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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 15, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Bikash Question by Bikash on Apr 15, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir, i have a 15yr investment horizon. I invest 20k/month in quant small cap, 10k/per month in Aditya Birla PSU Fund, 3k/month in SBI contra fund and 2k/month in axis small cap. And intermittently on Quant Infrastructure MF. Please let me know if the Mutual Fund portfolio is ok

Ans: I can provide some general observations based on your investment horizon and chosen funds.

Here's a breakdown of your portfolio:

Quant Small Cap Fund (20k/month): Invests in small-cap companies, which can offer high growth potential but also carry higher risk.
Aditya Birla PSU Fund (10k/month): Focuses on Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), which can provide stability but may have lower growth prospects compared to broader markets.
SBI Contra Fund (3k/month): Aims to profit from both rising and falling markets, but these funds can be complex and require in-depth understanding.
Axis Small Cap Fund (2k/month): Similar to Quant Small Cap Fund, but with a different investment strategy for small companies.
Quant Infrastructure MF (intermittent): Invests in infrastructure companies, a sector with specific risks and opportunities.
General observations for a 15-year horizon:

Equity allocation: A large portion of your portfolio is in small-cap funds, which can be suitable for a long-term horizon but come with inherent volatility. Consider your risk tolerance for this concentration.
Diversification: You have some diversification across sectors (PSU, small-cap, infrastructure), but it might be beneficial to consider including a large/mid-cap fund or an index fund for broader market exposure.
Actively managed funds: Your portfolio consists of actively managed funds. These can outperform the market, but also underperform. Consider the expense ratios of these funds and how they compare to passively managed index funds.
Recommendations:

Review your risk tolerance: Ensure you're comfortable with the potential volatility of your current portfolio allocation, especially in small-cap funds.
Consider diversification: Explore adding large/mid-cap or index funds for a more balanced approach.
Research and evaluate: Research each of your fund choices to understand their investment objectives, holdings, and performance history.
Remember: This is just general information, not personalized advice. It's advisable to consult an AMFI Regd Mutual Fund distributor who can consider your specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and overall investment strategy. They can help you determine if your portfolio aligns with your needs for a 15-year investment horizon.
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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Hardik

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Tax, Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Apr 20, 2023

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My name is Santosh Roy 47years I'm investing in following MFs. 1. Axis Bluechip Fund -- Rs 1,000/month 2. ICICI prudential focused Bluechip fund-Rs.1000/month 3. Kotak Small Cap Fund -- Rs 2,000/month 4. Mirae Asset Largecap Fund -- Rs 1000/month 5.Nippon India Small Cap Fund -- Rs 2500/month 6.Kotak Flexi Cap Fund -- Rs 4000/month. 7. Quant active fund- Rs.2000/month 8. UTI Nifty 50 index fund- Rs.2000/month 9. Canara robeco flexi cap fund - Rs.2000/month My investment horizon is 15 years, moderately high risk appetite with focus on maximum corpus build. Kindly advise if my portfolio needs any change? Thanks.
Ans: Dear Santosh,

Thank you for sharing your mutual fund investments with me. It's great to see that you've been proactive in planning for your future. Based on the details provided, I understand that you have a moderately high risk appetite and are looking to build a maximum corpus over a 15-year investment horizon.

Your current portfolio has a good mix of large-cap, small-cap, flexi-cap, and index funds, which is important for diversification. I do have a few suggestions to consider for optimizing your portfolio:

Axis Bluechip Fund and ICICI Prudential Focused Bluechip Fund: As both funds are focused on large-cap stocks, you might consider consolidating these investments into one fund. You can choose the one you feel has the better performance and management. This will help you streamline your portfolio and minimize overlap.
Kotak Small Cap Fund and Nippon India Small Cap Fund: Similarly, you have two small-cap funds, and you might want to consider consolidating these investments as well. This will reduce redundancy and allow you to focus on the best-performing small-cap fund.
UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund: Since you already have exposure to large-cap funds, you could consider increasing your investment in this index fund, as it's a low-cost option to gain access to the top 50 companies in India. This will help in maintaining diversification while keeping costs low.
Quant Active Fund: This fund has a unique investment approach and might add some unpredictability to your portfolio. You could consider reallocating the funds invested in this scheme to the other funds you hold, which have a more consistent track record.
After you make these adjustments, you could reallocate the funds saved from consolidation into the remaining funds based on your risk appetite and return expectations. For instance, you can increase your allocation to the flexi-cap and small-cap funds if you're comfortable with higher risk for potentially higher returns.

