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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 30, 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
Aashish Question by Aashish on Nov 20, 2023Hindi
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I have below MF investment. My age is 40 yeats. Risk Apetite is high and time horizon is for next 15 years. 1. Nippon Small Cap - 5000 (started since 2018) 2. Nippon Growth Fund - 5000 (started since 2021) 3. SBI Small Cap - 5000 (started since 2019) 4. Axis BlueChip Fund - 5000 (started since 2019) 5. Quant Small Cap - 5000 (started since 2022) 6. Quant Mid Cap - 5000 (started since 2023). Please suggest if I am on right track to get a good amount after 15 years.

Ans: Assessment of Existing MF Portfolio for Long-term Growth

Current Portfolio Evaluation:

Your existing MF portfolio comprises a mix of small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds, indicating a diversified approach to wealth creation. Here's an assessment of each fund:

Nippon Small Cap Fund (Started since 2018):

Small-cap funds have the potential for high growth but come with higher volatility.
Your early investment in this fund aligns well with your high-risk appetite and long-term horizon.
Nippon Growth Fund (Started since 2021):

While growth-oriented, this fund's shorter tenure may not fully capture its potential.
Continuation of SIPs in this fund can provide exposure to growth opportunities over the long term.
SBI Small Cap Fund (Started since 2019):

Small-cap funds can deliver substantial returns over the long term, although they may experience volatility.
Your investment tenure aligns with the fund's growth trajectory, contributing to potential wealth accumulation.
Axis BlueChip Fund (Started since 2019):

Blue-chip funds offer stability and growth potential, suitable for long-term wealth creation.
Given your investment horizon, continuing SIPs in this fund can provide stability to your portfolio.
Quant Small Cap and Quant Mid Cap (Started since 2022 and 2023, respectively):

Recent additions to your portfolio indicate an inclination towards small and mid-cap segments.
While these funds offer growth potential, their shorter tenure requires monitoring for performance consistency.
Overall Portfolio Assessment:

Your portfolio reflects a high-risk appetite, suitable for long-term wealth creation. However, the recent additions to your portfolio may warrant closer monitoring due to their shorter tenure. Here are some suggestions:

Review and Monitor: Regularly review the performance of your funds to ensure they align with your investment objectives.
Risk Management: While high-risk investments offer growth potential, ensure adequate diversification to mitigate portfolio volatility.
Consider Adding Large-cap Exposure: Including a large-cap fund can add stability to your portfolio while capturing growth opportunities in established companies.
Stay Invested for the Long Term: Given your 15-year investment horizon, maintain discipline and stay invested through market fluctuations to realize the full growth potential of your investments.
Conclusion:

Your MF portfolio aligns with your high-risk appetite and long-term investment horizon. By staying invested and periodically reviewing your portfolio, you can work towards achieving your wealth accumulation goals over the next 15 years.

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 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 27, 2023Hindi
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SIR, I am investing 12000/-pm from April 23 , in following MFs. 1.Nippon India small cap @2000/- 2.Axis small cap fund direct growth @1000/- 3.SBI Magnum Mid cap@2000/- 4.Nippon india growth direct fund @1000/- 5.HDFC index S&P BSE sensex direct @2000/- 6.SBI Bluechip direct plan growth @2000/- 7.ICICI prudential bluechip @2000/- Plan for investment is 5 Yrs for a required wealth of 25 Lacs, please advice whether I am on right track.
Ans: Your investment plan seems diversified with allocations across different types of mutual funds, including small-cap, mid-cap, index funds, and large-cap funds. Here are some key points to consider:

Diversification: You have spread your investments across various categories, which can help reduce risk and enhance potential returns over the long term.

Investment Horizon: Investing for a period of 5 years is a good approach, but ensure that your investment horizon aligns with your financial goals. Since equity investments can be volatile in the short term, it's essential to stay invested for the long term to ride out market fluctuations.

