Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Purshotam

Purshotam Lal  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 22, 2025

Purshotam Lal has over 38 years of experience in investment banking, mutual funds, insurance and wealth management.
He is an Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)-registered mutual fund distributor, an Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)-certified insurance advisor and founder of Finphoenix Services LLP.
He holds an MBA in finance from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University and a chartered financial analyst (CFA) degree. He also holds certified associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB), fellow of the Insurance Institute of India (FIII) and National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) certifications.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 11, 2025Hindi
Money

I am 45 years old .I have 7.5 lakh in equity shares, 10 lakhs in ETF, 18 lakh ppf, 18 lakhs fd, 25 lakhs npsT1, 5Lakh NPST2 ,90 Lakhs pf and vpf . I have 02 daughters of 14, 6 year old. I have Sukanya account for both with 10 & 8 lakh. I want to get 1.5 lakhs pm after my retirement at 50 years,is it possible .I have a home loan of 25lakh @7.6% rate. Please suggest how to re-diveraify funds.

Ans: Assuming you shall be continuing to pay home loan EMIs. With present interest rate of assured return schemes and assuming annualized return of 10% on Equity investment, yes on your corpus after 5 years from now at age 50, you should be able to get Rs 1.5 lakh pm. However it is suggested to move your portfolio at the right opportunity to a debt fund or conservative hybrid MF scheme in the 5th Year. Then to any annuity fund offering return of 6.5% pa or do SWP from a good conservative hybrid MF scheme at reaching your Age 50 and retirement.
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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 24, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 24, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hello Vivek , I have taken early retirement due to my health issues. I have 2 kids one in 12th and second 9 th Class . I keep aside 50 L for my kids education , 25 L PPF , 14 L mutual fund, 10 L bond , 5 L FD . My PPF will mature 2026 and Bonds will mature 2024. I have 70 L EPF and i will have approx 50 L selling of property . I have my own house of 1.5 Cr . With these money can i get 1 L per month , but i do not want to touch kids education money . Your suggestion will help me to see my finaances. My wife has decent job she eran 50 K per month and we have health insyrance and term insurance.
Ans: Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your health issues but commend you for taking proactive steps towards financial planning, especially for your children's education and your future needs.

With your current savings and investments, there's a possibility to generate a monthly income of 1 Lakh, but it requires careful planning:

EPF and Property Sale: Your EPF corpus of 70 Lakh and the expected 50 Lakh from property sale can be significant contributors. Consider options like Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS), Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS), or even annuity plans to generate regular income without depleting the principal.
Mutual Funds & Bonds: Continue to let your Mutual Funds grow for future needs. Bonds maturing in 2024 can also be reinvested in income-generating avenues.
PPF: Once it matures in 2026, you can either reinvest or use a portion for your monthly income needs.
House: If possible, you could explore options like reverse mortgage or renting out a portion for additional income, without selling the property.
Expense Management: Since you have set aside money specifically for your children's education, avoid using it for your monthly income. Focus on optimizing other assets to generate the required 1 Lakh/month.
Health and Insurance: It's great that you have health and term insurance. Ensure they are adequate to cover unforeseen medical expenses and provide financial security to your family.
Remember, the goal is to strike a balance between generating sufficient income and preserving capital. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can provide a tailored plan considering your unique circumstances, helping you navigate this phase with confidence.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 25, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 40 years old .I have 30 lakhs equity mutual fund.18 laksh ppf and 20 lakhs fd and 2 lakhs nps ,25 lakhs pf and vpf .I want to get 1.5 lakhs pm after my retirement,is it possible .don't have any loans
Ans: ? Age and Retirement Income Goal – A Clear Target Ahead
– You are 40 years old now.
– Your goal is to retire with Rs 1.5 lakhs monthly income.
– That equals Rs 18 lakhs annually.
– You are aiming for financial independence.
– The goal is strong, but must be backed by strategy.

? Existing Investments – Good Start but Needs More
– Rs 30 lakhs in equity mutual funds.
– Rs 20 lakhs in fixed deposit.
– Rs 18 lakhs in PPF.
– Rs 25 lakhs in PF + VPF.
– Rs 2 lakhs in NPS.
– You have no loans. That is excellent.
– Total corpus now is Rs 95 lakhs.
– At 40, this is a positive achievement.
– But more action is needed to reach retirement target.

