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Vivek

Vivek Lala  |323 Answers  |Ask -

Tax, MF Expert - Answered on Jun 04, 2023

Vivek Lala has been working as a tax planner since 2018. His expertise lies in making personalised tax budgets and tax forecasts for individuals. As a tax advisor, he takes pride in simplifying tax complications for his clients using simple, easy-to-understand language.
Lala cleared his chartered accountancy exam in 2018 and completed his articleship with Chaturvedi and Shah. ... more
Shubham Question by Shubham on May 28, 2023Hindi
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Hi everyone, First of all I will introduce myself currently I am working in hcl technologies as software engineer and earning aroung 24k per month and I am 25 year old and may be get married in next coming 2 year. Now coming to question currently I am saving money in mutual fund around 8k my question is that I am saving money in right mutual fund and talking about my allocation of mutual fund currently saving 25-25-25-25% in below mutual fund 1. Axis Midcap direct plan growth. 2. Edelweiss small cap fund direct growth. 3. ICICI prudential commodities fund direct growth. 4. Nippon india small cap fund direct growth. Should I have to change my mutual fund my goal is to save some money for future and should have money after marriage so that overcome basic necessity. Should I have to save more money because right now have no expenditure

Ans: Hello, assuming your wedding is in 2 years and your expenses will be done completely by you , you have to be a little careful when you invest money in equities with a 2 year point of view as equity can be super volatile.
Since the wedding is a compulsary expense, you can bifurcate your investments into 2 parts - 75% in debt or debt hybrid funds and 25% in equity funds like your mid or small cap
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 30, 2024

Money
Im 35 years old and investing in mutual funds for retirement and kids future. I have months baby boy now. 30k sip for retirement and i would like retire in next 15 years. My current salary is 1.6 lacks per month. If want to retire ik next 15 years as per inflation i meed around 5cr. Please see my mutual funds and suggest if i can reach my goal in next 5 years with 30k sip. 1. Nippon small cap 2. Tata small cap 3. Motilal mid cap 4. Quant mid cap 5. JM flexi cap These are for retirement each 6k 6. Quant flexi cap 5k for future education I will add one more fund if i plan for second kid I don't want to go index and large cap since those returns are less and my retirement period is less. Should i remove any funds?or change required? Parag parik is good i i heard but i went with lm flexi cap since i can take risk I have a car loan 16200 emi and home loan 25k emi I want to clear my car loan remining 5 lacks asap for liquidity since it is less interest than home loan I want to keep home loan for tax exemption. I have corporate insurances but will take outside as well hdfc ergo 3600 per month my wife will pay for our 3 For parents care 5k per month health insurance will take soon this will be paid by me Any suggestions?? Any overlap in my funds are these good for next 15 years? Insurances which I'm going to take are good plan? I have 4 lacks in hand i will clear car loan. I will keep some amount around 1 lack for emergency for now and will increase after clearing the car loan.
Ans: You’re on the right track with your Rs 30,000 SIP investment plan. However, achieving a retirement corpus of Rs 5 crore in the next 15 years with your current portfolio will require an aggressive strategy.

Your portfolio has a mix of small-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds. These have high growth potential but also carry higher risk.

For your retirement goal of Rs 5 crore in 15 years, you will need an average annual return of around 12-14%.

This is possible with your current fund selection but is heavily reliant on market performance. Be prepared for volatility.

Fund Overlap Assessment
It’s crucial to avoid overlapping investments in mutual funds. Overlap happens when different funds hold similar stocks, which reduces diversification.

Nippon Small Cap and Tata Small Cap: Both are small-cap funds, which increases the risk due to overexposure in this volatile segment. You can consider keeping one and switching the other to a mid-cap or flexi-cap fund for better balance.

Motilal and Quant Mid Cap: Both mid-cap funds could overlap in stock holdings. It’s fine to have two mid-cap funds, but ensure they are not investing heavily in the same stocks. Diversification is key to minimizing risk.

