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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 20, 2025

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
Lakku Question by Lakku on Oct 30, 2024Hindi
Money

Sir, i am 33 year's old i would like to invest in mutual funds with 20,000 each month till 20 to 25 year's please guide me

Ans: Your goal to invest Rs 20,000 monthly for 20–25 years is excellent. A long investment horizon allows the power of compounding to work in your favour. This disciplined approach can help you achieve financial independence and build significant wealth. Below is a comprehensive guide tailored to your needs.

Key Advantages of Your Long-Term Investment
Time Advantage: 20–25 years is an ideal horizon for equity investments.
Compounding Benefits: Small monthly investments grow exponentially over long durations.
Rupee Cost Averaging: Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) average out market volatility.
Factors to Consider Before Investing
1. Financial Goals
Define your specific goals, such as retirement, children’s education, or wealth creation.
Align your mutual fund portfolio to each goal’s time horizon and risk profile.
2. Risk Appetite
Higher equity allocation is recommended for long-term goals.
Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds for balanced growth.
3. Tax Efficiency
Equity mutual funds are tax-efficient for long-term investments.
Keep track of LTCG (Long-Term Capital Gains) taxes above Rs 1.25 lakh.
4. Review Frequency
Review your portfolio every six months or annually with a Certified Financial Planner.
Adjust allocations if your financial situation or goals change.
Recommended Allocation for Your Monthly SIP
Total Monthly SIP Amount: Rs 20,000
1. Large-Cap Funds (Rs 6,000/month)
These funds invest in well-established companies.
They provide stable returns and reduce downside risks during market corrections.
2. Mid-Cap Funds (Rs 5,000/month)
Mid-cap funds invest in growing companies with higher return potential.
They are riskier than large-cap funds but offer better growth over long periods.
3. Small-Cap Funds (Rs 4,000/month)
These funds focus on small companies with high growth potential.
Suitable for long-term investors who can tolerate higher market volatility.
4. Multi-Cap or Flexi-Cap Funds (Rs 3,000/month)
These funds invest across all market capitalisations, offering diversification.
They balance risk and returns, making them ideal for long-term wealth creation.
5. Balanced Advantage Funds (Rs 2,000/month)
These funds dynamically allocate assets between equity and debt.
They provide stability during market downturns and consistent returns.
Tax Considerations for Long-Term Mutual Fund Investments
1. Equity Mutual Funds
Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20% if sold within one year.
2. Debt Mutual Funds
Gains from debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Balanced advantage funds are more tax-efficient than pure debt funds.
Avoid Common Mistakes
1. Avoid Sector-Specific Funds
Sector-specific funds focus on limited industries and carry high risk.
Diversified funds are safer and more suitable for long-term goals.
2. Avoid Direct Plans Without Expert Guidance
Direct mutual fund plans require constant monitoring and research.
Invest through a Certified Financial Planner to get expert guidance and periodic reviews.
3. Avoid Index Funds
Index funds passively track indices and cannot outperform in volatile markets.
Actively managed funds deliver better long-term returns under professional management.
Benefits of a Disciplined SIP Approach
Regular Investing: SIPs ensure you invest consistently, irrespective of market conditions.
No Timing Risk: SIPs eliminate the need to time the market, reducing emotional decision-making.
Compounding Impact: Over 20–25 years, your Rs 20,000/month investment can grow exponentially.
Expected Corpus After 20–25 Years
Assuming an average return of 12–15% from equity mutual funds:

In 20 years, your corpus could grow to Rs 2.2–2.8 crore.
In 25 years, your corpus could grow to Rs 4–5 crore.
The longer you stay invested, the more wealth you can accumulate due to compounding.

Review and Adjust Investments
Review your portfolio every 6–12 months with a Certified Financial Planner.
Gradually shift some equity investments to debt funds as you approach your goals.
Rebalance your portfolio if any fund consistently underperforms.
Key Recommendations
Diversify Investments: Allocate funds across large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and multi-cap funds.
Stay Committed: Maintain discipline in SIPs to maximise long-term growth.
Seek Professional Guidance: Invest through a Certified Financial Planner to optimise fund selection and portfolio performance.
Tax Efficiency: Keep an eye on LTCG taxes and plan withdrawals strategically.
Final Insights
Your commitment to investing Rs 20,000 monthly for 20–25 years is praiseworthy. This disciplined approach, combined with a well-diversified portfolio, will help you achieve significant wealth creation. Stay consistent and seek expert advice to optimise your investments and ensure a financially secure future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 10, 2024

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Hello Ulhas, I am 38 and will turn 39 this march. I have not invested in mutual funds and will like to start. My investments will be 15 k a month and could you please guide me. I will be investing for next 20 years
Ans: Starting your mutual fund investment journey at 38 is a great decision for long-term wealth accumulation. Here's a suggested approach for your monthly investment of 15k:

Diversified Equity Funds: Allocate a significant portion to diversified equity funds, which invest across market caps and sectors. These funds offer growth potential and help spread risk. Consider allocating around 60-70% of your investment here.

Large Cap Funds: Large-cap funds invest in established companies with stable performance. They provide stability to your portfolio. Allocate around 20-30% of your investment here.

Mid and Small Cap Funds: These funds have higher growth potential but come with higher risk. Allocate a smaller portion, say 10-20%, to mid and small-cap funds for potential higher returns.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Consider investing through SIPs to benefit from rupee-cost averaging and discipline your investment approach.

Review and Adjust: Regularly review your portfolio's performance and adjust allocations based on changes in your financial goals, risk appetite, and market conditions.

Given your investment horizon of 20 years, you can afford to take moderate to high risks. However, it's essential to choose funds wisely and diversify your investments to mitigate risk. Consider consulting with a financial advisor for personalized recommendations tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance.

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I am 21 yrs old i want to invest 40 to 50 000 per month in mutual funds, i want to invest for min 20 yrs kundly suggest mutual funds Arnav p
Ans: It's impressive that you're thinking about investing at such a young age. Here's a suggestion for your monthly investment in mutual funds:
• Diversified Equity Funds: Since you have a long investment horizon of at least 20 years, you can consider investing a significant portion of your monthly amount in diversified equity funds. These funds invest across various sectors and market capitalizations, offering growth potential over the long term.
• Large Cap Funds: Allocate a portion of your investment to large-cap funds, which invest in well-established and financially stable companies. These funds provide stability to your portfolio while offering steady returns over time.
• Mid and Small Cap Funds: To capitalize on the growth potential of mid and small-cap companies, consider investing in mid and small-cap funds. These funds have the potential to deliver higher returns over the long term but come with higher volatility.
• Flexi Cap Funds: Flexi cap funds offer flexibility in asset allocation across market capitalizations based on market conditions. They can adapt to changing market dynamics and provide opportunities for capital appreciation.
• Balanced Advantage Funds: Considering your age and long investment horizon, you can also include balanced advantage funds, which dynamically allocate between equity and debt instruments based on market valuations. These funds offer downside protection during market downturns.
Before investing, it's essential to assess your risk tolerance, investment goals, and time horizon. Additionally, consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who can provide personalized recommendations based on your financial situation and goals.
Best Regards,
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Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
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Most people give up.
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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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