Dear Sir, From last week I am having pain in my lower right back (after in periods end), it is more when I wake up (start when I get into sitting position for the first time after waking up... I don't feel it if I continue to lie down). It start reducing as soon as the start moving... in 2-3 hr is down by 50%-60% and get nearly 0 till evening or night, and the same happen next day. But from last 2 days it is very cold here and the intensity of pain has increased... it’s getting uncomfortable. If I have to compare the pain: If feel like the pain you have the next day after doing heavy exercise, like the muscle is solidify and every movement it stretch it with pain making it loose. It is mostly concentered at the dimple of my right hip. Feel like originate from under the skin and radiating outward. Not on surface but deep inside toward the surface. Also, I was feeling burning sensation in the lower right side of the abdomen (again inside not on the surface). It started with winter getting cold, I consult the doctor and was told that it may be due to accumulation of acid (HCL) in my large intestine. She ask me to eat more (many times a days- include fruit and nut in between proper meals) and 15 days of medication (homeopathy) it is gone. For the history of all this- In November – One day after I wake up when I was getting into sitting position ... I don’t know what I did wrong or how I jerk my body up.... I feel a sudden sharp pain on my back same point... I was not in sitting position still half way in air little bend toward right.... And I know I have pulled something wrong...a muscle, nerve or ligament something... The pain was a lot like a sudden cramp you feel in your calf... I slowing get back to lying position and the pain die down in minutes... It was uncomfortable, little tight, but no pain when I again get to sitting position slowing. I started feeling soreness or tightness in my back someday not daily when I wake up. And it goes after some time has passed (30min -1 hr). It was like that till the weather get cold in mid dec. and I started have little pain in morning and burning sensation during days as told above.... I don’t have both (pain and burning) when I was on medicine... and for the next week till I get my periods... and as soon as the period ends the pain is back (on my 5th day). I don’t remember having pain during my period both in nov and dec... (I going to check the same in Feb if that the case). I know it a lot of reading and I should go to doctor.... Sorry to say my experience with back pain treatment (in 2011 after falling from vehicle) was very bad...firstly No doctor in interested in listening your part how you feeling and what you think. Secondly If you are feeling some non-standard problem (not in the book) always my case... you suddenly became a test sample... they ask you to take all the test... from blood test to MRI to bone marrow and if very test report in negative they give you more test. (I know it’s part of diagnosing the root cause). But it’s very disturbing... the test goes on and you are given strong painkillers and asked to rest and wait... as back pain take long time to heal (2 years though I stop going to doctor after initial 3-4 months of tests an no answers). The second time (2019) I went to my homeopathy doctor after my sciatic nerves get pull during exercise. With medicine I feel the pain traveling down from my back to thigh to knee then ankle - toe and out (same right side), It took 5-6 months and lot of endurance I don’t know why I am so scared this time... Please suggest me what should I do... which type of doctor I should go or what type of test I should take or simple allow time to heal... Or is it some kind of symptoms of some other underlying problem... what should I do? I am 36 year old / female, weight 70kg, Average building, 5.4ft height, having 8hr sitting job. For last 2 days I am taking medicine from my homeopathy Doc for my back pain (soreness/ sprains/ stiffness)

Ans: IIIT Hyderabad – Does not participate in JoSAA, requires UGEE/SAT; very competitive.

IIIT Bangalore – Takes admission through JEE percentile, but cutoff is generally above 96–98+ for CSE/ECE

Moderate to Good Chances for ECE (OBC-NCL):
You have fair chances in the lower or newer IIITs under OBC-NCL quota:

IIIT Bhagalpur

IIIT Una

IIIT Ranchi

IIIT Agartala

IIIT Kalyani

IIIT Bhopal (MANIT mentored)

IIIT Manipur

IIIT Lucknow – May get IT (ECE less likely).

Ans: At a VITEEE 2025 rank of 71,000, it is very unlikely to get AI-ML at VIT Vellore or VIT Chennai, as these are high-demand branches.

Ans: Chances are moderate to low in the regular 3rd round, but

Spot round may offer a chance, especially in IT or ECE (CSE slightly tougher).

Syllabus for IT and CSE are almost same. In that case you can go for IT

Ans: Heritage is better

Ans: RVCE

Ans: You might get branches like Civil, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Production, Chemical, Biotechnology, etc. in the following NITs:

NIT Mizoram

NIT Nagaland

NIT Sikkim

NIT Meghalaya

NIT Arunachal Pradesh

NIT Puducherry

NIT Agartala

NIT Manipur
See previous years' cut off

Ans: Absolutely delighted to hear that you’ve landed a job. Your first step is a big one. Starting at Rs. 25,000 in hand, you’re not just earning—you’re building a future. Let’s break this down into clear action steps. My aim is to guide you like a Certified Financial Planner would, with a 360-degree plan for savings and smart investments.

I’ll help you understand what to do with your income, how to manage your spending, and how to multiply your savings over time.

Let’s begin with the most important areas.

Understand Your Cash Flow
First, track where every rupee goes.

Use a simple notebook or a mobile app.

Classify expenses: needs, wants, and savings.

Always aim to save before you spend.

Try to save 30% of your income each month.

That means at least Rs. 7,500 should be saved.

