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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 23, 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 31, 2023Hindi
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Hi, My age is 28. Married. My daughter is 4 months old. My monthly salary is Rs. 1.22L PM. Monthly expense - Rs. 35,000 Current commitments are: Home Loan EMI - Rs. 36,011 (4 months completed. 30 years tenure) Term Insurance - 1cr (Annual premium - Rs. 36,000 for 10 years. 7 more premium pending) Current NPS Balance - Rs. 75,000. Investing Rs. 15,000 pm SSY - Rs. 12,500 pm. APY - Rs. 409 pm I'm planning to save for Emergency Corpus Fund, get a medical insurance floater policy. My short term goal is to save Rs. 20 lakhs within 4 years for registeration and interior work for house. My long term goals are for daughters UG education, wedding, retirement at 55 years. I took investment risk test and Im an aggressive investor and planning to invest more on equity. Also, I want to diversify the portfolio and invest across asset class.

Ans: It sounds like you've got a clear vision for your financial future, which is fantastic, especially at your age. With your goals in mind and being an aggressive investor, here's a potential strategy to consider:

Emergency Corpus Fund: Aim for at least 6-12 months' worth of expenses. Start with setting aside a portion of your savings each month until you reach this target.
Medical Insurance: A comprehensive floater policy covering your family is essential. Ensure the coverage amount is adequate to handle potential medical emergencies without denting your savings.
Short-term Goals - House: For the Rs. 20 lakhs target in 4 years, consider equity mutual funds with a mix of mid-cap and large-cap funds. You could also consider debt funds or fixed deposits for stability.
Long-term Goals:
Daughter's UG Education: Equity mutual funds can be a great option, given your aggressive risk profile. Start with diversified equity funds and gradually shift to balanced or hybrid funds as the goal approaches.
Daughter's Wedding: Again, equity mutual funds can be beneficial here. Also, considering gold ETFs or sovereign gold bonds can be a good diversification strategy.
Retirement: NPS is a good start, given its tax benefits and long-term nature. You might want to increase your contributions over time. Additionally, diversify with equity mutual funds and other retirement-oriented funds.
Diversification Across Asset Classes:
Equity: You're already inclined towards equity, so continue investing in diversified equity funds, large-cap, mid-cap, and maybe even some small-cap funds.
Debt: Given your aggressive stance, limit this to around 20-30% of your portfolio. Short to medium-term debt funds or fixed deposits can be considered.
Gold: Gold ETFs or sovereign gold bonds can be a good hedge against market volatility.
Real Estate: Since you're planning for a house, that's a good start. Real estate can be an excellent long-term investment, but ensure it doesn't over-concentrate your portfolio.
Regular Review: As your life progresses, your financial goals and risk appetite may evolve. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your portfolio ensures you stay on track.
Remember, while being aggressive can offer higher returns, it also comes with increased volatility. It's crucial to stay invested for the long term and avoid reacting to short-term market fluctuations. Consulting with a financial advisor can help tailor this strategy further to your needs and provide ongoing guidance.
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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Moneywize

Moneywize   | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Jan 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 26, 2024Hindi
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Hi, My age is 38. Married. My daughter is 4 years old. My monthly salary is Rs. 1.02 lakh . Monthly expense - Rs. 30,000 and Current commitments are: Home Loan EMI - Rs. 32,011 (4 months completed. 20 years tenure) Term Insurance - 75 lakh (Annual premium - Rs. 32,000 for 10 years. 7 more premium pending) Current NPS Balance - Rs. 100,000. Investing Rs. 25,000 pm SSY - Rs. 15,000 pm. APY - Rs. 509 pm I'm planning to save for emergency corpus fund, get a medical insurance floater policy. My short term goal is to save Rs. 15 lakh within 5 years for registeration and interior work for house. My long term goals are for daughter's graduation, post-graduation and wedding, retirement at 58 years. I took investment risk as I am an aggressive investor and planning to invest more in stocks. Also, I want to diversify the portfolio and invest across asset class. What would you suggest?
Ans: It's great that you have a clear understanding of your financial goals and have started making investments. Here are some suggestions to align your investment strategy with your goals:

Emergency Corpus Fund:

• Aim for at least 3-6 months' worth of living expenses as an emergency corpus. Given your monthly expenses are Rs. 30,000, target an emergency fund of Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,80,000.
• Consider keeping this fund in a liquid or easily accessible instrument like a savings account or a short-term fixed deposit.

Medical Insurance:

• Get a comprehensive family floater health insurance policy. Ensure that the coverage is adequate to handle medical expenses for you, your spouse, and your daughter. The coverage should include hospitalisation expenses, critical illness coverage, and other relevant features.
• Review your policy periodically to make sure it remains adequate for your family's needs.

