With a rank around 2k in JAM MA 2025. Where can I get admission

Ans: Hello dear.
Prefer Chemical @ IIT Varanasi if possible.
Best of luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Prefer CSE @ MAIT /MSIT if possible if they offer. Else, go with Manipal.
Best of luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Akshat
Prefer CSE @ PICT as 1st choice or SPIT as 2nd choice. Drop the idea of VIT.
Best of luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Shambhavi
Apply via 15% AI quota. The chances are moderate to slim of getting computer-related branches in decent colleges. But you can get core branches in tier 2 colleges.
Best of luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear.
Yes. It is a good option.
Best of luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: You are already showing great clarity. At 34 years old, with a monthly income of Rs. 96,000 and Rs. 8,500 rental income, you are taking the right steps. A Rs. 1 crore portfolio is not far from your reach. You are already investing Rs. 40,000 per month in SIPs, which is very powerful. Let us look at how to make your journey to Rs. 1 crore even stronger, more efficient, and stable.

Income and Financial Structure
Monthly salary: Rs. 96,000

Monthly rental income: Rs. 8,500

Total monthly income: Rs. 1,04,500

Home loan balance: Around Rs. 10.50 lakhs

Monthly SIP investment: Rs. 40,000

Existing investments: Rs. 4 lakhs in PPF, Rs. 3 lakhs in LIC, Rs. 1 lakh in NPS, Rs. 1 lakh in PF

You have a strong monthly income and are investing a large share. That is very encouraging.

Investment in LIC
You mentioned Rs. 3 lakhs in LIC.

LIC plans are mainly traditional insurance plans. These are not ideal for wealth creation.

Returns are often 4% to 5% per annum.

There is low flexibility and long lock-in periods.

Insurance coverage is usually very low.

What You Can Do:

If your LIC policies are endowment or money-back types, consider surrendering them.

Only surrender if they are more than 3 years old.

Use the surrendered value to invest in mutual funds.

Purchase a term insurance policy instead for protection.

Separate your insurance and investments. It gives better growth and safety both.

Home Loan Management
You have an outstanding home loan of Rs. 10.50 lakhs.

Loan repayment is a long-term commitment. It needs balance with your investing goals.

What You Should Do:

Keep paying EMIs regularly.

Don’t rush to close the loan early.

Interest on home loans gives tax benefit under Section 24.

Continue building your investment portfolio alongside.

If you get any large bonus or maturity money, partly reduce the principal. This reduces tenure and interest. But do not disturb your SIPs for this.

PPF, NPS, and PF Investments
These are all long-term and low-risk instruments. They offer safety but lower growth.

PPF: Rs. 4 lakhs invested

NPS: Rs. 1 lakh invested

PF: Rs. 1 lakh (probably EPF)

Suggestions:

Continue small amounts in PPF for debt allocation.

Don’t increase PPF limit aggressively.

Keep NPS contribution small. It has strict withdrawal rules.

Consider NPS only for tax-saving if you are using Section 80CCD(1B).

PPF and PF offer stability. But they are not enough for big wealth creation like Rs. 1 crore. For that, equity mutual funds are the core.

Mutual Fund SIP Strategy
You are investing Rs. 40,000 monthly in SIPs. This is your biggest strength.

Review the Fund Choices:

Include large cap and mid cap funds.

Add some allocation to small cap for growth.

Choose only actively managed funds.

Avoid index funds. They follow market returns only.

Actively managed funds can outperform with skilled fund managers.

Avoid direct plans if you are not professionally trained.

Direct plans save commission, but lack guidance.

You may miss underperformance or wrong fund selections.

With regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner, you get tracking and advice.

For wealth creation, direction is more important than cost saving.

How to Reach Rs. 1 Crore Portfolio
Let us now talk about building your Rs. 1 crore goal. You are already investing Rs. 40,000 per month.

This alone can help you reach Rs. 1 crore in 10–12 years. But to ensure it happens faster and more smoothly, follow the below:

What You Should Do:

Review and rebalance funds every 12 months.

Don’t stop SIPs during market fall.

Increase SIPs by 10% each year as income grows.

Keep at least 3 SIPs: one large cap, one flexi-cap, one mid/small cap.

Allocate higher amount to large and mid cap funds.

If you stick to this process, you will reach Rs. 1 crore easily in less than 12 years.

If you increase SIPs yearly, the journey becomes even shorter.

Emergency Fund Planning
You did not mention an emergency fund.

This is very important before aggressive investing.

What You Should Do:

Keep at least 4–6 months of expenses in a liquid mutual fund.

Don’t use fixed deposits or savings account for this.

This gives fast access in times of illness or job loss.

