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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8940 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 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 - Jan 02, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir, Currently am investing as below. Parag parekh flexi cap 10k pm Sbi bamking and financial services fund 2500 pm Quant Small cap fund 5k pm Pgim india mid cap opportunities fund 5k pm Motilal Oswal s&p 500 index fund 1k pm. Could you please advise if the above or good? If i have to stop somwthing and add anything new to balance my portfolio? Iam 35 and my investments are dor longterm

Ans: Your current investment portfolio appears to be diversified across different market segments, which is a good strategy for long-term growth. However, it's essential to consider the risk associated with each segment and ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance and investment goals. Reviewing your portfolio regularly and making adjustments as needed can help maintain a balanced approach and optimize returns over time. Consulting with a financial advisor can provide personalized guidance based on your individual circumstances and objectives.
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  |8940 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hello Sir/Madam, I am 32 years old and just now started investing 20k per month for long term horizon with step up SIPs of 15% Below are my investment portfolio. Quant Mid Cap Fund 4000 rs. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund 4000rs Motilal Oswal Nifty Microcap 250 Index Fund 3000rs Quant Small Cap Fund 4000rs Nippon India Multi Cap Fund 5000rs Please provide your valuable suggestion, feebav
Ans: Your investment journey reflects a thoughtful approach to building wealth for the long term. Here are some insights and suggestions on your investment portfolio:
Quant Mid Cap Fund:
• Mid-cap funds like Quant Mid Cap Fund have the potential for high growth but may experience higher volatility.
• Ensure you have a long-term investment horizon to ride out market fluctuations and benefit from the growth potential of mid-cap companies.
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund:
• Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund follows a flexible investment strategy, allowing exposure to various market segments, including equities and fixed income.
• This fund's diversified approach can provide stability to your portfolio while capturing growth opportunities across different market conditions.
Motilal Oswal Nifty Microcap 250 Index Fund:
• Investing in micro-cap companies through an index fund like Motilal Oswal Nifty Microcap 250 Index Fund offers broad exposure to the micro-cap segment of the market.
• Micro-cap stocks have the potential for significant growth but may be more volatile and less liquid compared to larger-cap stocks.
Quant Small Cap Fund:
• Small-cap funds like Quant Small Cap Fund focus on smaller companies with high growth potential.
• Small-cap investments can be volatile, so ensure you have a sufficiently long investment horizon and risk tolerance to withstand market fluctuations.
Nippon India Multi Cap Fund:
• Multi-cap funds like Nippon India Multi Cap Fund offer diversification across large, mid, and small-cap stocks.
• This fund's flexible allocation allows the fund manager to adapt to changing market conditions and capitalize on opportunities across different market segments.
Suggestions:
1. Diversification: Your portfolio exhibits diversification across different market segments, which is beneficial for managing risk and capturing growth opportunities. Continue to monitor the performance of each fund regularly.
2. Review and Rebalance: Periodically review your portfolio's performance and rebalance if necessary to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
3. Stay Informed: Stay updated on market trends, economic developments, and fund performance to make informed investment decisions.
4. Emergency Fund and Insurance: Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund equivalent to 3-6 months of living expenses and consider purchasing health insurance and term insurance coverage to protect yourself and your loved ones.
5. Consultation: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to develop a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
Overall, your investment portfolio shows a well-rounded approach to long-term wealth creation. By staying disciplined and adhering to your investment strategy, you're likely to achieve your financial objectives over time. Keep up the good work!

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8940 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Hi, I am of 36yrs age. Investing money in mutual funds. SBI balanced hybrid fund, DSP black Rock tax saver fund both 5000 each. Nippon India Multi cap fund-1000 HDFC defence fund -1000 Parag Parikh flexi cap fund-1000 And some amount in shares. I am thinking to invest more, please advise is my portfolio gud?
Ans: You’re 36 years old and have already begun investing in mutual funds and shares. This is a positive step towards securing your financial future. Let's evaluate your portfolio and provide guidance on how to enhance it for better returns.

Analysing Your Current Mutual Fund Choices
SBI Balanced Hybrid Fund: Balanced or hybrid funds provide a mix of equity and debt. They offer stability and potential growth. However, ensure that your choice aligns with your risk tolerance and goals.

DSP Black Rock Tax Saver Fund: This tax-saving fund offers tax benefits under Section 80C. It also has a lock-in period of three years. It is a good choice for combining tax savings with wealth creation.

