Confused about choosing between IIIT Jabalpur ECE and BIT Mesra CSE - Which is better for me?

Ans: Hello Prerna.
Better to collect the information online, or if you are thinking of taking admission, then visit in person for more details.
Good luck!
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Radheshyam

Ans: Go for IIT ROPAR.

Ans: No worries. Don't be so much worried about AI. Everyone is talking about it, but how many of them know what AI really is? Branches like Chemical and Metallurgy are having evergreen demand and now a days very few good students are going there. So there is huge scope.

Ans: Hello dear.
You did not mention any other option for comparison. Rethink about SRM AP and, if possible, try to visit the campus before finalising the admission. If satisfied, then go with it.
Good luck!
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Radheshyam

Ans: Parul University, located in Vadodara, Gujarat, is a private university known for its wide range of programs and focus on overall student development. It has received recognition for its academic quality and placements, including an A++ NAAC accreditation and rankings among the top universities in India. However, some reviews mention concerns about certain aspects of the university, such as the mess timings and strict security.

Ans: You are 24 now.
You want to retire at 40.
That gives you 16 years to build wealth.
You are earning Rs 65,000 per month.
You spend Rs 30,000. You save the rest.
No loans. That is a great start.

Early retirement is possible with strong financial habits.
But it needs high savings, discipline, and right investment choices.
Let us build your roadmap step by step.

Monthly Surplus Is the Key Strength

You spend Rs 30,000 monthly.
That means you can save Rs 35,000 per month.
This is a very strong surplus at your age.
If you invest this smartly, you can reach financial freedom.

You must focus on:

High-quality mutual fund SIPs

Strong emergency fund

Term insurance and health insurance

Avoiding debt-based assets like property

Avoiding gold as a major investment

Let us plan your money smartly.

Emergency Fund Comes First

You must have emergency money for six months of expenses.
Your expenses are Rs 30,000 monthly.
So target Rs 1.8 lakhs in an emergency fund.

Keep this in a savings-linked RD or liquid fund.
Do not put emergency money in gold or SIPs.
It must be liquid and safe.

Start saving Rs 5,000 monthly till you reach Rs 1.8 lakhs.
After that, stop and shift focus to long-term investments.

Insurance Is Not Optional

You are young and healthy.
But life and health cover is still necessary.

Buy a pure term plan with Rs 50 lakhs cover.
This is cheap and protects your dependents.
Avoid any LIC or ULIP or endowment plans.

Also take a personal health cover of Rs 5 lakhs.
Do not depend only on employer health policy.
If you change jobs, that cover will go away.

Both these insurances are part of financial freedom.
They protect your future wealth from damage.

Mutual Fund SIPs Are the Main Engine

You want to do SWP of Rs 60,000 per month after 40.
In today’s money, Rs 60,000 will be more in future due to inflation.
You need a large corpus by 40.

You must invest regularly in mutual funds from now.
Start with Rs 30,000 per month in mutual fund SIPs.

Split this SIP into 3 to 4 good funds only:

One flexi-cap

One mid-cap

One hybrid aggressive

One ELSS or small-cap

Avoid index funds.
Index funds copy the market. They fall fully in crash.
They do not have a fund manager to protect you.
Actively managed funds adjust portfolios.
They can avoid weak sectors.

That is why Certified Financial Planners prefer active funds.
You also get fund strategy, sector analysis, and rebalancing.

Avoid direct mutual funds if you are not an expert.
Direct funds need you to do all fund selection and rebalancing.
You may make wrong switches or miss the timing.

Instead, use regular plans via MFD working with CFP.
You get tracking, updates, and advice when market changes.

SIP is your growth tool.
Start with Rs 30,000 now. Increase it every year with salary hike.

If you get bonus, invest it as lump sum in same funds.

Can SIP Beat Gold? Absolutely Yes

Gold is emotional for Indians.
But for wealth building, gold is not ideal.

Gold gives 5-8% return on average.
Sometimes 10%. But with long flat periods.
Also, gold gives no income. You cannot get monthly returns from it.

Mutual funds give better returns.
Equity funds grow wealth faster.

They also give tax-efficient returns.
You can do SWP in mutual funds.
You cannot do monthly withdrawal from gold.

Also remember:

Gold returns are volatile

Gold is taxed as per slab when sold

Gold has making charges, storage issues

SIP in equity funds beats gold over 10-15 years.
Gold can be 5% of your portfolio. But not more.

If you want to invest in gold, do it only for diversification.
Not for long-term wealth.

Avoid Buying Land or Plot Now

You want to buy land. But that is not wise now.
You are 24. You want to retire by 40.
Land investment will create EMI.
It will reduce your SIP power.

Also land gives no monthly income.
Land price may not grow fast.

You will also pay stamp duty, taxes, and registration charges.
No tax benefit unless you build house and live there.

Plot is an illiquid asset.
You cannot sell part of it in need.

EMI on land will lock your income for 10–15 years.
That will delay your financial freedom.
Avoid this mistake.

Focus on liquid, flexible, and growing investments.
Mutual funds are best suited for this.

Build corpus first. Then decide about house later.
Rent if needed. But do not block money into land.

