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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8265 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 04, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Oct 28, 2024Hindi
Money

I am 50 age and started a monthly sip of 35,000 the spread is 15% in index funds, 27% in equity caps, 15% in debt, 11% in metals, 10% in balanced/multi asset, 5% in retirement solutions, 4% in equity hybrid, balance in value/contra/elss funds. Should I continue this distribution pattern considering my investment horizon is for 10 years from today, with aim to build a robust retirement growth portfolio

Ans: Here’s a detailed assessment to refine your portfolio based on your retirement goals and current strategy.

Portfolio Distribution Analysis
You've taken an active approach with a diverse allocation. However, a few adjustments could enhance alignment with your 10-year investment horizon. Here’s a breakdown of each segment in your portfolio to optimize for growth and risk management.

Reduce Exposure to Index Funds
Index Funds: With 15% allocation in index funds, there’s limited scope for outperformance. Index funds mirror the market, and they do not allow for active responses to market opportunities or corrections.

Consider Actively Managed Funds: Actively managed equity funds bring the expertise of fund managers who can pivot during volatility. This is essential for a growth-focused retirement portfolio that aims to beat market returns over the next decade. Moving part of this allocation to actively managed funds could enhance growth.

Equity Caps: Building a Strong Growth Foundation
Allocation of 27% in Equity Caps: This is a balanced amount, though increasing exposure to diversified equity funds could be beneficial. Large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap allocations provide a strong mix of stability and growth potential. Over a decade, small- and mid-cap funds often outperform large caps, while the latter add stability during market lows.

Recommendation: Consider diversifying further within this category, with an eye on mid-cap and small-cap funds, alongside large-cap funds, for a well-rounded portfolio.

Debt Allocation: Enhancing Stability and Security
15% in Debt: This allocation adds stability and could help manage volatility. Debt instruments are essential, especially in the years closer to retirement when capital preservation becomes more critical.

Consider Ultra-Short Duration Debt Funds: As your horizon is 10 years, debt allocation can gradually be tilted toward ultra-short or short-duration debt funds. This could provide flexibility and liquidity, while protecting against sudden market downturns.

Metals: Assessing the 11% Allocation
High Metal Exposure: Precious metals like gold provide a hedge during economic downturns but are traditionally more conservative growth assets.

Optimal Allocation: For a retirement portfolio, reducing this exposure slightly (to around 5-7%) could allow for reallocating funds into higher-growth opportunities like diversified equity. Metals have lower returns compared to equity, and a more moderate allocation could still provide the needed hedge.

Balanced/Multi-Asset Funds: Moderate Growth Potential
10% in Balanced/Multi-Asset Funds: This is beneficial for conservative growth and risk management. Multi-asset funds allow diversification across asset classes, reducing risk during economic downturns.

Suggestion: This allocation can remain stable, as it adds balance without reducing growth potential. However, ensure these funds have a strong equity component to align with your growth objectives.

Retirement Solutions Funds: Reassessing Role and Contribution
5% in Retirement Solutions Funds: These funds often come with lower growth potential and may not align with your goal of maximizing returns over 10 years. Many retirement-focused funds are conservative in nature, designed more for gradual growth and capital preservation.

Alternative: Redirect part of this allocation into actively managed equity funds with a longer time horizon, for optimized growth until retirement.

Equity Hybrid Funds: Strategic Growth and Balance
4% in Equity Hybrid Funds: This allocation is quite conservative. Hybrid funds, while offering both equity and debt exposure, may not fully capitalize on growth potential given your horizon and goals.

Recommendation: Consider redirecting part of this allocation toward more growth-oriented funds like diversified equity funds. With 10 years left, a stronger focus on equity can accelerate growth.

Value, Contra, and ELSS Funds: Long-Term Growth with Tax Benefits
Remaining Allocation in Value/Contra/ELSS Funds: This is a wise addition. Value and contra funds capitalize on underperforming sectors that can grow significantly over time, while ELSS provides tax benefits under section 80C.

Optimization: Continue this allocation but consider rebalancing into more growth-centric options as the market evolves. ELSS funds offer a growth advantage with tax-saving benefits and should remain a part of your plan.

