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Nikunj

Nikunj Saraf  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Funds Expert - Answered on May 22, 2023

Nikunj Saraf has more than five years of experience in financial markets and offers advice about mutual funds. He is vice president at Choice Wealth, a financial institution that offers broking, insurance, loans and government advisory services. Saraf, who is a member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India, has a strong base in financial markets and wealth management.... more
Robin Question by Robin on May 13, 2023Hindi
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I am 39 and have the following investments/portfolio: SBI Focused Equity (7.82Lacs) - SIP STOPPED Axis Smallcap (1.04Lacs) - SIP STOPPED Parag Parikh Flexi cap - 10K SIP per month ongoing Nippon India Large cap - 20k SIP per month ongoing Nippon India Small cap - 20k SIP per month ongoing Aditya Birla Gennext (6.2 lacs) - 20k pm SIP ongoing Please review the same from a 10-15 year investment horizon perspective.

Ans: Hello Robin. . Your portfolio seems in line with the market. I would recommend to reconsider the SBI Focused Equity Fund and switch to better alternative schemes in same category. Also, you may introduce large & mid cap categories for your future new sips.
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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hello Sir, Kindly review my SIPs as below. Are these good for long term investment perspective? HDFC Smallcap Direct---------Rs.6500 pm HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities---------Rs.6500 pm Kotak Multicap Fund----------Rs.4000 pm SBI Bluechip Fund Direct Growth---------Rs.3500 pm UTI Aggressive Hybrid Fund----------Rs.3500 pm Total Rs.24000 pm.
Ans: Assessment of Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) for Long-Term Investment

Investment Portfolio Evaluation

Your investment choices showcase a diversified portfolio, aiming for growth and stability over the long haul. Let’s delve into each component and assess their potential for your financial goals.

Equity Funds for Growth

Equity funds hold the potential for substantial growth over the long term, but they come with inherent volatility. Your selection includes a mix of small-cap, mid-cap, and multicap funds, each catering to different segments of the market.

Small-cap and Mid-cap Funds: The Growth Engines

Small-cap and mid-cap funds have historically shown potential for high growth, but they also carry higher risk due to their exposure to smaller companies. However, their ability to outperform large-cap stocks over the long term is noteworthy.

Multicap Fund: Balancing Risk and Return

Multicap funds offer the advantage of diversification across market capitalizations, thereby spreading risk. They are well-suited for investors seeking balanced growth opportunities across various sectors and market segments.

Large-cap and Hybrid Funds for Stability

Including large-cap and hybrid funds in your portfolio introduces stability and mitigates risk. Large-cap funds typically invest in well-established companies, offering stability during market downturns. Hybrid funds, blending equity and debt, provide a cushion against market volatility.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds may seem cost-effective due to lower expense ratios, but they require investors to conduct their own research and make investment decisions independently. This approach may not be suitable for all investors, especially those lacking expertise or time for thorough analysis.

Benefits of Investing Through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Investing through a CFP offers several advantages, including personalized guidance, comprehensive financial planning, and ongoing portfolio management. A CFP can help align your investments with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon, ensuring a holistic approach to wealth management.

Disadvantages of Index Funds

While index funds offer low costs and broad market exposure, they lack the potential for outperformance compared to actively managed funds. Additionally, index funds are susceptible to market downturns without the active management strategies employed by fund managers.

In conclusion, your SIPs reflect a well-thought-out approach to long-term investing, blending growth-oriented equity funds with stable large-cap and hybrid options. However, consider leveraging the expertise of a CFP to optimize your portfolio and navigate market uncertainties effectively.

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 Jul 24, 2024

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Hello, I am 28 years old. I have been investing 6,000 each as SIP in 1. HDFC mid cap opportunities 2. Parag parek flexi cap 3. Quant Small cap 4. Motilal Oswal nifty microcap 250 index Please suggest if any change is required for long term investment horizon 5-10 years.
Ans: Overview of Current Investments

At 28 years old, you have a diversified investment strategy. You are investing Rs 6,000 each in:

A mid cap opportunities fund

A flexi cap fund

A small cap fund

A microcap index fund

This totals Rs 24,000 monthly in systematic investment plans (SIPs).

Evaluation of Fund Types

Mid Cap Opportunities Fund

Growth Potential: This fund targets mid-cap companies. These companies have high growth potential.

Risk Profile: Mid-cap funds are moderately risky. They balance risk and return well.

Flexi Cap Fund

Diversification: This fund invests across market capitalisations. It offers flexibility in stock selection.

Balanced Risk: Flexi cap funds provide a balanced risk-return profile. They are suitable for long-term growth.

Small Cap Fund

High Returns: Small cap funds invest in smaller companies with high growth potential.

High Risk: These funds are volatile and carry high risk. They are suitable for aggressive investors.

Microcap Index Fund

Specific Market Segment: Microcap index funds target the smallest companies. They track an index of microcap stocks.

Disadvantages of Index Funds: Index funds lack active management. They cannot adapt to market changes quickly. Actively managed funds can perform better in volatile markets.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Lack of Professional Guidance

Self-Management: Direct funds require you to manage investments yourself. This involves research and monitoring.

Time-Consuming: Managing direct funds is time-consuming and needs good market knowledge.

Higher Risk of Errors

Potential Mistakes: Without professional advice, there's a risk of making investment errors. These mistakes can impact returns.

Missed Opportunities: Lack of expertise can lead to missed investment opportunities.

Recommendations for Long-Term Investment

Diversify Across Fund Types

Balanced Portfolio: Continue diversifying across different fund types. This reduces risk and enhances growth potential.

Review Allocation: Ensure a balanced allocation between mid-cap, small-cap, and flexi-cap funds.

Increase SIP Amounts Gradually

Higher Investments: Gradually increase your SIP amounts. This builds a substantial corpus over time.

Compounding Benefits: Higher investments benefit from compounding returns, accelerating wealth growth.

Switch to Regular Funds

Professional Guidance: Invest through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential. This provides professional advice and reduces errors.

Better Management: Regular funds are managed by professionals. They adjust portfolios based on market conditions.

Regular Portfolio Review

Monitor Investments: Review your portfolio periodically. Ensure it aligns with your long-term goals.

Adjust Strategy: Be ready to adjust your strategy based on market conditions or changes in your financial situation.

Seek Professional Guidance

Consult a Certified Financial Planner

Expert Advice: A Certified Financial Planner offers personalized financial planning. They provide tailored advice based on your goals.

Holistic Approach: They offer a 360-degree financial solution. This ensures all aspects of your financial health are covered.

Regular Check-Ins

Stay Informed: Regularly check in with your planner. Stay informed about market trends and changes.

Adjustments: Make necessary adjustments to your investment strategy based on their advice.

Final Insights

Your current investment strategy shows a good start. Diversify your portfolio, consider switching to regular funds for professional management, and seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner for optimal long-term 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'.

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 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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