Risk Assessment: Small-cap and mid-cap funds tend to be riskier than large-cap and index funds due to their higher volatility. Make sure you are comfortable with the risk level associated with these investments based on your risk tolerance and investment objectives.

Review and Adjust: Regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments if needed. Consider rebalancing your portfolio periodically to maintain your desired asset allocation and risk level.

Professional Advice: If you're uncertain about your investment strategy or need personalized guidance, consider consulting with a financial advisor who can provide tailored recommendations based on your financial situation and goals.

Overall, your investment plan appears to be on the right track, but it's crucial to monitor your investments regularly and stay informed about market developments. Adjust your strategy as needed to stay on course towards achieving your wealth accumulation goal of 25 lakhs in 5 years.

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Dev

Dev Ashish  | Answer  |Ask -

MF Expert, Financial Planner - Answered on Sep 30, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 29, 2023Hindi
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Hi..I have invested in in below given MF and my future target is 50 Lacs + in next 10 yrs. My investments are as below: 1. Tata Small Cap Fund Reg-G - Rs. 2000/- monthly 2. Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Reg-G - Rs. 1000/- monthly 3. ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund- Rs. 2000- monthly 4. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund - Direct Plan - Growth - Rs. 2000- monthly Please suggest if I have selected right MF or I need to add/ switch to other best MF if any. Thank you.
Ans: To reach Rs 50 lakh in 10 years, you need to invest about Rs 21-23,000 per month assuming 11-12% average portfolio returns. Since no data about existing investments is provided, and given that you are doing a total of Rs 7000 per month in SIPs, there is first of all a need to increase your monthly investments to the required amount.

Having said that, you don't need so many schemes to invest Rs 20-25,000 per month. Just having a couple of schemes (like largecap index funds, and flexicap funds) would be sufficient.

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. And the views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 20, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 42 years old and started my MF journey last month's with below: SBI Long Term Equity Fund - Direa t Plan Growth - 3500 Nippon I dia Large Cap Fund - Direct Plan Growth - 3000 Nippon India Small Cap Fund - Direct Plan Growth - 3000 Quant Multi Asset Fund - Direct Plan Growth - 3500 Quant Small Cap Fund - Direct Plan Growth - 3000 Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth - 4000 Just wanted to check with you, did I pick the right MF's for the sum of 2cr in 20 years? Please let me know if I need to change anything. Thank you in Advance.
Ans: You've made a strong start by investing in mutual funds. Allocating across different categories like large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap shows a balanced approach. It helps manage risk and offers growth potential. However, there are a few areas to assess further to align better with your goal of Rs. 2 crore in 20 years.

Let’s look at each aspect of your portfolio to see if it fits your long-term goal.

Large-Cap Investments
Nippon India Large Cap Fund (Rs. 3,000 SIP)
Large-cap funds invest in established companies. They are relatively stable and safer but might provide moderate returns compared to small and mid-caps. Given your 20-year horizon, large-cap funds will offer consistent returns but may not be enough to meet your aggressive Rs. 2 crore goal. You can maintain your large-cap exposure, but keep it as part of a broader strategy for stability.

Consider focusing more on actively managed large-cap funds. Direct plans may save on expense ratios but lack the active guidance that regular plans offer when investing through a certified financial planner. With professional advice, you can gain better insights into fund rebalancing and market shifts.

Small-Cap Investments
Nippon India Small Cap Fund (Rs. 3,000 SIP)
Quant Small Cap Fund (Rs. 3,000 SIP)
Your exposure to small-cap funds is good for high growth. These funds have the potential to generate superior returns over long periods. However, they can also be very volatile. As you aim for 20 years, the small-cap exposure might work well, but keep a close watch.

Too much reliance on small-cap funds can introduce higher risk. Diversifying with mid-caps and multi-asset funds can balance this. Also, actively managed small-cap funds perform better than index or direct funds. A certified financial planner can help in making necessary adjustments based on market trends.

