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Nikunj

Nikunj Saraf  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Funds Expert - Answered on Mar 01, 2023

Nikunj Saraf has more than five years of experience in financial markets and offers advice about mutual funds. He is vice president at Choice Wealth, a financial institution that offers broking, insurance, loans and government advisory services. Saraf, who is a member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India, has a strong base in financial markets and wealth management.... more
girish Question by girish on Feb 11, 2023Hindi
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Good afternoon. I want to create of corpus of 2 crores in 10 years. Presently I have a corpus of 5 lakhs in these mutual funds where I invest monthly 12000/- as follows: Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - 2000/- HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund - Regular Plan - 2000/- HDFC Small Cap Fund - Direct Growth Plan -2000/- Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip Fund - Direct Plan - Growth -2000/- SBI Blue Chip Fund - Regular Plan Growth -4000/- Please suggest the changes to be made to reach my target. Thank you.

Ans: Hello , Girish. Based on your current portfolio, you appear to be an aggressive risk taker. I would advise you to reconsider your small cap funds in favour of better peer schemes. Additionally, you can increase your investment to 50k on a monthly sip in order to reach the target of Rs. 2 Cr in 10 years. You could also consider sip top up your current sips for semi-annually or yearly to achieve your goal
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 Sep 22, 2024

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I am 49 years old and doing MF since 2009 staring with small amount 2000/- pm. Last year i shuffle the portfolio last year. I have following investment in mutual fund 1. parag parik Flexi cap fund - reg gr 5000/- 2. Canara robeco bluechief equity fund gr 5000/- 3. Invesco india infra structure fund 5000/- 4. Quant small cap fund 5000/- 5. PGIM midcap oppotunies fund gr 5000/- I want to create corpus of 2 cr in next 10 years Currently my portfolio value is around 31 L.
Ans: Value funds are a great option for many investors. They invest in undervalued companies with strong potential for future growth. These funds target businesses that may not be performing well now, but have the capacity to grow in the future. This makes them a good choice if you have a long-term horizon and the ability to tolerate volatility.

A key feature of value funds is that they can outperform during certain market phases. However, during other phases, they may underperform compared to other equity funds like growth funds or flexi-cap funds.

Assessing Long-term Returns
Although your current fund may be delivering 30% XIRR, this is not sustainable in the long run. Market conditions fluctuate, and value funds can see significant ups and downs. Historically, the long-term average return for equity funds is between 10-12%. This will vary depending on market cycles, and it’s crucial to consider this when evaluating the performance of your fund.

So, while the current returns look appealing, they should be viewed as part of a larger trend over time. A key insight here is that investing in equity always comes with volatility. Don’t get caught up in short-term gains; instead, focus on the long-term growth potential.

Value Funds vs. Other Equity Funds
Value funds are one part of the equity category, and they have a specific strategy. But compared to growth funds or flexi-cap funds, value funds can be more volatile in the short run.

In growth funds, investments are made in companies expected to grow faster than the market. They can provide better short-term performance during a bullish phase. Flexi-cap funds, on the other hand, balance risk by investing across large, mid, and small-cap companies. This makes them more flexible and diversified.

While value funds have the potential for higher returns, they may also see more volatility. Other equity funds might provide a smoother ride, albeit with possibly lower highs during market rallies.

Active Funds vs. Index Funds
It is worth noting the difference between active value funds and index funds. Index funds are passively managed and follow the market's movement. They don't aim to outperform but to match a particular benchmark. This means they may offer lower returns compared to actively managed funds, where the fund manager picks stocks based on market conditions and strategies.

One of the disadvantages of index funds is that they cannot react to market changes. If a particular sector is underperforming, index funds will still be forced to hold those stocks, while an active fund manager can make adjustments to avoid losses.

So, in your case, actively managed funds, especially in the value space, can provide better returns with professional management.

Direct vs. Regular Funds
If you are investing through direct funds, you might want to consider the benefits of switching to regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner. Direct funds have lower expense ratios, but that comes with fewer insights and advice. A Certified Financial Planner can guide you through market cycles and help rebalance your portfolio.

A good MFD with a CFP credential will actively monitor and suggest changes in your investments based on changing market conditions. This advice and regular tracking help in making better financial decisions compared to direct funds.

Setting Up an STP for Better Risk Management
Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs) can be a smart option for managing risk. If you're experiencing a windfall in returns, an STP allows you to move your money into a safer option gradually.

Instead of pulling out everything and trying to time the market, an STP can help you balance between high-risk and low-risk investments. You can shift from a value fund into something more stable like a balanced fund or debt fund over time.

This approach can lock in your profits while giving you a more stable future return.

However, an STP is not necessary for everyone. If your goal is long-term, and you can handle market fluctuations, then staying invested in the value fund may be more beneficial. Equity funds reward patience. You should only consider an STP if you're nearing a financial goal or require more liquidity.

Risk Assessment of Value Funds
Every equity fund comes with risk, but value funds can be more volatile. They often invest in companies going through temporary troubles but with strong fundamentals. The risk here is that not all of these companies will recover quickly.

In good times, value funds can outperform the market. But when the economy slows, these funds may underperform. This makes them ideal for long-term investors who are willing to ride out market swings. If you are comfortable with this level of risk, then value funds are still a good option.

The Impact of Volatility
Volatility is a part of investing in value funds. High returns like the 30% XIRR you are seeing now may not last. But even if they drop, the core potential of value funds remains strong. Over a 10 to 15-year period, the return could stabilize around 12% CAGR, which is still healthy.

It is essential to have realistic expectations when investing in these funds. Don't let short-term gains make you overly optimistic or lead you to increase your risk unnecessarily.

Should You Continue Investing in Value Funds?
If your investment horizon is long-term, value funds can still play a crucial role in your portfolio. You should, however, ensure that you are diversified across other fund types to spread your risk. A Certified Financial Planner can help in assessing whether you need to rebalance your investments.

In general, staying invested in value funds is not wrong. They offer great potential for wealth creation but come with volatility. You just need to ensure you’re not overexposed to one fund type.

Final Insights
A 30% XIRR from a value fund is impressive but temporary. Over time, expect returns to normalize around 12% with volatility.

Diversifying across other equity funds can reduce your overall risk. If you’re uncomfortable with the current volatility, consider setting up an STP. But if your goal is long-term, staying invested in the value fund could still yield strong results. Always seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner to ensure you are on the right track.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistic_investment_planners/

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Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 12, 2024Hindi
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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
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'.

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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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