Build Your Emergency Fund
Start a separate bank savings account.

Keep Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 for emergencies.

This is not for shopping or vacation.

Only use it for medical or job-related problems.

Add a fixed amount monthly until you reach your goal.

Get Health Insurance Immediately
Your employer may offer one, but it is not enough.

Buy a personal health cover worth Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.

Premiums are low for your age.

It protects your savings during illness.

Always disclose everything honestly while applying.

Term Insurance is Not Urgent Yet
You are single and just starting.

So, no need for term insurance now.

Take it only when you have dependents.

Focus instead on building assets and savings.

Automate Your Savings Process
Open a separate savings bank account for investments.

Set auto-transfer every month after salary credit.

This creates financial discipline automatically.

Don’t mix this with your spending account.

Treat savings as your monthly bill.

Start SIPs in Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Choose regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner.

They guide you with experience and research.

Don’t go for direct funds without guidance.

Direct funds need time, study, and ongoing monitoring.

Regular plans give you ongoing personalised support.

A CFP and MFD can help with fund switching also.

Benefits of Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Fund managers take decisions after market study.

Better for new investors like you.

Helps avoid sudden losses due to inexperience.

Higher chances of outperformance in long term.

Active funds adapt to market changes quickly.

Stay Away From Index Funds
Index funds follow market, no fund manager involved.

In bad markets, they also fall badly.

No one to protect or shift to safer assets.

No flexibility in difficult times.

Active funds manage risk better than index funds.

Choose SIPs with Proper Goal-Setting
Don't invest just for returns.

Invest with a goal in mind.

Examples: buy laptop, travel, marriage, house fund.

Assign timelines for each goal.

Choose funds based on time horizon and risk level.

Ideal Portfolio Mix for You
Equity mutual funds: Long-term wealth creation.

Hybrid mutual funds: Balance between growth and safety.

Recurring deposit or FD: For short-term needs.

Keep 2 or 3 funds only. Not more.

Don’t invest in random funds from friends or apps.

Avoid These Investment Mistakes
Don’t buy insurance for investment.

Don’t invest in LIC endowment or ULIPs.

They give low return and high lock-in.

No flexibility, no transparency.

Avoid chit funds and schemes from unknown sources.

Regularly Review Your Progress
Every 6 months, check your investments.

See if your savings rate is increasing.

Track how much emergency fund you have built.

Check if goals are getting closer.

A CFP can help you monitor and correct your path.

Build Skills to Increase Income
Savings alone won’t create wealth fast.

Improve your career skills also.

Take affordable online courses.

Ask for projects at work, build a reputation.

Better pay will give you higher savings later.

Budgeting Tips That Actually Work
Follow 50-30-20 rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings.

For now, you may need to reverse it: 50% savings.

Use UPI apps for expense control alerts.

Don’t keep too much cash in hand.

Withdraw once a week, not daily.

Social Media Influencers are Not Financial Planners
Don’t follow random advice online.

Their needs are not your needs.

Your plan should match your goals, not theirs.

Stick to your savings plan strictly.

Professional advice is always better.

Avoid Loan Traps at Early Stage
Don’t take EMI cards or credit cards yet.

Start with a debit card linked to your bank.

Avoid monthly subscriptions that you forget.

Keep zero debt as long as possible.

Loans reduce your ability to save and invest.

Benefits of Investing via MFD with CFP Support
You get advice suited to your income level.

Fund selection is personalised.

Help is given for SIP starting, changes, withdrawals.

They help with taxes and switching too.

Your long-term success becomes their priority.

Don’t Fall for High Returns Promises
If someone offers 20% return, it’s risky.

Stable 10–12% return over years is good.

Compound growth needs patience.

Shortcuts often lead to losses.

Stay steady and grow slowly but surely.

Think Long Term, Act Monthly
Rs. 2,000 monthly SIP grows big in few years.

You will learn patience through SIP investing.

Don’t stop SIPs if market falls.

Use market fall as chance to grow faster.

Keep SIPs running without panic.

Protect Yourself from Tax Shocks Later
Equity mutual funds give tax benefit on long term.

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%.

For debt funds, all gains are taxed as per your slab.

So plan redemption properly.

Financial Independence Should Be Your Goal
Try to reach a stage where money works for you.

That needs slow and steady investing.

Once you reach Rs. 5 lakh corpus, add more SIPs.

With every hike, increase SIP by Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000.

Build wealth step by step.

Stay Consistent, Not Perfect
You may skip saving in one month. That’s okay.

Don’t stop. Resume next month.

Track your progress, not your mistakes.

Stay focused on long term.

Small savings add up to big money later.

Finally
You have made a wonderful beginning.

Saving at Rs. 25,000 salary shows maturity.

With consistency, Rs. 7,500 monthly savings will create big wealth.

Stick to professionally managed mutual funds.

Don’t try shortcuts or risky bets.

Get support from a trusted Certified Financial Planner.

Learn, earn, save, invest, and grow at your own pace.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

Ans: Good option only. You can join. All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

Ans: Kapil, For Computer Science, Thapar Patiala is the stronger choice on almost every academic and career metric. Only consider JIIT Noida if location in NCR is a top priority or if you do not secure a seat at Thapar. All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.