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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10849 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 30, 2025

Nayagam is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
He started his career as an HR professional and has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and mentoring students from Classes 8 to 12, helping them choose the right stream, course and college/university.
He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities /colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
Nayagam has published an eBook, Professional Resume Writing Without Googling.
He has a postgraduate degree in human resources from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, a postgraduate diploma in labour law from Madras University, a postgraduate diploma in school counselling from Symbiosis, Pune, and a certification in child psychology from Counsel India.
He has also completed his master’s degree in career counselling from ICCC-Mindler and Counsel, India.
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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 30, 2025
Career

Hey sir I am jee aspirants and I have taken a drop in the last year i achieve 94.67 percentile this year due to health issues and due to some external reason I was unable to complete focus on my studies which lead to 56.78 percentile in Jan attempt and 40 percentile in April attempt .now my self confidence has completed crashed and now I that everything is beyond my scope . I want to ask what should I do now ?

Ans: Make an effort to gain admission to any private engineering college in your state or one of the neighboring states. Some applications, like those for Amity and others, are still being accepted. You can also attempt for three-year undergraduate programs, such BSc (Computer Science), and while pursuing your UG, you can improve your abilities with certificates to stand out in the job market. Try applying for scholarships if you are unable to pay for private college tuition. Visit the buddy4study website to see what scholarships are available. All the best for your admissions!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10849 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Career
I got 93 percentile in jee mains and have taken a drop ? How should I Target jee 2026 ? What should be plan?
Ans: Achieving a 98.5+ percentile in JEE Main and AIR under 2000 in JEE Advanced within six months demands strategic planning, disciplined execution, and evidence-based preparation methods. For a dropper with 93 percentile, this represents a significant yet achievable improvement with focused effort.

Performance Gap Analysis & Target Setting: From 93 percentile to 98.5+ percentile requires scoring approximately 165+ marks out of 300 in JEE Main (versus ~135 marks for 93 percentile). For JEE Advanced AIR 2500, students typically need 195-205 marks out of 360 (approximately 54-57%). This improvement involves strengthening weak areas, enhancing time management, and achieving near-perfect accuracy in core topics.

6-Month Strategic Timeline - July-August (Foundation Phase): Complete diagnostic assessment to identify weak topics across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Focus on strengthening basics through NCERT textbooks, which form the foundation for 60-70% of JEE Main questions. Allocate 8-10 hours daily study time—morning sessions for challenging topics like Physics and Mathematics, evening for Chemistry.

September-October (Intensive Practice Phase): Implement targeted problem-solving with emphasis on high-weightage chapters: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Optics in Physics; Organic Chemistry and Chemical Kinetics in Chemistry; Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry in Mathematics. Begin weekly mock tests, gradually increasing frequency to identify gaps and improve speed.

November-December (Mastery & Mock Testing Phase): Complete entire syllabus by November end, dedicating December exclusively to intensive mock testing and revision. Take daily mock tests under exam conditions, analyze performance meticulously, and focus on error reduction.

Subject-Specific Strategies - Physics: Master fundamental concepts through NCERT, then progress to advanced problem-solving. Focus on Mechanics (25-30% weightage), Electromagnetism, and Modern Physics. Practice numerical problems daily with emphasis on time management.

Chemistry: NCERT is crucial, especially for Inorganic Chemistry where questions are often direct. Organic Chemistry requires pattern recognition and reaction mechanisms mastery. Physical Chemistry demands strong mathematical foundation.

Mathematics: Build strong conceptual clarity in Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Algebra. Practice diverse problem types and focus on speed enhancement through repeated practice.

Daily Study Schedule Framework - Morning (6:30-11:00 AM): Challenging subjects (Physics/Mathematics) when mind is fresh. Afternoon (12:00-5:00 PM): Problem-solving, homework, and coaching material. Evening (6:00-9:00 PM): Chemistry study and easy topics. Night (10:00-11:00 PM): Revision and note-making.

Take 5-10 minute breaks every hour to maintain concentration. Include physical exercise and proper nutrition to sustain long study hours.

Mock Test Strategy & Analysis - Begin with one mock test weekly, increasing to daily tests by December. Simulate exact exam conditions: quiet environment, 3-hour duration, computer-based format. Post-test analysis is crucial—identify weak areas, timing issues, and silly mistakes.

Focus on accuracy over attempts—avoid negative marking by answering only confident questions initially, returning to doubtful ones later. Practice time management: allocate 40-45 minutes per subject initially, with final 30-40 minutes for revision.

Essential Resources & Study Material - Primary Resources: NCERT textbooks (Classes 11-12) for all subjects form the foundation. Follow one standard reference book per subject rather than multiple sources. Mock Tests: Utilize NTA Abhyas app for official practice tests, supplemented by quality test series.

Previous Year Questions: Solve 10-year question papers to understand exam patterns and frequently tested concepts. Revision Material: Create concise notes and formula sheets for quick revision during final weeks.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls - Droppers often repeat previous mistakes—analyze previous attempt thoroughly to identify specific weaknesses. Don't accumulate excessive study materials; focus on mastering limited, quality resources. Maintain consistent revision schedule to prevent forgetting earlier topics.

Avoid social media distractions and maintain a disciplined routine. Don't attempt new topics close to exam dates; focus on strengthening known concepts.

Mental Preparation & Consistency
Maintain a positive mindset and realistic daily goals. Track progress through weekly assessments and adjust strategy accordingly. Remember that quality study matters more than study duration—focused 8-10 hours trumps distracted 12+ hours.

Final Recommendation: Start with a thorough diagnostic assessment to identify specific weak areas, then implement a structured 8-10 hour daily study schedule emphasizing NCERT mastery, targeted problem-solving, and intensive mock testing. Prioritize accuracy over speed initially, gradually building both through consistent practice. Complete the syllabus by November, dedicating December to revision and daily mock tests while maintaining physical and mental health throughout the journey. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10849 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Career
Sir/ma'am. I am currently in class 12th and enrolled in a jee coaching. I joined coaching in class 11th but everything went wrong. I didn't studied seriously and took classes very lightly. Days passed months passed and I created a huge backlog. Like the problem is I don't know how to study how other students manage time. If I study one subject I drag it the whole day and solve handful of questions.JEE study is very intense and I can't. I missed a precious year and my coaching is very good. Fault is in me. I wasted whole year and now in 12th I have no conceptual clarity and basics are weak. Also half 12th is over but still I am not on track. I regret always and cry all the time. I have big dreams but not the courage to act on it. I have packed my coaching modules because I can't understand anything. And started studying NCERT of 11th and 12th together. I am really tensed about my future. My father has also invested a huge amount in coaching but I wasted all. I am the worst child. For now I am thinking that I should focus on boards only. And then thinking of taking a drop to patiently study coaching modules and then reapply for JEE. But I doubt myself wasting one more year. I don't know. Please guide
Ans: Vaishnavi, To catch up and confidently crack JEE within 6–8 months while strengthening fundamentals, follow these Around 80 practical steps under four pillars—Planning & Time Management, Concept Building & Practice, Revision & Self-Assessment, and Well-being & Motivation. Additionally, explore five backup engineering exams and ten NIRF-ranked private universities accepting JEE or school scores. 1. Draft a master timetable allocating 6 days/week with one rest day. 2. Break six months into two phases: Months 1–4 (learning and practice) and Months 5–6 (revision and mocks). 3. Assign daily 2-hour morning session (your peak focus time) for weakest subject. 4. Reserve 3 hours post-school for subject-wise study (Physics, Chemistry, Math). 5. Allocate 1 hour evening for NCERT revisions. 6. Use the Pomodoro Technique: 50-minute study, 10-minute break. 7. Plan weekly targets: chapters to complete, question sets to practice. 8. Schedule one full-length mock every Sunday under exam conditions. 9. Maintain a task journal logging daily achievements and delays. 10. Use a digital calendar with alarms to stick to slots. 11. Batch similar topics (e.g., Organic Chemistry reactions) together. 12. Avoid multitasking—focus on one topic per session. 13. Limit social media to 15 minutes/day post-study. 14. Track time spent on each topic to optimize future slots. 15. Swap high-intensity topics with lighter ones based on energy levels. 16. Begin each subject with NCERT fundamentals. 17. For Physics, start with Mechanics; for Chem, with Physical; for Math, with Algebra. 