I am 25 and started investing since January of this year (3k in PPFAS). Should I consider including Index fund in my portfolio? Also, please suggest a diversified portfolio for SIP of 12k. I was thinking of investing 4k in Parag Parikh flexi cap, 3k in Kotak emerging equity fund, 4k in Invesco multicap and 1k in Nippon India small cap. I have moderate risk tolerance and would want to invest for long term. For now, I have this financial goal of reaching 1cr (excluding taxes) within a period of 20 years. Is it achievable with an investment of 12k/month?

Ans: Hello dear
Not possible for us to predict the rank. Yet you can keep hopes alive for newly formed IITs. Better to explore more options as a backup.
Best of luck.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: HI
BIT DIFFICULT. PVT COLLEGES ARE POSSIBLE
4 MORE DAYS ARE TO GET CLARITY.

Ans: HI
Whether you are planning for ENGINEERING OR MEDICINE OR BIOTECH? clarify

Ans: Avinash Sir, With a JEE Advanced rank of 28,681 and EWS rank of 4,000, admission to core branches like Computer Science (CSE) at IITs is improbable, as 2024 EWS closing ranks for CSE at newer IITs like Dharwad and Goa closed at 882–794 and 727–819, respectively. However, Civil Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Jammu (EWS closing rank: 862) or IIT Bhilai (945) may be feasible under EWS quota. For NITs, Mechanical Engineering at NIT Meghalaya (EWS closing rank: 727) or NIT Agartala (5162) is accessible, though CSE remains unlikely given NIT Surathkal’s EWS cutoff at 1,366–2,362. IIITs like IIIT Bangalore report EWS closing ranks of 8,706 for CSE (2024), making admission challenging, while IIIT Lucknow or IIIT Kalyani may offer opportunities in ECE/IT. Recommendation: Target Civil/Mechanical Engineering at newer IITs (Jammu/Bhilai) or mid-tier NITs via EWS quota, and explore IIITs’ non-CSE branches, prioritizing institutional reputation over branch preference for optimal admission outcomes. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: GOOD.
DONT LOOK AT PLACEMENT.
PLACEMENT IS DEPENDS UPON YOUR PERFORMANCE AND NOT THE INSTITUTION.

Ans: This kind of heartbreak is not just about money. It’s about feeling disrespected and discarded after building the foundation on which his success stands. And it’s also natural that you feel disturbed — you are not being selfish or weak. You are a father who feels betrayed.

But let’s take a breath and think clearly. At this stage, don’t chase, don’t plead. Pause. Sometimes when children get a sudden rise in success or independence, they feel overwhelmed and confused — not necessarily cruel, but emotionally distant and unprepared to carry responsibility. Give him some space, but keep your dignity. Let him understand that while you’re proud of him, you are also deeply hurt — not because you need his money, but because you expected respect and gratitude.

Try writing him a heartfelt message, calmly, without blame. Share your disappointment, but also the truth: that you stood by him without hesitation, and what you expected wasn’t repayment — but a bond that didn’t break with success.

At the same time, you must protect your own peace now. Don’t let your health and well-being fall apart over this. Start having a serious financial plan for your future — with or without his help.
You have done your duty. Now, let’s make sure you don’t lose yourself in someone else’s silence.

Ans: Hello Vijay
Prefer CS+Financial Planning @ Manipal if possible.
Best of luck.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: You have a well-established SIP of Rs. 25,000 running for 5 years, and you have received Rs. 12 lakh from a matured FD. Your home loan is Rs. 62 lakh, with 15 years still pending. You are now trying to decide whether to use this Rs. 12 lakh to prepay your home loan or invest it in mutual funds.

Understanding Your Current Financial Position

You are 35 years old, with stable income and responsibilities.

You have a 3-year-old child and a big home loan running.

You already invest Rs. 25,000 every month via SIP in mutual funds.

You have a 15-year home loan of Rs. 62 lakh still pending.

Now you have received Rs. 12 lakh in hand from a matured fixed deposit.

This Rs. 12 lakh gives you a good opportunity to either reduce your loan or boost investments. Let us now evaluate both options.

Option 1: Prepay the Home Loan Fully with Rs. 12 Lakh

Benefits:

Your loan principal reduces immediately, bringing down interest burden.

You will be debt-free faster if you do this regularly.

If EMI stays the same, your loan term shortens.

Emotional stress reduces when your loan amount becomes smaller.

If your EMI is more than 40% of your income, this helps reduce pressure.

If loan interest rates go up in future, this prepayment gives you safety.

No prepayment penalty for most home loans with floating interest rate.

Disadvantages:

You lose the power of compounding if this full money is not invested.

Home loan gives tax deduction. Section 24(b) allows Rs. 2 lakh deduction on interest.

If you reduce the loan too fast, your tax benefit also reduces.