Nippon India Multi Cap Fund: Multi-cap funds offer diversification across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. They balance risk and reward, making them a good long-term option.

HDFC Defence Fund: Thematic funds like this one focus on specific sectors. They can be high-risk, high-reward investments. Ensure it aligns with your long-term objectives.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Flexi-cap funds provide flexibility by investing across market capitalizations. They offer balanced growth potential, making them suitable for long-term investment.

Portfolio Strengths and Areas for Improvement
Diversification: Your portfolio is well-diversified across different fund categories. This reduces risk and provides multiple avenues for growth.

Sector-Specific Investment: The HDFC Defence Fund focuses on a specific sector. While it can offer high returns, it also carries higher risk. Monitor its performance closely and be ready to adjust if needed.

Tax-Saving Component: The DSP Black Rock Tax Saver Fund is beneficial for tax planning. However, remember that the focus should be on wealth creation rather than just tax savings.

Flexibility: The inclusion of a flexi-cap fund adds flexibility to your portfolio. This allows the fund manager to adapt to market conditions, potentially enhancing returns.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Direct funds may have lower expense ratios, but they require you to manage them yourself. This can be challenging without the expertise and time to regularly monitor and adjust your investments.

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) in regular funds ensures that your investments are well-managed. A CFP provides ongoing advice, rebalances your portfolio as needed, and aligns it with your financial goals.

Recommendations for Future Investments
Given your existing portfolio, consider the following recommendations to enhance your investment strategy:

Add a Large Cap Fund: Large cap funds invest in established companies with stable performance. They provide steady growth and stability, balancing the higher risk of other funds in your portfolio.

Include a Debt Fund: Adding a debt fund can reduce overall portfolio risk. Debt funds offer regular income and are less volatile than equity funds. This addition can provide stability, especially in uncertain market conditions.

Consider a Balanced or Hybrid Fund: You already have one hybrid fund, but adding another can further stabilize your portfolio. This fund type invests in both equity and debt, offering balanced growth and reduced risk.

Increase SIP Contributions: If you plan to invest more, consider increasing your SIP contributions in existing or new funds. Even small increases can significantly impact your portfolio's growth over time.

Avoid Sector-Specific Overexposure: While sector funds like the HDFC Defence Fund can offer high returns, they also carry high risk. Ensure you are not overexposed to any single sector. Diversification across sectors is crucial.

Investing in Shares
Investing in shares is a good strategy for capital growth. However, shares come with higher risk compared to mutual funds. Here are some tips to manage your share investments:

Diversify Across Sectors: Just like with mutual funds, diversification in shares is key. Invest across different sectors to spread risk.

Monitor Regularly: Share investments require regular monitoring. Market conditions can change rapidly, so stay informed and be ready to make adjustments.

Consider Blue-Chip Stocks: If you haven't already, consider investing in blue-chip stocks. These are established companies with a track record of stable performance. They offer lower risk compared to smaller companies.

Achieving Your Long-Term Financial Goals
Your portfolio is well-structured, but there’s always room for improvement to achieve your long-term financial goals. Here are some strategies:

Set Clear Financial Goals: Define your financial goals clearly, whether it’s retirement planning, purchasing a home, or children’s education. This will guide your investment strategy.

Regular Portfolio Reviews: Regularly review your portfolio with your CFP. Adjustments may be needed based on market conditions and changes in your financial situation.

Consider Increasing Investments Over Time: As your income grows, consider increasing your investment amounts. This will help you reach your financial goals faster.

Stay Focused on Long-Term Growth: Avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations. Stay focused on your long-term financial goals.

Finally
Your current investment portfolio is well-diversified and aligned with your financial goals. However, there are opportunities to enhance your strategy further. Consider adding a large cap and debt fund for better balance. Increase your SIP contributions and diversify your share investments.

