Different asset classes like equity, debt, gold etc can provide you well diversified option to generate wealth and provide stability and liquidity.

FDs are a safe option but its safety net if not going to cover your whole corpus if the bank fails.

Understand the potential, risk and returns of different asset classes and considering the long time period you have, you can save over the next 10-15 years and then plan retirement once your retirement corpus is accumulated.
Mutual funds are a good option to consider as they cover few asset classes and are easy to manage and track.

The retirement corpus depends on the time period post retirement and the expense you plan to cover from it. Accumulating that corpus also needs a plan and commitment to save/invest on a regular basis.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

Ans: You have built a respectable portfolio post-retirement. It shows you have taken prudent decisions in the past. Now the focus should be on creating monthly income, managing risks, and making sure your funds are used wisely without stress. Let us go step-by-step to build a clear plan for you.

Capital Gains Account – What You Can and Cannot Do
You deposited Rs. 35 lakhs in a capital gains account in July 2024.

You believe the sale was at a loss after adjusting for inflation.

Capital Gain Account Scheme is meant only for buying or constructing a house.

Funds must be used within 2 years (for purchase) or 3 years (for construction).

If you don’t use the amount within the allowed time, it is treated as capital gain.

You may be taxed on it in the year when the deadline ends.

Even if you made a loss, the income tax department needs documentation to accept it.

If you wish to withdraw this money for other uses, you must close the account formally.

You must submit Form G to your bank, explaining why you want to withdraw.

If you do not use this money for property purchase, it may be taxed.

Please speak to a chartered accountant for exact tax impact before withdrawal.

Avoid using this fund until you have tax clarity and proper documentation.

Your Monthly Income Requirement – First Focus Area
As a retired person, your priority is monthly income and capital safety.

Let us assume you need Rs. 35,000–40,000 per month for living expenses.

This amount must come from interest or investment income, not from selling assets.

You currently have SIP of Rs. 16,000/month and Rs. 34 lakh in mutual funds.

You can start a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from these mutual funds.

Start with Rs. 25,000 monthly withdrawal for the next 6–12 months.

The SIP can continue at Rs. 16,000 if cash flow allows.

Top up the balance Rs. 10,000–15,000 monthly from your savings account.

If needed, use PPF interest, which is tax-free, to manage shortfall.

Your Savings Account – Ideal Usage Strategy
Rs. 7 lakh in your savings account is good but should not stay idle.

Shift Rs. 4 lakh to a short-term debt mutual fund or liquid fund.

Keep Rs. 3 lakh as emergency fund in savings for medical or urgent needs.

Don’t keep all in one bank. Use 2 banks if needed for safety.

Mutual Funds Portfolio – Core Strategy and Monthly Income
Rs. 34 lakh in mutual funds is a strong base.

Continue with only regular plans via MFD who is also a CFP.

Avoid direct funds. They don’t provide guidance or timely review.

You need periodic rebalancing based on your retirement age and market cycle.

Use actively managed balanced advantage and hybrid funds.

These provide equity growth with stability and lower downside risk.

Withdraw using SWP from these funds to generate regular income.

Start with 4–5% annual withdrawal. Increase slowly if needed.

Avoid index funds. They just copy the market and offer no risk control.

In falling markets, actively managed funds protect capital better.

Your Certified Financial Planner can guide which funds to choose and exit.

PPF – How to Use the Rs. 28 Lakhs Safely
You have Rs. 28 lakh in PPF. It is 100% tax-free and safe.

Do not withdraw unless very urgent.

PPF earns steady interest every year without risk.

You can extend PPF in 5-year blocks with or without fresh contributions.

Use it as a reserve to support health care or large expenses.

Don’t touch this for property investment unless no other option exists.

LIC Policy – Planning the Maturity in 2028
You will receive Rs. 12 lakh in 2028.

This can be a good future buffer for medical or long-term care.

LIC returns are usually lower than mutual funds.

Once you receive the maturity, shift the amount to mutual funds.

Start a fresh SWP from this amount in 2029, if needed.

Don’t invest this lump sum again in insurance products.

Real Estate Purchase Plan – Review It Carefully
You are planning to buy a property worth Rs. 90 lakh to Rs. 1 crore.

Please think twice before locking big money in real estate.