Lastly, it's crucial to periodically review your portfolio and make adjustments as needed. As your goals, risk appetite, and market conditions change, you may need to rebalance your investments to ensure they remain aligned with your objectives.

Please note that these suggestions are based on the limited information provided and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. I strongly recommend consulting a professional financial advisor before making any significant changes to your investment portfolio.

Best of luck with your investments!

Warm regards

..Read more

Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 06, 2024

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Hello Sir,My name is Girish aged 38 years and I have been going through your suggestions on the MF.I have started SIP in the following mutual funds.1. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund (G) - investing since a month - 5,000 per month 2. SBI Blue Chip Fund (G) - investing since a month - 5,000 per month 3. HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund - Direct Plan (IDCW) - investing since 14 months - 2,000 per month4. Nippon India Large Cap Fund - Regular Plan (G) - investing since 2 months - 2,000 per month 5. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund - Direct Plan (G) - investing since 2 years - 2,000 per month 6. UTI MNC Fund - Direct Plan (G) - investing since 14 months - 2,000 per month I would like to know if my portfolio is good. I will be planning to invest for the next 10-15 years. What would be the corpus at the end of 15 years?Do you foresee any changes to be made in my portfolio? Please suggest.
Ans: It's great that you're investing your monthly surplus in SIPs to build your wealth.

You have a well-diversified portfolio and the funds in your portfolio are performing well in the current market scenario. In the finance planning of any portfolio, we consider many factors, including client age, risk profile, current asset allocation, etc.

All mentioned funds are performing good and have good potential in long-term. However, UTI MNC Fund - Sectoral funds focus on a specific sector or industry and it is difficult to predict which sector will perform and how long. Hence, we recommend to go for diversified funds to avoid the concentration risk
.
If you continue the monthly investment of Rs 18,000 for the next 15 years the accumulated corpus will be 89.92 lakhs approx. at the average growth rate of 12% for 15 years.
Note - the amount may get differ at that time as the actual return can be vary.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 13, 2024Hindi
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My age is 32 and I earn 40,000 PM. I invest 11400/ month in MF. My investments are 2000 in UTI index equity fund, 2000 in Parag Parikh Flexi Fund, 2000 Quant Midcap Fund, 1500 Tata Small Cap fund, 1500 Nippon small cap fund, 1200 in Quant flexi cap, and 1200 in Axis Small cap. I have also invested a lump sum of 60,000 in Quant Infrastructure fund. Kindly advise if my portfolio is okay
Ans: Evaluating Your Mutual Fund Portfolio
At 32, investing in mutual funds with a disciplined approach is a commendable step towards building wealth for the future. Let's evaluate your current portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Portfolio Composition
UTI Index Equity Fund:

Provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of large-cap stocks, tracking the performance of the underlying index. Offers stability and long-term growth potential.
Parag Parikh Flexi Fund:

A well-managed fund with a flexible investment approach across equity and debt securities. Known for its focus on quality stocks and global diversification.
Quant Midcap Fund:

Invests primarily in mid-cap companies with growth potential. Offers the opportunity for higher returns but comes with higher volatility.
Tata Small Cap Fund and Nippon Small Cap Fund:

Small-cap funds focus on companies with small market capitalization, offering high growth potential. However, they are more volatile and suitable for investors with a higher risk appetite.
Quant Flexi Cap and Axis Small Cap Fund:

Flexi-cap and small-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market capitalizations. Ensure you're comfortable with the risk associated with small-cap investments.
Quant Infrastructure Fund (Lump Sum):

Infrastructure funds invest in companies involved in infrastructure development, such as construction, energy, and transportation. Consider the long-term prospects of the infrastructure sector and the fund's performance.
Assessing Portfolio Diversification
Your portfolio includes a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds, offering diversification across market capitalizations. However, it's essential to review the overlap between funds to avoid concentration risk and ensure adequate diversification.

