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Prof Suvasish Mukhopadhyay  |1307 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 22, 2025

Professor Suvasish Mukhopadhyay, fondly known as ‘happiness guru’, is a mentor and author with 33 years of teaching experience.
He has guided and motivated graduate and postgraduate students in science and technology to choose the right course and excel in their careers.
Professor Suvasish has authored 47 books and counselled thousands of students and individuals about tackling challenges in their careers and relationships in his three-decade-long professional journey.... more
Kavita Question by Kavita on May 22, 2025
Career

Sir, my son got 93 percent in 12th and approx 90 percent in pcm..which engineering University will be best for him for direct admission in b.tech and which branch he can get

Ans: Low ranked NITs and IIITs and any branch will do.
Career

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |6421 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 05, 2025

Career
Dear sir, My son got 72%ile in JEE MAINS and got 71 percent in class 12th after taking drop year. Now due to his marks we are little confused for B.tech what stream and which college will be suitable for him. Can you suggest please?
Ans: Pramod Sir, With a 72 percentile in JEE Main (CRL ~286,000–322,000) and 71% in Class 12, your son’s options for B.Tech are limited to private universities and state engineering colleges offering non-CSE branches like Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering. SAGE University Indore (cutoff ~70–80 percentile) and Galgotias University (cutoff ~60–70 percentile) provide 70–80% placement rates in core sectors through recruiters like L&T and TCS, while Sharda University’s IoT/EEE programs (~65% placements) offer emerging tech exposure. For affordable fees, consider state exams like GUJCET for Government Engineering College, Bharuch (Mechanical) or L.J. Institute of Engineering (Electronics), which have lower cutoffs (~60–65 percentile equivalents). If prioritizing location, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Gandhinagar (direct admission) and Marwadi University, Rajkot (scholarships for JEE qualifiers) are viable Gujarat-based options with 60–70% placements in core engineering. Avoid chasing CSE at this percentile; instead, focus on Mechanical/Civil for stable PSU opportunities or Electronics/IT for IT sector roles. As backups, explore diploma-to-degree pathways or skill enhancement certifications to improve employability. Prioritize AICTE-approved colleges with active placement cells and industry partnerships. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |6421 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 11, 2025
Career
My son got 68.8% in 12th cbse and 56.5% in PCM. Can he get good engineering college? Kindly provide details where and he can get admission?
Ans: Your son with 68.8% in CBSE 12th and 56.5% in PCM can definitely secure admission in good private engineering colleges across India. With these marks, he meets the minimum eligibility criteria for most private engineering institutions which typically require 45-60% in PCM subjects. Through management quota and direct admission routes, he can gain entry to reputable colleges including Sharda University Greater Noida (requiring 60-70% aggregate), Lovely Professional University Punjab (60% minimum), Chandigarh University Punjab (50-60% aggregate), Galgotias University Greater Noida (60% PCM), UPES Dehradun (50% minimum), Manipal University Jaipur (60% aggregate), Amity University Noida (60% in class 10 and 70% in class 12), Kalinga University Raipur (45% aggregate), Jain University Bangalore (45% aggregate), JIIT Noida (requires 75% for direct admission but accepts lower through entrance), SRM Chennai (60% for general category), MIT World Peace University Pune, D.Y. Patil College of Engineering Pune, CMR University Bangalore, Graphic Era University Dehradun, Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, Jabalpur Engineering College MP, Shiv Nadar University UP, and KIIT University Bhubaneswar. These colleges offer admission through management quota (typically 15-30% seats reserved), direct merit-based admission, or institutional entrance exams with fees ranging from INR 1-4 lakhs annually. Recommendation: Apply immediately to multiple colleges through management quota and direct admission processes while preparing for institutional entrance exams as backup options, ensuring diverse college choices to maximize admission prospects. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8924 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 16, 2025

Money
Dear Sir, Please find below my financial details. Kindly advice further for wealth creation. PPF 10 Lacs LIC Jeevan Anand 6 Lacs RD 2000 per month Fixed Deposit 3.75 Lacs SBI- Small Cap 4000 Per month ( for 3 Years) Axis Blue chip 3000 Per month ( For 3 Years) Canara Robeco Blue Chip 3000 Per month ( For 1 Year) Mirae Asset Blue chip 4000 per month for 3 years) Medical Insurance 5 Lacs Term Insurance 50 Lacs Home Loan 28 Lacs( started in april25). Paying 8K per month extra except EMI). Property is rent out. Regards Ankur Gupta
Ans: You have taken some good steps towards financial discipline. Your efforts to diversify across various instruments and maintain insurance coverage are appreciated. I will now evaluate your financial situation under different aspects, and guide you with actionable steps for wealth creation in a simple and clear manner.

Emergency Fund
You haven't mentioned a separate emergency fund.

Emergency fund is essential before investing.

It should be at least 6 months’ monthly expenses.

Include EMIs, insurance, household, and medical costs.

You can use a savings account or liquid fund for this.

Do not use fixed deposits or mutual funds for this.

Keep this fund easily accessible.

Life Insurance and Health Cover
Your term insurance of Rs 50 lakhs is a good start.