? Retirement Expense Projection – Adjusting for Inflation
– Rs 1.5 lakhs today may become Rs 3 lakhs later.
– You may retire after 15–20 years.
– Inflation will increase all costs.
– Especially medical and lifestyle expenses.
– Your target corpus must be adjusted for this rise.
– That means you need a much larger retirement fund.

? Investment Style – Balanced but Requires Restructuring
– Your equity mutual fund amount is good.
– You are already using long-term growth assets.
– But you may need to improve fund selection.
– Direct mutual funds don’t offer advisory support.
– Shift to regular plans via MFD with CFP credential.
– That helps track, review, and improve consistently.
– Avoid index funds if you are holding any.
– Index funds don’t beat the market.
– They just copy it with no flexibility.
– In India, actively managed funds are more effective.

? Equity Mutual Fund Strategy – Core for Long-Term Wealth
– Your equity corpus should keep growing every year.
– SIPs must be continued and increased with income.
– Shift lump sum in FD to mutual funds using STP.
– Don’t invest entire amount at once.
– Spread it out in 12–18 months using liquid fund.
– Choose large-cap, flexi-cap, and multi-cap funds.
– Include hybrid funds if needed.
– Don’t touch equity funds for short-term use.
– Let them compound quietly for 15–20 years.

? PPF, PF and VPF – Safe but Slow
– Your PPF and PF total is Rs 43 lakhs.
– These are useful for stability.
– But they grow at slow pace.
– And returns are taxable in some cases like VPF interest.
– Continue contributing to PF.
– But focus new investments more on equity.
– Don’t treat PPF as retirement corpus alone.
– It should be part of debt allocation only.

? FD – Not a Wealth Creator
– Rs 20 lakhs in FD gives low returns.
– Interest is fully taxable.
– It cannot beat inflation over 15 years.
– FD is good only for short-term or emergencies.
– Slowly move surplus from FD to mutual funds.
– Don’t keep idle money locked at 6–7% return.
– You will lose growth opportunity.

? NPS – Tiny Allocation Needs Boost
– Rs 2 lakhs in NPS is too low.
– You can use it for additional retirement planning.
– But don’t depend only on it.
– Withdrawals are partially taxed at retirement.
– Mutual funds offer more liquidity and flexibility.
– Keep NPS contribution within tax limit section 80CCD(1B).

? Monthly Investment Plan – Bridge the Gap
– Your current corpus is good.
– But not enough for Rs 1.5 lakhs per month.
– You must grow your corpus to Rs 5–6 crores.
– That is needed to generate Rs 18 lakhs income per year.
– Invest minimum Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh monthly now.
– Mix SIPs and STPs from existing FD funds.
– Make equity your core growth engine.
– Use regular mutual fund route with MFD and CFP.
– Keep increasing SIP every year by 10–15%.

? Health Insurance – Protect the Retirement
– Medical cost is the biggest risk after retirement.
– Don’t rely only on employer health cover.
– Take a family floater health insurance policy.
– Choose coverage of minimum Rs 10–15 lakhs.
– Buy early for lower premium.
– Include critical illness cover if possible.

? Asset Allocation – Long-Term Discipline Needed
– Maintain 70% in equity mutual funds.
– 20% in PPF, PF, or debt funds.
– 10% in gold or hybrid assets.
– Don’t add more in FD.
– Avoid further real estate or land buying.
– Real estate is not liquid or tax-efficient.
– You will not get regular income from it in retirement.

? Retirement Planning Phases – Structured Thinking
– Phase 1 (Age 40–50):

Aggressively grow investments.

Increase SIPs and reduce FD.

Don’t withdraw from equity.
– Phase 2 (Age 50–60):

Focus on rebalancing.

Increase debt portion gradually.

Prepare for income planning.
– Phase 3 (Post 60):

Start withdrawal from mutual funds.

Use SWP from hybrid or equity savings fund.

Withdraw from PF and PPF in planned way.

? Tax Planning – Keep More in Your Hands
– Mutual fund taxation rules are changing.
– LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakhs taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG taxed at 20%.
– For debt funds, gain is taxed as per your slab.
– Plan withdrawals and switches smartly.
– Don’t trigger gains unnecessarily.
– Avoid yearly redemptions unless needed.
– Use SWP structure in retirement.

