BioEngg 1st year at IIT Kanpur, How are placements?

Ans: Selection of tax regime will decide tax liability and depending on eligibility of amount of deduction/exemption, tax liability will be calculated.

Considering income of 48 lacs, under old tax regime gross tax liability will be Rs.13,02,600 and under new tax regime it will be Rs.10,60,800.

You can calculate tax liability, using advance income tax calculator available at following link:

https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/TaxCalc/calculator

Ans: Tax is calculated as per slab rate prescribed under both regime and once tax calculation is done, there is a concept of rebate which is deducted from tax liability.

Accordingly, if taxpayer opt for new tax regime, tax on 12 lacs of income will be 60000 and rebate will be 60000. Thus, tax liability will be Zero.

Please note that rebate is not available on special rate income like short term capital gain on equity shares which is taxable at 20%, long term capital gain on equity shares is taxable at 12.5%

Ans: Hello;

If the organisation is such that EPFO laws are applicable and if employee 's salary is as per the threshold given by EPFO (15 K basic +DA) then you don't have an option to avoid EPF.

The EPFO commissioner may issue your organisation a show cause notice as to why the form-11 submitted by the employee was not scrutinized thoroughly when it was submitted.

You may furnish joint declaration in the prescribed format to correct the mistake in form 11 and deposit all employer employee contributions till date with penalty as decided by the EPF Commissioner.

Actually such willful suppression of facts by the employee, which bring the employer into legal issues, deserves termination.

Seek advice from a lawyer specializing in labour and EPF laws, if required.

Best wishes;

Ans: Selection of tax regime depends of eligibility of amount of deduction and exemption. Considering income of 17lacs, When amount of deductions/exemption cross 6,50,000; old scheme is likely to be beneficial for the tax payer.

You can calculate tax liability, using advance income tax calculator available at following link:

https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/TaxCalc/calculator

Ans: Selection of tax regime depends of eligibility of amount of deduction and exemption. Considering income of 40lacs, when amount of deductions/exemption cross 7,75,000; old scheme is likely to be beneficial for the tax payer.

You can calculate tax liability, using advance income tax calculator available at following link:

https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/TaxCalc/calculator

Ans: Usually there is no direct rejection because of drop. If you qualify you will be called for interview, where they may ask you to justify your drop. Then your selection will partly depend on your answer.

Ans: Either will do. NMIMS is a known management college as compared to VIT so if you are flexible then can choose NMIMS.

Ans: Hello;

You first need to correct your DOB in previous pf account by submitting a joint declaration(in the prescribed format) with your previous employer to the assigned EPFO office.

After clearing this you need to activate your UAN online on EPFO portal.

Once your UAN is activated you can merge all your previous pf accounts under the same UAN online through the EPFO member portal.

Best wishes;

Ans: Firstly, congratulations on building a strong SIP commitment of Rs. 1.3 lakh per month.

Your current portfolio value of Rs. 35 lakh shows good financial discipline and vision.

You have wisely allocated across flexi cap, mid cap, and small cap categories.

However, the spread can be fine-tuned for better diversification and lower overlap.

You both are at a good age (41 and 37 years) to pursue aggressive yet balanced growth.

Your time horizon till 2030 (around 5-6 years) needs a careful strategy now.

With a disciplined approach, Rs. 3 crore corpus is definitely achievable by 2030.

However, expecting 15% annualised return consistently till 2030 is ambitious.

It is safer to plan with 11%-12% CAGR to stay practical and realistic.

Stock market cycles may not give 15% every year, especially closer to your goal.

Some years can be very strong, but some years may have muted returns also.

Hence, building the right portfolio strategy now is extremely important.

Assessment of Current Fund Choices

Your SIPs are heavily invested in direct plans currently.

Direct plans look attractive due to lower expense ratios at first glance.

However, managing direct funds requires constant monitoring and rebalancing.

If wrong selections are made or changes are delayed, it can harm overall returns.

Regular plans invested through a trusted Certified Financial Planner are better.

CFPs help you align fund selection, asset allocation, and risk management better.

They also guide you during market volatility when emotions can disturb decision-making.

Therefore, shifting to regular plans via an experienced MFD+CFP is advisable.

Further, your current portfolio shows higher weight in mid and small caps.

Mid and small caps can give better returns but come with higher volatility.

Since the goal is medium term (5-6 years), large cap exposure should be strengthened.

Flexi cap funds are fine as they adjust allocation between large, mid, and small caps.

But relying heavily on mid and small cap funds at this stage is slightly risky.

You can still continue small allocation to mid and small cap funds for growth.