Short-Term Goal (Rs. 15 lakh in 5 years):

• Consider a mix of equity and debt instruments to achieve this goal. Since it's a short-term goal, a balanced approach is advisable. You may allocate a portion to equity mutual funds and the rest to fixed-income instruments like debt mutual funds, recurring deposits, or short-term bonds.
• Regularly monitor the progress towards your short-term goal and make adjustments as needed.

Long-Term Goals (Daughter's education, marriage, retirement):

• Since you have a long investment horizon for your daughter's education, marriage, and your retirement, you can afford to take more risk. Continue investing in equity-oriented instruments for these goals.
• Diversify across asset classes such as equity mutual funds, Public Provident Fund (PPF), Employee Provident Fund (EPF), and other suitable investment options.
• Gradually increase your equity exposure and consider allocating a portion to international funds for additional diversification.

Diversification and Asset Allocation:

• Ensure your portfolio is well-diversified across different asset classes (equity, debt, gold) to manage risk effectively.
• Periodically rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation based on your risk tolerance and financial goals.
• Keep an eye on the performance of individual investments and make adjustments if needed.

Regular Review and Monitoring:

• Regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments based on changes in your goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
• Reassess your insurance needs periodically to make sure your coverage aligns with your family's requirements.
• As your income increases, consider increasing your monthly investments to align with your financial goals.

Remember, it's crucial to consult with a financial advisor to tailor a plan that suits your specific needs and risk tolerance. Adjust your strategy as life circumstances change, and stay disciplined in your long-term investment approach.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

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Hi, my age is 29. Married. My daughter is 8 months old. My monthly salary is Rs. 1.33L PM. Monthly expense - Rs. 35,000 Current commitments are: Home Loan EMI - Rs. 43,535 (8 months completed. 30 years tenure) Term Insurance - 1cr (Annual premium - Rs. 36,000 for 10 years. 7 more premium pending) Current NPS Balance - Rs. 75,000. Investing Rs. 15,000 pm SSY - Rs. 12,500 pm. APY - Rs. 409 pm I'm planning to save for Emergency Corpus Fund, get a medical insurance floater policy. My short term goal is to save Rs. 20 lakhs within 4 years for registeration and interior work for house. My long term goals are for daughters UG education, wedding, retirement at 55 years. I took investment risk test and Im an aggressive investor and planning to invest more on equity. Also, I want to diversify the portfolio and invest across asset class.
Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach to financial planning! With your solid income and clear goals, here's a suggested plan:

Emergency Corpus Fund: Aim for 6-12 months' worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account for emergencies.
Medical Insurance Floater Policy: Ensure adequate coverage for your family's healthcare needs, including your daughter.
Short-Term Goal - House Expenses: Consider a mix of equity and debt mutual funds for potential growth while safeguarding against market volatility.
Long-Term Goals - Daughter's Education, Wedding, Retirement: Continue investing in equity through mutual funds or stocks for higher returns over the long term. Also, explore options like PPF, NPS, and diversified funds for diversification across asset classes.
Review and Adjust: Regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as needed to stay on track with your goals.
Remember, financial planning is dynamic. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance tailored to your unique circumstances and aspirations. With discipline and strategic investing, you'll be well-positioned to achieve your financial dreams.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 29, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi, am close to reaching 30. Married. And my daughter is 2.5 years old. I am currently doing an monthly SIP of 6500 rupees. 1500 rupees to quant tax plan, 2000 rupees to parag parikh flexi cap, 2000 rupees to quant small cap, 1000 rupees to tata digital India fund. I had few other sips earlier. My current Mutual fund portfolio value is at 390000. I have earlier bought few stocks directly for long-term investment. but since am almost great at stock analysis I stopped purchasing stocks. My stock portfolio value is at 165000. Apart from this I deposit 1.5 lakh to ssy for my daughter's account for past 3 years. So far deposited 450000. After tds my monthly income is about 80000. I am staying in a metro city in a rental flat for 14500. And I have an active car loan and emi is 15000. I am planning to close this by this year end. And contribute more towards future saving and investment. I have company paid health insurance for my immediate family along with parents(I pay 25% for my parents) I have a term plan, took this after my daughter's birth. Whether am I in the right path or need any corrections.
Ans: First, congratulations on your dedication to financial planning at a young age. At almost 30, you have already taken significant steps to secure your family's future. Let's break down your current situation and evaluate your financial health.