Additional Recommendations for a Robust Retirement Portfolio
Review Direct vs. Regular Fund Investments:

Direct funds may seem cost-effective but lack guidance. Investing with the help of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) through regular funds offers valuable insights and strategic portfolio management. CFPs help in managing market changes, ensuring alignment with your goals.
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) Taxation:

Equity Funds: Gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, while short-term capital gains attract 20%.
Debt Funds: Gains, whether short- or long-term, fall under your income tax slab. This is a factor to consider, especially closer to retirement, when withdrawals may incur taxes. Planning your withdrawals to minimize tax impact is key.
Gradual Shift Toward Debt Allocation Nearing Retirement:

As you approach retirement, gradually shifting more funds to debt or balanced funds is wise for capital preservation. Over time, this will help secure gains and minimize the impact of any sudden equity market downturns.
Rebalance Annually for Alignment with Goals:

An annual review helps adjust your portfolio’s risk level and re-aligns your allocations as you progress toward retirement. This keeps the portfolio healthy and adaptable to market changes.
Emergency and Health Fund Provision:

Ensure you have adequate health insurance and a small emergency fund outside of your SIP investments. This adds a buffer, allowing your retirement portfolio to remain undisturbed.
Final Insights
Your approach is thoughtful and diversified, yet some adjustments could enhance your retirement plan's growth and stability. By fine-tuning allocations in equity, minimizing metals, and seeking higher-growth funds, you can build a more robust retirement corpus.

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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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Career
Sir I have 138472 rank in jee mains 90.66 prcntile general category female outside delhi . Sir what can i get in JAC Delhi in any round or spot round . Can I get IIIT Delhi or any other ?
Ans: Manoj, IIIT Delhi, through JAC Delhi, places more importance on candidates from Delhi, especially in the highly competitive CSE field. The admission requirements for IIIT-D use JEE Main scores plus bonus points, giving more weight to candidates from Delhi. The cutoffs for outside Delhi General branches like CSE, CSAM, and CSB are typically in the top 30k to 50k places. IIIT-Delhi is out of reach even in spot rounds with your rank of 138k. Other JAC Delhi colleges include DTU, NSUT, IIIT-D, and IGDTUW (only for women). IGDTUW is a good choice for women, as fields like ME, ECE, and IT sometimes close at 70k-90k ranks but rarely go above 100k. At 138k rank, the chances are very low even for IGDTUW.

Back-up plans include CSAB special rounds, private universities/colleges that take your JEE rank. With a 90.66 percentile, you have a good chance of getting into good colleges/universities in CSE or ECE during state quota rounds. The final answer is IIIT-Delhi: ? At rank 138k, it's not possible. Other JAC Delhi schools, like IGDTUW: Not likely at all, not even in spot rounds

Pay attention to CSAB, State Counseling, and Private Colleges.

n order to produce a predetermined schedule of NITs/GFTIs/IIITs to which your rank will qualify for admission, 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 | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
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

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Listen
Career
Hello, my jee mains 2025 sc rank is 7402 Can I get mechanical engineering in iiest shibpur?
Ans: Esteemed Pritam, You have not specified whether you are a resident of the Home State (WB) or the Other State (OS). In any case, there is an 85% likelihood that you will get ME in IIEST-Shibpur. Conversely, ensure that you have backups and satisfy the utmost number of options. In order to produce a predetermined schedule of NITs/GFTIs/IIITs to which your rank will qualify for admission, 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 | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
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

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 19, 2025Hindi
Listen
Career
What IIIT OR NIT can I get with 77.92 percentile in jee mains 2025( OBC category female)
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 | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
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

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4447 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2025

Listen
Career
Hi Sir, My son got 88 percentile in session 2. Pl suggest what engg college can be applied with this score.
Ans: Tarun Sir, Here is, How to Predict Your Son's 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 Son's 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 Son's Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

His JEE Main percentile | Convert the Percentile to AIR, based on the Formula available in Google.
His category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
His Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
His Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least his 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 son 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 Your Son's Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches your son is 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 your son is interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust his 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 son's 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 for your son.

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 Son's 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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