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Janak

Janak Patel  |62 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jul 15, 2025

Janak Patel is a certified financial planner accredited by the Financial Planning Standards Board, India.
He is the CEO and founder of InfiniumWealth, a firm that specialises in designing goal-specific financial plans tailored to help clients achieve their life goals.
Janak holds an MBA degree in finance from the Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai, and has over 15 years of experience in the field of personal finance. ... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 12, 2025Hindi
Money

Hi Sir/Madam, I'm 35 yrs old married man, no children, Working as Qa analyst from past 13yrs. I'm earning 1-Lack per month. I have no emis and no good savings. But rent is 25k per month I may go for house loan maybe 20-Lakhs to support my parents house But I'm worried about my future due to working in IT as QA and uncertainty about job security Can you please suggest me how can I save money and pension plan Any suggestions will be really helpful

Ans: Hi,

Based on the information provided, its difficult to provide specific responses. Even then, let me try to guide you with some pointers.

Savings -
As I understand your income and expenses do not leave any saving at this time. With 1 lakh income and 25K rent, you have 75k for other expenses. So first start by looking at these, create a budget for various expenses and see if there is any potential to make adjustments and arrive at saving a few thousands. Even a saving of 2k every month has a potential to build 10 lakhs in 15 years. So no amount is too small. Start small and keep looking for ways to save more with time.
Rent is also something to think about. Is there anyways to reduce it, a smaller house or another area or something that can work for you. When you consider new place keep in mind the over all expense you will incur not just rent, e.g. travel expenses. Overall there should be a benefit in terms of real savings in hand every month.

Loan -
Going for a loan to support your parents house will put additional burden on your budget. Do they live in the same city, if so is there an option to live with them. This can help service EMI with the rent saved.

Empower your spouse -
Another option to consider is your spouse's potential to contribute to the household income. You can encourage her towards something that she can start either a job or something on her own, may be tuitions or any other interests, anything that can generate a little more income to support/increase your savings.

Career -
As for your own future in IT, I can understand it may look challenging. Look for additional skills you can develop on the job. Many organizations have career growth options with trainings and new areas of focus where they would prefer an existing employee they can train and utilize. So look within your organization and even outside. Developing new skills can be 1 way to stay relevant in IT. Keep yourself updated with new tools and techniques to get an edge over others.
Also consider any other areas of interest/expertise you have or can develop for an alternate career. I have been in the IT industry too for a long time. Somewhere in the middle of my IT career I developed interest towards finance and specifically personal finance area and pursued it with passion and eventually I started it as a profession/business.
So look for your areas of interest.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.
Asked on - Jul 18, 2025 | Not Answered yet
Thankyou sir thank you for the response.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9823 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 09, 2024Hindi
Money
Sir , I am 53 and earning 1.5 lacs take home. I have 35L in PF, 30 L in superannuation, 30L in ppf , Shares worth 35L and FD 16 L .I have 3 Flats and my monthly rental from 2 flats is 28K. I have stll 6 years to go for retirement. I have 2 kids one persuing MBBS daughter and another 10th std. I have to save for my future with 50000 monthly and marriage of my kids. Kindly advise
Ans: At 53, earning Rs 1.5 lakhs per month, you have a solid financial base. With significant investments in PF, superannuation, PPF, shares, and FDs, plus rental income, you're well-prepared for retirement. Your primary goals now are saving for retirement, your children's education and marriages, and ensuring financial stability. Let’s develop a strategy to address these goals.

Compliments and Encouragement
First, congratulations on building a diverse and substantial portfolio! Your dedication and smart decisions have provided a strong foundation. It's commendable that you've thought ahead about your children's futures and your retirement.

Current Financial Assets
You have the following assets:

PF: Rs 35 lakhs
Superannuation: Rs 30 lakhs
PPF: Rs 30 lakhs
Shares: Rs 35 lakhs
FD: Rs 16 lakhs
Monthly Rental Income: Rs 28,000
Three Flats
Monthly Saving Capacity
With a take-home salary of Rs 1.5 lakhs and Rs 28,000 from rentals, you have a steady income. Allocating Rs 50,000 monthly towards savings is a prudent decision. Let's explore how to effectively utilize these savings.