Income and Expenses
Your monthly income after tax deductions is Rs 80,000. You're staying in a metro city and paying Rs 14,500 for rent, which is reasonable given the high cost of living in metro areas.

You also have an active car loan with an EMI of Rs 15,000. You plan to close this loan by the end of the year, which is a wise decision. It will free up Rs 15,000 monthly, allowing you to channel more funds into savings and investments.

Current Investments
Mutual Funds
You are currently investing Rs 6,500 monthly through SIPs in various mutual funds. Your mutual fund portfolio is valued at Rs 3,90,000. This indicates consistent investing and a disciplined approach.

Stock Portfolio
You have a stock portfolio worth Rs 1,65,000. Despite your earlier interest in direct stock investments, you stopped purchasing stocks, which shows self-awareness about your strengths and limitations in stock analysis. This is commendable.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
You've been depositing Rs 1,50,000 annually into the SSY account for your daughter for the past three years. This is an excellent step for securing your daughter's future, with Rs 4,50,000 already invested.

Current Insurance Coverage
You have a company-paid health insurance plan covering your immediate family and parents, with you paying 25% for your parents. Additionally, you took a term plan after your daughter's birth, which is crucial for ensuring your family's financial security in case of any unforeseen events.

Future Plans and Financial Goals
Closing the Car Loan
Your plan to close the car loan by the end of the year is sound. This will increase your disposable income and give you more flexibility in your financial planning.

Increasing Investments
Once the car loan is paid off, redirecting the Rs 15,000 EMI towards future savings and investments will significantly boost your financial growth. This strategy will help you achieve your long-term financial goals more efficiently.

Evaluating Your Investment Choices
Mutual Funds
Your current SIPs in mutual funds are diversified across various categories, including tax-saving, flexi cap, small cap, and sectoral funds. This diversification is a good strategy to balance risk and returns.

However, it's essential to review and rebalance your portfolio periodically. Ensure your investments align with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide personalized guidance and optimize your portfolio.

Direct Stock Investments
Although you have stopped purchasing individual stocks, it's important to monitor your existing stock portfolio. Ensure these stocks align with your long-term goals and risk tolerance. You might consider reallocating some funds from direct stocks to mutual funds for better diversification and professional management.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Direct funds often seem attractive due to lower expense ratios. However, they require active monitoring and management, which can be time-consuming and complex for an individual investor. Regular funds, managed by a CFP, offer professional management, periodic reviews, and rebalancing, ensuring your investments stay on track towards your financial goals.

Benefits of Investing Through a CFP
A Certified Financial Planner can offer comprehensive financial advice, tailored to your specific needs and goals. They provide regular fund management, periodic reviews, and strategic rebalancing, which are crucial for optimizing returns and minimizing risks. Investing through a CFP ensures a disciplined and structured approach to wealth creation.

Health Insurance Considerations
Your company-paid health insurance is a valuable benefit. However, it's wise to consider additional health insurance to cover any gaps and ensure comprehensive coverage for your family. Evaluating the coverage limits, inclusions, and exclusions of your current policy will help you make an informed decision about supplementary health insurance.

Term Insurance Coverage
Having a term insurance plan is essential for protecting your family's financial future. Ensure the coverage amount is adequate to meet your family's needs in your absence. Periodically reviewing and updating your term insurance policy will ensure it remains aligned with your financial responsibilities and goals.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Your consistent investments in the SSY account for your daughter are commendable. This scheme offers attractive interest rates and tax benefits, making it an excellent choice for her future education and marriage expenses. Continue to invest the maximum permissible amount annually to fully leverage the benefits of this scheme.

Future Savings and Investments
With the anticipated closure of your car loan, you'll have an additional Rs 15,000 per month. Consider the following strategies to optimize your future savings and investments:

Increase SIP Contributions: Boost your monthly SIP contributions to accelerate wealth creation. Diversify across different mutual fund categories based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon.

Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund to cover at least 6-12 months of living expenses. This will provide financial security in case of unexpected events.

Child's Education Fund: Start a dedicated investment plan for your daughter's higher education. Consider long-term investment options like mutual funds to build a substantial corpus.

Retirement Planning: Focus on building a robust retirement corpus. Assess your retirement goals and invest in suitable instruments to ensure a comfortable and financially secure retirement.


Balancing financial responsibilities with family needs is challenging. Your proactive approach to financial planning, securing your family's future, and investing for long-term growth is commendable. Your dedication to your daughter's future and your awareness of your financial strengths and limitations reflect your commitment to your family's well-being.

You have demonstrated commendable financial discipline and foresight. Your investments in mutual funds, SSY, and term insurance show a strategic approach to wealth creation and financial security. Your plan to close the car loan and redirect funds towards future savings is a wise decision that will enhance your financial growth.