Mid-Cap Investments
Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund (Rs. 4,000 SIP)
Mid-cap funds balance the volatility of small-caps with the stability of large-caps. They often offer higher returns than large-caps but with more risk. Your mid-cap allocation looks solid, and over 20 years, this portion of your portfolio can deliver strong results.

As with small-cap funds, it’s beneficial to invest in regular plans through a certified financial planner. Direct plans may seem cost-effective but miss out on professional advice. Regular fund plans offer rebalancing services that can enhance long-term growth.

Multi-Asset Investment
Quant Multi Asset Fund (Rs. 3,500 SIP)
Multi-asset funds provide diversification across asset classes such as equity, debt, and gold. These funds help reduce risk, especially in market downturns. Including this fund in your portfolio gives some balance to your more aggressive small and mid-cap funds.

However, ensure the fund is actively managed to respond to market conditions. You should evaluate whether this allocation will meet your Rs. 2 crore target or if you need to increase contributions over time.

ELSS/Tax-Saving Investments
SBI Long Term Equity Fund (Rs. 3,500 SIP)
This is an ELSS (Equity-Linked Savings Scheme) that offers tax benefits under Section 80C. ELSS funds typically invest in diversified equities and can provide high growth over the long term. The tax-saving aspect is good for overall financial planning, but don't rely solely on ELSS for reaching your Rs. 2 crore goal.

Consider increasing your exposure to growth-oriented equity funds while keeping ELSS as a tax-saving tool. Active management is also important here, as you may need to rebalance this portion based on the tax situation in the future.

Portfolio Diversification Assessment
You’ve covered different fund categories, but it’s important to diversify even further. Too much exposure to small-cap and mid-cap funds could increase your portfolio's volatility. You can look at the following:

Increase your contribution to large-cap or flexi-cap funds for stability.
Include more actively managed funds, as they offer dynamic strategies and professional guidance.
Consider regular plans instead of direct plans to access professional help. Certified financial planners can guide you in navigating different market conditions.
Importance of Rebalancing and Regular Review
A 20-year investment horizon requires regular portfolio reviews. As markets shift, your fund allocations may need adjustments. Relying on direct plans without professional oversight can lead to missed opportunities or overlooked risks.

Active rebalancing of your portfolio is essential to achieve your Rs. 2 crore goal. A certified financial planner can assist you in monitoring your portfolio and suggesting rebalancing at key intervals, maximizing growth potential.

Taxation Considerations
You should also consider the tax implications of mutual fund investments:

Equity Funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt Funds: LTCG and STCG are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Be mindful of these taxation rules when planning your withdrawals or rebalancing your investments in the future.

Active vs Direct Funds
Direct funds may have lower costs, but they lack the crucial advantage of professional advice. Regular funds, when chosen with the help of a certified financial planner, provide personalized guidance. They can help you navigate market fluctuations, track performance, and recommend timely switches. Direct funds, though cheaper, can be inefficient without proper oversight.

By working with a certified financial planner, you’ll also get support with paperwork, tracking, and decision-making, which can be invaluable, especially during market volatility.

Reaching Rs. 2 Crore in 20 Years
Your current portfolio is a good start, but it needs fine-tuning:

Increase your allocation to large-cap and flexi-cap funds for stability.

Balance your small-cap exposure with more mid-cap or multi-cap funds.

Consider regular plans instead of direct plans to get professional guidance.

Keep an eye on tax-saving opportunities but don’t over-allocate to ELSS funds.

To reach Rs. 2 crore, you might also need to increase your SIP contributions over time. Regular reviews with a certified financial planner can help you stay on track, ensuring you meet your goal in 20 years.

Finally
Achieving Rs. 2 crore in 20 years is possible with consistent investing, proper fund selection, and active management. You have a solid start, but slight adjustments can improve your portfolio's potential. Regularly consult with a certified financial planner to ensure your strategy remains aligned with your long-term goals.

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

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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

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Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
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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

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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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