How Much Corpus Do You Need at 40?

You want Rs 60,000 monthly after retirement.
At age 40, your needs will be more due to inflation.
Rs 60,000 today will become more in future.
Assume Rs 1 lakh per month is needed in future value.

So you need a retirement corpus that can give Rs 1 lakh monthly.
That is Rs 12 lakhs per year.
You need corpus of Rs 2.5 to 3 crore minimum by age 40.

This corpus will generate income using SWP.
You can do monthly withdrawal from mutual funds after retirement.
You can use hybrid funds or balanced advantage funds post-40.
They give stable returns and lower volatility.

To build Rs 3 crore in 16 years, you need to invest:

Rs 30,000 monthly SIP now

Step up SIP by 10% every year

Invest bonuses and incentives also

Stay invested for full 16 years

Do not withdraw midway

Rebalance funds every year

Avoid new risky ideas or fancy stocks

You need discipline more than high returns.

How to Use SWP After Age 40

At 40, stop SIPs.
Start SWP from same mutual fund corpus.
Withdraw Rs 1 lakh monthly using SWP.

Plan the SWP like this:

Use hybrid funds for less risk

Keep 2 years’ income in debt fund

Keep 3 to 4 years’ income in hybrid fund

Keep rest in flexi-cap fund

This mix will give you stability and growth.
Meet your Certified Financial Planner every year.
Rebalance based on return and market.

Don’t try to pick funds yourself.
Get help from MFD backed by CFP.
They guide you based on age and need.

Tax Planning Is Important Too

When you withdraw SWP, taxes will apply.
Mutual fund capital gains have new rules now.

For equity funds:
LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%
STCG is taxed at 20%

For debt funds:
Gains are taxed as per your income slab

You must plan redemptions in tax-efficient way.
This will protect your post-retirement income.

Don’t exit large amount in one shot.
Use SWP route. Take monthly amount.
It spreads your capital gains over many years.

Your Yearly Plan of Action

Every year, do this:

Increase SIP by 10% with salary hike

Review fund performance with MFD and CFP

Rebalance your equity and debt mix

Avoid stopping SIPs for short-term goals

Avoid switching funds unless required

Keep gold allocation to less than 5%

Avoid real estate unless you have surplus

Track your net worth every 6 months

This gives you full control over your future.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don’t buy land or plot using EMI

Don’t go for index funds

Don’t invest in direct funds without expert

Don’t depend on gold returns

Don’t ignore insurance needs

Don’t miss SIP even one month

Don’t use retirement fund for short-term goals

Don’t take loans for investment purpose

Finally

You have time, energy, and savings power.
Use all three wisely from today.

Focus on SIPs in quality mutual funds

Avoid land, gold, and risky ideas

Build emergency fund and insurance

Invest Rs 30,000 monthly from now

Aim for Rs 3 crore corpus by age 40

Use SWP to get monthly income after 40

Retiring at 40 is possible.
But it needs full commitment and zero distractions.

Start now. Stay consistent.

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

Ans: With a 99.66 percentile in MHT CET as an EWS candidate, it's unlikely to get a Computer Science (CSE) seat at COEP. The cutoff for CSE at COEP, especially for the EWS category, is generally above this percentile, typically above 99.89 for General and around 99.34-99.42 for EWS. However, this percentile is excellent and you can secure a seat in other good colleges and branches.

Ans: You are 52, Mumbai-based, with stable passive rental income.
Your daughter’s wedding is 10 years away.
You want to know:

Plans for her wedding corpus

Can your current fund last 30 years?

How to structure your investments

1. Analysis of Your Current Financial Snapshot
Income & Expenses

Monthly expenses: Rs?1.1?lakh

Rental income: Rs?1.13?lakh

Surplus: Rs?3,000 monthly, plus yearly investment returns

Investments

Mutual funds: Rs?2.3?cr

Stocks: Rs?55?lakh

Fixed deposits: Rs?1.62?cr

EPF: Rs?43?lakh

PPF: Rs?48?lakh

LIC endowment policies: Rs?76?lakh assured payout in 2034

Deferred annuity: Rs?40,000 monthly after 2034

Real Estate

Three rental homes valued at Rs?3.5?cr contributing income

Primary home is owned outright

Your financial foundation appears solid and well structured.

2. Goal 1: Funding Daughter’s Wedding in 10 Years
Estimate the Goal
Current wedding cost: Rs?20–30?lakh

With 6–7% inflation, future cost: Rs?35–50?lakh

Asset Allocation for Wedding Fund
Use a mix of moderately safe instruments with some growth:

Short-to-medium-duration debt funds (40–50%)

Aggressive hybrid funds or actively managed strategic equity-dynamic funds (50–60%)

This mix balances inflation-beating returns (7–9%) with controlled risk.

Monthly SIP Approach
Start with a monthly commitment:

e.g., Rs?50,000/month over 10 years may build Rs?8–10?crore if returns exceed your goal

Better align amounts once actual cost estimation is made

Step up SIP by 10% yearly for cushion

Use regular plans via a CFP advisor for choice and periodic review.