Final Insights
Your current financial path is well-structured and promising. By closing your car loan and increasing investments, you will further strengthen your financial position. Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your investment portfolio, consulting a Certified Financial Planner, and maintaining adequate insurance coverage will ensure you stay on track to achieve your financial goals.

Your dedication to securing your family's future and your disciplined approach to investing are highly commendable. Continue to build on this strong foundation, and you will achieve financial success and security for your family.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 02, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 40-year-old Software Engineer with 1.9L pm in hand salary with 2 daughters, elder one is in 8th standard and younger in 2nd. WIfe is not working. Let me first tell you about my saving and investment: 1. I have loan free 3BHK flat in Noida and also a car.. No current EMI liability. 2. Around 32L in PF and counting.. 3. Around 23L in PPF (wife and own account) and counting.. 4. Around 14.5L in Sukanya for both the kids and counting... 5. Around 22.5L in FD 6. Around 16L in MF, share, Gold bond and counting.. 7. Last year only started investing in NPS, fund value is around 1.5L and counting.. 8. I have company provided health insurance only and personal term plan for 60L I am doing monthly investment of 50K in PF+Sukanya, 30K in MF , 20k in Share and 10% of basic in NPS. I have to ask: 1. Am I doing right investment considering needed funds for elder daughter's higher education (in 4 yrs from now) and then for marriage? 2. Am I saving wisely and enough month-on-month basis? 3. How to reach 5cr corpus by the age of 50? and is it enough if wanted to retire? 4. What else I need to do to save more and increase my portfolio? I have less risk appetite. Please suggest
Ans: Firstly, it’s impressive to see your disciplined approach towards saving and investing. Having a clear financial plan and taking proactive steps shows great financial acumen. Let’s evaluate your current financial status and provide suggestions to reach your goals.

You have a stable financial foundation with no loan liabilities, a solid mix of investments, and a focus on future goals. Your current assets and monthly investments are commendable.

Here’s a detailed analysis and suggestions tailored to your needs:

Analysis of Current Investments
Provident Fund (PF)
You have Rs 32 lakh in PF, which is a substantial amount. PF offers a stable and relatively safe return. It is a great way to secure your retirement.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
With Rs 23 lakh in PPF, you are benefiting from tax-free returns and a safe investment vehicle. PPF is ideal for long-term goals like retirement due to its 15-year lock-in period.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Investing Rs 14.5 lakh in Sukanya Samriddhi for your daughters is a wise decision. It offers good interest rates and tax benefits. This will help in funding their education and marriage.

Fixed Deposits (FD)
You have Rs 22.5 lakh in FDs. While FDs are safe, the returns are generally lower compared to other investment options. It's a good idea to keep some funds in FDs for emergencies, but diversifying might yield better returns.

Mutual Funds, Shares, and Gold Bonds
You have Rs 16 lakh invested in a mix of mutual funds, shares, and gold bonds. Diversification here is beneficial as it balances risk and returns. Continue this approach but review the performance regularly.

National Pension System (NPS)
Starting with Rs 1.5 lakh in NPS is good for building a retirement corpus. NPS offers tax benefits and the potential for higher returns due to its market-linked nature.

Insurance
You have a Rs 60 lakh term plan which is essential for your family’s security. However, consider increasing the coverage based on your family’s future financial needs.

Monthly Investment Analysis
You are investing Rs 50,000 in PF and Sukanya, Rs 30,000 in mutual funds, Rs 20,000 in shares, and 10% of your basic salary in NPS. This diversified approach is commendable, but let’s delve deeper into each aspect.

Evaluating Your Investment Strategy
Higher Education and Marriage of Elder Daughter
Your elder daughter’s higher education is a priority. With four years to go, you need to ensure sufficient funds. Sukanya Samriddhi and other investments should be assessed to meet this goal.

Monthly Savings Assessment
You are saving a significant amount monthly, which is excellent. However, it’s essential to ensure these savings align with your goals and risk tolerance.

Building a Rs 5 Crore Corpus by Age 50
Reaching a Rs 5 crore corpus in ten years requires strategic planning. Your current investments and returns need to be evaluated and optimized.

Suggestions to Enhance Your Financial Portfolio
Health Insurance
Relying solely on company-provided health insurance may not be sufficient. Consider purchasing a comprehensive personal health insurance plan. This ensures coverage even if you change jobs.

Increasing Term Insurance
Reevaluate your term insurance. Based on your current lifestyle and future needs, a higher coverage might be necessary.