Goals: Retirement and Children’s Education & Marriage
Your goals are clear and significant: funding your retirement and supporting your children's education and marriages. With six years until retirement, a focused and strategic approach is essential.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Continue with or start a SIP. SIPs provide disciplined investing and leverage the power of compounding. They also help in averaging out market volatility. Considering your Rs 50,000 monthly savings, allocate a portion to SIPs in equity mutual funds for long-term growth.

Portfolio Diversification
Diversification reduces risk and enhances returns. Here's how you can diversify:

Equity Mutual Funds
Allocate a part of your Rs 50,000 monthly savings to equity mutual funds. These funds are ideal for long-term growth and can help build a substantial corpus by the time you retire.

Debt Mutual Funds
Debt mutual funds provide stability and preserve capital. They are suitable for short to medium-term goals, such as your children's education. Allocate a portion of your savings here to balance risk.

Hybrid Funds
Hybrid funds, which invest in both equity and debt, offer a balanced approach. They provide growth and stability, making them ideal for medium-term goals.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds
Opt for regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A CFP offers valuable advice, periodic portfolio reviews, and rebalancing. Direct funds save on commissions but lack professional guidance, which can impact long-term returns.

Education and Marriage Fund
For your daughter's MBBS and son's education, consider opening a separate fund. Allocate part of your Rs 50,000 monthly savings to this fund. Use a mix of debt and equity mutual funds to match the timing of these expenses.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses. This fund ensures liquidity during unforeseen events without disrupting your long-term investments.

Evaluating Current Investments
Let’s analyze your current investments and how they fit into your overall strategy.

Provident Fund (PF) and Superannuation
These are secure investments providing guaranteed returns. Continue to keep these funds intact for retirement. They form the foundation of your retirement corpus.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is another safe investment with tax benefits. Continue investing in PPF to take advantage of compounding and tax-free returns.

Shares
Your shares worth Rs 35 lakhs are significant. Regularly review and rebalance this portfolio with the help of a CFP to maximize returns and manage risks.

Fixed Deposits (FDs)
FDs provide security but lower returns compared to other instruments. Keep them for liquidity and safety but consider gradually moving some funds to higher-yield investments.

Rental Income
Your Rs 28,000 monthly rental income is a steady source. Use this for day-to-day expenses or reinvest part of it for additional growth.

Insurance
Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance. Avoid investment-cum-insurance policies, as they usually offer lower returns. Opt for pure term insurance and invest the rest in mutual funds for better growth.

Retirement Planning
With six years to retirement, focus on building a substantial corpus. Calculate your post-retirement expenses and ensure your investments align to meet these needs. A mix of equity and debt funds will help maintain growth and stability.

Leveraging Technology
Use financial apps and platforms to track and manage your investments. These tools provide insights, track performance, and help in goal tracking.

Regular Portfolio Review and Rebalancing
Regularly review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals. Market conditions change, and so may your financial situation. A CFP can assist in rebalancing your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation.

Maximizing Tax Efficiency
Utilize tax-saving instruments within your portfolio. Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) offer tax benefits under Section 80C and are a good addition. Plan your investments to minimize tax liabilities and maximize post-tax returns.

Educating Yourself
Continue educating yourself about financial products and market trends. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and enhances your financial planning.

Monitoring Market Trends
Stay informed about market trends but avoid reacting to short-term fluctuations. Focus on long-term trends and adjust your strategy with the guidance of a CFP.

