Seeking Guidance for IISER Preparation - Tips from a Columnist

Ans: please convey the source of this calculation as there is no/little information available. only Kfintech who is the registrar can give the right information.

Ans: plz contact Kfintech and get a fresh certificate of JSW Steel and then contact your broker and convert the same in dmat

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Ans: You are 26 years old and already doing SIPs. That shows your discipline and future readiness. Starting early builds wealth better over time. Investing Rs. 13,300 monthly and planning to raise it to Rs. 40,000 is smart. Let’s now look at your existing portfolio, assess the risks, and suggest a proper diversified structure.

We will offer a 360-degree solution that balances growth, stability, and future flexibility.

Your Current Portfolio Overview
Your current SIPs are in:

Nippon Small Cap Fund – Rs. 2,000

Quant Small Cap Fund – Rs. 3,300

Bandhan Small Cap Fund – Rs. 2,000

Motilal Midcap Fund – Rs. 2,500

SBI Long Term Equity (ELSS) – Rs. 2,000

Total SIP = Rs. 11,800
Lumpsum in SBI PSU = Rs. 50,000

This is a strong start. You are willing to take risk for long-term growth. But, there are a few important things to fix and improve.

Initial Observations – Risks and Gaps
Overexposure to Small Cap
You have three funds in small cap. That’s about 60% of SIP.
Small caps are volatile. They give good return, but only after 7–10 years.
Too much small cap can cause sharp losses in market correction.

Low Diversification
No allocation to large cap or flexi cap.
These are needed for balance and downside control.
You have only one midcap and one ELSS.

Single Midcap Fund
Midcap helps reduce sharp risk of small caps.
But having only one midcap limits your structure.

PSU Fund Lumpsum
Sectoral funds like PSU are risky.
They depend on government policy and economy cycles.
Don’t add more to this. Hold it, but don’t increase.

Correcting the Allocation
Let’s now divide the total Rs. 40,000 monthly SIP properly.
This will create better balance between growth and stability.

Suggested Allocation:

Large Cap Fund – Rs. 7,000

Flexi Cap Fund – Rs. 8,000

Mid Cap Fund – Rs. 6,000

Small Cap Fund – Rs. 7,000

ELSS Fund (Tax Saving) – Rs. 4,000

Multi-Asset or Hybrid Fund – Rs. 6,000

Total = Rs. 38,000 approx. Keep Rs. 2,000 spare for future increase.

This mix provides:

Stability with large caps

Growth from mid and small cap

Flexibility with flexi cap

Safety cushion with hybrid or multi-asset

Don’t select funds yourself.
Avoid direct funds even if expense ratio is low.
They don’t offer review, rebalancing, or correction.
Invest in regular plans through a Mutual Fund Distributor who is a Certified Financial Planner.
He will help you choose better performing funds and track progress regularly.

Why Reduce Small Cap Exposure
You have high small cap exposure now.
These funds show big returns sometimes. But also fall fast in bad cycles.

You must have small cap exposure. But limit it to 20%–25% of total SIP.
This keeps your portfolio healthy in all market cycles.

More small cap may look attractive now. But it causes worry in bear markets.

Add Large Cap and Flexi Cap
You are missing large cap completely.
These funds are stable, and invest in top 100 companies.

Flexi cap adds flexibility to shift between segments.
Fund managers move across small, mid, and large based on market trend.
This gives better return with less risk.

Both are must for young investors like you.

Add Hybrid or Multi-Asset Fund
You are 100% equity today.
That’s fine for your age, but not always best.
Diversification is needed.

Hybrid funds combine equity, debt, and gold in one scheme.
This helps control the risk. Especially during market fall.
Keep 15% in hybrid or multi-asset for safety.

Add ELSS for Tax Saving Purpose Only
SBI Long Term Equity is an ELSS fund.
These funds have 3-year lock-in.
Use them only if you need 80C tax saving.

If your Section 80C is already filled with PF, PPF, or insurance premium, then skip ELSS.

Otherwise, keep ELSS under Rs. 4,000 monthly.
Don’t use ELSS only for investment. Use it for dual purpose – tax saving and long-term wealth.

Keep Sectoral Fund Exposure Low
You have Rs. 50,000 in SBI PSU fund.
That’s a sectoral theme.

Sectoral funds are not for long-term SIP.
They work only in a specific market cycle.

Do not do SIP in any sector fund.
Do not add more lumpsum.
Hold this fund and track its performance every 6 months.

If it shows good profit after 3–4 years, you may redeem it.
Invest proceeds in diversified equity mutual fund instead.

Increase SIP Gradually
If Rs. 40,000 is not possible from next month, build gradually.

Use this step-up approach:

Next 3 months – Increase SIP to Rs. 20,000

After 6 months – Raise to Rs. 30,000

After 1 year – Reach Rs. 40,000

This prevents stress on your budget.
Also keeps your cash flow balanced.
But set this plan and stick to it.

Direct vs Regular – Choose Wisely
Never invest in direct funds without expert support.