But it may be on the lower side.

Cover should be 15–20 times your annual income.

LIC Jeevan Anand is a traditional plan.

These plans give low returns and poor liquidity.

It mixes insurance with investment.

It is better to have pure insurance and invest separately.

You can surrender this LIC plan.

Reinvest proceeds in mutual funds via regular plans through CFP.

You have Rs 5 lakh medical insurance.

This is fine if employer also gives coverage.

If not, increase it to Rs 10–15 lakhs.

Add a top-up health plan for better coverage.

Health costs are rising fast every year.

Loan and Property
Your home loan of Rs 28 lakhs is manageable.

You are paying extra Rs 8000 per month, which is good.

This helps reduce interest and tenure.

Since property is rented out, income supports EMI.

But do not rely on rental for wealth creation.

Real estate gives poor liquidity and high maintenance.

Instead, increase allocation to financial assets.

You can continue prepaying loan if no better options available.

But balance between loan repayment and investment is key.

Fixed Deposit and Recurring Deposit
You have Rs 3.75 lakhs in fixed deposit.

You invest Rs 2000 per month in RD.

These are very low-yield products after tax.

Returns may not beat inflation.

Use these only for short-term goals.

For long term, prefer mutual funds.

Shift RD to a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in equity funds.

Keep FD only as part of emergency fund or short-term goals.

PPF – Public Provident Fund
Your PPF balance of Rs 10 lakhs is very good.

It is safe and tax-free.

It gives fixed returns and supports retirement.

Continue PPF for long term stability.

Avoid using this for mid-term goals.

But don’t depend only on PPF for retirement.

It gives lower returns than equity in long run.

Use it as a supporting instrument, not the main one.

Mutual Fund Investments
Your SIPs in multiple funds show good intent.

Monthly SIPs total Rs 14,000.

You are investing in both large cap and small cap.

SIPs are a smart way to build wealth.

Here are a few suggestions:

You are investing in four equity mutual funds.

Three are large cap or blue chip. One is small cap.

Do not invest in too many similar funds.

Large cap funds usually move in same pattern.

This leads to over-diversification with no added benefit.

Instead, choose one or two quality diversified funds.

Keep small cap fund for long term only.

Small caps are risky and volatile in short term.

Do not choose index funds.
They simply copy the market index.
They do not manage risk during market falls.
Actively managed funds are better in Indian market.
Fund managers pick quality stocks and reduce downside.
Active funds give better returns if selected with care.

Also, avoid direct mutual fund plans.
They may look cheaper, but come without proper guidance.
Many investors make emotional decisions in direct plans.
They miss rebalancing and portfolio correction.
Invest through regular plans via MFD who is also a CFP.
You get proper advice, reviews, and rebalancing support.
Good advice helps you avoid costly mistakes.

Investment Strategy – Next Steps
You can now structure your financial plan like this:

Short-Term Goals (0–3 years)

Keep emergency fund of at least 6 months’ expenses.

Use liquid fund or FD for upcoming expenses.

Do not invest this amount in equity mutual funds.

Medium-Term Goals (3–7 years)

Use hybrid mutual funds or balanced advantage funds.

These reduce risk with equity and debt mix.

You can invest some of the FD here.

Long-Term Goals (7+ years)

Use equity mutual funds – large, flexi-cap, small cap.

Do SIPs regularly and increase yearly if income rises.

Stick with long term. Don’t stop during market fall.

Tax Planning and Returns
PPF is already helping in 80C tax saving.

LIC also helps but with low return. Better to surrender it.

SIPs in equity mutual funds are tax-efficient.

New tax rule for mutual funds is now different:

Equity LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakhs is taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains taxed as per income slab.

Avoid FD as main investment. It gives fully taxable return.

Mutual funds are better after tax adjustment.

Retirement Planning
You are doing some investments but not enough for retirement.

You must plan retirement early for compounding.

PPF is safe but not enough. Use equity mutual funds more.

Estimate your future needs with a financial expert.

Invest with clear goal and timeline.

Child’s Education or Other Goals
You have not mentioned children or specific goals.

Start planning even if child is small.

Education inflation is very high.

Use SIPs in mutual funds for such goals.

Key Action Plan for You
Create emergency fund first. Use FD or liquid fund.

Surrender LIC Jeevan Anand. Invest money in mutual funds.

Stop RD. Start SIP of same amount in balanced mutual fund.

Continue SIPs. Reduce to 2–3 quality funds only.

Invest only through regular plans with CFP-led MFD.

Don’t choose direct plans or index funds.

Keep paying extra to home loan. But balance with investments.

Increase term insurance to at least Rs 1 crore.

Increase health cover with top-up plan.

Track all investments and goals annually.

Finally
You have started well. Your savings habit is good.
You are investing regularly and taking insurance protection.
But your portfolio needs better structure and focus.
Avoid mixing insurance and investment.
Avoid low return products for long term goals.
Use equity funds more through regular plans with CFP support.
Stick to plan for 10–15 years for wealth creation.
Do not panic during market falls. Stay invested.
Rebalance portfolio yearly with professional help.

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

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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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