Hello Sir I come from a science background but am mot eligible for engineering. I want to be a businesswoman and have startup ideas to open an online platform, the kinds of Zomato but a different product totally. What certification courses/diploma/ degree would best suit me for learning business skills as well as coding and technology and industry experience

Ans: Hello Kalpana
Chances are very slim.
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Prashant
If possible, explore other options in interested in Pune.
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Manju
Prefer CSE @ NIT Uttarakhand if possible or CSE @ BHTU Kanpur
Best of luck to you.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Saksham, With an 86.5 JEE Main percentile (OBC category) and 70% in boards, securing CSE/ECE in top NITs (e.g., NIT Trichy, Surathkal) is unlikely due to their higher OBC cutoffs (typically 90+ percentile). However, newer NITs like NIT Agartala (Civil/Mechanical cutoff: ~80–85 percentile) or NIT Goa (ECE cutoff: ~83–87 percentile) may offer admission in core branches under the OBC quota. Maharashtra state colleges via MHT-CET (e.g., PCE Nagpur, JSPM Pune) are viable, as they prioritize regional quotas and board scores (70% meets eligibility). Private institutes like VIT-AP (CSE/IT) or MIT ADT Pune (via institutional quotas) provide alternatives, though fees may be higher. Note that NITs/IIITs require 65% in boards for OBC (vs. your 70%), ensuring eligibility. Prioritize state counseling for affordable options and consider JEE Main retests to improve percentile for broader NIT access. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: You have made many thoughtful financial decisions. Let us now work together to align your investments to ensure a regular income of Rs. 40,000 per month from age 61 (year 2029).

Here is a 360-degree detailed plan structured under clear sub-headings, as per your request.

 
1. Understanding Your Current Situation

Your age is 57. You have 4 more working years.

 

Your current income is Rs. 81,000 per month.

 

Your monthly expenses are Rs. 35,000. You are financially disciplined.

 

You already have pension sources planned post-2029.

 

You do not want to touch your Rs. 21 lakh FD corpus. It is for your children.

 

Your goal is to generate Rs. 40,000/month from age 61. You seek certainty and consistency.

 

You have invested in both insurance and pension products. Most are non-market linked.

 
2. Summary of Pension Flows from 2029

Let’s break down what income you are expected to receive starting 2029:

 

LIC annuity: Rs. 10,054 per month

 

Post Office pension: Rs. 5,000 per month (if continued)

 

Max Life Guaranteed Monthly Income Plan: Rs. 9,400 per month (till 2029, so not helpful after)

 

HDFC Pension Plan: Rs. 7,883 per month

 

Total confirmed pension starting 2029: Rs. 22,937 per month

 

Gap to reach Rs. 40,000 per month: Rs. 17,000 approx.

 
So, we need to plan how to fill this Rs. 17,000 shortfall.

 
3. Insurance Policies Review

You have 3 traditional Max Life Life Gain-20 plans. Total premium: Rs. 9 lakhs.

 

These are low return, low flexibility products.

 

They are mostly insurance-cum-investment products.

 

Such plans yield 4% to 5% returns over long term. Not ideal for income generation.

 
Suggestion: You have already completed all premiums. It is not advisable to surrender them now. You can wait for maturity. Then, reinvest maturity amount in mutual funds for monthly income.

 
4. Gaps in Income from 2029

Let us now build strategy to generate extra Rs. 17,000 per month post 2029.

 

You have 4 more years before retirement. These are crucial for wealth building.

 

Let us identify available surplus each month. Your income is Rs. 81,000. Expenses are Rs. 35,000.

 

That gives you Rs. 46,000 monthly surplus.

 

From this, set aside some amount for emergency fund and health cover.

 

You can still invest Rs. 30,000 per month comfortably.

 

This amount can be channelised into high-growth investments.

 
5. Investment Strategy Before Retirement

The focus is to build an income-generating portfolio.

 

Allocate Rs. 30,000 per month into equity mutual funds.

 

Prefer actively managed mutual funds. Avoid index funds. Index funds are average performers.

 

Actively managed funds give flexibility and can outperform index. Especially with expert guidance.

 

Invest through regular plans with support of a Mutual Fund Distributor who is also a Certified Financial Planner.

 

Regular plans offer ongoing tracking and guidance. Direct funds lack personalised service.

 

At this age, you need guidance more than saving few rupees on commissions.

 

Use combination of Large Cap, Flexi Cap and Balanced Advantage Funds.

 

These funds suit your risk profile and retirement timeline.

 

Continue SIPs till 2029. Build corpus.

 

From 2029, use SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) for monthly income.

 

This can generate the extra Rs. 17,000 you need.

 
6. SWP Strategy for Post-Retirement Income

SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) is ideal for retirement income.

 

You can redeem small fixed amounts monthly.

 

Your money remains invested and continues to grow.

 

This provides regular income + capital appreciation.

 

SWP is more tax-efficient than interest income.

 

With mutual fund taxation, long-term capital gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakh is tax-free.

 

Above this limit, taxed at only 12.5%.