Disadvantages of direct funds:

No guidance

No regular review

You choose based on returns, not suitability

Wrong fund choice can cause long-term damage

Regular funds cost a bit more, but that is for service and monitoring.
Work with an MFD who is also a Certified Financial Planner.

They know how to build goal-based portfolio.
They will also help in:

Goal mapping

Fund switching

Tax planning

Rebalancing in market ups and downs

This professional help is worth the small cost.

Don’t Go for Index Funds
You may think index funds are cheaper and simple.
But index funds come with key limitations.

Problems with index funds:

Blindly follow index stocks

No active decision in poor market

No risk control or rebalancing

You lose flexibility

Actively managed funds have better risk control.
Fund managers exit poor sectors or companies early.
This helps protect capital in falling markets.

So don’t choose index funds for long-term goals.

Tax Impact of Mutual Funds
Understand the tax on your investments.

Equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%

Debt funds and hybrid funds:

Both short and long term gains taxed as per income slab

Plan redemptions carefully.
Redeem in parts if needed to stay within tax-free limits.
Your Certified Financial Planner can guide better here.

Use SIPs for Future Goals
Plan your SIPs around your future goals.

Break your Rs. 40,000 SIP like this:

Retirement goal – Rs. 12,000

Home down payment after 10 years – Rs. 10,000

Wealth creation (flexible goal) – Rs. 8,000

Emergency fund through hybrid fund – Rs. 6,000

ELSS for tax saving – Rs. 4,000

This gives direction to your portfolio.
Also helps avoid early redemptions.
Goal mapping is important for discipline.

Monitor Portfolio Regularly
Review your funds every 6 months.
Track SIP performance and adjust if needed.
Switch non-performing funds.
Rebalance allocation if small caps rise too much.

Don’t wait 5 years to check returns.
Consistent monitoring ensures long-term success.

Avoid These Common Mistakes
Don’t do SIP in 5 small cap funds

Don’t pick funds based on past returns only

Don’t invest in direct plans

Don’t withdraw SIP money unless goal is reached

Don’t mix tax saving and general investing unless necessary

Stick to a disciplined approach.
Don’t stop SIPs in bad market.
That’s when wealth is created.

Finally
You are on the right path. You have started early.
You are now ready to increase SIP from Rs. 13,300 to Rs. 40,000.

But structure is more important than size.
Build a diversified portfolio across categories.
Avoid overexposure to small cap or sector funds.
Work with a Certified Financial Planner.
Don’t invest in direct funds or index funds.
Review your SIPs and rebalance regularly.

This approach will build strong, lasting wealth.

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

Ans: Hello Md.. Thank you for your query. Appreciate your are worried about weight gain which is valid concern. Weight gain causes lot of issues which includes breathlessness while walking, less of endurance ( Stamina), back and knee pain. The only way you can reduce weight is less calories intake what is needed for body which we call it as staying calorie deficit , more protein and regular strength and aerobic exercise. However this approach requires consistency and determination. You can still do all these exercises at home which includes push ups, pull up, squats, lunges, dumbbells, resistance exercises, however it requires regularity and daily consistency

Ans: You have shared useful details about your income, expenses, and current investments. This gives a strong foundation to plan effectively.

You are earning Rs. 1 lakh in hand. At age 33, expecting a baby, and already having SIPs, PPF, and EPF — your financial behaviour is responsible and consistent. Let’s evaluate step by step and offer a 360-degree plan.

Income and Expense Assessment
You have a net monthly income of Rs. 1 lakh.

Your expenses are:

Rent: Rs. 8,500

Food: Rs. 10,000

Other: Rs. 5,000

Total: Rs. 23,500

This leaves a monthly surplus of about Rs. 76,500.

Your monthly investment commitments:

SIP: Rs. 11,000

EPF: Rs. 13,000

PPF (annual): Rs. 1.5 lakh = Rs. 12,500 per month

Your total monthly investment is approx Rs. 36,500.

After investments and expenses, you still save about Rs. 40,000 each month. That’s a good position to be in.

Upcoming Life Stage: Baby in the Family
Welcoming a child is a blessing and also a financial responsibility. Your planning must now include the baby’s expenses.

Prepare for the following costs:

Delivery and hospital expenses

Medicines and vaccinations

Baby food and care products

Day care or nanny later

Insurance for child

Education planning

From your remaining Rs. 40,000 monthly surplus, set aside Rs. 10,000 in a separate savings account from now. Use it only for baby-related costs.

Emergency Fund Planning
Currently, your monthly expenses are about Rs. 23,500.

After the baby arrives, expenses will rise. Let’s estimate future monthly expenses at Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000.

You must have 6 months of this amount as emergency fund. That is about Rs. 2.4 lakh.

Build or maintain this in:

Sweep-in FD

High-interest savings account

Liquid mutual funds (regular plan through MFD with CFP)

Avoid keeping too much in hand or in low-interest accounts.

Insurance Protection First
Life Insurance:
Now that you are going to be a parent, life cover is urgent.
You must buy a term life plan of Rs. 1 crore at least.
Choose a plain term plan with no returns.
Don’t mix insurance and investment.