? Investment Mistakes to Avoid – Stay Focused
– Don’t overinvest in FDs or post office schemes.
– Avoid traditional LIC or ULIP plans.
– Don’t go for index funds.
– They don’t offer downside protection.
– Don’t choose direct mutual fund plans.
– They lack rebalancing support.
– Use regular funds through MFD with CFP.
– Don’t delay health insurance.
– Don’t withdraw from equity too early.
– Don’t chase high-risk stocks or schemes.

? What You Should Do Now – Step by Step
– Review all your existing equity mutual funds.
– Exit index funds if any.
– Shift from direct plans to regular plans.
– Set up STP from FD to equity mutual fund.
– Increase SIPs to Rs 75,000 minimum per month.
– Take separate term insurance if not already taken.
– Buy health insurance for self and family.
– Fix Rs 1.5 lakh monthly as goal in today’s value.
– Adjust for inflation and project Rs 3 lakhs needed.
– Plan to build corpus of Rs 5–6 crores by age 58.
– Review and rebalance every year with help.
– Track progress towards the retirement goal.

? Finally
– You are on the right track at age 40.
– You have already built Rs 95 lakhs corpus.
– Keep the momentum with higher monthly investments.
– Shift idle FD into equity slowly and wisely.
– Restructure your mutual fund portfolio with expert guidance.
– Stay invested for the long term.
– Don’t take breaks or stop SIPs midway.
– Focus on your goal of Rs 1.5 lakh per month.
– Keep health and insurance protection in place.
– Keep tracking and adjusting every year.
– That is the way to build financial freedom.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Latest Questions
Dr Nagarajan J S K

Dr Nagarajan J S K   |2577 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 47 years old. I have started investing in mutual fund (SIP) only since last one year due to some financial obligations. Currently I am investing Rs.33K per month in various SIPS. The details are: Kotak Mahindra Market Growth (Rs. 1500), Aditya BSL Low Duration Growth (Rs. 1400), HDFC Mid-cap Growth (Rs. 12000), Nippon India Large Cap Growth (Rs. 3000), Bandhan small cap (Rs. 5000), Motilal Oswal Flexicap Growth (Rs. 5000), ICICI Pru Flexicap growth (Rs. 5000). I have also started to invest Rs. 1,50,000 per year in PPF since last year. Can I sustain if I retire by the age of 62?
Ans: I can help you with your retirement planning.
You have given a very detailed picture of your investments.
You have also shown strong intent to build wealth at 47.
This itself is a big positive start.

Your Current Efforts

– You started late due to obligations.
– That is understandable.
– You still took charge.
– You now invest Rs.33K every month.
– You also invest Rs.1,50,000 a year in PPF.
– You follow discipline.
– You follow consistency.
– These habits matter the most.
– These habits will help your retirement.
– You deserve appreciation for this foundation.

» Your Current Investment Mix

– You invest in various equity funds.
– You also invest in one low duration debt fund.
– You invest across mid cap, large cap, flexi cap, and small cap.
– This gives you some spread.
– You also invest in PPF.
– PPF gives safety.
– PPF gives steady growth.
– This mix creates balance.

– Please note one point.
– You hold direct plans.
– Direct plans look cheaper outside.
– But they are not always helpful for long-term investors.
– Many investors pick wrong funds.
– Many investors track markets wrongly.
– Many investors redeem at wrong times.
– This affects returns more than the saved expense ratio.
– Regular plans through a MFD with CFP support give guidance.
– Regular plans also help you stay on track.
– Behaviour gap is a major cost in direct funds.
– Thus regular plans with CFP support work better for long-term investors.
– They can correct mistakes.
– They can help with asset mix.
– They can help you stay steady during market drops.
– This gives higher final wealth than direct funds in most cases.

» Your Retirement Age Goal

– You plan to retire at 62.
– You are 47 now.
– You have 15 years left.
– Fifteen years is still a strong time line.
– You can allow compounding to work well.
– Your corpus can grow meaningfully by 62.
– You can also improve your savings rate during this time.

» Assessing If Your Current Plan Supports Retirement

– There are many parts to assess.
– You need to look at your saving rate.
– You need to look at your growth rate.
– You need to look at your future lifestyle cost.
– You need to look at inflation.
– You need to look at post-retirement income need.
– You need to see if your present plan matches this.

