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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 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
Nicholas Question by Nicholas on Nov 27, 2023Hindi
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My age is 43 and I an investing in below MF for last 5 years .I retire at 58 and I have a daughter of 3 .I target to accumulate at least 4-5cr by retirement for my daughters marriage and retirement. Will the below investment help me or should I I change my mutual funds? I can invest 40K a month totally in Mutual Funds. Axis Blue chip Fund -2500 per month Canara Robeco Blue Chip Equity Fund -5000 per month LIC MF LARGE AND MIDCAP FUND -3500 per month Fund Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip Fund 2000 -2500 Per month Axis Small Cap Fund - 4000 per month SBI Contra Fund -3000 Per month Since last 1 year investing in HDFC Balanced Advantage fund -4000 per month Quant Absolute fund - 3000 per month Besides the above I also have a term life insurance of 1.25cr and also tax savings MF @6K per month ( for last 10 yrs)and LIC policy of 10Lacs.

Ans: Evaluating Mutual Fund Portfolio for Long-Term Goals
Your commitment to securing your daughter's future and planning for your retirement is admirable. Let's delve deeper into your current mutual fund portfolio, assess its alignment with your goals, and explore potential adjustments to optimize returns.

Understanding Your Goals
Your target of accumulating Rs 4-5 crore by retirement for your daughter's marriage and your own retirement underscores the importance of strategic financial planning. With approximately 15 years until retirement, it's crucial to ensure your investment strategy is robust and aligned with these objectives.

Assessing Current Investments
Your existing mutual fund portfolio comprises a diversified mix of large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and balanced advantage funds. While diversification is key to managing risk, it's essential to evaluate each fund's performance and suitability for your long-term goals.

Reevaluating Fund Selection
While your current fund selection demonstrates a thoughtful approach, it's prudent to reassess each fund's performance and potential for delivering optimal returns. Consider factors such as historical performance, fund manager expertise, expense ratios, and portfolio composition.

Surrendering LIC Policy for Better Returns
The decision to surrender your LIC policy and reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds can significantly impact your overall returns. With term life insurance coverage already in place, redirecting funds towards investments offering potentially higher returns is a strategic move towards achieving your financial goals.

Optimizing Portfolio Allocation
Allocate the surrendered LIC policy amount into high-performing mutual funds with a proven track record of consistent returns.
Assess the performance of each fund in your portfolio and consider replacing underperforming funds with better alternatives to enhance overall portfolio returns.
Focus on funds that align with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and long-term financial objectives.
Regular Review and Rebalancing
Regularly reviewing your mutual fund portfolio is essential to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and risk appetite. Periodic rebalancing helps optimize returns and mitigate portfolio risk by realigning asset allocation as needed.

Conclusion
Your commitment to securing your daughter's future and planning for your retirement through strategic investments is commendable. By reassessing your mutual fund portfolio, surrendering underperforming assets, and optimizing allocation towards high-performing funds, you can enhance your chances of achieving your target of Rs 4-5 crore by retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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 Apr 30, 2024

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My age is 43 and I an investing in below MF for last 5 years .I retire at 58 and I have a daughter of 3 .I target to accumulate at least 4-5cr by retirement for my daughters marriage and retirement. Will the below investment help me or should I I change my mutual funds? I can invest 40K a month totally in Mutual Funds. Axis Blue chip Fund -2500 per month Canara Robeco Blue Chip Equity Fund -5000 per month LIC MF LARGE AND MIDCAP FUND -3500 per month Fund Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip Fund 2000 -2500 Per month Axis Small Cap Fund - 4000 per month SBI Contra Fund -3000 Per month Since last 1 year investing in HDFC Balanced Advantage fund -4000 per month Quant Absolute fund - 3000 per month Besides the above I also have a term life insurance of 1.25cr and also tax savings MF @6K per month ( for last 10 yrs)and LIC policy of 10Lacs.
Ans: You've demonstrated foresight in planning for your daughter's future and your retirement. However, it's essential to periodically review and adjust your investment strategy to ensure it aligns with your goals. As a Certified Financial Planner, I appreciate your dedication to securing your family's financial well-being.

Consider reassessing your mutual fund portfolio to ensure diversification, risk management, and alignment with your time horizon. Evaluate the performance of your current funds and consider factors like fund size, expense ratio, and fund manager track record.