Health Insurance:
You and your spouse must have at least Rs. 5 lakh individual health cover.
A family floater policy for Rs. 10 lakh is also good to add.
Choose a plan with maternity and newborn cover if possible.

Also include critical illness cover for Rs. 10 to 15 lakh.

Optimise Existing Investments
You are already doing SIP of Rs. 11,000.
PPF investment of Rs. 1.5 lakh per year is also healthy.
EPF contribution of Rs. 13,000 monthly is strong.

These are good long-term habits. But let’s fine-tune:

Mutual Funds SIP

Make sure you are investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor who is also a Certified Financial Planner.

Don’t invest in direct plans yourself.

Direct funds may look cheaper but offer no guidance.

Regular plans through qualified experts offer better long-term results and monitoring.

Also, direct plans may lead to poor scheme selection and lack of review.

Prefer Actively Managed Funds

Index funds are not suitable for all.

Index funds follow the market blindly.

No flexibility in changing the stocks in bad times.

Actively managed funds have professional fund managers.

They shift between sectors based on market conditions.

This helps in reducing downside risk.

Talk to your mutual fund distributor and review your portfolio.
Make sure you are not overexposed to one category.
Have a mix of large cap, flexi cap, and hybrid funds.

Avoid too much in small cap or sector-specific funds right now.

Step-Up SIP Option
You may consider increasing your SIP with time.

Use Step-Up SIP option:

Increase SIP by Rs. 1,000 every 6 months.

Or increase Rs. 2,000 once a year.

This uses your future income growth to build wealth.

Save for Child’s Education
Start a separate investment bucket for this goal.
Time is on your side. You have 15 to 17 years.

Start small with Rs. 5,000 a month.
Use a child education goal-oriented fund or a combination of diversified equity and hybrid funds.

Again, invest through regular plan with a Certified Financial Planner.
Avoid ULIPs and child insurance policies — they have high charges and poor returns.

PPF is Good – But Use with Purpose
You are investing Rs. 1.5 lakh per year in PPF.
That’s fine if it is for:

Retirement

Partial use for child’s education

But don’t exceed this limit.
Returns are stable but not high.
It works best for fixed, long-term goals.

PPF has 15-year lock-in.
Liquidity is limited, though partial withdrawals are allowed after a few years.

Don’t stop it. But don’t expect it to fund all your goals.

Tax Planning
You are already investing in PPF and EPF.
Combined, they cover Rs. 1.5 lakh under Section 80C.

If you need more deductions, check:

Health insurance under 80D

Term insurance premiums under 80C

NPS contribution under 80CCD(1B) (optional, if surplus remains)

Avoid ELSS funds if 80C is already full.
They are equity funds, better used for long-term goals instead of just tax saving.

Budget Adjustments Post Baby
After the baby’s arrival:

Expect expenses to rise by Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 12,000

You may need to pause increase in SIPs

Keep insurance premiums up to date

Revisit your budget every 6 months

Be flexible but consistent.
Continue your SIPs even if other expenses rise.
Cut entertainment and non-essential spending if needed.

Child Future Goal Planning
Think in terms of three goals:

Short-term (baby’s early expenses)

Mid-term (schooling, extra-curriculars)

Long-term (higher education, marriage)

For long-term goals:

Continue SIPs for minimum 10 to 15 years

Avoid withdrawal unless really urgent

Add a goal-specific SIP portfolio

Avoid using real estate for these goals.
It blocks liquidity and has low yield.
Also not ideal during rising family responsibilities.

Retirement Planning Must Continue
Even though child planning becomes priority, don’t stop thinking about retirement.
Your EPF is strong, but won’t be enough.

Once you adjust to baby expenses, increase equity SIP slowly.
Retirement planning must not take a back seat.

Also consider starting a separate portfolio for retirement after 35.

Diversify with hybrid and multi-asset funds for risk control.

Debt Planning
Avoid any kind of debt now.
Personal loans, credit cards, BNPL — avoid all.
This phase is for saving, not borrowing.

If you have any EMIs now, prepay them slowly.
Try to stay debt-free during your child’s early years.

Final Insights
You are already doing many things right:

Regular SIP

EPF and PPF

Frugal spending

Now is the time to:

Add insurance cover

Start baby care fund

Begin child's education SIP

Keep a healthy emergency fund

Invest through regular plans with expert help.
Don’t go direct, it may hurt your goals.
Avoid index funds. Active funds are better for your situation.

Review everything every 6 months.
Update your financial plan as life changes.
Track investments with professional support, not DIY tools.

Be consistent, not perfect. That builds wealth over time.

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

Ans: Hello Maksh
Contact your school administration and ask them to acknowledge your complaint and assist you as soon as possible. Meanwhile, call the helpline number of NIOS and send them an email. Additionally, reach out to the IISER helpline and inform them via email about your issue with the NIOS marksheet. Even if they (IISER) permit you to enter the marks, the main question remains unanswered: where is the original marksheet, and from which source are you entering the marks?
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear
Prefer Civil @ BIT Mesra if possible. Yet, the final choice will be yours.
Best of luck to you.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: HI Sir,
1. Mahindra university.
2. VIT