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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 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
Binita Question by Binita on Apr 21, 2024Hindi
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Hi, I am of 38 yrs and having 16 K/month in SIP. SBI magnum midcap (5k), SBI contra(3k), Axis small cap(3k), Axis Large & midcap (3k) and ICICI multi assest allocation (2k) . I want to invest 4k more with target of 50L from all SIPs together in 10 years from here. Could you please analyse my portfolio and suggest fund for 4k SIP? Thanks.

Ans: Your current SIP portfolio seems well-diversified across different mutual fund categories, including mid-cap, contra, small-cap, large & mid-cap, and multi-asset allocation. Here's a brief analysis and a suggestion for your additional 4k SIP:
• SBI Magnum Midcap: Investing in mid-cap funds can provide exposure to high-growth potential companies, but they may also be subject to higher volatility compared to large-cap funds. Monitor the fund's performance regularly.
• SBI Contra: Contra funds aim to invest in undervalued stocks with the potential for future growth. They can provide diversification benefits and capitalize on market opportunities.
• Axis Small Cap: Small-cap funds invest in stocks of small-sized companies with high growth potential. They tend to be more volatile but can offer significant returns over the long term.
• Axis Large & Midcap: This fund provides exposure to both large-cap and mid-cap stocks, offering a balanced approach to capital appreciation. Monitor the fund's performance and adjust allocations if necessary.
• ICICI Multi-Asset Allocation: Multi-asset allocation funds invest in a mix of equity, debt, and other asset classes to provide diversification and manage risk. They are suitable for investors seeking a balanced portfolio.
For your additional 4k SIP, considering your existing portfolio, you may consider investing in a large-cap fund to further diversify and balance your portfolio. Large-cap funds invest in established companies with stable earnings and market leadership positions. They offer relatively lower risk and can provide stability to your overall portfolio.
Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized advice tailored to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. They can help you select the most suitable fund for your additional SIP to work towards your target of accumulating 50 lakhs in 10 years.
Asked on - May 08, 2024 | Answered on May 08, 2024
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Thanks for your valuable feedback.
Ans: Welcome :)
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 08, 2023Hindi
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Dear Sir, I am 51 years old. I have been investing in SIP for 3 years and planning to invest for coming 7 years. My Present SIPs are Axis Blue Chip Fund Regular Growth @2000/- Axis Mid Cap Regular Growth @2000/- Mirae Asset Emerging Fund Regular @2000/- UTI Flexicap Fund Regular Growth @2000/-, HDFC TOP 100 Regular Growth @2000/-. Any advise for the portfolio.
Ans: Your current SIP portfolio appears well-diversified across different categories like large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds, which is good for long-term wealth creation. Since you have a 7-year investment horizon, you may consider the following suggestions:

Review Asset Allocation: Ensure your asset allocation aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Since you're in your early 50s, you may want to tilt slightly towards more conservative options while still maintaining exposure to equities for growth potential.

Consider Adding Debt Funds: Given your age and investment horizon, consider adding debt funds to your portfolio to reduce overall risk. Debt funds can provide stability and income generation while complementing the growth potential of equity funds.

Regularly Monitor and Rebalance: Keep track of your portfolio's performance and periodically rebalance if needed to maintain your desired asset allocation. As you approach your investment goal, consider gradually shifting towards more conservative investments to protect your capital.

Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a financial advisor who can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance. They can help optimize your portfolio for better returns while managing risk effectively.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 25, 2023Hindi
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Hi Anil. I am 42yo and started SIP a year ago. My current SIPs (all Direct-G) 1) Mirae Asset ELSS (2000), 2) Quant ELSS (2000), 3) Canara Robeco ELSS (2000), 4) PPFAS ELSS (1500), 5) Nippon Multicap (1500),6) Quant Smallcap (2000), 7) PGIM Midcap (1000), 8) Quant Flexicap (2000), 9) Quant BFSI (5000). Additionally I am contributing 4000/m in NPS. I have a term plan of 25 Lakh, Health Insurance of 25 Lakh, Life Insurance of 6 lakhs. I have an EPF balance of 2 lakhs and contributing. Pls review my SIP portfolio and suggest. I want to stepup my SIP 20% annually. I have a investment horizon of 10 yrs for daughters education and 15 yrs horizon for retirement corpus. I am OK with High Risk considering 10 & 15 yrs horizon. Please suggest funds for an aggressive portfolio to accumulate 1 cr in 10 yrs.
Ans: Reviewing Your SIP Portfolio and Investment Strategy
Hi Anil, that's great! You've started investing early and have a well-rounded financial plan. Let's analyze your SIP portfolio and suggest some tweaks for your goals.

Current Portfolio Assessment:

Diversification: You have 9 SIPs across various fund categories (ELSS, Multicap, Smallcap, Midcap, Flexi-cap, Sectoral) which is good for diversification.

Actively Managed Funds: Your focus on actively managed funds allows experienced fund managers to pick stocks aiming for higher returns than the market. Actively managed funds come with higher fees compared to passively managed funds.