– Right now, your total yearly investment is:
– Rs.33K per month in SIP.
– That is Rs.3,96,000 per year.
– Plus Rs.1,50,000 in PPF each year.
– So your total yearly investment is Rs.5,46,000.
– This is a good number.
– This can help your retirement journey.

» Understanding Equity Funds in Your Mix

– You invest in mid cap.
– Mid cap can give good growth.
– Mid cap also carries higher swings.
– You invest in small cap.
– Small cap is the most volatile.
– It can give high returns if held for long.
– But it needs patience.
– You invest in large cap exposure.
– Large cap gives stability.
– You invest in flexi cap.
– Flexi cap funds adjust strategy.
– Flexi cap funds give managers more control.
– Active management is useful in Indian markets.
– Fund managers can shift between market caps.
– They can pick good sectors.
– This improves return potential.
– This is a benefit that index funds do not have.
– Index funds just copy the index.
– Index funds do not avoid weak companies.
– Index funds cannot take smart calls.
– Index funds also rise in cost whenever the index churns.
– Active funds can protect downside.
– Active funds can find better opportunities.
– This is helpful for long-term wealth building.
– So your move towards active funds is fine.

» Understanding PPF in Your Mix

– Your PPF adds stability.
– It gives assured growth.
– It also gives tax benefits.
– It builds a stable part of your retirement base.
– It reduces overall risk in your portfolio.
– It works well over long years.
– You have also chosen a steady long-term asset.
– This is beneficial for retirement.

» Gaps That Need Attention

– Your funds are scattered.
– You hold too many schemes.
– Each additional scheme overlaps with others.
– This reduces impact.
– It also becomes hard to track.
– You can reduce your scheme count.
– A more focused mix can give smoother progress.
– Rebalancing becomes easier.
– You can keep fewer funds but maintain asset spread.
– You can also map each fund to a purpose.

– You also need clarity about your retirement income need.
– Many investors skip this.
– You must know how much money you need per month at 62.
– You must add inflation.
– You must add health needs.
– You must also add lifestyle goals.

» Your Future Lifestyle Cost

– Your cost will rise with inflation.
– Inflation affects food, transport, medical needs.
– Medical inflation is higher than normal inflation.
– Retirement planning must consider this.
– You also need to consider family responsibilities.
– You must consider emergencies.
– You must also consider rising cost of daily life.
– This helps estimate the required retirement corpus.

» Your Future Corpus From Current Savings

– Without giving strict numbers, you can expect growth.
– You invest steadily.
– You invest for 15 years.
– Your equity portion can grow better over long time.
– Your PPF gives predictable growth.
– Your mix can create a decent retirement base.
– But you will need to increase your SIP over time.
– You can raise your SIP by 5% to 10% each year.
– Even small increases help.
– This builds a stronger corpus.
– Your final retirement amount becomes much higher.

» Need for Periodic Review

– Markets change.
– Life situations change.
– Your goals may shift.
– Your income may rise.
– Your responsibilities may change.
– Review every year.
– Adjust as needed.
– A Certified Financial Planner can help.
– This gives clarity.
– This gives structure.
– This gives confidence.
– You can reduce mistakes.
– You can follow proper asset allocation.

» Asset Allocation Approach for Smooth Growth

– You must decide your ideal equity percentage.
– You must decide your ideal debt percentage.
– If you take too much equity, risk increases.
– If you take too little equity, growth reduces.
– You must keep balance.
– It must match your risk comfort.
– It must support your retirement goal.
– Right allocation brings discipline.
– Rebalancing once a year helps.
– Rebalancing controls emotion.
– Rebalancing increases long-term returns.
– Rebalancing keeps your portfolio healthy.

» Importance of Staying Invested During Market Swings

– Markets move up and down.
– Swings are normal.
– Equity grows over long time.
– Equity needs patience.
– People often fear drops.
– They exit at wrong time.
– This hurts long-term wealth.
– You must stay steady.
– You must trust your long-term plan.
– You must follow guidance.
– This improves retirement success.

» Avoiding Common Mistakes

– Many investors pick funds based on recent returns.
– This is risky.
– Fund selection needs deeper view.
– Fund must match your risk.
– Fund must match your time horizon.
– Fund must have consistent process.
– Fund must show reliable pattern.
– Avoid sudden changes.
– Avoid chasing trends.
– Stay with a disciplined plan.
– This ensures better results.