However, around 40%-50% portfolio should now lean towards large caps and flexi caps.

Evaluation of Portfolio Diversification

You are holding nine different schemes presently across three categories.

Many of the flexi cap and mid cap funds may have stock overlap.

Overlap leads to concentration risk and reduces real diversification benefits.

It is better to keep 5-6 carefully selected funds in the portfolio at maximum.

Having too many funds does not mean better diversification or higher returns.

Instead, it creates unnecessary tracking headache and inefficiency in performance.

Every fund you own should play a unique role in your portfolio.

One or two funds each from flexi cap, mid cap, and small cap are enough.

Balance your SIP amounts properly among these categories as per goal proximity.

Rebalancing Strategy for Rs. 3 Crore Target

To achieve Rs. 3 crore by 2030, right mix of risk and stability is needed.

Increase allocation towards large cap and flexi cap funds progressively every year.

Reduce mid cap and small cap exposure slowly from 2027 onwards.

By 2028-29, majority portfolio should be in large cap and balanced advantage funds.

This strategy protects your accumulated corpus from market crashes near goal.

Maintain an annual review schedule with a Certified Financial Planner every year.

Rebalancing your SIPs yearly based on market conditions will ensure smoother journey.

For example, if mid caps run up sharply, you can book some profits and move to flexi caps.

Also, avoid stopping SIPs during market downturns, continue without any gap.

Risk Management and Emotional Preparedness

Equity investing will always be volatile in short periods, that is normal.

You should mentally prepare for temporary drops of 20%-30% in tough markets.

Do not panic or redeem investments in such phases without discussing with your CFP.

Always remember that long term investors are rewarded for staying invested during tough times.

Having an emergency fund of 6-9 months expenses separately is also critical.

This emergency fund should be parked in safe liquid instruments like liquid mutual funds.

It ensures that you do not touch your equity portfolio for unexpected cash needs.

Also, maintain your term insurance and medical insurance without any compromise.

Asset Allocation Changes Over Time

In early years, you can afford to be more tilted towards equity investments.

As you move closer to 2028-29, reduce equity exposure gradually.

Build 20%-30% debt allocation by 2029 in safe hybrid funds or short term debt funds.

This protects your Rs. 3 crore target even if market gives negative returns suddenly.

Use Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs) to shift funds from equity to debt slowly.

Do not move large amounts at one go to avoid wrong timing risks.

Expectation Management for Returns

Hoping for 15% CAGR from today till 2030 is on higher side expectations.

Equities in India have given 12%-14% CAGR over very long periods historically.

In 5-6 years, achieving 11%-12% CAGR is more realistic and safer to plan.

If market gives better returns, it will be bonus, but planning should be conservative.

With Rs. 35 lakh corpus and Rs. 1.3 lakh SIP monthly, you are well positioned.

Even if you achieve around 11.5%-12% CAGR, Rs. 3 crore is a very possible target.

Staying disciplined, doing timely rebalancing and risk management will be the key.

Taxation Awareness and Planning

From April 2024, new mutual fund taxation rules are applicable.

Long term capital gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short term capital gains are taxed at 20%.

You should plan your fund redemptions smartly around these tax rules in 2030.

If you withdraw step by step across different financial years, tax impact can be lowered.

Your Certified Financial Planner can create the right withdrawal strategy at that time.

What Needs to be Done Immediately

Shift to regular plans via Certified Financial Planner after proper rebalancing.

Reduce number of funds to 5-6 carefully selected ones to avoid overlap.

Balance SIP amounts among flexi cap, large cap, mid cap, and small cap properly.

Start creating an emergency fund separately if not already built.

Set a disciplined annual portfolio review and rebalancing cycle till 2030.

Mentally accept 11%-12% CAGR as the working return estimate for goal planning.

Keep emotional patience during market corrections, continue SIPs without stopping.

Protect your investments by maintaining full insurance coverage for health and life.

Keep final 2 years (2028-2030) focused on protecting capital and not chasing returns.

Have a well-designed exit and withdrawal plan from 2029 onwards through STPs.

Finally

You have already built a strong foundation with SIPs and disciplined saving.

With minor adjustments and careful planning, your Rs. 3 crore goal is achievable.

Focus on maintaining right asset allocation and staying invested through cycles.

Right advice from Certified Financial Planner can optimise your journey further.

Financial freedom comes from patience, discipline, and smart rebalancing at right times.

Stay focused on the journey and not just the destination.

Your financial goals like marriage, home, vacation and other dreams will surely come true.

I sincerely appreciate your systematic approach and clarity at this stage itself.

Best Regards,

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