18. Create one-page summary sheets of formulas and principles. 19. Watch concept videos (e.g., Khan Academy) to reinforce basics. 20. After theory, solve 20 textbook examples per chapter. 21. Practice 50 topic-wise questions from past-year JEE modules. 22. Use one reliable source per subject (e.g., H.C. Verma for Physics). 23. Maintain a “Doubt Log” and clear all queries within 24 hours. 24. Form short-notes of common mistakes for each topic. 25. Solve previous-year JEE Main papers topic-wise (10 questions/day). 26. For each topic, achieve 90% accuracy before moving on. 27. Develop problem-solving shortcuts (e.g., Vedic Math for arithmetic). 28. Join an online doubt-clearing forum for quick resolution. 29. Attend all coaching classes; record lectures you miss. 30. Revisit backlog modules immediately after school. 31. For iterative learning, alternate subjects daily to avoid monotony. 32. Use mind maps to link interrelated topics (e.g., Electrostatics & Gauss’s Law). 33. Assign end-of-chapter tests after each module. 34. Use timed quizzes to improve speed (30 minutes for 15 questions). 35. Maintain error logs by subject and category. 36. Redo each test after one week to ensure retention. 37. For Chemistry, balance theory (15 minutes) with numericals (45 minutes). 38. For Math, solve 20 higher-difficulty problems/week. 39. Practice at least five numerical-value questions daily. 40. Use one concept-specific book (e.g., P. Bahadur for Maths) for depth. 41. Integrate 10 advanced problems weekly to build confidence. 42. Reserve weekends for solving full syllabus question banks. 43. Study in peer groups twice a week for mutual learning. 44. Teach one concept weekly to a peer; teaching reinforces mastery. 45. Solve sectional mock tests (Physics-only, Chemistry-only, Math-only) biweekly. 46. Attempt at least one JEE Advanced mock every month. 47. Use online analytics to track weak chapters across mocks. 48. Allocate final two months exclusively to full-syllabus mocks and rapid revision. 49. Create a 30-day revision calendar covering all topics thrice. 50. Use flashcards for quick recall of formulas and reactions. 51. Daily 30-minute “rapid revision” of previous day’s topics. 52. Weekly “big revision” sessions focusing on error-prone areas. 53. Maintain a consolidated formula handbook for last-minute review. 54. Take one topic-wise mock test weekly and review within 24 hours. 55. Record performance metrics: accuracy, time per question, rank percentile. 56. Adapt study slots based on performance trends. 57. For each mock, categorize errors: conceptual, calculation, or silly. 58. Review mocks with a mentor or coach for targeted feedback. 59. Avoid cramming; focus on understanding before memorizing. 60. Use NCERT back-of-chapter problems for quick revision. 61. Practice 10 random previous-year questions daily in “revision mode.” 62. Utilize weekends for group discussions on tricky concepts. 63. Deploy spaced repetition for toughest 20% of topics. 64. Record voice-note summaries of each week’s learnings for audio revision. 65. In final month, strictly allocate 30% time to revision, 70% to mocks. 66. Sleep 7–8 hours nightly; consolidate learning during REM. 67. Include 20 minutes of light exercise or yoga daily. 68. Follow a balanced diet; avoid excess caffeine or junk food. 69. Practice deep-breathing or 5-minute meditation pre-study. 70. Set micro-goals (e.g., “Today I’ll master Gauss’s Law”) for daily wins. 71. Reward completion of weekly targets with small treats. 72. Maintain a positivity journal noting progress and breakthroughs. 73. Avoid comparison with peers; focus on self-improvement metrics. 74. Read one motivational article or watch a success story weekly. 75. Connect with seniors who cleared JEE for guidance. 76. If overwhelmed, take a 2-hour break for a hobby. 77. Use stress-management apps for quick relaxation. 78. Keep family informed of your schedule for moral support. 79. Limit mobile use: block social apps during study hours. 80. Visualize success: spend 5 minutes daily imagining your JEE success. 81. Prepare an ergonomic study space with good lighting and minimal noise. 82. Update your study plan monthly based on real-time progress. To maximize your JEE readiness in 6–8 months, establish disciplined routines, reinforce fundamentals with NCERT, and escalate practice through mocks with targeted revisions. Other Entrance Exams | Colleges You can Appear/Apply for as Back-ups:

SRMJEEE, COMEDK UGET, VITEEE, NEST, VIT Vellore, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore, Thapar University Patiala, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Bhubaneswar, SRM University Chennai, Amity University Noida, SASTRA University Thanjavur, Kalasalingam Academy of Research & Education, Chandigarh University, KIIT University Bhubaneswar. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

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