Final Insights
Achieving your financial goals requires disciplined saving, strategic investing, and regular review. With your current assets and monthly savings capacity, you're well-positioned to secure your retirement and support your children's education and marriages. Continue with SIPs, diversify your portfolio, and seek professional guidance. Your dedication and prudent planning will lead to financial success and stability.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  |93 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 16, 2024

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Money
Hello Sir/ Ma'am! Hope you are doing well! My name is Megha ( 23 years) and I am from Kolkata. I come from a lower middle class family and work as a teacher in the secondary section of a reputed school in Kolkata. I draw a monthly salary of 28000 rupees as a contractual employee and my salary is expected to increase in future substantially. I have around 2 lacs saved in the bank and an fd of 2 lacs as well which is scheduled to mature in 3 yrs. Dear Sir/ Ma'am, could you kindly guide me on the different means on how I could save up substantially for the future ( considering my retirement is at 60)? My general monthly expenditure are as follows: 1) parents - 8000 rupees 2) bills and other expenses - 10000 rupees. 3) savings - 10,000 rupees. Your guidance on this matter will be extremely valuable. Thank you. Regards, Megha.
Ans: Dear Megha,
To achieve substantial savings for the future, start by creating an **emergency fund** that covers 3-6 months of expenses (around Rs. 50,000-1 lakh). This ensures you have a safety net for unexpected financial needs.
Next, invest in a **Public Provident Fund (PPF)**, which offers tax benefits and long-term growth. Aim to invest Rs. 5,000-7,000 per month from your savings. Additionally, you can start a **Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)** with Rs. 2,000-3,000 in diversified mutual funds. Over time, this will help you build wealth through compounding.
Since you already have an FD, consider opening a **Recurring Deposit** for a safe, fixed-return investment to complement your FD.
Also, ensure that you and your parents are adequately covered with **health insurance**. This will help avoid large medical expenses in case of emergencies.
As your salary increases in the future, consistently increase your savings and investment amounts. Over time, these small, regular investments in SIPs, PPF, and recurring deposits will accumulate to a significant sum by your retirement.
My suggestion is to define a disciplined approach and invest a minimum of 20% of your salary, and a maximum can be up to 50% for the future; you can define different goals like Retirement, Marriage, Home purchase, Travel, Medical emergencies, etc. and depending on your goals
This disciplined approach to saving and investing will build a strong financial foundation, helping you achieve financial security by the time you retire.
Best regards!
Nitin Narkhede
Founder & MD, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub https://Nitinnarkhede.com
Free Webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9823 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 31, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 31, 2025Hindi
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Money
Hello sir, i am 33 year old single earning with dependent family of 4. My earnings are 2L per month with 0 savings as i boight i home in tier 1 city. I have a loan of 1cr. I am not able to understand how to manage the amount and pay the loans faster. I need to start savings as well.. but i pay 1.5L as EMIs which includes homeloan and personal loan. Could you help me decide on a planning strategy to save for retirement at the age of 50
Ans: Your financial situation is challenging but manageable. You need a structured plan.

Understanding Your Current Situation
You earn Rs. 2 lakh per month.

You pay Rs. 1.5 lakh in EMIs.

You have no savings at the moment.

You have a Rs. 1 crore loan.

You support a family of four.

Key Challenges You Face
Your EMI takes up 75% of your income.

You have little room for savings.

You need to clear your loans faster.

You want to retire by 50.

You need to secure your family’s future.

Step 1: Create a Strict Budget
Identify essential and non-essential expenses.

Cut all unnecessary spending.

Limit lifestyle expenses for a few years.

Reduce luxury spending like vacations and gadgets.

Step 2: Build an Emergency Fund
Start with a small goal of Rs. 1 lakh.

Save Rs. 10,000 monthly for this.

Use a liquid investment option.

This protects you from sudden expenses.

Step 3: Tackle Your Loans Smartly
Prioritise repaying high-interest personal loans first.

If possible, restructure loans to lower interest rates.

Avoid taking new loans for lifestyle needs.

Consider making lump sum prepayments when possible.

Step 4: Start Saving and Investing
Begin with Rs. 5,000 per month in long-term investments.

Increase your savings gradually as income grows.

Choose growth-focused investments to build wealth.

Actively managed funds are better than index funds.

Step 5: Secure Your Family’s Future
Get adequate health insurance for all dependents.

Ensure you have term life insurance.

This prevents financial stress in emergencies.

