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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9447 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 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
Kamlesh Question by Kamlesh on Jun 01, 2025Hindi
Money

I am 40 years old want to create a corpus of 2 cr in 25 years. I have following sip of 1000 each in kotak busines cycle fund and ITI flexi cap, how much i need to invest in sip to reach my goal. Well i was thinking of investing in index fund is it right.

Ans: You are determined to build a Rs 2?crore corpus in 25 years. That is a good long-term goal. You already invest Rs 1,000 each in two equity funds. Let us craft a detailed, 360-degree plan to help you reach your target.

Evaluating Current SIP Investments
You invest only Rs 1,000 each in two funds.

Total SIP investment is just Rs 2,000 monthly.

Fund categories are sector-specific and flexi-cap.

Such funds can offer good returns but are limited in coverage.

Your SIP amount is too low for a Rs?2?crore goal.

Your existing SIP shows discipline. But we need to significantly scale it up.

Why Index Funds Are Not Ideal
You asked about investing in index funds. Let us understand key issues:

Index funds simply track a market index.

They offer no downside protection during market dips.

They lack flexibility to avoid losing sectors early.

Passive portfolios cannot adapt to changing environments.

They give returns similar to the index, with no alpha.

Actively managed funds can adjust asset allocation.

Skilled fund managers shift out of overvalued sectors.

They help control volatility and add value over time.

In short, index funds look easy and cheap, but do not manage downside risk. Actively managed funds offer structured growth and risk control. That matters when building a big corpus.

Importance of Regular Plan Funds via CFP-Backed MFDs
If you use direct fund plans, you lose access to guidance. That is risky for long-term goals.

Regular plans via an MFD under CFP help in these ways:

Personalized asset allocation based on your risk profile

Periodic portfolio review and rebalancing

Guidance during market volatility

Adjustments as your life goals evolve

The small extra cost is outweighed by better discipline and expert monitoring.

Crafting a 360-Degree Investment Approach
Your goal: Rs?2?crore in 25 years. Let us build a comprehensive plan.

1. Emergency Fund and Protection

Maintain 6 months of living expenses in liquid funds

Buy term insurance covering 10–12 times annual income

Take health insurance for yourself and dependents

These protect the plan when life events strike.

2. Asset Allocation Framework
Spread your investments across asset categories:

Equity mutual funds (60–70%)

Large-cap for stability

Multi-cap for balanced coverage

Mid-cap for growth

Debt mutual funds (20–30%)

Medium-term income-oriented funds

Gold or commodity-linked funds (5–10%)

Liquid/short-term debt fund (5–10%) for emergencies

This mix enables growth and helps tackle inflation, while managing risk.

3. Calculating SIP Requirement

While exact calculation is complex, here's a simplified view:

For 25 years, to reach Rs 2?crore, you need higher SIPs and compounding

A rough SIP of Rs 15,000–20,000 monthly in equity funds can work

If lump sums or increments are added, you may reach target earlier

Even larger SIP helps reduce dependency on lump sums

Your current SIP of Rs 2,000 monthly is not enough. You need to escalate SIP value substantially.

4. SIP + Lump Sum Strategy

Keep a monthly SIP of Rs 15,000–20,000 in equity funds

Annually, add lumpsums from bonuses or windfalls

Split contributions across large, multi, mid-cap funds

Maintain periodic review every year

This combination drives disciplined investing and benefit from compounding.

5. Rebalance Over Time

As your corpus grows, rebalance asset allocation every year:

If equity exceeds 70%, shift some to debt

If equity drops below 60%, top it up

As you near 15–20 years in, reduce equity proportion

Final 5 years: equity share should drop to 50%

This safeguards your corpus from market swings later in the timeline.

6. Periodic Review and Guidance

A CFP-led MFD can provide:

Portfolio health check every 6–12 months

Alignment with evolving goals, such as buying a home or retirement

Switching underperforming funds

Tax planning during mutual fund redemptions

This ensures the plan stays on course across life stages.

Aligning Strategy with Life Goals
At age 40, you have time, but goals like child education, home, business or retirement may emerge.

Equity-focused plan suits long-term wealth building

Debt components prepare for near-term needs

Liquid funds cover emergencies

Active management ensures flexibility to adapt to lifestyle changes

Your plan remains robust, adaptable and aligned with your evolving priorities.

Tax Considerations
Be aware of mutual fund tax rules:

Equity LTCG: 12.5% on gains over Rs 1.25 lakh annually

Equity STCG: 20%

Debt gains taxed per slab

Plan redemptions across years to stay within non-taxable band where possible. This optimises net returns.

Implementation Roadmap
Immediate Next Steps

Increase equity SIP to at least Rs 15,000 monthly

Invest through regular plans via CFP-backed MFD

Add Rs 5–10 lakh lumpsum when bonuses arrive

Set up yearly review meetings

Mid-Term (5–15 years)

Adjust allocation annually

Rebalance to manage risk

Continue SIP increments and lumpsum additions

Final Decade (15–25 years)

Reduce equity proportion gradually

Shift gains to debt/liquid funds

Ensure corpus meets the Rs 2?crore goal within timeline

Final Insights
Index funds lack downside protection; active funds win over time

SIP needs to be raised to Rs 15,000–20,000 monthly

Use regular plans via CFP-backed MFD for disciplined monitoring

Maintain 360-degree structure with asset mix, protection, tax planning

Periodic rebalancing aligns risk with stage

Consistency in investing will drive you to your Rs 2?crore target

Regular review ensures plan adapts to your changing life

You have a clear and achievable path to your goal. With discipline and expert support, your wealth will grow steadily and safely. Let me know if you’d like help setting up your equity portfolio or calculating SIP more precisely.

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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9447 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hi, Thank you for your continue guidance. I wish to create corpus of 1 crore after 12 years from now. How much I have to invest in SIP monthly. If I have to put money in bulk how much I have to put considering appreciation of 15-18%. Please guide.
Ans: To create a corpus of Rs 1 crore in 12 years, let’s focus on more realistic expectations based on market returns. While you mentioned 15-18%, it's important to note that these returns are not consistently sustainable. A return of 12% is a more reliable assumption for long-term planning.

SIP Calculation (12% Return)
To accumulate Rs 1 crore in 12 years via a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), here’s what you need:

SIP at 12% return: You will need to invest approximately Rs 43,000 per month for 12 years.
This assumes a 12% annual rate of return compounded monthly.
Lump Sum Calculation (12% Return)
For a lump sum investment, if you want to achieve Rs 1 crore in 12 years, the amount required is:

Lump sum at 12% return: You will need to invest approximately Rs 35 lakhs today.
This also assumes a 12% annual rate of return.
Why 12% is Realistic
While it’s tempting to expect higher returns of 15-18%, they come with higher volatility and risk. Historical returns in equity markets tend to average around 10-12% over the long term, which provides a balance between risk and return.

Key Takeaways
SIP at 12% return: Invest Rs 43,000 monthly for 12 years to reach Rs 1 crore.
Lump sum at 12% return: Invest Rs 35 lakhs today to reach Rs 1 crore after 12 years.
Final Insights
Focusing on a 12% return for your SIP or lump sum investment is more realistic for long-term wealth creation. It balances the potential for growth with a sustainable level of risk. Both approaches—SIP and lump sum—have their advantages, and you can choose based on your cash flow and risk tolerance.




Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

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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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