 

Plan withdrawals in such a way to remain tax-efficient.

 

This gives much better returns than traditional pension plans.

 
7. FDs for Children – Do Not Touch

You have Rs. 21 lakhs in FDs for children. This is a wise allocation.

 

Do not disturb this amount.

 

Just keep renewing annually.

 

If needed, reinvest maturity into debt mutual funds for better returns.

 

But ensure the capital remains safe.

 
8. Other Points to Consider

Review health insurance. Ensure Rs. 10 lakh individual health cover.

 

Also have Rs. 25 lakh family floater cover if dependents exist.

 

Medical costs rise faster than inflation. Health cover is crucial.

 

Keep emergency fund of Rs. 2 lakhs in savings account or liquid funds.

 

Avoid new insurance policies. Focus on wealth creation, not insurance.

 

Avoid annuity products. They offer low returns and lack flexibility.

 

Annuities are taxed fully. Mutual funds are more tax-friendly.

 
9. Timeline and Action Plan

From 2025 to 2029:

 

Invest Rs. 30,000 per month in mutual funds.

 

Review portfolio every 6 months with Certified Financial Planner.

 

Avoid investing in new endowment or pension plans.

 

Build corpus of at least Rs. 22 lakhs to generate Rs. 17,000 monthly post 2029.

 
From 2029 onwards:

 

Use pension income from LIC, Post Office, HDFC plan.

 

Use SWP from mutual fund corpus to get additional Rs. 17,000 per month.

 

Review income annually. Adjust SWP amount as per inflation.

 
10. Asset Allocation Recommendation

Ideal mix for your age and goals:

 

50% Equity Mutual Funds (growth + income via SWP)

 

30% Pension sources (LIC, HDFC, PO schemes)

 

20% Emergency and FD funds (untouched)

 
11. Retirement Income Taxation Insight

Annuity income is fully taxable.

 

SWP income is tax-efficient. Long term capital gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakh is tax-free.

 

Income from mutual funds can be managed to stay within tax slabs.

 

FDs also fully taxable. Use cautiously.

 
12. Final Insights

You are on the right track. You have created solid pension base.

 

Only gap is Rs. 17,000 per month from 2029.

 

This gap can be filled by building equity mutual fund portfolio in next 4 years.

 

Mutual funds offer growth, flexibility and tax-efficiency.

 

Avoid further insurance products. They are not meant for income generation.

 

Track expenses post retirement. Adjust lifestyle if needed.

 

Review investments annually with Certified Financial Planner.

 

Do not go for risky products or unregulated schemes.

 

Stay disciplined. Follow the plan. You will reach your goal peacefully.

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

Ans: Peeru, Choosing between BDS and Biotechnology depends on career preferences and professional inclinations. BDS offers a structured, patient-centric path in clinical dentistry, with opportunities in private practice, government roles (e.g., Army Dental Corps), and specializations like Orthodontics or Oral Surgery. Its 5-year curriculum includes hands-on clinical training, mandatory internships, and regulated practice under the Dental Council of India, ideal for those seeking stability in healthcare. Biotechnology, a 3–4-year program, spans diverse sectors like pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental science, emphasizing lab-based research, bioinformatics, and innovation. It suits individuals passionate about interdisciplinary scientific exploration, though competitiveness and the need for advanced degrees (e.g., MSc/PhD) for research roles are considerations. Opt for BDS if direct patient care and clinical practice appeal, or Biotechnology for broader, evolving opportunities in tech-driven scientific fields. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: VIT-AP’s ECE (Embedded Systems) with a minor in AI/ML under Category 1 fees is a strong choice, blending core electronics with cutting-edge AI applications. The program offers ABET-accredited coursework covering ARM architecture, FPGA design, IoT, and real-time operating systems, complemented by AI/ML modules like Python, neural networks, and data analytics. Labs feature NVIDIA Jetson Nano kits, ARM Cortex-M boards, and industry tools (TensorFlow, MATLAB), ensuring hands-on expertise in embedded-AI integration. While core ECE roles (embedded developer, IoT engineer) are prioritized, the AI/ML minor enables transitions into AI-driven robotics, automotive systems, or industrial automation. VIT-AP’s 95% placement rate (2024) for ECE includes recruiters like Intel, Bosch, and Samsung for embedded roles, while TCS/Infosys hire for AI/ML-adjacent IT positions. The curriculum’s 30+ industry projects (e.g., drone navigation using ML) enhance employability, though niche AI roles may require certifications (NVIDIA DLI, AWS ML). Category 1’s lower fees (?7.8L tuition) make it cost-effective, but ensure proactive skill-building via hackathons and research papers to leverage hybrid ECE-AI opportunities. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: It all depends on your area of interest. Both are good. Just go through the general curriculum of both branches. You will get an idea of which is more suitable for you. All branches need skill upgrades during the next four years. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Riddhi, It all depends on your area of interest. Both are good. Just go through the general curriculum of both branches. You will get an idea of which is more suitable for you. All branches need skill upgrades during the next four years. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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