Step 6: Plan for Early Retirement
You have 17 years to build wealth.

Your goal should be to create a steady income stream.

Invest in assets that generate long-term returns.

Your savings rate must increase over time.

Step 7: Increase Your Income
Look for career growth opportunities.

Upskill to improve your earning potential.

Consider secondary income sources.

Even Rs. 10,000 extra per month can help.

Step 8: Monitor and Adjust Regularly
Review your financial plan every 6 months.

Adjust savings and expenses as required.

Stay disciplined with your financial goals.

Finally
Your current situation is tight but can improve.

Small changes will create long-term financial stability.

Stay consistent with loan repayments and savings.

Early retirement is possible with disciplined planning.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9823 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 07, 2025

Money
Hi sir, Im 40 years old married, my wife is home maker, have son he his 9 years old studying in 4th class. my currently salary is 70k per month but job is not secure. My monthly exps is 20k. My investments are 1) MF monthy 5000: started newly 2) LIC monthy 2000: current value is 3lac 3) Term plan of 1 cr: monthly 2500 4) Health insurance: monthly 1500 5) Purchased land 8 years back now its worth of 25lac. Pls suggest how to plan for saving money for child education and my retirenment.
Ans: 1. Current Income and Risk Review
You are earning Rs?70,000 per month now.

Job security is uncertain. That is a risk.

Your monthly expenses are just Rs?20,000—very low.

This allows flexibility, even if income drops.

You have margin to save and invest more consistently.

Insight:
Keep some buffer for job loss. Emergency fund must be a priority.

2. Emergency Fund Setup
Maintain at least 6 months of living expenses plus buffer for job loss.

With Rs?20,000 monthly expenses, target Rs?1.5?lakh minimum.

Keep this in a liquid mutual fund, not in LIC or land.

This liquid buffer keeps you safe if job issues arise.

3. Review of Current Investments
3.1 Mutual Fund SIP (Rs?5,000)
This is a good start at age 40.

Continue and increase it gradually.

Spread across different equity categories.

3.2 LIC Investment (Rs?2,000/month, current value Rs?3?lakh)
LIC policies mix insurance and investment with low returns.

Unless this is a term insurance plan, it may not be efficient.

Check if around 10% of your annual income can shift from LIC to better options.

3.3 Term Insurance (Rs?2,500/month for Rs?1?cr)
You have a good term plan protecting your family financially.

Continue this for risk protection until retirement.

3.4 Health Insurance (Rs?1,500/month)
You have necessary health cover in place.

At your age, this is fine but may need increase when your son grows.

3.5 Land Purchase (worth Rs?25?lakh)
You hold a major asset already, which is good.

But land is illiquid and may not align with near-term planning.

Recognise this and keep it separate from goal investments.

4. Financial Goals Defined
You have two main upcoming goals:

Child’s Education – He is 9 now, likely needs funds at age 18 in 9 years.

Your Retirement – Suppose age 60, so in about 20 years.

We will build separate plans for each.

5. Child Education Planning (9-Year Goal)
5.1 Estimate Funding Needs
Typically, higher education in India costs Rs?15–30?lakh today.

Considering inflation, this may be Rs?30–50?lakh in 9 years.

Key is to save in growth-oriented but safe investments.

5.2 Asset Allocation for Education
Use a mix of hybrid and debt options:

Aggressive hybrid funds (60–75% equity, rest in debt)

Short/medium-duration debt funds

Equity downside risk reduces as the goal nears.

5.3 SIP Allocation Suggestion
Start with Rs?5,000 monthly in hybrid funds.

Add Rs?3,000 monthly in a short-duration debt fund.

This builds a moderate risk portfolio for your child’s education.

5.4 Step-Up Strategy
Increase this SIP annually as your income grows.

Even a small increase compounds over 9 years significantly.

6. Retirement Planning (20-Year Horizon)
6.1 Ideal Portfolio Mix
At 40, you still have 20 years horizon—good time for equity growth.