JM Flexi Cap and Quant Flexi Cap: Having two flexi-cap funds can also cause overlap. You may want to consolidate into one high-performing flexi-cap fund instead of splitting across two.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Is it a Good Choice?
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap is indeed popular due to its balanced portfolio and exposure to international stocks. However, since you mentioned being comfortable with risk, sticking to your current flexi-cap fund may be more aligned with your strategy.

If you want to switch, Parag Parikh could be a safer, long-term bet due to its diversification, but you might miss the high-risk, high-reward potential you currently have with JM Flexi Cap.
Review of Your Loan Strategy
Your approach to loans seems sound.

Clearing the Car Loan: Prioritizing clearing the Rs 5 lakh car loan is a smart decision. This will free up liquidity and improve your monthly cash flow.

Home Loan: Keeping the home loan for tax benefits is a good strategy, especially if the interest rate is lower than other loan options.

Health Insurance for Family
Your current insurance plan with HDFC Ergo and corporate coverage seems sufficient for now, but it’s essential to ensure that the coverage is adequate for all possible medical needs.

For Parents: Adding a Rs 5,000 per month health insurance plan for your parents is a wise decision. It’s important to secure coverage for older family members, as medical expenses tend to rise with age.
Emergency Fund and Liquidity
Setting aside Rs 1 lakh as an emergency fund is a good start, but over time, you should aim to increase this amount to at least six months of your household expenses.

After clearing the car loan, you can gradually build up this emergency fund. This will provide a safety net in case of unexpected expenses or job changes.
Should You Add Another Fund for a Second Child?
If you plan for a second child, adding another education fund makes sense. You can add another dedicated SIP to ensure each child’s future is financially secure.

Stick to flexi-cap or mid-cap funds for this goal, as these provide a balance of risk and growth potential. You can adjust the SIP amount based on the time horizon for the second child’s education.
Is Rs 30,000 SIP Enough for Rs 5 Crore in 15 Years?
With Rs 30,000 per month invested, you’re aiming for a high return to achieve Rs 5 crore in 15 years.

To assess if this is realistic, consider that you would need your investments to grow at around 12-14% annually. While this is achievable with aggressive funds, it’s important to remain cautious of market fluctuations.

You might want to increase your SIP amount by 10-15% each year. This step-up strategy ensures your investments grow alongside inflation and income increases.

Final Insights
Portfolio Consolidation: Simplifying your portfolio by reducing overlap and diversifying further will enhance your chances of hitting your retirement target.

Risk Management: You’ve chosen high-risk funds, which align with your time frame. However, monitoring performance regularly and making adjustments is crucial.

Loan Strategy: Clearing the car loan first will improve liquidity. Continue with the home loan for tax benefits.

Health Insurance: Ensure your insurance coverage is sufficient, especially for parents. It’s crucial for managing future medical expenses.

SIP Step-Up: Consider increasing your SIP contributions annually to keep pace with inflation and growing financial needs.

Emergency Fund: Focus on increasing your emergency fund after clearing your car loan to ensure financial security.

With these adjustments, your plan can lead you to financial independence in 15 years. Consistency, discipline, and regular reviews will be key to your success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello sir. Currently I am 35 years old. I have just started investing in mutual funds. (a) parag parekh flexi cap - 7500/- per month (B) tata small cap fund -2500/- per month (C) mirae asset ELLS tax saver -5000/- (D) pGIM india mid cap opp. Fund -5000/- (E) quant infrastructure fund-3500/- (F) quant small cap fund -4000/- (G) qyant active fund -3500/- (H) quant absolute fund-5000/- Total i am investing 36000/- per month. I want to get 2 crore till 2035. Additionally i want to invest 1 lakh per annum So my questions is AREA THESE MUTUAL FUNDS ARE OK or I should change any fund. And where should I invest this additional 1 lkh rupee per annum
Ans: You have taken a solid step by investing in mutual funds. Let’s assess your portfolio for alignment with your Rs. 2 crore goal by 2035.

Analysing Fund Selection
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund
A flexi cap fund is suitable for long-term growth.

It provides exposure to multiple market segments and geographies.