Direct Plans: Choosing direct plans saves you on expense ratio compared to regular plans. However, you miss out on the personalized advice and services offered by a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a CFP credential.

Considering Your Goals:

Daughter's Education (10 yrs): For a 10-year goal, a balanced approach with some bias towards aggressive funds might be suitable.

Retirement Corpus (15 yrs): A more aggressive portfolio with a higher allocation to equity funds could potentially help accumulate ?1 crore in 15 years. But remember, this comes with higher risk.

Optimizing Your Portfolio for Growth:

Increase Equity Exposure: Consider increasing your allocation to Large-cap and Mid-cap funds. These can offer good growth potential over the long term.

Reduce Sectoral Funds: Sectoral funds focus on a specific industry, which can be risky if the sector underperforms. Consider reducing or eliminating them.

Review Fund Overlap: Some of your fund choices might have overlapping investment styles. Look for funds that complement each other.

Professional Guidance: A CFP can help you fine-tune your SIP amounts across funds based on your risk tolerance and goals.

Remember: Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Actively managed funds involve inherent risks associated with stock markets.

Stepping Up SIPs:

Annual Increase: A 20% annual SIP increase is a good strategy to build your corpus over time. Remember to review your SIPs periodically and adjust as needed.
Overall, you're on the right track, Anil! A CFP can assist you with a detailed portfolio review, personalized recommendations for aggressive funds suitable for your 10 & 15-year goals, and help you navigate the ever-changing market landscape.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 02, 2024Hindi
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I am 42yo and started SIP a year ago. My current SIPs (all Direct-G) 1) Mirae Asset ELSS (2000), 2) Quant ELSS (2000), 3) Canara Robeco ELSS (2000), 4) PPFAS ELSS (1500), 5) Nippon Multicap (1500),6) Quant Smallcap (3500), 7) PGIM Midcap (1000), 8) Quant Flexicap (2000), 9) Quant BFSI (5000). Altogether, my monthly SIP amounts to Rs. 20500. Additionally I am contributing 4000/m in NPS. I have a term plan of 25 Lakh, Health Insurance of 25 Lakh, Life Insurance of 6 lakhs. I have an EPF balance of 2 lakhs and contributing. Pls review my SIP portfolio and suggest. I want to stepup my SIP 10% annually. I have a investment horizon of 10 yrs for daughters education and 15 yrs horizon for retirement corpus. I am OK with High Risk considering 10 & 15 yrs horizon. Please suggest funds for an aggressive portfolio to accumulate 1 cr in 10 yrs.
Ans: Your current SIP portfolio seems well-diversified, but you may consider some adjustments to align with your goals and risk appetite. Given your long-term horizon and willingness to take high risk, you can consider the following suggestions:

Increase Allocation to Equity: Since you have a higher risk tolerance, you may consider increasing your allocation to equity funds, especially small-cap and mid-cap funds, which have the potential for higher returns over the long term.

Review ELSS Funds: While ELSS funds offer tax benefits, ensure you're comfortable with the lock-in period. You may want to diversify across different categories within equity funds for better risk management.

Evaluate NPS Contribution: Assess the performance and suitability of NPS vis-a-vis other retirement-focused investment options like equity mutual funds, considering your risk appetite and return expectations.

Regularly Review and Rebalance: Given your investment horizon, regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as necessary. Consider rebalancing your portfolio annually to maintain the desired asset allocation.

Consider Professional Advice: Given the complexity of investment decisions and tax implications, consider seeking advice from a certified financial planner who can provide personalized recommendations based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 19, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sanjeev Sir, Hope you are in good health. I hve just started my investment through SIP in mutual fund . Would you plz advice me on my portfolio. Every month i invest 12k in the below funds . Canara Robeco small cap fund reg Edelweiss mid cap fund reg Hdfc focused 30 fund PGIM India mid cap opp fund SBI Contra fund Sundaram services fund . I have also recentky added Quant small cap fund growth regular plan SIP OF 3K . I want to invest another 10k in sip format plz suggest where should i invest.
Ans: It's fantastic to hear that you're diving into the world of investing through mutual funds. Let's discuss your portfolio and future investments.

Your current selection of funds shows a thoughtful approach to diversification across different segments of the market.

Adding a small-cap fund to your portfolio enhances diversification and potential for higher returns over the long term.

For your additional 10k investment, let's explore options that complement your existing holdings and align with your goals.

Large-cap funds offer stability and are ideal for investors seeking steady returns with lower risk.
Multi-cap funds provide flexibility across market segments, allowing you to capitalize on various opportunities.
It's important to consider your risk tolerance and investment horizon when selecting new funds for your portfolio.

Pls, consult a Certified Financial Planner to guide you every step of the way.

Remember, investing is a journey, and it's normal to have questions and uncertainties along the path.

Stay focused on your goals, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance or advice.

With diligence and patience, you're on track to achieve your financial aspirations.

Keep up the excellent work, and remember that each investment you make brings you closer to your dreams.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
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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.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

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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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