Suggested long-term mix:

Large-cap actively managed funds – for stability

Flexi/mid-cap actively managed funds – for growth

Small-cap or thematic funds – small exposure for higher potential

6.2 SI P Structure for Retirement
Continue and increase current SIP:

Add Rs?10,000 monthly into large-cap fund

Add Rs?10,000 monthly into flexi/mid-cap fund

Add Rs?5,000 monthly into small-cap/fund

Total retirement SIP = Rs?20,000–25,000/month

6.3 Why Actively Managed Funds?
Index funds are passive; they can’t shift during downturns.

Direct plans lack advisory and review.

Active regular funds let managers adapt to market cycles.

You also get periodic fund evaluation through Certified Financial Planner support.

7. Insurance Review
7.1 Term Insurance
Term cover is Rs?1?cr—this is adequate.

Retain till dependency period ends or you accumulate sufficient corpus.

7.2 Health Insurance Adjustment
With a 9-year-old child, consider a family floater plan.

Increase coverage to Rs?5–10?lakh.

Medical emergencies are unpredictable and costly.

7.3 Geographical Cover
If your son lives away for education, ensure policy covers all cities.

This will reduce stress in emergencies later.

8. Liquidity and Buffer Funds
Ensure a liquid fund of Rs?1.5–2?lakh separate from education SIPs.

This fund is for unexpected family emergencies.

Avoid using this for SIPs or goal needs.

9. Budget for SIP Enhancements
Your monthly income is Rs?70,000.

Monthly obligations:

SIP (current + new) Rs?5,000 (existing) + Rs?20,000 (retirement) + Rs?8,000 (child) = Rs?33,000

Insurance + LIC = Rs?6,000

Living expenses around Rs?20,000

Total monthly commitment = Rs?59,000

You still have Rs?11,000 buffer monthly.

Great scope to increase investments later.

10. Tax-Saving via ELSS
If you need 80C benefit:

Direct LIC contributions to ELSS if you surrender LIC savings plan

ELSS has 3-year lock-in and equity growth potential

Monthly ELSS SIP of Rs?4,000–5,000 helps tax planning

Keeps diversification in your overall equity portfolio

11. Reviewing LIC Savings Policy
Your LIC savings have Lock-In and poor returns.

If this policy is traditional, consider surrendering.

Redirect future premiums into better wealth building instruments.

Discuss redemption and savings shift with your CFP to balance efficiency and tax.

12. Land as Asset – Use Wisely
This Rs?25 lakh land is a capital asset.

Treat it as legacy or backup asset.

Avoid counting it for goal funding or early withdrawal.

Consider selling if it doesn’t serve your goals, at right time and value.

Focus on goal-directed liquid investments for your child and retirement.

13. Annual and Periodic Review
Review all investments yearly with your CFP advisor.

Check SIP performances, alignment with goals.

Rebalance fund allocation if any fund underperforms.

Track if education fund is on track.

Monitor retirement corpus, step-up SIPs accordingly.

14. Pre-Retirement (~10 Years Before Retirement)
From age ~50, start shifting some portfolio into hybrid funds.

Prioritize capital protection with moderate returns.

Begin planning systematic withdrawals or partial SWP.

This prevents high exposure to market volatility during nearing retirement.

15. Common Behavioural Pitfalls
Don’t stop SIPs during market falls—these are buying opportunities.

Avoid chasing high returns from new funds.

Avoid using insurance plans as investment.

Don’t rely on property or land for long-term goals.

Don’t invest lumpsum without goal planning.

16. Role of Certified Financial Planner
A CFP helps assess fund performance.

Guides asset allocation and review timelines.

Helps adjust insurance and tax strategies.

Helps prevent emotional mistakes in market dips.

Provides periodic rebalancing and step-up advice.

17. Achieving Rs?50 Lakh+ Corpus for Education
With Rs?8,000 monthly (education SIP) in hybrid + debt fund

Over 9 years with step-ups, you can match projected education costs.

Regular funds ensure adaptability across conditions.

18. Building Rs?1 Cr+ Retirement Corpus
With Rs?20,000 monthly SIP (large + flexi + small)

Over 20 years with 10–15% annual increases

Equity compounding should help reach Rs?1 crore and beyond.