Real estate gives zero liquidity and high maintenance cost.

Selling real estate later can be slow and stressful.

Rental income is not guaranteed and is often low compared to invested corpus.

You will be forced to withdraw from mutual funds or PPF for down payment.

This will reduce your income-generating assets.

Instead of buying, consider staying on rent.

This will keep your money free, accessible, and invested.

In case of emergency or health issues, liquid investments help more.

Buying property now will break your cash flow and lower monthly income.

Think from a cash flow view, not emotional attachment.

Suggested Investment Allocation from Available Corpus
Rs. 35 lakh: Keep in CGAS till you get tax clarity.

Rs. 34 lakh in Mutual Funds: Keep 75% in hybrid and 25% in large-cap funds.

Rs. 28 lakh PPF: Keep untouched. Extend for 5 years post-maturity.

Rs. 7 lakh in SB: Keep Rs. 3 lakh in savings. Shift Rs. 4 lakh to debt funds.

Rs. 12 lakh LIC maturity: Plan to move to mutual funds in 2028.

Emergency and Health Safety – Must for Seniors
Health costs are unpredictable.

Ensure you have a health insurance of Rs. 10–15 lakh with good hospitals covered.

Don’t depend only on savings for health expenses.

You can keep Rs. 5 lakh in liquid funds only for health emergencies.

Also keep one family member informed of your accounts and investments.

Key Investment Mistakes to Avoid at This Stage
Don’t invest in ULIPs, endowment plans, or pension-linked policies now.

Don’t go for annuity schemes. Returns are very low and taxable.

Avoid fixed deposits for long term. Interest is taxable and eroded by inflation.

Don’t follow friends’ tips or invest in trends blindly.

Do not invest based on emotions or fear of missing out.

Focus on regular monthly return and capital safety, not risky growth.

Finally
You have done well in building assets before retirement.

The next goal is to convert your assets into reliable monthly income.

Do not rush into buying real estate. Keep cash flow strong and flexible.

Focus on mutual fund-based SWP for income and keep PPF as reserve.

Use a Certified Financial Planner to manage fund review and tax planning.

Avoid unnecessary complications and risky options.

Stay invested wisely. Protect your retirement with safe, planned income.

Regular check-ins and fund reviews every 6 months will help adjust your plan.

With good planning, you can enjoy peace, safety, and dignity in retirement.

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

Ans: Hi Sivaramakrishnan,

Congratulations on having an active working life at the age of 80.

For your monthly expenses of Rs 50000 and assuming an inflation of 7% over the next 15 years, you require approx. Rs 85 lakhs (today).

You already have Rs 182 lakhs (not including any further savings over the next 6 months) invested across MF/ FD/ and STOCKS.

I recommend you have a systematic withdrawal plan from your investments for your annual expenses.
Depending on how you have spread your investments, you can decide on the approach.
For MFs - its simple to do a SWP for an amount each month.
For FDs - you may need to liquidate them, so instead of breaking them, plan to use them at their maturity if its within six months of your requirement. if the maturity is long term, and you have a need then you may need to liquidate. Also check if there is an option to make them Sweep-in type FD, which means that when your account has less balance, it will move money from FD to account. Discuss with your bank on options available to you.
For Stocks - You can decide when to liquidate them. If you wish to move away from stocks, then you can consider investing in so hybrid Mutual fund schemes considering your time horizon.

Overall you will be looking to grow approx. Rs 1 crore over the next 15 years and this can grow to an amount of Rs 3 crores at 8% returns.

So your current corpus is more than sufficient and even if you increase your monthly expenses, you will have a surplus after 15 years.
Happy retirement and a healthy life ahead.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

Ans: Hello dear.
Chances are moderate and slim. Explore other options.
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks.
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Chances are moderate and slim. Explore other options.
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks.
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Here is your preference order: (1) Thapar Patiala (2) SRM (3) VIT Bhopal (4) Amity Noida - Biotech (5) Amity Noida - Bioinformatics
Yet, the final preference and choice will be yours.
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks.
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Choice order- (1) SRM (2) KIIT (3) Amity
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks.
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Right now, both options seem to be difficult in GMC. You can explore the options with private colleges or deemed universities.
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks.
Radheshyam