You lock the full Rs. 12 lakh in the loan. You lose liquidity.

In any emergency, you cannot take back this money.

You may miss the higher returns equity mutual funds can offer in 10+ years.

This means while prepayment feels safe and peaceful, it may reduce long-term wealth potential and tax benefits. Let us now see the other side.

Option 2: Invest Entire Rs. 12 Lakh into Mutual Funds

Benefits:

Equity mutual funds help beat inflation and create wealth in the long run.

If held for more than 1 year, gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakh are tax-free.

Gains above that are taxed at 12.5%, which is still reasonable.

If SIP is already running, lump sum can go into the same fund category.

You can build a goal-based fund for child’s education or your retirement.

Mutual funds give liquidity. You can withdraw in parts if needed.

You are still getting Section 24(b) benefit by keeping the home loan.

Disadvantages:

There is no guaranteed return.

Equity mutual funds need at least 7–10 years to show full power.

In the short term, the market can fall.

If you are not patient, this can create stress.

Without proper guidance from a Certified Financial Planner, wrong funds can reduce your gains.

If you invest in direct plans or index funds, you may miss expert help.

Index funds don’t have downside protection and are not actively managed. Direct plans don’t come with the advice of a Certified Financial Planner. Investing through a regular plan with an MFD + CFP helps you get timely rebalancing and personalized advice.

A Balanced and Smarter Strategy for You

Instead of using the full Rs. 12 lakh for only one option, use a mix.

Use Rs. 6–7 lakh for home loan part prepayment.

This reduces your loan principal and interest burden.

It may reduce your loan tenure by a few years, keeping EMI unchanged.

Use the remaining Rs. 5–6 lakh to invest in mutual funds.

You already have a SIP portfolio. Add this as a lump sum.

Prefer multicap or large-and-midcap funds for lump sum.

Continue your Rs. 25,000 SIP without stopping.

This strategy allows both debt reduction and wealth creation.

Emergency and Risk Cover Comes First

Before you invest the lump sum, check if you have:

Emergency fund for at least 3 to 6 months of expenses.

Term insurance of Rs. 1 crore or more.

Health insurance of at least Rs. 10–25 lakh for the family.

These must be ready before investing more.

Mutual Fund Taxation Rules (New)

For equity mutual funds, if you sell after 1 year, gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

If sold before 1 year, short-term capital gains are taxed at 20%.

For debt mutual funds, both STCG and LTCG are taxed as per your income slab.

This is important if you plan to use the fund in short-term.

So, keep this money invested for at least 5–10 years for best results.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Do not invest the Rs. 12 lakh in ULIPs, endowment or insurance-linked products.

These are expensive and give poor returns.

If you already hold such investment-linked insurance policies, surrender them.

Use the proceeds to invest in mutual funds instead.

Do not invest in real estate, gold, crypto or high-risk ideas.

Do not stop your SIPs to fund the loan.

Do not use direct mutual funds or index funds without guidance.

Actively managed regular funds give you expert review and ongoing help from a Certified Financial Planner.

What You Can Do Every Year

Try to do a part-prepayment of the home loan once a year.

Use your annual bonus or surplus cash for this.

This will help you finish loan earlier without losing MF growth.

At the same time, increase your SIP amount by 10% every year.

With growing income, this step will keep your investment goals on track.

Over 15 years, this will help you build a retirement corpus.

Child Education Planning

Your child is 3 years old now.

In 15 years, college cost may go up a lot.

Estimate the amount needed after 15 years.

Start a separate SIP today for this future need.

Even Rs. 5,000 monthly can grow into a good fund over 15 years.

Keep this investment goal-based and do not disturb it.

Loan Prepayment Tips

Even if you part-prepay now, repeat it yearly.

It will reduce interest and free up your EMI commitment faster.

This way, you can be free from home loan by your mid-40s.

And you can enjoy a peaceful financial life later.

Finally

Using the full Rs. 12 lakh only for home loan prepayment will reduce your burden but may limit your long-term wealth. Using the entire amount only for mutual fund investment may give higher returns, but can keep your debt high and reduce peace of mind.

So, the right answer is to split. Prepay part of the loan, and invest the rest in mutual funds. Keep your SIPs running. Review your insurance and emergency fund. Increase your SIP every year. Do part prepayment yearly using bonuses. Plan separately for child’s future.

Take help from a Certified Financial Planner to make sure your mutual funds are well-selected, regularly reviewed, and goal-focused. That will help you enjoy long-term wealth, tax benefits, and emotional peace at the same time.

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

Ans: Hello Kshitika
Both options are strong. I suggest you prefer CSE at SRM. Since both institutions offer you CSE, it would be wise to choose the campus that is nearer to your hometown and has proper connectivity by rail, bus, or air.
Best of luck.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam