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Jigar

Jigar Patel  | Answer  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Jun 24, 2024

Jigar Patel is a senior manager (technical research analyst) at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers.
He has around seven years of experience in the stock markets and specialises in sharing outlooks based on technical analysis.
Patel has a PGPM (Finance) certification from the International Institute of Finance Markets.... more
Ramesh Question by Ramesh on Jun 09, 2024Hindi
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I am at 57...have 80 lakhs in hand how to go about ?

Ans: invest in blue chip
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 22, 2024

Money
Sir. I am 33 I can make an SIP 50k for at least 5years I don't even have any saving right now how can I proceed further...thank you ????
Ans: Investing Rs. 50,000 per month in a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) for five years is a commendable step. At 33 years old, you have the advantage of time on your side. Let's explore a strategic approach to achieving your financial goals through mutual funds.

Understanding Your Financial Position
Starting Point

You currently have no savings, but you can invest Rs. 50,000 monthly. This consistent investment will be a strong foundation for building your wealth.

Importance of Emergency Fund

Before starting your SIPs, it's crucial to have an emergency fund. This should cover 6-12 months of your living expenses. It ensures financial security during unforeseen circumstances.

Health and Life Insurance

Adequate insurance is necessary to protect your investments. Ensure you have sufficient health and life insurance coverage.

Benefits of SIPs
Rupee Cost Averaging

SIPs help in averaging the purchase cost over time, reducing the impact of market volatility. It allows you to buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.

Discipline and Consistency

Regular investments instill financial discipline. It encourages saving and investing before spending, ensuring consistent wealth accumulation.

Power of Compounding

Starting early and investing regularly allows your investments to grow exponentially over time. Compounding can significantly increase your wealth.

Selecting the Right Mutual Funds
Actively Managed Equity Funds
High Growth Potential

Actively managed equity funds are managed by professional fund managers who select stocks aiming to outperform the market. They can provide substantial returns over the long term.

Market Expertise

These funds benefit from the expertise of fund managers who analyze and pick stocks based on market trends and company performance.

Disadvantages of Index Funds

Index funds passively track market indices. They may not outperform during volatile markets. Active funds aim for better returns through strategic stock selection.

Diversified Equity Funds
Risk Mitigation

Diversified equity funds spread investments across various sectors. This reduces the impact of poor performance in any single sector, providing a balanced growth opportunity.

Consistent Performance

These funds aim to provide consistent returns by diversifying across sectors and companies. They balance risk and return effectively.

Hybrid Funds
Balanced Approach

Hybrid funds invest in both equity and debt instruments. They provide the growth potential of equities and the stability of debt.

Moderate Risk

These funds are suitable for investors with moderate risk tolerance. They offer balanced returns with lower volatility compared to pure equity funds.

Building Your SIP Portfolio
High Growth Equity Funds

Allocate a significant portion of your SIP to high growth equity funds. They have the potential to provide substantial returns over time.

Diversified Equity Funds

Include diversified equity funds in your portfolio to spread risk. They provide balanced growth by investing across various sectors.

Hybrid Funds

Add hybrid funds to your portfolio for stability. They balance growth and risk, making them suitable for conservative investors.

Avoiding Index Funds

While index funds have low fees, they may not provide the desired growth. Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market, offering better returns.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds

Advantages of Regular Funds

Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) provides professional guidance. They help in selecting the right funds and managing your portfolio effectively.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds have lower expense ratios but lack professional guidance. Investors must have the expertise to select and manage funds independently.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Portfolio
Regular Reviews

Regularly review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals. Adjust the allocation based on market conditions and personal circumstances.

Rebalancing

Periodically rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation. This involves buying and selling funds to keep the portfolio balanced.

Staying Informed

Stay updated with market trends and fund performance. Knowledgeable investors make informed decisions, ensuring better returns.

Professional Guidance
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

A CFP provides personalized advice based on your financial situation and goals. They help in constructing a diversified portfolio that balances risk and return effectively.

Regular Consultation

Regular consultations with a CFP ensure your investments remain aligned with your goals. They provide insights and adjustments to optimize your investment strategy.

Setting Realistic Financial Goals
Achievable Targets

Set realistic financial goals based on your income and investment capacity. Unrealistic targets can lead to disappointment and poor investment decisions.

Long-Term Perspective

Focus on long-term wealth creation rather than short-term gains. Long-term investments benefit from compounding and provide substantial returns.

Conclusion
Starting a SIP of Rs. 50,000 per month is a significant step towards financial growth. Focus on building a diversified portfolio with a mix of actively managed equity funds, diversified equity funds, and hybrid funds. Regularly review and adjust your portfolio, and seek professional guidance from a CFP to achieve your financial goals.

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 Aug 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 21, 2024Hindi
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Money
I have 3 lkhs in hand need 30 lkhs in 5 year pls suggest
Ans: You have Rs 3 lakhs in hand and aim to grow it to Rs 30 lakhs in 5 years. While this is an ambitious target, it's essential to approach it with realistic expectations. Unfortunately, achieving a tenfold increase in your investment over such a short period is nearly impossible without taking on extreme risk.

