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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8284 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 26, 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
VINOD Question by VINOD on Aug 22, 2023Hindi
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Hi Sir, I am 42 year old and want to start Investing in MF for Retirement i.e. after 15 years but investment for only 5 years. So pls suggest MF for Investment

Ans: Selecting Mutual Funds for Retirement Planning with a 5-Year Investment Horizon

Embarking on your retirement planning journey at the age of 42 with a 5-year investment horizon requires a strategic approach to ensure your financial goals are met. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), I'll assess various factors to help you select suitable mutual funds for this purpose.

Assessing Your Retirement Goals and Time Horizon

Starting your retirement planning at 42 indicates a proactive approach towards securing your financial future. With a 5-year investment horizon and a retirement timeline of 15 years, it's essential to choose investment options that offer growth potential while mitigating risks associated with a shorter time frame.

Understanding the Role of Mutual Funds in Retirement Planning

Mutual funds offer a diversified and professionally managed investment vehicle suitable for long-term wealth accumulation. By investing in mutual funds, you can access a wide range of asset classes, including equities, debt, and hybrid funds, tailored to your risk profile and investment objectives.

Analyzing Fund Categories and Investment Strategies

Given your retirement goal, it's crucial to focus on funds that offer growth potential and capital appreciation over the long term. Equity funds, including large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds, are well-suited for this purpose, offering exposure to the potential upside of Indian equities while managing volatility through diversification.

Mitigating Risks Through Diversification and Asset Allocation

Diversification across asset classes and fund categories is essential to manage portfolio risk and enhance returns. By allocating your investments across equity, debt, and hybrid funds based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon, you can achieve a balanced portfolio that aligns with your retirement goals.

Considering Professional Management and Regular Plans

Opting for regular plans through Mutual Fund Distributors (MFDs) with a CFP credential ensures access to professional advice and ongoing portfolio management. While direct plans may offer lower expense ratios, the expertise provided by a CFP can add significant value in crafting and managing your retirement portfolio.

Seeking Professional Guidance for Optimal Results

As a CFP, I recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor or MFD with a CFP credential to design a customized retirement investment strategy tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Professional guidance can help you navigate market fluctuations, mitigate risks, and optimize returns to achieve your retirement goals.

Making Informed Investment Decisions

In conclusion, selecting mutual funds for retirement planning with a 5-year investment horizon requires careful consideration of your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. By leveraging the expertise of a CFP and staying disciplined in your investment approach, you can build a robust retirement portfolio that provides financial security and peace of mind in your golden years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
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  |8284 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 2024

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Hi Dev, I,m a defence pensioner and 60 years old. I want to invest Rs 5 lakhs in MF for a duration of 1-3 years, please advise which MF will be better for me. Thanks
Ans: Given your investment horizon of 1-3 years and considering your age and risk profile, it's essential to prioritize capital preservation while aiming for modest returns. Here are some mutual fund options that may suit your investment needs:

Short-Term Debt Funds: These funds invest in fixed-income securities with relatively shorter maturities, providing stability and liquidity. They are suitable for investors looking to preserve capital while generating better returns than traditional savings accounts or fixed deposits. Consider investing in reputable short-term debt funds with a track record of delivering consistent returns and maintaining low volatility.
Liquid Funds: Liquid funds invest in short-term money market instruments with very high liquidity and minimal interest rate risk. They offer stability of capital and can be an excellent option for parking funds temporarily or meeting short-term financial goals. Liquid funds typically have a low expense ratio and can provide relatively higher returns compared to savings accounts or fixed deposits.
Ultra Short Duration Funds: These funds invest in fixed-income securities with short to ultra-short maturities, offering a balance between stability and yield. They can be suitable for investors with a slightly longer investment horizon of 1-3 years who are willing to take on slightly higher risk for potentially higher returns than traditional fixed deposits or savings accounts.
Arbitrage Funds: Arbitrage funds aim to generate returns by exploiting price differentials between cash and derivative markets. They offer relatively low volatility and tax-efficient returns, making them suitable for short-term investments. However, it's essential to note that arbitrage funds are subject to market risks and may not guarantee fixed returns.
Before making any investment decisions, it's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner or investment advisor who can assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. They can help you select mutual funds that align with your investment objectives and provide personalized guidance based on your unique financial situation. Additionally, carefully review the fund's investment objectives, past performance, expense ratio, and risk factors before investing.

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Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |1561 Answers  |Ask -

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Career
Sir my daughter is doing Btech EEE at BIT Mesra Patna campus , she is securing 8 CGPA there . She is little bit upset due to poor placement there , what to do
Ans: Hello Alok.
Nothing will happen with an upset mood, and there is no point in blaming the institute at this stage. It is better to search for another path while completing the B.Tech. @ BIT Mesra. Here are a few suggestions for your daughter: (1) Start preparing for the GATE exam, which opens the doors for MTech at IITs/NITs or PSU jobs (like BHEL, NTPC, ONGC). (2) Focus on GRE and MBA (3) Join online Platforms: Coursera, NPTEL, Udemy, LinkedIn for advanced learning techniques related with EEE and CSE (4) Focus on Off-Campus Job Preparation, in which she can prepare for Aptitude, Coding, Core concepts etc (5) While in final year, create accounts on LinkedIn, Indeed, AngelList, naukri.com etc/ (5) If possible, join CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) offer excellent 6-month PG diplomas with placement support (great ROI).(6) Talk to seniors/alumni for realistic inspiration and off-campus job guidance. (7) Consider a mock placement drive or aptitude training course in the final year.
Best of luck to your daughter for her upcoming bright future.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4453 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 23, 2025
Career
My daughter 90percentile in jee mains 2025,and puc board exam 95.6 percentage and kcet is 101 marks we are obc ncl and catgory 1 reservation can we get nit surathkal college for admission or other top 3 college in bangalore and she want to take jee advance 2025 , which branchas scope and high package
Ans: As far as KCET is concerned,? here are the some approximate expected KCET opening and closing ranks for the OBC-NCL category across four top engineering colleges in Bengaluru:?

RV College of Engineering (RVCE)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 2,000 | Closing – 3,000
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 2,500 | Closing – 3,500
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 3,000 | Closing – 4,500
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 4,000 | Closing – 6,000
Civil Engineering: Opening – 5,000 | Closing – 7,000?

BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 2,500 | Closing – 4,000
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 3,000 | Closing – 5,000
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 4,500 | Closing – 6,500
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 6,000 | Closing – 8,000
Civil Engineering: Opening – 7,000 | Closing – 9,000?

M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 2,200 | Closing – 3,800
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 3,500 | Closing – 5,500
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 5,000 | Closing – 7,000
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 6,500 | Closing – 8,500
Civil Engineering: Opening – 7,500 | Closing – 9,500?

Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 3,000 | Closing – 5,000
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 4,500 | Closing – 6,500
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 6,000 | Closing – 8,000
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 7,500 | Closing – 9,500
Civil Engineering: Opening – 8,500 | Closing – 10,500?

Note: The above ranks are indicative and based on available data for the OBC-NCL category. Every year, actual cutoffs may vary based on factors like seat availability, reservation policies, and candidate preferences.

?Regarding the chances of getting seats through JEE/JoSAA Counselling, here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Daughter's Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Daughter's Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Her JEE Main percentile
Her category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Her Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Her Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If your daughter is open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select her Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your daughter's admissions!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4453 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 23, 2025
Career
I got 98.02%ile in JEE MAINS session 2 . (EWS) Can I get TOP NIT (CSE) ?? EWS RANK 4146
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

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

...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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