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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1448 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 2025

Patrick Dsouza is the founder of Patrick100.
Along with his wife, Rochelle, he trains students for competitive management entrance exams such as the Common Admission Test, the Xavier Aptitude Test, Common Management Admission Test and the Common Entrance Test.
They also train students for group discussions and interviews.
Patrick has scored in the 100 percentile six times in CAT. He achieved the first rank in XAT twice, in CET thrice and once in the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test.
Apart from coaching students for MBA exams, Patrick and Rochelle have trained aspirants from the IIMs, the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and the S P Jain Institute of Management Studies and Research for campus placements.
Patrick has been a panellist on the group discussion and panel interview rounds for some of the top management colleges in Mumbai.
He has graduated in mechanical engineering from the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad. He has completed his masters in management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.... more
G Question by G on Sep 29, 2025Hindi
Career

Sir, after completing my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2015, I prepared for GATE and various state-level mechanical exams. Unfortunately, I was not able to clear them. After spending 4–5 years preparing in this field, I shifted my focus to banking exams. In banking, I was able to qualify in the prelims when vacancies were good, but I could not clear the mains. Now, at 31+ years of age and without a job, I recently qualified in the ICET exam with a rank under 100. However, due to a poor choice, I opted for a college that had IT companies in its placement record, thinking it would increase my chances of recruitment, instead of choosing a UNIVERSITY that had better opportunities with banks. Later, I even gave up that college seat. At present, in the special counselling phase, I am unsure if I will be able to secure a seat again in the UNIVERSITY. I am confused about my next course of action—whether I should pursue an MBA or not. I would like your guidance on the following points: Do banks in India or IT companies offer better recruitment opportunities for MBA graduates? Do banks like Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which recruit through MBA programmes, have an age limit? Do IT companies impose an age limit for MBA placements? Should I join whichever MBA college I get admission into this year, or wait one more year, reattempt the exam, and aim for the desired university? Please guide me on the best course of action...................

Ans: It is better to take up a job so that there is some work experience there in your cv rather than just joining any MBA college. you can simultaneously prepare for MBA entrance. But join only if you get a good college. Else take a few years work experience and try for executive MBA course later. Another option would be to do short job oriented courses in the area you are interested.
Banks may not have age limit when the recruit, but your age could face a problem in some of the companies. Same goes with IT companies.
Career

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Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1448 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 29, 2025Hindi
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Sir, after completing my B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering in 2015, I prepared for GATE and various state-level mechanical exams. Unfortunately, I was not able to clear them. After spending 4–5 years preparing in this field, I shifted my focus to banking exams. In banking, I was able to qualify in the prelims when vacancies were good, but I could not clear the mains. Now, at 31+ years of age and without a job, I recently qualified in the ICET exam with a rank under 100. However, due to a poor choice, I opted for a college that had IT companies in its placement record, thinking it would increase my chances of recruitment, instead of choosing a UNIVERSITY that had better opportunities with banks. Later, I even gave up that college seat. At present, in the special counselling phase, I am unsure if I will be able to secure a seat again in the UNIVERSITY. I am confused about my next course of action—whether I should pursue an MBA or not. I would like your guidance on the following points: Do banks in India or IT companies offer better recruitment opportunities for MBA graduates? Do banks like Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank, which recruit through MBA programmes, have an age limit? Do IT companies impose an age limit for MBA placements? Should I join whichever MBA college I get admission into this year, or wait one more year, reattempt the exam, and aim for the desired university? Please guide me on the best course of action..
Ans: It is better to take up a job so that there is some work experience there in your cv rather than just joining any MBA college. you can simultaneously prepare for MBA entrance. But join only if you get a good college. Else take a few years work experience and try for executive MBA course later. Another option would be to do short job oriented courses in the area you are interested.
Banks may not have age limit when the recruit, but your age could face a problem in some of the companies. Same goes with IT companies.

..Read more

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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 19, 2026

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What are the pros and cons of investing in Regular, Growth and Dividend plan of Mutual Funds.
Ans: It is great to see that you are looking at different ways to grow your money through mutual funds. Taking the time to understand these options shows you are serious about your future, which is a wonderful first step toward financial success.

» Regular vs Direct Plans

When you choose a Regular plan, you are not just buying a fund; you are getting a partner. In a Regular plan, a Certified Financial Planner helps you pick the right funds and watches over them. Many people think Direct plans are better because the fees are lower, but that is often a mistake. Without a professional, it is easy to pick the wrong fund or panic when the market goes down. Regular plans give you access to expert advice that helps you stay calm and make better choices over a long time. This guidance is usually worth much more than the small cost difference.

» Growth Option

The Growth option is like planting a tree and letting it grow without cutting any branches. In this plan, the profits made by the fund are put back into the fund. This helps your money grow faster because of the power of compounding.

Pros: Your money grows much bigger over 10 or 20 years. You only pay tax when you sell your units. Under the new rules, Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, which is very helpful for building wealth.

Cons: You do not get any regular cash in your hand. If you need money for monthly bills, this might not be the best choice unless you sell some units.

» Dividend Plan (IDCW)

This plan is now called the Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal (IDCW) option. Instead of letting all the money grow, the fund house sometimes pays out some of the profits to you.

Pros: It feels good to get some money in your bank account every now and then. It can give a sense of comfort to see some gains being "locked in."

Cons: The biggest problem is that this money is taxed according to your income tax slab. This can be very expensive if you are in a high tax bracket. Also, when the fund pays a dividend, the value of your investment drops by that same amount. This slows down how fast your wealth grows.

» Comparison and Analysis

If you want to build a large amount of money for retirement or a child's education, the Growth option is usually the winner. It is very efficient for taxes and growth. The Dividend option might look nice because you get cash, but it often hurts your long-term goals because the tax is high and the compounding is broken. Using a Regular plan with the help of a Certified Financial Planner ensures that you choose the right path for your specific family needs.

» Finally

Choosing the right plan is about looking at your whole life, not just the numbers. A 360-degree solution means looking at your taxes, your goals, and how much risk you can take. While the Growth option is great for wealth, having a professional to guide you through the Regular plan is the best way to make sure you actually reach the finish line without making costly mistakes.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

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.

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