Reviewing Mutual Fund Investments
Actively managed mutual funds can potentially yield higher returns compared to index funds. Ensure your mutual funds are well-chosen and periodically review their performance.

Share Investments
With a lower risk appetite, consider limiting direct investments in shares. Actively managed equity funds can offer exposure to equity markets with professional management.

Gold Bonds
Gold bonds are a good hedge against inflation. Continue investing but ensure it aligns with your overall asset allocation strategy.

NPS Contributions
Increasing your NPS contributions can be beneficial. It offers a mix of equity, corporate bonds, and government securities, balancing growth and safety.

Detailed Action Plan for Financial Goals
Higher Education for Daughter
Estimate the total cost of higher education, considering inflation. Review your current investments in Sukanya Samriddhi and other savings to ensure they meet this goal. If needed, redirect some investments towards education-focused funds or fixed-income securities.

Retirement Planning
To achieve a Rs 5 crore corpus by age 50:

Increase your investments in high-growth potential assets, such as actively managed equity funds.
Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to stay on track with your goals.
Consider professional advice from a Certified Financial Planner for tailored strategies.
Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund to cover at least six months of expenses. This should be in a liquid and safe investment like a savings account or short-term FD.

Enhancing Your Investment Portfolio
Avoiding Direct Funds
Direct mutual funds require active management and market knowledge. Regular funds, managed by professionals, can provide better returns with less effort on your part.

Diversifying Further
While you have a diversified portfolio, consider further diversification to mitigate risks. Explore options like balanced advantage funds which adjust between equity and debt based on market conditions.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Continue and potentially increase your SIP in mutual funds. This disciplined approach helps in averaging out market volatility and building wealth over time.

Tax Planning
Efficient tax planning can enhance your returns. Utilize tax-saving instruments under Section 80C, 80D, and 80CCD. This reduces tax liability and increases investable surplus.

Regular Review and Adjustment
Portfolio Review
Conduct a bi-annual review of your portfolio. Ensure your investments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Adjusting Strategy
Based on market conditions and personal circumstances, be ready to adjust your investment strategy. This proactive approach helps in optimizing returns and minimizing risks.

Final Insights
You have a strong financial foundation and a disciplined approach towards saving and investing. By fine-tuning your strategy and focusing on your financial goals, you can achieve your targets.

Ensure adequate health and life insurance coverage for family security. Regularly review and adjust your portfolio to stay aligned with your goals.

Seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice and strategies.

Your commitment to securing your family’s future is commendable. With careful planning and strategic investments, you can achieve your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Purshotam

Purshotam Lal  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 25, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 23, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello, I am 38 year old with a wife (32 years) and a 15 month old daughter living in Gurgaon in my parents house. My parents earn Rs 50000 as rental income and have their pensions respectively. The house is worth 6 cr. I and wife's consolidated monthly income is around Rs 350000/- after tax. Addition to it, I get a rental income of Rs 44000/- from flat, the flat is worth 1.3 cr in Bangalore. I have around 5 lakhs in FD. 37 lakhs in Mutual fund (Flexi, ETF, Small cap, mid cap and large cap) and 5 lakh in shares(I generally apply for IPOs). Have around 15 lakh in Savings account. I and Wife are working in Private companies. Savings/Investments SIP - Rs 51000 monthly in 5 funds (mentioned above) Shares - Primarily IPOs - around 15k if it gets allotted Emergency fund - Rs 50000 monthly NPS - 6000 monthly PPF(both I and my wife) - Rs 10000 each monthly Sukanya Samridhi account - Rs 12500 monthly PF - 15 lakh mine and 6 lakh for wife Family floater Personal Health Insurance - 15 lakh that increases every year Office Health Insurance Rental Income from Flat - Rs 44000/- Liabilities : Monthly expense - Home Loan EMI - Rs 55000 (52 lakh home loan balance) Other expenses - Rs 60000 monthly Flat Maintenance - 6000 monthly Hoe much should I save/ invest that should cover - 1) Daughter Education considering her schooling will start after 2 years and then for basic education and higher studies 2) Daughter Marriage 3) Our Retirement 4) If we are planning for another child what changes would be there in above strategies
Ans: You are almost prepared for your broader financial plan. Good going and age is also on your side. The following things are not given in your query. Age of retirement of both, how much cost you estimate for your daughter's Education & Higher Education, Cost anticipated for Marriage, when the Home loan will be repaid fully. Monthly household expenses level (at your Retirement) you expect e.g. 100% of current level (Inflation adjusted) or less etc. It is suggested to contact a certified financial planner for finalizing the same. All the best.

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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!

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1841 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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