Working with a Certified Financial Planner will ensure that your investments are regularly reviewed and aligned with your goals. This partnership will help you achieve your long-term financial objectives with confidence.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |6549 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 19, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 16, 2025
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Hello sir My jee mains score is 59.93 My pera cet score is 156/200 with 67.25 percentile Tell me which is the best college i can get for cse mainly ai and ml or ds if available Also I want to go to dy patil pune but not sure so pls tell if i should go and which is the best for me in cse
Ans: With a JEE Main percentile of 59.93 and a PERA CET score of 156/200 (67.25 percentile), CSE (AI/ML or DS) at top colleges like VIT Pune or MIT WPU is not possible, as their cutoffs are above 75–80 percentile. DY Patil College of Engineering, Pune, offers CSE, AI, and Data Science programs, and its 2025 cutoff for these branches is around 60–70 percentile, making you eligible. DY Patil’s AI/DS program is AICTE-approved, features modern labs, and has a placement rate of 80–86% with top recruiters like Qspider, Codevertex, and Prodigy Infotech; the average package is ?3.5–4 LPA. Other options include MIT Academy of Engineering and Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering for CSE/AI/DS, but their cutoffs are typically higher than your score. DY Patil is NAAC A++ accredited, offers good infrastructure, and is well-rated by students for teaching and placements.

Recommendation: DY Patil College of Engineering, Pune, is your best choice for CSE, AI, or Data Science at your current percentile, providing solid academic support, industry-oriented curriculum, and consistent placement outcomes; you should proceed with admission there. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P P  |6549 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 19, 2025

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Hi Sir, My Son is 17 Yrs old. Passed 12th this year from Telangana Board, with 89.81%. JEE percentile was 88%. He is keen for CSE or CS (AI/ML). He has secured a seat in CS Data Science in VIT Chennai. His rank in MET (Manipal) in 5640. Didn't get CSE in Manipal in first round. Is there any chance of getting CSE in further rounds? His COMEDK rank is 7833. Counselling yet to start. We are confused whether we should go ahead with his admission in any colleges in CSE or should take a drop of one year. We are not confident that he will get a seat in any IIT/NIT next year. So what should be the decision. Take admission in best possible college in 2025. Prepare for entrance tests of 2026? Kindly help us in taking decision.
Ans: Vikram Sir, Given your son’s academic record (12th: 89.81%, JEE Main: 88%, MET rank: 5640, COMEDK: 7833) and his interest in CSE/AI-ML, his current seat in CS Data Science at VIT Chennai is a solid option, offering 93–97% placement rates and strong industry connections. With a MET rank of 5640, CSE at Manipal main campus is not possible (2025 cutoff: 956–1633), but he may get CSE at Manipal Jaipur, Bengaluru, or Sikkim in later rounds, which have good placement records and modern infrastructure. For COMEDK, a rank of 7833 will not secure CSE at top colleges like RVCE, BMSCE, or MSRIT (cutoffs: 1,500–10,000), but mid-tier colleges such as Sir MVIT, NMIT, and Dayananda Sagar are attainable and offer respectable placements. Taking a drop year can improve chances for IIT/NIT if your son is highly motivated, but it comes with risks—pressure, uncertainty, and potential loss of a year without guaranteed improvement. Most experts suggest taking admission in the best available college now unless your son is exceptionally confident of a significant score jump with another year of preparation.

Recommendation: Secure admission this year in the best available CSE/AI-ML program (VIT Chennai CS Data Science, Manipal Jaipur/Bengaluru CSE, or a good Bangalore college via COMEDK) rather than dropping a year, as these institutes provide strong placement support and academic growth without the uncertainty and risk of a gap year. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |6549 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 19, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 16, 2025
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Which is better, Jadavpur University, chemical engineering or DSCE Bangalore, ECE?
Ans: Jadavpur University’s Chemical Engineering is among India’s oldest and most prestigious, with a centenary legacy, global alumni, and a QS subject ranking of 351–400. It offers outstanding research infrastructure, 15 specialized labs, and a placement rate of 90% in 2024, with an average package of ?11 LPA and top recruiters like Tata, Maruti Suzuki, and global MNCs. The total four-year fee is only ?1.16 lakh, making it highly affordable. DSCE Bangalore’s ECE program is well-regarded in Karnataka, with a 4-year fee of ?10.46 lakh, 85–90% placement rates, and recruiters such as PhonePe, HCL, and Infosys. DSCE has strong industry links, 20 research centers, and modern labs, but its NIRF ranking is in the 201–300 band, and its national reputation is lower than Jadavpur’s. While DSCE ECE offers good placements and exposure in the electronics sector, Jadavpur’s Chemical Engineering stands out for its academic excellence, historic reputation, low fees, and placement consistency, with a strong research culture and global recognition.

Recommendation: Jadavpur University Chemical Engineering is the superior choice for its national prestige, affordability, high placement rate, and global alumni network, making it ideal for both core industry and advanced research careers. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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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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