Tata Small Cap Fund
Small-cap funds can deliver high returns but carry high risk.

Keep exposure limited to control portfolio volatility.

Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund
ELSS funds are excellent for tax-saving under Section 80C.

They also provide equity exposure with a lock-in period of 3 years.

PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund
Mid-cap funds balance growth potential and risk.

It fits well for wealth creation over 10+ years.

Quant Infrastructure Fund
Sectoral funds like infrastructure are highly volatile.

Limit their allocation to avoid concentrated risk.

Quant Small Cap Fund
Small-cap funds should be balanced with large-cap or flexi-cap funds.

Diversify further to mitigate risks.

Quant Active Fund
This multi-cap fund offers flexibility in stock allocation.

It can complement other diversified funds in your portfolio.

Quant Absolute Fund
Balanced funds can provide stability to a portfolio.

Use these for moderate growth with reduced risk.

Portfolio Observations
Strengths
Good mix of diversified equity funds and mid-cap options.

Includes ELSS for tax savings.

Concerns
High allocation to small-cap and sectoral funds increases portfolio risk.

Quant funds dominate, reducing diversification across fund houses.

Suggested Portfolio Adjustments
Reduce Small-Cap Exposure
Retain one small-cap fund, preferably Tata Small Cap.

Exit the Quant Small Cap Fund to reduce concentrated risk.

Diversify Fund Houses
Choose funds from varied AMCs for better risk distribution.

Avoid over-reliance on a single fund house like Quant.

Add Large-Cap Focus
Include a large-cap or large and mid-cap fund for stability.

These funds are essential for balancing risk.

Utilising the Additional Rs. 1 Lakh Annually
Lump Sum in Mutual Funds
Invest the amount in existing equity funds systematically.

Distribute it across balanced and large-cap funds.

Consider Hybrid Funds
Hybrid funds offer equity growth with debt stability.

Allocate Rs. 50,000 annually to a good hybrid fund.

Emergency Fund
Build an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses.

Use liquid funds or fixed deposits for this purpose.

Health Insurance Top-Up
Increase health insurance coverage if necessary.

Ensure sufficient coverage for medical emergencies.

Tracking and Adjusting Your Investments
Annual Portfolio Review
Monitor fund performance regularly.

Exit consistently underperforming funds to optimise returns.

Rebalancing
Adjust your equity and debt exposure annually.

Maintain the desired asset allocation for your goals.

Tax Implications and Planning
ELSS Tax Benefits
Continue with ELSS investments for Section 80C deductions.

Redeem matured ELSS funds and reinvest to extend benefits.

Long-Term and Short-Term Capital Gains
LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%. Plan withdrawals wisely to minimise taxes.

Estimating Rs. 2 Crore Corpus by 2035
Your Rs. 36,000 SIP is a significant step toward this goal.

Stay disciplined with investments to capitalise on compounding.

Use the additional Rs. 1 lakh annually to accelerate corpus growth.

Final Insights
Your portfolio needs minor adjustments for better risk management. Focus on diversification, balancing equity and debt, and tracking performance. Stay consistent with your SIPs, and your Rs. 2 crore target by 2035 is achievable.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Money
Hello sir. Currently I am 35 years old. I have just started investing in mutual funds. (a) parag parekh flexi cap - 7500/- per month (B) tata small cap fund -2500/- per month (C) mirae asset ELLS tax saver -5000/- (D) pGIM india mid cap opp. Fund -5000/- (E) quant infrastructure fund-3500/- (F) quant small cap fund -4000/- (G) qyant active fund -3500/- (H) quant absolute fund-5000/- Total i am investing 36000/- per month. I want to get 2 crore till 2035. Additionally i want to invest 1 lakh per annum So my questions is AREA THESE MUTUAL FUNDS ARE OK or I should change any fund. And where should I invest this additional 1 lkh rupee per annum...
Ans: Your commitment to investing Rs. 36,000 monthly at age 35 is admirable. The addition of Rs. 1 lakh annually indicates a strong focus on wealth creation. Let us analyse your portfolio and suggest improvements.