3. Goal 2: Can Your Current Corpus Last 30 Years?
Net Worth and Income Position
Total financial assets: Rs?5.3?cr approx

Rental income covers expenses with slight buffer

LIC assured gains and annuity provide future stability

Inflation and Withdrawal Considerations
Assuming 6% inflation:

Current expenses Rs?1.1?lakh/month = Rs?13.2?lakh/year

In 30 years, this doubles roughly

The portfolio must grow just to preserve spending power

With a balanced portfolio, compounded returns may outpace inflation.
Your surplus rental income ensures base expenses are always covered.

Portfolio Health and Longevity
With a well-diversified mix holding 30–40% equity and the rest in safe assets:

Strategic withdrawals via partially systematic withdrawal plan (SWP)

Rental income cushions against market volatility

LIC annuity starting in 2034 adds recurring income

The overall corpus should last beyond 30 years with prudent management

4. Goal 3: Structuring Your Investment Portfolio
Asset Allocation Strategy
From your current Rs?2.3?cr MF + other funds, move toward:

Aggressive hybrid funds (30%) — equity + debt balance

Single-manager large/multi-cap equity funds (20%) — inflation beating growth

Short/medium-term debt funds (20%) — liquidity and calm returns

Credit opportunity or corporate bond funds (10%) — yield cushion

PPF/EPF/LIC annuity (~20% of portfolio) — anchored with stable tax-efficient income

Systematic Investments and Withdrawals
Allocate wedding corpus via dedicated SIP suite (aggressive hybrid + debt)

SWP setup: start small withdrawals in 2034 when annuity matures

Continue disciplined review every 6–12 months with CFP guidance

Risk Monitoring and Asset Rebalancing
Markets may surge or dip—rebalance accordingly

Limit equity to 40–50% of your investment capital

Keep FD alone for short-term liquidity, not inflation-beating

5. Insurance and Contingency Review
Term insurance Rs?1?cr is good; consider increasing if liabilities or children’s needs change

Health insurance Rs?15?lakh is strong; ensure UL cover when visiting temple town apartments

Emergency support through rental income and buffer assets ensures risk coverage

6. Financial Path for Next 10 Years
Wedding Phase (0–10 years)

Build Rs?35–50?lakh corpus via SIP and debt/hybrid blend

Draw funds as wedding nears, keeping equity portion for growth

Avoid selling during market dips; use debt portion

Post-Wedding Phase (10–30 years)

Continue hybrid/debt funds for balanced growth

Slowly increase equity diversification for long-term inflation protection

Post-2034 annuity and LIC payouts offset withdrawal pressure

By late 70s, rental + SWP can sustain you comfortably

7. Why Avoid Index and Direct Plans
Index funds lack risk control and cannot exit weak stocks

Direct plans may seem cheaper but lack structured support

Active funds allow asset shifting, fund switching to reduce risk

Use regular plans managed via MFD and CFP credentials.
This ensures timely reviews, tax strategies, and fund picks that adapt to changing conditions.

8. Taxation Considerations
Equity gains: LTCG above Rs?1.25 lakhs taxed at 12.5%

Debt/corporate gains: taxed per income slab

Use staggered withdrawals to minimise tax

Use CFP to schedule redemptions in each fiscal year

Lic payout and annuity may have specific tax implications, consult advisor.

9. Liquidity and Buffer Management
Maintain a liquid emergency fund equal to 6–12 months' expenses

Have flexibility to handle unexpected repairs or health needs

Avoid tapping into wedding corpus or long-term funds prematurely

10. Reviewing Regularly for Success
Review your portfolio and life changes annually

Adjust wedding corpus, SWP amounts, and insurance as needed

Rebalance allocation if returns skew proportions

Meet your CFP advisor with each major life event (e.g., child marriage, job change)

Final Insights
Wedding Corpus: Use hybrid + debt funds; build over 10 years

Corpus Longevity: Balanced portfolio supports you for 30+ years

Investment Structure: Allocation blending hybrid, equity, debt, fixed-income, and old-age income tools

Regular Plans via CFP: Ensure proactive management, reviews, and discipline

Avoid passive or direct schemes: Asset control and adaptability help you stay on track

Insurance & tax planning: Integrated to enhance protection and returns

Rental income + structured withdrawals prevent financial stress in retirement

Your existing strong foundation and rental income give confidence.
With prudent allocation, disciplined review, and support, you will meet both short-term and long-term goals successfully.

Your spiritual quest can proceed with financial peace of mind.

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

Ans: It is unlikely, but not impossible, to get COEP or VJTI CSE with a 99.30 percentile in the MHT-CET, especially for the General/Open category. While it's a strong score, the cutoffs for these top colleges, particularly for popular branches like Computer Science, are usually higher, often above 99.7 or even 99.8.
It's difficult to say definitively if 123.25 marks in WBJEE will guarantee a seat at Jadavpur University, as it depends on the branch you're targeting and your category (domicile, etc.). Generally, a higher score is needed for the more competitive branches like Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). While 120-130 is considered a good score, securing a seat in the top branches like CSE might require a score above 130-150, according to some educational resources.