Portfolio Review and Optimization
Risk Assessment:

Evaluate your risk tolerance and investment horizon to determine if the current allocation aligns with your financial goals.
Performance Review:

Monitor the performance of individual funds and compare them against their benchmarks and peer group. Consider making adjustments if any funds consistently underperform.
Asset Allocation:

Ensure your asset allocation is balanced and in line with your risk profile. Consider rebalancing if necessary to maintain the desired mix of equity and debt investments.
Professional Advice:

Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to review your portfolio and receive personalized recommendations based on your financial situation and goals.
Conclusion
Your mutual fund portfolio shows a diversified mix of investments across market capitalizations and sectors. Regularly review and assess your portfolio's performance to ensure it remains aligned with your financial objectives. Remember, investing is a long-term journey, and periodic adjustments may be necessary to navigate market fluctuations and achieve your wealth accumulation goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 19, 2024

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Hi sir,my name is babu ,my age is 33 years. Please review my mutual fund portflio and i am keeping mf portflio for 15 years for retirement corpus. Lumpsum: 1.quant flexi cap fund-1 lakh 2.parag parikh flexi cap fund- 1.2 lakh 3.icici prudential equity and debt fund-50 k 4.quant large and midcap fund-1lakh 5.icici prudential blue chip- 1 lakh 6.edelweiss mid cap fund-1 lakh 7.icici prudential nifty next 50 index- 1lakh Sip: 1.motilal oswal nifty midcap 150 index-4500 2.motilal oswal nifty small cap 150 index-3500 3.HDFC S&P BSE 500 INDEX-2000 4.parag parikh flexi cap-2500 5.icici prudential blue chip-2000 6.hdfc nifty 50 index plan-2500 7.icici prudential nifty 50 index-3000 As i am keepimg mf's for my future goals,i want to take minimal risk. Please review my portfolio and suggest.
Ans: Hello Babu,

Firstly, congratulations on your thoughtful approach to building your mutual fund portfolio. You have a good mix of lump sum investments and SIPs, which is crucial for a well-rounded investment strategy.

Lump Sum Investments
Your lump sum investments are diversified across different categories, which is excellent for risk management. Let’s look at each fund:

Quant Flexi Cap Fund: This fund is versatile and can invest across market capitalizations.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Known for its value investing approach, it includes international stocks for additional diversification.

ICICI Prudential Equity and Debt Fund: This hybrid fund balances equity and debt, offering stability and growth.

Quant Large and Midcap Fund: Invests in large and mid-cap stocks, aiming for a balance of stability and growth.

ICICI Prudential Blue Chip Fund: Focuses on large-cap stocks, providing stability.

Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund: Targets mid-cap stocks, which have the potential for higher growth but come with higher risk.

ICICI Prudential Nifty Next 50 Index Fund: Tracks the Nifty Next 50 index, which can offer growth from emerging large-cap companies.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs)
Your SIPs also cover a range of index and active funds. Here’s an evaluation:

Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund: Mid-cap index funds can be volatile but offer high growth potential.

Motilal Oswal Nifty Small Cap 150 Index Fund: Small-cap index funds have even higher growth potential with higher risk.

HDFC S&P BSE 500 Index Fund: A broad market index fund that offers comprehensive market exposure.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Continues to provide diversification and international exposure.

ICICI Prudential Blue Chip Fund: Consistent performer among large-cap funds.

HDFC Nifty 50 Index Plan: Tracks the Nifty 50 index, providing exposure to the top 50 companies.

ICICI Prudential Nifty 50 Index Fund: Another Nifty 50 tracker, providing redundancy in your portfolio.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
While index funds provide low-cost market exposure, they have some limitations compared to actively managed funds:

No Active Management: Index funds simply replicate the index and cannot react to market changes or economic shifts.

No Outperformance: They are designed to match the index performance, not exceed it. Actively managed funds aim to outperform the index.

Limited Flexibility: Index funds must follow the index composition, even if some stocks perform poorly.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds, on the other hand, offer several benefits:

Professional Management: Fund managers make strategic decisions to outperform the market.

Dynamic Allocation: They can adjust the portfolio based on market conditions, potentially reducing risk.

Selective Investments: Fund managers can choose high-potential stocks, avoiding underperformers.

Recommendations
To minimize risk while aiming for growth, consider these adjustments:

Reduce Overlap in Index Funds: You have multiple funds tracking similar indices (Nifty 50). Consider reducing redundancy to simplify your portfolio.

Increase Allocation to Hybrid Funds: Hybrid funds offer a balanced approach, combining equity and debt for stability.

Focus on Quality Active Funds: Include more actively managed funds with a proven track record of consistent performance.

Conclusion
Your portfolio is well-diversified, but some adjustments can enhance its effectiveness. Reducing overlap and focusing more on active management can align with your goal of minimal risk and stable growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

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

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1841 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

...Read more

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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