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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 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
Abhay Question by Abhay on Jan 29, 2024Hindi
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HI I am 51 years with an ivestment of around 65 lacs in mutual funds and having a monthhly sip of 17000/-. Will I be able to get a corpus of 2.5 cr in coming 10 years.

Ans: At 51, having already built a substantial investment portfolio of around 65 lakhs and maintaining a disciplined SIP of 17000/- per month is a commendable feat. However, projecting whether you can reach a corpus of 2.5 crores in the next 10 years requires a careful assessment of various factors.

To determine the feasibility of your goal, consider factors such as your investment portfolio's asset allocation, expected returns, and additional contributions over the next decade. It's essential to review your portfolio's performance periodically and make adjustments as needed to stay on track.

A Certified Financial Planner can provide a detailed analysis tailored to your specific circumstances, considering your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. They can help you create a roadmap to maximize your investment potential while managing risk effectively.

While achieving a corpus of 2.5 crores in 10 years may pose challenges, with a well-constructed investment strategy and disciplined approach, it's certainly within reach. Stay focused on your long-term objectives, and with prudent decision-making, you can work towards realizing your financial aspirations.
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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 08, 2024Hindi
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Hello dear, i am currently 33 year old and am doing an sip of 39k per month for the last one year (5k in canara robecco small cap & sbi magnum midcap fund & pgim midcap opportunities, 8k in nippon small cap, 4k in tata small cap & parar parekh flexi cap fund , 3k in icici value discovery fund , 2.5k in mirae asset flexi cap & canara robecco flexi cap fund. Apart from that i have 32k per month put in RDs, 22k in chitt funds, 12.5k in sukanya samridhi yogana , 12.5 in. Nps tier -1. Will be it be enough to build a corpus of 5-6 crore after 25 years for retirement?
Ans: It's commendable that you're actively investing towards your retirement at such a young age. Let's assess your current investment strategy and whether it's sufficient to build a corpus of 5-6 crores over 25 years.

Analysis of Current Investments
SIPs in Mutual Funds
Diversification: Your SIPs across various categories such as small-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds demonstrate a diversified approach to equity investments.
Consistency: Consistently investing in SIPs over the long term can potentially generate significant wealth through the power of compounding.
Other Investments
RDs: Investing in recurring deposits provides a secure avenue for accumulating savings over time, although the returns may be modest compared to equity investments.
Chit Funds: Chit funds offer a traditional savings mechanism, but ensure that they align with your risk tolerance and financial goals.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: This scheme is ideal for long-term savings for your daughter's education or marriage, offering attractive interest rates and tax benefits.
NPS Tier-1: Contributing to NPS enhances your retirement savings, providing tax benefits and the potential for long-term growth.
Assessing Retirement Corpus Target
Retirement Goals
Corpus Requirement: To achieve a retirement corpus of 5-6 crores over 25 years, you need to estimate your future expenses, accounting for inflation and lifestyle expectations.
Investment Growth: Evaluate the expected growth rate of your investments, considering historical performance and market conditions.
Strategies for Building Retirement Corpus
Increase Investment Contributions
SIP Amount: Consider gradually increasing your SIP contributions annually to accelerate wealth accumulation and keep pace with inflation.
Additional Investments: Allocate any surplus income towards additional investments in mutual funds or other suitable avenues to boost your retirement corpus.
Optimize Investment Portfolio
Review and Rebalance: Periodically review your mutual fund portfolio and make necessary adjustments to ensure alignment with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Asset Allocation: Maintain a balanced asset allocation strategy, diversifying across equity, debt, and other asset classes to manage risk effectively.
Retirement Planning Tools
Retirement Calculators: Utilize online retirement calculators to estimate your future financial needs and determine if your current savings and investments are on track to meet your retirement goals.
Professional Advice: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner who can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific financial situation and retirement objectives.
Conclusion
While your current investment strategy demonstrates a proactive approach towards retirement planning, achieving a corpus of 5-6 crores over 25 years requires consistent savings, disciplined investing, and periodic review of your financial plan. By optimizing your investment contributions, diversifying your portfolio, and utilizing retirement planning tools, you can work towards securing a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 04, 2024Hindi
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Hello Experts, I am 43 old having a monthly Sal of 2.6L/Month wife Sal is 40K/Month. We have 35L invested in MF and Equity ( Stocks) we have have close to 40L in FD and Post office, as part of retirement my PF is close to 40L we have 2 kids 11 and 7 years old. We have a 3BHK flat, we have no loans. health insurance of 10L for family and 15L for my mother who is 72 years old. Doing a SIP of 1.5L per month, we started investing 2 years back, along with SIP we did some lumpsum investments also. Is it possible to have a good corpus in next 10 years.
Ans: Your consistent efforts reflect great financial discipline. Let us assess and guide you on building a robust corpus for the next 10 years.

Income and Expenses
Your combined family income is Rs. 3,00,000 per month.

With no loans, you have a healthy cash flow for investments.

Existing Investments
Rs. 35 lakh is invested in mutual funds and equity stocks.

Rs. 40 lakh is in fixed deposits and post office schemes.

Your retirement corpus in PF is Rs. 40 lakh.

Insurance Coverage
Health insurance of Rs. 10 lakh covers your family.

Separate Rs. 15 lakh health insurance covers your mother.

Current SIP and Lump Sum Investments
Your SIP contribution of Rs. 1.5 lakh per month is substantial.

Investments started two years ago, showing focused financial planning.

Retirement Planning
You aim to accumulate a good corpus in 10 years.

Your PF of Rs. 40 lakh will continue to grow over time.

Focus on equity for wealth creation due to long-term growth potential.

Assessing Your Goals
Consider retirement and children’s education as key goals.

Plan for higher education expenses when kids are 18–20 years old.

Ensure funds for post-retirement lifestyle and medical needs.

Suggested Investment Strategy
Continue with your SIP of Rs. 1.5 lakh per month.

Allocate 60–70% of your SIP to equity mutual funds for growth.

Invest in flexi-cap, large-cap, and mid-cap funds for balanced risk.

Allocate 20–30% to debt funds for stability and lower risk.

Emergency Fund and Contingency Planning
Maintain an emergency fund of at least 12 months of expenses.

Use liquid funds or short-term FDs for this purpose.

Diversification of Investments
Limit exposure to fixed deposits due to lower returns.

Gradually move some FD funds to mutual funds for higher growth.

Keep post office investments for secure, low-risk returns.

Tax Efficiency of Investments
Understand new capital gains taxation on equity and debt mutual funds.

Plan redemptions to optimise long-term and short-term capital gains taxes.

Fixed deposit interest is taxable. Diversify to reduce tax burden.

Education Planning
Start a dedicated corpus for children’s higher education.

Invest separately for this goal in equity mutual funds.

Use child-specific funds or regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

Risk Management
Review health insurance to ensure coverage is adequate.

Consider increasing family health coverage to Rs. 20 lakh if feasible.

Buy a term insurance policy for 15–20 times your annual income.

Reviewing and Rebalancing
Review your portfolio every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Check fund performance and rebalance based on market conditions.

Avoid emotional decisions during market volatility.

Avoid Common Pitfalls
Avoid direct mutual fund investments without expert guidance.

Use regular funds to benefit from professional advice and support.

Refrain from mixing insurance and investment products.

Final Insights
Your financial planning is on the right track. Continue disciplined investments and strategic diversification. Focus on long-term growth through equity and maintain safety through debt. Regular reviews and a Certified Financial Planner’s guidance can ensure your goals are met comfortably.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
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Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

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

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

...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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