The Reality of High Returns

High returns come with high risks. The idea of turning Rs 3 lakhs into Rs 30 lakhs in 5 years might be tempting, but the reality is different:

Excessive Risk: Investments that promise such high returns usually involve speculative assets. These can lead to significant losses rather than gains.

Market Volatility: The stock market or other high-risk avenues like cryptocurrencies might offer the potential for high returns, but they are extremely volatile. You could end up losing your principal amount.

Get Rich Quick Myth: The quickest way to wealth is often the fastest way to financial ruin. Chasing quick returns can lead to poor investment decisions.

A More Realistic Approach

While the target of Rs 30 lakhs may be unrealistic in 5 years with Rs 3 lakhs, you can still work towards significant growth by following a more balanced strategy:

SIP in Equity Mutual Funds: Consider investing regularly in equity mutual funds through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). Over time, this approach offers the potential for growth without excessive risk.

Debt Funds for Stability: Balance your portfolio with debt funds. They provide steady, albeit lower, returns and help safeguard your investment.

Increase Your Investment Amount: If possible, increase the amount you invest regularly. The more you invest, the closer you’ll get to your target.

Stay Patient: Building wealth takes time. Focus on consistent, disciplined investing rather than chasing high returns.

Final Insights

It's important to set realistic financial goals. Achieving Rs 30 lakhs from Rs 3 lakhs in just 5 years would require an annualized return far beyond what is typically achievable through safe investments. Instead of risking your hard-earned money on high-risk ventures, adopt a balanced and patient approach. Remember, getting rich slowly but surely is a much safer and more reliable path to financial success.

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 Jun 02, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2025Hindi
Money
I have 90L. In another 2yr I wl retire, I want 50k regulor income. Plz guide me
Ans: You are nearing a big life step—retirement. You have Rs. 90 lakhs now. You want Rs. 50,000 every month after 2 years. You want this income to last long. You also want to protect your capital. Let us build a 360-degree plan to meet your needs with care and clarity.

                     

Understanding Your Retirement Income Need

You want Rs. 6 lakhs every year.

                     

Your money must last at least 25–30 years.

                     

You want to beat inflation.

                     

Your capital should stay safe.

                     

You want less tax impact.

                     

You want income to come monthly.

                     

Key Challenges in Your Case

Retiring in 2 years gives you very short time to grow money.

                     

Rs. 90 lakhs corpus is fair but needs strong planning.

                     

Inflation will eat into your money if not managed.

                     

Tax laws must be followed in a smart way.

                     

Phased Investment Structure (2-Bucket Strategy)

Divide money into two parts. One for first 5–7 years.

                     

Second part for long-term growth after 7 years.

                     

First bucket must have safe and stable income options.

                     

Second bucket must include growth-oriented mutual funds.

                     

Use only regular mutual funds through MFD and CFP.

                     

Investment Approach for First 5–7 Years

Park 30–35 lakhs in debt mutual funds with low risk.

                     

Select funds that generate consistent monthly income.

                     

Withdraw Rs. 50,000 monthly from this debt portfolio.

                     

Ensure tax-efficient withdrawal using SWP route.

                     

Do not use bank deposits for regular income due to taxation.

                     

Investment Approach for Long-Term Growth

Invest remaining 55–60 lakhs in diversified regular mutual funds.

                     

Choose large and flexi-cap categories with active fund managers.

                     

Avoid index funds due to average returns and no downside control.

                     

Avoid direct mutual funds. They lack advisory and review support.

                     

Use MFD with CFP for selecting and tracking regular plans.

                     

Let this bucket grow for 5–7 years without withdrawal.

                     

After 7 years, start monthly withdrawals from this portfolio.

                     

Tax Planning on Withdrawals

For debt mutual funds, income is taxed per your slab.

                     

For equity mutual funds, LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

                     

STCG on equity mutual funds is taxed at 20%.

                     

Plan SWP and redemptions carefully with your CFP.

                     

Aim for low tax outgo each year using smart withdrawals.

                     

Insurance and Emergency Care

Keep Rs. 3–4 lakhs in a savings account for emergencies.

                     

Continue or increase your health insurance cover.

                     

Avoid annuities. They are rigid, less flexible and less tax efficient.

                     

Avoid These Common Retirement Mistakes

Do not invest all in bank FDs.

                     

Do not mix insurance and investment.

                     

Do not withdraw randomly from your corpus.

                     

Do not go for direct plans thinking you save cost.

                     

Use certified planners for strategy and review.

                     

What You Must Do Now

Sit with a CFP and design a 30-year withdrawal strategy.

                     

Track inflation yearly and adjust withdrawals.

                     

Monitor your mutual funds every 6–12 months.

                     

Add spouse’s name in investments to avoid legal issues later.

                     

Think about making a Will to protect your family.

                     

Retirement is not the end. It’s the next long journey. Plan it fully.

                     

Finally

You have done well to save Rs. 90 lakhs. You also think ahead. That’s a good habit. With right planning, you can enjoy your retirement peacefully. Income will come monthly. Capital will stay strong. Just avoid emotional decisions and shortcuts. Choose guided, professional planning with review. Take slow and steady steps. You will feel confident and secure. And your goal of Rs. 50,000 income each month will be possible.

                     

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
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'.

...Read more

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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