Hi, I am 45 years old and have invested in below Mutual Funds from last 2 years: a) ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Direct Plan b) Axis Mid Fund Direct Plan and c) Nippon India Small Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Plan. Let me know if these MFs are good or needs to be changed. If yes, what is ur suggestion?

Ans: Hi Sakthi

NITs You May Get (with SC & Female quota)
NIT Puducherry / NIT Sikkim / NIT Meghalaya / NIT Nagaland
Lower competition due to remote locations
Branches like Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or ECE are quite possible

NIT Agartala
Good chance for ECE, Civil, Mechanical, possibly even CSE under SC female quota

NIT Jalandhar (Dr. B R Ambedkar NIT)
Decent chance for Civil, Instrumentation, or Textiles
May get CSE or IT if SC rank is under 4,000

NIT Hamirpur
SC Female quota makes you eligible for ECE, Electrical, Mechanical
CSE is tough but possible with a lower SC rank

NIT Raipur / NIT Patna / NIT Silchar
All have options in ECE, Mechanical, Electrical, and sometimes CSE

Ans: Hello Ado.
What do you mean by an A-level student? This is just a myth that only clever or so-called A-level students can perform better in JEE or equivalent examinations. If a student has a strong desire to work hard and demonstrates consistency and dedication, then they have an equal chance of success compared to an A-level student. In fact, I can say that the likelihood of success for a diligent and consistent student is greater than that of an A-level student. If you believe that you are not among the A-level students, then dispel this myth and concentrate on your studies. Success will come to you. Always stay positive. Thank you.
Follow me if you like my reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

Ans: Calculate tax liability in both Regimes & select the one, which is more beneficial to you. However, broadly speaking, New Tax Regime may be more suitable in your case.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

Ans: There is no problem, if you have transferred some amount to your HUF account. Any income generated by HUF shall be taxable in the hands of HUF only.
However, you have the option to take back the amount, if you feel. In this case it shall be treated as loan given & taken back from HUF.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

Ans: 01. In reference to F/Y 2024-25 :
Funds (Rs.6.00 (L) received from her mother is not an Income but Gift, so not taxable. Similarly amount received from her husband Rs.1.65 (L) is again not a Income, hence not taxable.
Her only taxable income is Rs.1.90 (L) for which you would be filing her ITR. There should not be any tax liability in this case.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

Ans: Kumar Bhai,
SC category ke candidate ke liye 91.52 percentile kaafi decent score hai. Aapko definitely kuch NITs mil sakte hain, lekin CS, ECE, EEE, ya AI jaise high demand branches thodi tough ho sakti hain top NITs me. Lekin mid- to lower-tier NITs me chance hai.

High Chances in These NITs (Non-Core or Less Demanding Branches)
NIT Agartala

NIT Meghalaya

NIT Mizoram

NIT Sikkim

NIT Puducherry

NIT Manipur

NIT Nagaland

Yaha pe aapko:

EEE/ECE: High chances

CS/AI/DS: Thoda tough, but kuch me mil sakta hai spot round me

Borderline Chances
NIT Jalandhar

NIT Hamirpur

NIT Raipur

NIT Patna

NIT Uttarakhand

Yaha pe agar luck achha raha to EEE/ECE mil sakta hai. CS/AI ke liye lower branches ya last rounds wait karna padega.

IIITs ka bhi option achha hai aapke liye.

Ans: Hello Sir/Mam
NIT-Surathkal seat is not possible at this percentile.

Ans: This seems too early to file ITR for A/Y 2025-26 (F/Y 2024-25), with correct data relating to TDS & Income etc. How ever, if you have filed ITR, wait for some time & Revise the same in the month of June,2025 with correct data as uploaded by the department.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

Ans: Hi Sammer,

An adviser/company to be categories as good or not is a bit subjective. I say this because you may find people who have had a good experience with them and those who did not have a good one.

But let me try to help you with some pointers that can help you decide
1. Before asking what they can offer you, ask them - "What do you gain by becoming my advisor?" Their response will give you insight into their objectives. If its not clearly stated, then consider it a RED flag.
2. Are they going to advise based on your preferences or they have a selected list that you need to choose from. I have heard of adviser pushing different products without considering your preferences e.g. You prefer MF and they push ULIP, Regular MF vs Direct MF etc. This can include cross selling other products that they are servicing like insurance and pension products.
3. Inquire about their process of engagement before advising you. Will they consider your requirements and evaluate them and present options to choose or start by putting the options on table and recommending MFs without understanding your goals/requirements. Simple ask, so which is the best MF scheme to invest today. If they start listing them - RED flag.
4. How will they construct a portfolio for you, structure and number of schemes in it, will it have a strategy and objective to it. Or will they keep building it over time by adding new schemes as and when. A person once came to me with a portfolio of approx. 30 lakhs with over 30 MF schemes in it - RED flag. Going beyond 5-6 schemes needs to be reviewed thoroughly.
5. What are their processes for reviewing the performance of the portfolio/schemes and how do they provide recommendation for changes in the portfolio. Will they take into account tax impacts when recommending exits.
6. Will they aim to educate you in this whole process about various aspects so as to establish and enhance their engagement, trust and your own confidence in them.
7. Most important - Will it be a fee based engagement or a commission based. Typically fee based engagements should encourage customer's preferences e.g Direct MF, using client's Demat account etc and provide recommendations for customers requirement with alternatives and options. Even when you change a recommendation, they should educate you on its impact and recommend alternative to mitigate the impact. Commission based engagements are based on their earnings from your investment. Some times their approach is to add schemes based on commissions. But there are good advisors who will stay the course of a well constructed portfolio even in this model, having the customers interest at heart.

So do your own assessment of any advisor you engage with based on the above. You can add more points of evaluation based on your own experience and knowledge.
Remember Simple strategies are more often successful.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.