Your advice is highly appreciated. I have made a few investments in the past year and am thinking of adding a Gold ETF to the list.

My horizon is 14 years and am planning to retire by 50.

Please suggest your valuable feedback. Also, can I add an arbitrage fund and a hybrid fund which is good over this period if required to make a safe corpus?

Mutual Funds	Amount
1. Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund	Rs 2,000
2. PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund	Rs 2,000
3. Kotak Emerging Equity Fund	Rs 2,000
4. Franklin India Prima Fund	Rs 2,000
5. Nippon India Small Cap Fund	Rs 2,000
6. Kotak Small Cap Fund	Rs 2,000
7. L&T India Value Fund	Rs 2,000
8. Kotak India EQ Contra Fund	Rs 3,000
9. Quant Focused Fund	Rs 1,000
10. ICICI Prudential Technology Fund	Rs 2,000
11. UTI Flexicap Fund	Rs 1,000
12. Kotak Flexi Cap	Rs 1,000

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Ans: Karthik, The Biotechnology at NIT Durgapur program offers a strong foundation in core and applied biotechnology, with a strong curriculum integrating biology, chemistry, and engineering principles. The department supports research in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and bioprocess engineering. The program has experienced professors, modern labs, and access to scientific journals. Placement opportunities are modest, but graduates often secure positions in pharmaceutical companies and IT firms. Graduates often pursue master's or doctoral studies in India or abroad. Career prospects improve with higher education or certifications tailored to specific biotech fields. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

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Ans: JEE Link? Please ask your question in detail. Visit NTA Website.

Ans: You have taken the first step by recognising the need to plan. It’s essential to appreciate your intention to secure your financial future. Let’s look at how you can proceed to achieve your short-term and long-term goals.

Your current take-home salary is Rs 53,000, and your EPF contribution is Rs 4,900. However, you lack savings, investments, and an emergency fund. Here's a step-by-step strategy:

Build an Emergency Fund
Set aside funds to cover at least six months' expenses.

Start by saving 10-15% of your salary monthly into a high-interest savings account.

Use Recurring Deposits or Liquid Mutual Funds to maintain this fund for emergencies.

Secure Yourself with Insurance
Health insurance: Maintain your company health policy but add a personal health policy. Choose a policy offering a sum insured of Rs 10-15 lakh.

Term insurance: Buy a term plan covering 10-15 times your annual income. Keep the policy simple and avoid investment-linked insurance.

Budget Your Income
Allocate your income carefully for expenses, savings, and investments.

Use the 50-30-20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and investments.

Avoid unnecessary expenses to increase your saving capacity.

Start Investing Gradually
Short-term goals (1-5 years): Invest in debt funds or recurring deposits. Debt mutual funds are good for stable returns.

Long-term goals (5+ years): Invest in equity mutual funds for higher returns. Choose actively managed funds with consistent performance.

Avoid index funds. Actively managed funds have a better potential for higher returns through professional fund management.

Retirement Planning
Utilise the EPF for retirement. Your current contribution will grow over time with compounding.

Consider investing in diversified equity mutual funds for additional retirement savings.

Corporate NPS: You can explore NPS for its tax-saving benefits. However, don’t rely solely on it for retirement.

Tax-Saving Investments
Use Section 80C to save taxes up to Rs 1.5 lakh.

EPF, PPF, ELSS mutual funds, and life insurance premiums can qualify under this section.

Opt for ELSS funds for tax saving and wealth creation.

Review Existing Expenses
Evaluate and minimise unnecessary expenditures.

Avoid loans for discretionary spending like vacations or gadgets.

Advantages of Using a Certified Financial Planner
A CFP can help you plan holistically and ensure you stick to your goals.

They provide tailored strategies, ensuring proper fund allocation and monitoring.

Invest through a Mutual Fund Distributor with CFP credentials to access professional advice.

Key Steps for Discipline
Automate investments through SIPs in mutual funds.

Track your monthly budget and investment progress regularly.

Avoid direct funds. Regular funds offer professional guidance and fund distributor support.

Tax Implications
For equity mutual funds, LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh attracts 12.5% tax.

STCG on equity funds is taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains are taxed as per your income slab. Consider these while investing.

Final Insights
You are in the right direction by seeking advice now. Build a solid foundation with savings, insurance, and investments. Take small steps toward financial independence.

Remain consistent with your investments, and review your financial plan annually.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: Hi
you have to write the year when you first appeared 12th.

Ans: Hi Shreya
If you are preparing well for JEE MAIN then BITSAT will be easier for you. JEE ADV requires a completely different outlook and approach as it is considered one of the toughest examinations in the world.

In comparison to ADV, the SAT will be very easy for you. But studying undergrad in USA is a very costly affair, if finances are no issue for you then you can go ahead with it.

Recently BITS campuses have started integrated programs with foreign universities wherein you study 2 years in India & 2 years abroad.

Providing a complete road map is not possible here, but I must say that for JEE MAIN sticking to NCERT & PYQs will be very helpful to you.

Ans: Hi Sudhir
don't worry about the placements first. Ask your son to build a good portfolio in engineering. Work on projects in & out, present papers, participate in workshops of coding etc. Even if not many companies visit the campus or lower average package these skills will make him sail through the career. 1st year may be a bit hard for him after placements but with these skills & knowledge, he will shine wherever he goes.

If he clears his dream of NDA or SSB then there is no issue.

All the best.

Ans: Hi Bhima
I must say you have got perseverance & I appreciate your parent's trust in you. You have already appeared multiple times and you are going to appear again in 2025. By the time you will be 25 years old. They say there is no age to learn. But after getting admission you need another 10 years to practice as a qualified specialist. Make sure you take admission in the next session.

If higher cutoff & high fees of private colleges are an issue for you, then try exploring the MBBS abroad option, I can help with that too. Since NEXT is compulsory for Indian & Foreign graduates too it won't make a difference if you study in India or Abroad.

For time forget all the societal pressure and give your 100% and make your parents proud.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I think I have answered your question previously as well. If you are so conflicted about getting intimate, then you should take it as a sign to slow things down. And what do you mean that your ex is provoking you? No one, man or woman, should provoke, manipulate, or force someone into getting physically intimate. It should be your decision and yours alone.
I hope this helps.

Best Wishes.