Additionally, continue prioritizing contributions towards your retirement and daughter's marriage goals. Regularly review your financial plan and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards achieving your targets.

Remember, investing is a dynamic journey, and adapting to changing circumstances is key. Consult with a Certified Financial Planner for personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and aspirations. Keep nurturing your financial plan with care and diligence, and you'll pave the way for a secure and prosperous future for your family.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 28, 2024Hindi
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Sir, i have 6 No of Mutual fund 1.SBI small cap 1000 per month 2. SBI focused equity 1000 per month 3. SBI blue chip fund 1000 per month 4. Nippon india small cap 500 per month 5.Quant small cap fund 1000 per month 6. Parag parikh flexi cap 1000 per month Is these MF are good or i need to change any fund. SBI fund are almost 2.6 year old. I have time horizon of 10 to 15 years.Now i am 38 year old.
Ans: It's great that you're investing in mutual funds for your future financial goals! Let's review your current mutual fund portfolio and make some suggestions:

SBI Small Cap, SBI Focused Equity, and SBI Blue Chip Fund:
SBI Funds are reputable and have a track record of performance. However, it's essential to review their performance periodically to ensure they continue to meet your investment objectives.
Nippon India Small Cap and Quant Small Cap Fund:
Small-cap funds can offer high growth potential but also come with higher risk. Ensure you have a long-term investment horizon and the risk tolerance to withstand market volatility.
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap:
Flexi-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market caps. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund is known for its diversified portfolio and focus on quality stocks. It's a good choice for long-term wealth creation.
Suggestions:

Review Performance: Periodically review the performance of your mutual funds to ensure they align with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
Diversification: Consider diversifying your portfolio further by adding funds from different fund houses or investing in different asset classes like debt or international funds.
Regular Monitoring: Keep an eye on the performance of your funds and make adjustments as needed. If any fund consistently underperforms its benchmark or peers, consider replacing it with a better-performing alternative.
Consult a Financial Advisor: Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice tailored to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. A professional can help optimize your portfolio and ensure it remains aligned with your objectives.
Overall, your mutual fund portfolio seems well-diversified, but it's essential to monitor its performance regularly and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your long-term financial goals. Keep up the good work and continue investing systematically for your future!

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 14, 2024

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Hi, I'm 36 years old. I live in hyderabad with wife and 2 kids . For their education and post retirement life ( planning to retire at the age of 55) , I stared investing in mutual funds from last 2 years . Current investment is 6.2L in below funds- 1.Axis small cap 2.parag parikh flexi cap. 3.Quant Absolute growth fund 10k in each per month for now. Planning to increase 10% each year. Am I going in right direction for my financial needs? Please suggest improvements based on my needs.
Ans: That's a great start to your investment journey! Starting to invest for your children's education and your retirement at 36 shows responsibility. Let's discuss your plan and suggest some improvements:

1. Investing for Goals!

Smart Thinking! Planning for your children's education and your retirement through SIPs in Mutual Funds is a smart approach. Actively managed funds like these have fund managers who try to outperform the market by picking stocks they believe will grow.

Long-Term Goals: Your investment horizon for both your children's education (assuming they are young) and your retirement (19 years) is good for long-term wealth creation.

2. Analyzing Your Portfolio:

Small Cap Focus: Having a majority of your investment in a Small Cap Fund might be a bit risky. Small Caps can be more volatile than other market capitalizations.

Diversification Matters: Consider adding a Large Cap or Mid Cap Fund for better diversification across different market segments.

3. Planning for Education Costs:

Cost of Education: Education costs can rise significantly. Review the potential cost of education closer to the time and adjust your investments if needed.

Early Start is Key! Starting early allows for compounding to work its magic. You're on the right track!

4. Planning for Retirement:

Consider Debt Funds: As you approach retirement, consider adding Debt Funds to your portfolio to provide stability and regular income.

Review and Rebalance: A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can review your portfolio periodically and suggest adjustments to keep you on track for your retirement goals.

Here's the key takeaway: You've made a great start! Consider diversifying your portfolio, reviewing education costs closer to the time, and adding Debt Funds for retirement. Consulting a CFP can help you fine-tune your plan and achieve your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Nayagam P

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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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