Portfolio Review
Flexi-Cap Fund (Rs. 7,500)
Flexi-cap funds provide the flexibility to invest across market capitalisations.
This flexibility ensures adaptability to changing market trends.
Retaining this allocation adds balance to your portfolio.
Small-Cap Funds (Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 4,000)
Small-cap funds are high-risk, high-reward investments.
Over a long horizon, they can deliver superior growth but may experience volatility.
Retain small-cap allocation but avoid excessive exposure to manage risks.
ELSS Tax Saver Fund (Rs. 5,000)
ELSS funds provide tax benefits under Section 80C with a 3-year lock-in.
They are a great tool for long-term wealth creation and tax planning.
Continue this SIP, as it aligns with your goals and tax-saving needs.
Mid-Cap Fund (Rs. 5,000)
Mid-cap funds strike a balance between growth and stability.
They are ideal for long-term investors with moderate risk tolerance.
Retain this allocation, as it complements your portfolio.
Infrastructure Fund (Rs. 3,500)
Infrastructure funds focus on the infrastructure sector.
These funds are concentrated and depend heavily on sectoral performance.
Consider reducing or reallocating this amount to more diversified funds.
Quant Small Cap and Active Funds (Rs. 3,500 each)
Having multiple funds in the same category can lead to overlap.
Consolidating funds can simplify management and improve portfolio efficiency.
Quant Absolute Fund (Rs. 5,000)
This fund's balanced approach offers exposure to equity and debt.
Retain this allocation, as it can provide stability during market corrections.
Suggestions for Portfolio Improvement
Simplify Your Portfolio
Holding too many funds increases overlap and complexity.
Retain one well-performing small-cap and multi-cap fund each.
Avoid over-diversification, which can dilute returns.
Focus on Core Categories
Stick to diversified categories like flexi-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds.
These funds balance risk and reward effectively over the long term.
Reduce Sector-Specific Allocation
Infrastructure funds are risky due to their dependency on economic cycles.
Consider reallocating this amount to diversified equity funds.
Monitor Performance Annually
Review each fund’s performance over a 3-5 year period.
Replace consistently underperforming funds with better options.
Additional Rs. 1 Lakh Investment
Consider Balanced Approach
Divide Rs. 1 lakh between equity and debt for diversification.
Equity funds for growth and debt instruments for stability.
Allocate to Equity Funds
Invest in existing funds with proven long-term performance.
This will enhance the power of compounding in your portfolio.
Explore Debt Mutual Funds
Debt funds reduce portfolio volatility and offer predictable returns.
They are ideal for managing short-term goals or risk diversification.
Emergency Fund Allocation
Use part of this amount to build or enhance your emergency fund.
An emergency fund should cover 6–12 months of expenses.
Achieving Rs. 2 Crore Goal
SIP Continuation
Your Rs. 36,000 monthly SIP is aligned with your Rs. 2 crore target.
Consistency is key to achieving long-term goals.
Incremental Investments
Increase SIP amounts periodically with income growth.
This will help bridge any shortfall and accelerate corpus growth.
Avoid Frequent Changes
Stick to your strategy and avoid impulsive changes during market volatility.
A disciplined approach ensures better results over time.
Taxation Awareness
Gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
Plan withdrawals accordingly to minimise tax impact.
Final Insights
Your portfolio is well-structured but needs simplification to improve efficiency. Retain core funds, reduce sectoral exposure, and reallocate overlapping categories. Use the additional Rs. 1 lakh for equity and debt allocation to enhance diversification. Stay disciplined, monitor performance, and increase SIPs periodically to achieve your Rs. 2 crore goal by 2035.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |235 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 11, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 26, 2025
Money
Hello Sir/Mam, I am 26 years old male working in a MNC. Please review my investment, is it all right or need some modification. Mutual Fund SIP: 1. Bandhan Small cap direct fund- 2500 2. Motilal Oswal Mid cap direct fund- 2500 3. Nippon Multi cap direct fund- 2500 4. Parag Parikh Flexi cap direct fund- 2500 5. HDFC Balanced Advantage fund- invest monthly remaining amount LIC: 1. Jeevan Umang - 1400/Month PPF: 1000/Month NPS: 1500/Month APY: 300/Month Term Insurance: 50 Lakh (Max life insurance) Bank Balance: 0 Please suggest what changes required? How to do budget for marriage and new home?
Ans: Dear Sir,

At 26, you’ve started well — a mix of equity mutual funds, PPF, NPS, and insurance. Let me review and suggest improvements:

1. Mutual Fund Portfolio (Equity Heavy)

You are running too many funds with overlapping exposure.