– You must avoid mixing too many categories.
– Focused mix works better.
– Smaller set makes control easy.
– This reduces confusion.

– Do not rely on direct funds for long-term goals.
– Direct funds lack guided support.
– Behavioral mistakes cost more than the lower expense ratio.
– Regular plans help you stay invested.
– They help avoid panic.
– They help during reviews.
– They help create proper asset allocation.
– They help you use the fund in the right way.
– Investment discipline is more important than low cost.
– Regular plans with CFP support deliver this discipline.

» Inflation Protection Through Growth Assets

– Equity protects from inflation.
– PPF adds safety.
– Balanced mix protects your purchasing power.
– Retirement needs this balance.
– Long-term equity portion helps create a healthy corpus.
– This allows you to meet rising living cost.

» How to Strengthen Your Retirement Plan From Now

– Increase SIP every year.
– Even slight hikes help.
– Be consistent.
– Avoid stopping during market drops.
– Do a yearly check-up.
– Reduce scheme count.
– Keep a clear structure.
– Assign each fund a purpose.
– Build an emergency fund.
– This will protect your SIP flow.
– Continue PPF.
– It gives stability.
– It protects your long-term needs.

» Possibility of Sustaining Life After Retirement

– Yes, you can sustain.
– But it depends on three things:
– Your future living cost.
– Your total corpus at retirement.
– Your discipline during retirement.

– If you continue your present saving, your base will grow.
– If you raise your SIP each year, your base will grow faster.
– If you keep a proper asset mix, your base will grow safely.
– If you avoid emotional mistakes, your base will stay strong.
– If you review yearly, your plan will stay on track.

– So sustaining life after retirement is possible.
– You just need stronger structure.
– You also need steady guidance.
– This ensures confidence.

» Retirement Income Planning After Age 62

– Your retirement income must come from a mix.
– Part from equity.
– Part from debt.
– Part from stable instruments.
– Do not depend on one source.
– Plan your withdrawal pattern.
– Take small and stable withdrawals.
– Keep some equity even after retirement.
– This helps your corpus last longer.
– Do not shift everything to debt at retirement.
– That reduces growth too much.
– Balanced approach keeps your money alive.
– This supports your life for long years.

» Health and Emergency Preparedness

– Health costs rise fast.
– You must plan for it.
– Keep health insurance active.
– Keep top-up if needed.
– Keep separate emergency money.
– Do not depend on your investments during emergencies.
– Emergency fund protects your retirement portfolio.
– This keeps compounding intact.
– You can handle shocks with ease.

» Tax Awareness

– Be aware of mutual fund tax rules.
– Equity long-term gains above Rs.1.25 lakh per year are taxed at 12.5%.
– Equity short-term gains are taxed at 20%.
– Debt funds are taxed as per your slab.
– Plan redemptions wisely.
– Do not redeem often.
– Keep long-term horizon.
– This reduces tax impact.
– This helps wealth building.

» Summary of Your Retirement Possibility

– You have a good start.
– You have a workable time frame.
– You have a steady contribution.
– You must refine your portfolio.
– You must increase SIP yearly.
– You must reduce scheme count.
– You must follow asset allocation.
– You must stay disciplined.
– You must get yearly review from a CFP.
– If you follow these, you can reach a healthy retirement base.

» Final Insights

– You are on the right path.
– You have taken the key step by starting.
– You can still create a strong retirement corpus even at 47.
– Fifteen years is enough if you stay consistent.
– Your mix of equity and PPF is good.
– With discipline and structure, your future can stay secure.
– With yearly guidance, you can avoid mistakes.
– With increased SIP, you can boost your corpus.
– You can aim for a peaceful and confident retirement at 62.

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

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Money
I am 43 yrs old, have sip in Nifty 50 - 3500 Nifty next 50 - 3000 Nippon large cap - 3500 Hdfc midcap - 2500 Parag Flexicap - 3000 Tata small cap - 1300 Gold sip - 500 Hdfc debt fund - 700, lumsum of 10000 in motilal midcap and 20k in quant small cap. accumulated around 2.30 lakhs, started from June, 2024. But overall xirr is very less 3.11. Should I continue the above sips or which sips should be stopped?
Ans: You have started early in 2024, and you already built Rs 2.30 lakhs. This shows discipline. This shows patience. This gives you a good base for your future wealth.