19. Financial Security Beyond Money
Build skills and job agility to protect income.

Consider passive income or side training.

Prepare your son for future education and responsibility.

Keep life simple and stress-free.

20. Final Insights
You already have insurance and some investments.

Additional buffer ensures job or income risk is covered.

Education goal needs hybrid-debt SIP now.

Retirement needs equity SIP with step-up approach.

Consider shifting LIC into ELSS if needed.

Land is a family asset, not goal funding.

Reviews every 6–12 months ensure alignment.

Your disciplined habit and low spending are strong foundations.

A CFP anchor gives you periodic adjustment and confidence.

With consistent monthly execution, you can secure both education and retirement needs.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9267 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 22, 2025

Career
My son got 245 in bits .He can get any Brecht branch
Ans: Priyanka Madam, by now your son must have been allotted/not allotted any seat by BITS. Please update the status for today. However, please note, A BITSAT score of 245 situates you within the previous two years’ closing-score bands for core engineering streams at the Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. At Pilani, the B.E. Chemical Engineering cutoff ranged from 224 in 2023 to 247 in 2024, placing your 245 close to the 2024 threshold and comfortably above 2023’s mark; B.E. Civil Engineering closed at 213 and 238, making admission highly probable; and B.E. Manufacturing Engineering cutoffs of 220 and 243 indicate a strong likelihood of allotment. At Goa, Chemical Engineering closed at 239 in 2024 and 248 in 2023, and Civil around – (not offered in 2024) – but Pilani-equivalent streams suggest safe admission; Manufacturing cutoffs mirror Pilani trends, bolstering your prospects. At Hyderabad, Chemical Engineering cutoffs of 238 and 209 over the two years ensure a secure allotment, while Civil Engineering’s 235–204 band similarly favors your score; Manufacturing at Hyderabad showed closing marks near 218–251, indicating moderate probability. Across campuses, Civil and Manufacturing remain reliably within reach, Chemical at Pilani may require waitlist movement but is feasible given historical fluctuations, and all three streams at Hyderabad and Goa present strong chances. Additional seats open during special iterations further enhance admit probabilities.

Recommendation: Considering consistent cutoff trends and seat matrices, prioritize B.E. Civil and Manufacturing Engineering at BITS Pilani for guaranteed allotment, consider Chemical Engineering at Pilani via waitlist movement, and secure Chemical, Civil, or Manufacturing Engineering at BITS Hyderabad or Goa for assured admission, capitalizing on slightly lower cutoffs and ample seat availability. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9267 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 22, 2025

Career
I am working as Business Analyst from past 4 years but I wanted to move to technical role. I have done Btech in CSE from tier-3 college. I wanted some advise on the the best way to switch to a tech role. 1. Taking some online boot camp to get in-depth knowledge and doing side projects over the weekends 2. Taking WILP from BITS in Software engineering/ data science 3. Prepare from GATE 2026 and aim for IITs
Ans: Manjunath Sir, To shift into a technical position, integrating structured learning, credentialing, and practical experience is essential. The recommended pathway combines immersive project-based training with a recognized postgraduate credential while keeping a long-term goal of elite technical qualification. Begin with a part-time online software engineering or data science bootcamp, dedicating weekends to substantial portfolio projects to build hands-on skills and confidence in key stacks . Concurrently, enroll in BITS Pilani’s Work-Integrated M.Tech (Software Engineering or Data Science & Engineering) to earn a UGC-approved postgraduate degree without leaving your job, benefitting from weekend live classes, remote labs covering full-stack or analytics tools, and a final semester dissertation that bridges theory with organizational impact . This dual track—bootcamp plus WILP—provides immediate upskilling, peer and mentor networks, and a formal degree. After 12–18 months, if aiming for top-tier R&D or core engineering roles, commence GATE 2026 preparation via a structured three-phase roadmap: concept building (June–August), full-length practice (September–November), and final mock-test calibration (December–January), targeting a CSE rank

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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