Suggestion:

Retain 1 Small Cap (Bandhan Small Cap) – high risk but long-term wealth creation.

Retain 1 Mid Cap (Motilal Oswal Midcap).

Retain 1 Flexi/Multi Cap (Parag Parikh Flexi Cap OR Nippon Multi Cap — not both).

HDFC Balanced Advantage → okay for some stability, but avoid making it your main fund.

???? Restructure to 3–4 funds max. Keep SIP total ~10–12k, increase gradually with income growth.

2. LIC Jeevan Umang – ?1,400/month

Traditional plans give low returns (~4–5%), not suitable for wealth creation.

Suggestion: Continue only if you want a guaranteed savings product; otherwise, consider redirecting to MF/PPF after maturity/exit options.

3. PPF & NPS

PPF ?1,000/month → good for safe long-term corpus (tax benefit + guaranteed).

NPS ?1,500/month → good for retirement; continue.

APY ?300/month → small pension, optional; if not serious, can stop.

4. Insurance

Term Insurance ?50L → Adequate for now, but as income rises, consider ?1 Cr cover.

Check if health insurance is in place (not mentioned). Very important at your age.

5. Bank Balance

You mentioned 0 balance. Always keep 3–6 months’ expenses in savings/liquid fund as emergency fund.

6. Marriage & Home Planning

Marriage (short-term goal): Do not use equity funds. Use Recurring Deposit / Debt MF / Short-term FD for 2–3 years horizon.

Home (medium-term, 5–7 years): Keep part in Hybrid Funds / Debt + Equity mix. Avoid pure small/mid-cap for this goal.

? Summary Action Plan

Consolidate MFs to 3–4 funds.

Maintain emergency fund (at least ?2–3 lakh).

Increase term insurance cover to ?1 Cr in 2–3 years.

Start a health insurance policy for self/family.

Plan marriage & house corpus via safe/debt instruments, not small/mid-cap MFs.

I would also strongly suggest working with a QPFP / Financial Planner to create a detailed retirement cash flow plan and fund monitoring strategy.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

..Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |423 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 02, 2025

Money
Hello gurus. Currently I am 36 years old. I have just started investing in mutual funds. (a) parag parekh flexi cap - 7500/- per month (B) GROWW nifty midcap 150 index fund -2500/- per month (C) mirae asset ELLS tax saver -5000/- (D) pGIM india mid cap opp. Fund -5000/- (E) quant infrastructure fund-3500/- (F) quant small cap fund -4000/- (G) qyant active fund -3500/- (H) quant absolute fund-5000/- Total i am investing 36000/- per month. I want to get 2 crore till 2035. Additionally i want to invest 1 lakh per annum So my questions is ARE THESE MUTUAL FUNDS ARE OK or I should change any fund. And where should I invest this additional 1 lkh rupee per annum. These all funds are direct growth funds.
Ans: Hi Rajesh,

Appreciate your dedication in investing in mutual funds for long term. The funds selected by you are very random and not recommended for your goal. Overall investments are also not in alignment, this portfolio is a very underperforming one.
Currently you are investing 36000 per month - keep your investments simple in largecap, midcap, smallcap and mutlicap fund. Keep additional 1 lakh as well in these funds.

Your current funds are direct, but direct funds are over-rated. A portfolio like yours can instead give you a loss than generating good returns. It is always better to go for a regular portfolio suggested by a professional. Proper funds with a designed dedicated plan will help you reach your goal of 2 crores in 10 years in an efficient way.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

..Read more

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  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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