Without this fund, you may be forced to stop SIPs or redeem investments in emergency.

Life Insurance and Term Plan
You mentioned LIC, but no term plan.

A pure term plan is must for financial protection of your family.

Steps to Take:

Take a term plan of at least 15–20 times your annual income.

Keep a single term plan with good claim record.

Pay premium yearly. Choose online or offline with help of CFP.

Avoid any plan that gives maturity or money-back.

Buy term plan separately and invest separately. This gives you full benefits.

Health Insurance for Family
You did not mention health insurance.

Depending only on employer health cover is risky.

What You Should Do:

Buy a family floater health policy of Rs. 10–15 lakhs.

Add top-up cover if needed.

Check features like day-care, no-claim bonus, and room rent limit.

Medical expenses can wipe out savings. Protect your investment journey with good cover.

Tax Saving Suggestions
Let us also look at your tax-saving investments.

You are investing in PPF, LIC, NPS, PF.

These together cover Section 80C and 80CCD.

Suggestions:

Use ELSS mutual funds instead of LIC or NPS.

ELSS gives tax saving and better return.

Lock-in is only 3 years.

LIC and NPS have low returns and long lock-in. ELSS gives better flexibility and growth.

Behaviour and Discipline
Wealth building is not just about picking funds. It is about habits.

Good Practices to Follow:

Never stop SIPs due to market fall.

Don’t chase past performance only.

Review every 12 months.

Stick to the process, not emotions.

Invest with clear goals.

Behavioural discipline is the true power behind achieving Rs. 1 crore.

Asset Allocation Strategy
Keep your portfolio balanced.

Don’t put everything in equity. Don’t put everything in fixed income.

Suggested Allocation:

70% equity mutual funds

20% in PPF + PF

10% in liquid funds as emergency

Rebalance once every year with help of a Certified Financial Planner.

This keeps your risk low and return stable.

Future Increase in Income
Your income will grow every few years.

How to Use That:

Increase SIPs by Rs. 2,000–3,000 every year.

Avoid increasing lifestyle spending unnecessarily.

Invest bonuses or increments wisely.

This small step reduces time to reach Rs. 1 crore.

Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t stop SIPs mid-way

Don’t rely on index funds or direct plans

Don’t mix insurance and investment

Don’t keep money idle in savings account

Don’t skip financial reviews

Avoiding mistakes is as important as choosing the right investments.

Finally
You are on the right path with Rs. 40,000 SIP.

Surrender LIC if possible and reinvest that money.

Don’t touch SIPs during home loan repayment.

Create emergency fund and buy term plan.

Use ELSS for tax saving, not traditional policies.

Review with a Certified Financial Planner every year.

Your Rs. 1 crore goal is possible. You already have the base. Now you need a structure.

Stay consistent, review regularly, and keep investing with purpose.

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

Ans: Hello Ayushi,
If you are inclined toward fields like civil or chemical engineering, then consider opting for BITs. Given the popularity of CSE among students, you can choose CSE + DS at VIT. Actively participate in the COMDEK-K to explore more options, and your chances with COMDEK are good. Select either CSE or Chemical engineering based on your interest. The final decision will be yours.
Best of luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: ou are doing a great job already by focusing on key financial goals. Managing a family of four, educating two children, investing via SIPs, and maintaining insurance shows your commitment. Let us now look at how you can further strengthen your financial planning from all angles.

Monthly Income and Expense Snapshot
Your monthly income is Rs. 94,000.

You are paying Rs. 9,000 as house rent.

Around Rs. 30,000 is your household and living expenses.

That leaves about Rs. 55,000 as monthly surplus.

This healthy surplus is your strength. This can help you build long-term wealth and provide for your children’s future.

Review of Existing Insurance (ULIP)
You mentioned paying Rs. 1 lakh annually for a ULIP.

ULIPs mix insurance and investment.

Returns are often low due to charges.

They do not offer the best coverage or flexibility.

Action Plan:

Surrender the ULIP only if lock-in is over.

Reinvest the amount into term insurance and mutual funds.

Buy a term insurance plan of at least 15–20 times your yearly income.

Term insurance is low-cost and provides pure risk cover.

By separating insurance and investment, you get better value and control.

Review of SIPs
You are investing Rs. 9,000 monthly in mutual fund SIPs across large cap, mid cap, and small cap funds.

That is a very good step. This builds long-term wealth in a disciplined manner.

Assessment of SIP Strategy:

Equity mutual funds are good for goals 5+ years away.

Small and mid cap funds have high growth potential.

But they also carry more risk than large cap funds.

Suggestions:

Continue SIPs in a mix of large, mid, and small cap actively managed funds.

Give higher weight to large and mid caps.

Small caps should have lesser allocation.