Your XIRR looks low now. This is normal. You started only a few months back. SIPs show low return in the start. Markets move up and down. Early numbers look flat. They look small. They look discouraging. But they improve with time. They improve with longer SIP flow. So please stay calm. The start is always slow. The finish is always strong.

Your effort is strong. Your SIP list is wide. Your savings habit is good. You started at 43 years, but you still have good time to grow your wealth. Every disciplined month builds confidence. Your choices show that you want growth. You want stability. You want balance. This is a good sign.

» Current Portfolio Snapshot
You invest in many groups.

– You invest in Nifty 50.
– You invest in Nifty Next 50.
– You invest in a large cap fund.
– You invest in a midcap fund.
– You invest in a flexicap fund.
– You invest in a small cap fund.
– You invest in gold.
– You invest in a debt fund.
– You put lumpsum in a midcap and small cap fund.

This looks wide. But wide does not mean effective. You hold too many funds in similar areas. That gives duplication. That reduces clarity. That reduces control. You need sharper structure. You need cleaner lines.

» Why Your XIRR Is Low
Your XIRR is only 3.11%. This is normal. Here is why.

– SIP started in June 2024. Very new.
– SIP amount spread across many funds.
– Market volatility in 2024 made early returns look low.
– SIP returns always look weak in early days. They grow with time.

Low short-term return is not a sign of failure. It is not a sign to stop. It is only a sign of market timing. SIP is for long periods. Not for few months.

» Problem of Index Funds in Your Portfolio
You invest in Nifty 50 and Nifty Next 50. Both are index funds. Index funds follow a fixed rule. They copy the index. They do not use research. They do not use fund manager skill. They do not adjust during bad markets. They do not protect much in down cycles. They lock you into index ups and downs.

In India, active fund managers add value. They find better stocks. They exit weak stocks faster. They manage risk better. They use research teams. They use market cycles well. They often beat index returns over long periods.

Index funds look simple. But they lack decision power. They lack flexibility. They lack protection. They give average results. They track the market exactly. They cannot outperform it.

So index funds are not the best choice for your long-term goal. Active funds give more control and more upside over long years.

» Problem of Too Many Funds
You hold too many funds across the same categories. This creates overlap. Two different schemes may hold same stocks. You think you diversify. But you repeat exposure. This weakens your plan.

Too many funds also keep your attention scattered. It reduces discipline. You waste time comparing each fund. You feel lost. You feel uncertain.

Better to keep fewer funds but stronger funds.

» Problem of Direct Funds
If any of your funds are in direct plans, please take note. Direct plans look cheaper because they have lower expense ratio. But they do not give guidance. They do not give personalised strategy. They do not give support during market falls. They do not give behavioural guidance.

Many investors make wrong moves in market dips. They stop SIPs. They redeem at the wrong time. They switch funds too often. They chase returns. This reduces wealth.

Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner keep you disciplined. They give structure. They give long-term guidance. They reduce errors. They reduce behaviour risk. This helps more than small cost savings.

Regular plans also offer better hand-holding for asset mix, review and goal clarity. This adds real value.

» Fund-by-Fund Assessment
Let me now look at each SIP.

Nifty 50 – This is an index fund. It is passive. It is rigid. Active large-cap funds do better in many years. You may stop this over time.

Nifty Next 50 – Another index fund. Very volatile. Very narrow. You may stop this too.

Nippon large cap – This is active. This is fine. It can stay.

HDFC midcap – This is active. Good long-term category. You can keep this.

Parag flexicap – Flexicap is versatile. Useful for long-term. You can keep this.

Tata small cap – Small caps can grow well. But they need patience. They also need limited allocation. You can keep, but maintain control.

Gold SIP – Small gold SIP is okay for safety.

HDFC debt fund – Debt brings stability. Small SIP is fine.

Lumpsum in midcap and small cap – Keep these invested. They will grow with cycles.

The two index funds are the most unnecessary parts of your plan. These can be stopped. These can be replaced with good active funds already in your system.

» Suggested Structure
You need a cleaner layout.

Keep one large cap active fund.

Keep one midcap active fund.

Keep one flexicap fund.

Keep one small cap fund.

Keep one debt fund.

Keep a small gold part.

This is enough. This gives balance. It gives clarity. It gives growth. It avoids overlap. It avoids confusion.

» SIP Continuation Guidance
Here is the simple view.