Review the performance every year.

Rebalance if needed with the help of a Certified Financial Planner.

Avoid index funds as they do not beat market returns. Their passive nature limits potential. Actively managed funds by experienced fund managers have better growth chances over long term.

Also, if you are investing in direct plans, consider this:

Direct plans may look cheaper but miss personal guidance.

You may not know when to switch or redeem.

Regular plans via a CFP offer personalised support, fund analysis, and monitoring.

Better to go with regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner. This keeps your investments aligned with your life goals.

Child Education Planning
You have two children. The younger one is in 1st Standard. The elder has just started school.

Children’s higher education is a major future expense. It needs early planning.

What You Should Do:

Create separate SIPs for each child’s education.

Allocate 8–10 years for building corpus for elder child.

Allocate 13–15 years for younger one.

Use a combination of large and mid cap funds.

Review progress every year.

This approach ensures you don’t break your investments midway. You can meet your children’s education costs without taking loans.

Emergency Fund and Risk Coverage
This area is often ignored but is the backbone of strong planning.

Emergency Fund:

Set aside 5–6 months of expenses in a liquid mutual fund.

This gives quick access in times of job loss, illness, or unexpected needs.

Health Insurance:

Check if you have health insurance for self and family.

Don’t depend only on employer cover.

Take a family floater plan of minimum Rs. 10 lakhs.

Add top-up cover if your budget permits.

Medical inflation is very high. A proper health cover protects your savings.

Retirement Planning
You are 33 now. You have about 25 years to retire. This is your wealth creation window.

Steps You Can Take:

Start SIP in a retirement-focused mutual fund.

Begin with even Rs. 3,000 to 5,000 per month.

Increase every year as income grows.

Stay invested for long term.

Retirement may look far. But planning now reduces stress later. Many people delay this and end up with shortfalls.

Do not depend on pension or children later. Create your own retirement fund.

Tax Planning
Let’s look at how you can save taxes smartly:

Use Section 80C fully (Rs. 1.5 lakhs per year).

Term insurance premium qualifies under this.

SIPs in ELSS mutual funds also give deduction.

ULIP was earlier taking this space. Reallocate wisely.

Invest in tax-saving mutual funds (ELSS) with 3-year lock-in.

Avoid tax-saving plans that mix insurance and investment. They give poor returns and lack flexibility.

Also, be aware of mutual fund taxation:

Equity mutual funds held for more than 1 year are taxed at 12.5% if LTCG exceeds Rs. 1.25 lakh.

Short-term gains (less than 1 year) are taxed at 20%.

Debt funds are taxed as per your income slab.

Plan your redemptions smartly to reduce tax impact.

Goal-based Investing
Divide your financial goals into 3 types:

Short-term (0–3 years):

Emergency fund

House down payment

School fees

Use liquid or ultra-short-term mutual funds.

Medium-term (3–7 years):

Car purchase

Child’s school/college expenses

Use balanced advantage funds or large cap funds.

Long-term (7+ years):

Higher education

Retirement

Wealth creation

Use a diversified mix of equity mutual funds. Rebalance once a year.

Goal-wise investing keeps you disciplined. You also get clarity and motivation.

Behavioural Discipline
Wealth creation is not about high returns alone. Behavioural habits matter more.

Practices to Follow:

Don’t stop SIPs in market correction.

Avoid frequent fund switches.

Don’t check NAVs daily.

Follow a planner-based investment approach.

The more consistent you are, the better results you get. SIPs work best with time and discipline.

Financial Progress Tracking
Just like health checkups, do financial reviews every year.

Review SIPs performance

Review goals and time left

Check insurance coverage

Check emergency fund balance

Rebalance if required

Take help from a Certified Financial Planner once a year. This gives direction and professional insights.

Lifestyle and Expense Management
You mentioned Rs. 30,000 on household and needs.

That is reasonable given your income and family size. Continue tracking and controlling discretionary spending.

Avoid lifestyle inflation as income grows. Instead, increase SIPs as income rises.

Use surplus for wealth creation. Not luxury.

Educate and Involve Spouse
If your spouse is not aware of your investments, include them.

Keep them informed about SIPs, insurance, goals, etc.

Involve your spouse in yearly reviews. This adds a second layer of financial safety for your family.

Final Insights
You are already doing well with SIPs and budgeting.

Shift from ULIP to term insurance and mutual funds.

Create specific goal-based SIPs for your children.

Build emergency fund and health insurance today.

Start retirement SIP early, even if small.

Track, review, and improve regularly.

These steps build your financial life step-by-step. You can create wealth and peace of mind over time.

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

Ans: Hello Sachin
Please contact the placement division of the respective college and seek help.
Best of luck.