Continue your large cap SIP.

Continue your midcap SIP.

Continue your flexicap SIP.

Continue your small cap SIP.

Continue gold SIP.

Continue debt SIP in small proportion.

Stop the Nifty 50 SIP.

Stop the Nifty Next 50 SIP.

Move those two SIP amounts into your existing active funds. This gives you better long-term power.

» Behaviour and Patience
Your returns will not show big numbers for now. You need time. You need patience. You need consistency. SIP is not a race. SIP is a habit. SIP grows slowly. Then it grows big.

Do not judge your plan by the first few months. Judge it after many years. That is where SIP wins. That is where compounding works. That is where discipline shines.

» What Matters More Than Fund Names
The biggest cornerstones are:

Your discipline.

Your patience.

Your time in market.

Your stable SIP flow.

Your emotional stability.

These matter more than any fund selection. You are building them well.

» Asset Mix Guidance
Your mix of equity, debt and gold is good. But you should review this once a year. As you move closer to retirement, increase debt slowly. Reduce small cap slowly. This protects you. This stabilises your progress.

A Certified Financial Planner can help align your asset mix to your goals. This adds real value. This gives stronger structure.

» Taxation View
If you redeem equity funds in future, then keep the current rule in mind. Long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakhs per year are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains are taxed at 20%. For debt funds, both gains are taxed as per your income slab.

This will matter only when you redeem. For now, your focus should be growth, not selling.

» Your Long-Term Wealth Path
You have good earnings years ahead. You have strong potential for growth. Your SIP habit is strong. You only need to clean your portfolio. You only need better structure. Then your money will grow well.

You can grow a meaningful corpus if you stay steady. You can even increase SIP when income grows. This gives faster results.

» Emotional Balance
Do not check returns every week. Do not check every month. Check once in six months. Check once in twelve months. SIP is a long game. Treat it like a long game.

Your small XIRR today does not decide your future. Your discipline decides it. You already have it.

» Step-by-Step Action Plan

Step 1: Stop Nifty 50 SIP.

Step 2: Stop Nifty Next 50 SIP.

Step 3: Keep all the remaining SIPs.

Step 4: Shift the stopped SIP amount into your existing large cap and flexicap funds.

Step 5: Continue gold and debt in small amounts.

Step 6: Review once a year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Step 7: Increase SIP amount slowly when income grows.

Step 8: Stay invested for long term.

Step 9: Do not judge returns too early.

Step 10: Keep your patience strong.

» Finally
Your foundation is strong. Your habit is disciplined. Your mix only needs refinement. Your returns will grow with time. Your portfolio will gain strength with consistency. Your path is steady. Your plan will reward you if you follow it with calm and clarity.

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

Shalini

Shalini Singh  |180 Answers  |Ask -

Dating Coach - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Relationship
Hi. I have been in a long distance relationship since 6 months,and i have known my boyfriend since 10 months. He is very understanding, caring,and honest person. He had already told everything about us for his parents and their parents agreed. We both are financially independent. I told my relationship to my parents and they are against it as my boyfriend is from lower caste, different region, not done his degree from a reputed college but a local engineering college, and his status. They are thinking about relatives, and society what will they say, about their pride, status, and all the respect they have earned uptill now will vanish because of my decision. My parents are very protective of me and have given me everything and like me a lot.They are saying its long distance you might have met only 15 times you don't see this person daily to judge his character. If you have known this person for atleast 2/3 years, with u meeting him daily it would be different. But the person i met is honest from the start. They are hurting daily because of my decision. I cant go against them and be happy.
Ans: 1. It is wonderful you have met someone special and in last 10 months you have met him 15 times which averages to meeting him 1.5 times a month. Is it possible to increase this and meet over every second weekend. Can you both travel once.

2. Parents are parents they worry and all parents are protective of their children as are yours. But if they are declining you because of caste etc then please question them asking them to give you an assurance that if they marry you to someone of their choice things will work - In reality there can be no assurance given for any relationship - found by you or introduced by parents as relationships need work by both...both need to grow up, both of you need to be happy individuals for relationship to work + if colleges were the deciding factor then we would not see divorces of those who married in the same caste or are from Stanford, MIT, IIT, IIMs, Inseads of the world.

Here is a suggestion/ recommendation
- meet his family
- get him to meet your parents
- let both set of parents meet

all the best

...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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x