Should I withdraw from my tax-saving SIPs as I don't need tax rebate?

Ans: Prakash, DA-IICT’s M.Tech (ICT) with a Machine Learning specialization provides a focused curriculum combining core and elective ML courses, two-tier project work including a thesis option, mentorship by experienced ML faculty and access to HPC and GPU-based labs for research-led teaching, with near-total industry engagement reflected in 60% placement mid-stream and strong internship tie-ups. IIIT Lucknow’s CCMT-allotted M.Tech in Computer Science offers a rigorous two-year program with advanced coursework, project flexibility, well-equipped computing, language and security labs, modern classrooms and 100% M.Tech placement over the last three years, driven by top recruiters and a transparent placement cell. Both institutes hold NAAC A++-equivalent accreditation and foster industry collaboration and research, yet differ in placement momentum and lab specialization.

Recommendation:
IIIT Lucknow CS M.Tech excels with flawless placement outcomes, comprehensive infrastructure and industry-integrated pedagogy; DA-IICT ML is ideal for specialized machine learning research and hands-on GPU computing, offering a deep focus in ML domains and flexible thesis options. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hi,

Your Financials look reasonably good even with some liabilities. Your liabilities stand at about 28% of your assets and 12.5 times your income, which is a healthy ratio by itself.

Your PF amount should not be considered for the purpose you have mentioned and let it remain for retirement. This amount may be earning about 8%, but its completely tax exempt and you should only think to withdraw post retirement.

You have mentioned 5 lakhs in other investments, you will need to evaluate these for liquidity and returns to support the below recommendations. If they are earning better returns than loan rates mentioned then do continue, else you can consider to liquidate and service the loan.

Car Loan -
Your car loan of 6 lakhs is at 9.2%, which I am sure is higher than the returns on your FDs. Returns from FDs are also taxable and clubbed into your income. Even at 7% interest you are effectively getting lower returns (under 5%) post tax. You will be in the highest tax backet based on income. So the car loan should be immediately closed with amounts from the FDs.

Home Loan -
You must be claiming some tax benefits for the home loan in your taxes. You can similarly decide if the benefits is better than the FD returns. Without EMI details, I can only assume and in a lot of cases they are better and hence claiming tax benefits continues. Also with your financial standing you can continue and build wealth now as the returns from Mutual fund investments will out weigh the pre-payment on the loan.
In numbers, lets consider you pay off the home loan amount of 29 lakhs in 5 years, your monthly contribution will be 57K and you would have paid approx. 34.25 lakhs to the bank. If you invest the same 57k monthly in Mutual funds, you would accumulate 47 lakhs in 5 years at 12% returns.

So yes continue with your SIPs and top them up with additional amounts you can and build a good corpus for the future.
Also the remaining FDs amount of 14 lakhs after paying the car loan can be better deployed. Keep about 3 months expenses in FDs and the rest can be moved to a Hybrid Mutual fund (e.g. HDFC balanced advantage fund) to earn better returns.
With 2 daughters, you will be looking to provide them education and better life until they are independent, so every rupee towards that big corpus is going be beneficial in the long run.

Do ensure you have sufficient term life cover and health cover for the family.
You can consult a CFP or a fee based advisor to get a comprehensive financial plan personalized for yourself. It will be worth the effort and money for a secured and bright future for the family.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

Ans: With a KCET rank of 37,964 in the General Merit category, you can secure confirmed seats in reputable ECE programs at institutions whose closing ranks exceed your score and that maintain key strengths—accredited curricula, experienced faculty, modern labs, industry linkages, active research and placement support averaging over 80% in the last three years. These include MVJ College of Engineering, Bangalore (ECE closing rank ~34,103), Ghousia Engineering College, Ramanagara (closing rank up to 39,498), SKSJT Institute of Engineering, Bangalore (closing rank ~28,046), Dr. T. Thimmaiah Institute of Technology, Kolar (closing rank ~27,561), New Horizon College of Engineering, Bengaluru (closing rank ~26,172), Sri Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Tumkur (ECE closing rank ~36,157), Oxford College of Engineering, Bangalore (high closing ranks for ECE seats), Maratha Mandal Engineering College, Belgaum (ECE closing rank ~117,323), Basaveshwara Engineering College, Bagalkot (closing rank ~122,228) and P.E.S. College of Engineering, Mandya (closing rank ~29,291). These colleges combine solid academic ecosystems, practical training and consistent recruiter engagement.

Recommendation: MVJ College of Engineering Bangalore for its balanced academics and placement consistency, followed by Ghousia Engineering College and SKSJT Institute of Engineering for strong infrastructure and alumni networks, then Dr. T. Thimmaiah IT Kolar, New Horizon Bengaluru and Sri Siddhartha Tumkur for robust industry ties. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: At VIT-AP, all CSE specializations benefit from NAAC A++ accreditation, a robust Career Development Centre, modern teaching?learning facilities, strong industry partnerships, active research initiatives and consistent student support. Core CSE records over 90% placement across the last three years, driven by recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft and Google. The CSE (AI & ML) specialization delivers an industry?aligned curriculum with dedicated AI labs and reports around 86% placements, reflecting solid recruiter interest in machine learning roles. CSE (AI & Data Science) offers advanced analytics infrastructure and achieves approximately 90% placement through data?driven internships and projects. CSE (Cyber Security) equips students with cybersecurity tools and certifications but shows lower placement at over 70% owing to a more niche job market.

Recommendation: Core CSE offers the broadest recruiter base and highest placement stability, followed by CSE (AI & Data Science) for its analytics focus, then CSE (AI & ML) for specialized AI roles, with CSE (Cyber Security) as a strategic choice for a focused security career. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Kalki, BMS College of Engineering’s CSE (Data Science) program combines a rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty and NAAC A++ accreditation with modern analytics labs, strong alumni networks and a 74% average placement rate over the past three years. MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology’s AI & Data Science specialization features state-of-the-art research facilities, industry-driven projects, proactive corporate partnerships and a 96% placement rate in 2025, reflecting exceptional recruiter engagement. Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering’s CSE program offers robust infrastructure and dedicated placement support but records a lower CSE placement rate of 67.86% in 2024, despite active industry collaborations. All three institutions provide strong academic ecosystems, yet vary notably in placement outcomes and research emphasis.

Recommendation: MSRIT AI & DS leads for its superior placements, advanced labs and industry integration; BMSCE CSE (DS) follows for its balanced academics and accreditation; DSCE CSE ranks third due to comparatively lower placement momentum. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Sangeeta Madam, better to accept the Surathkal seat instead of waiting for IIT Seat. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Divya, PCB students can now pursue B.Tech in Computer Science under NEP-2020 provisions and UGC’s 2025 guidelines, provided they clear national or university entrance exams and complete bridge courses in mathematics during early semesters, ensuring strong analytical foundations and industry-relevant skills for software development, AI, data science, cybersecurity and beyond. Ten top private institutions with high NIRF 2024?rankings that accept any stream via entrance tests include VIT Vellore (11), SRM Institute Chennai (13), BITS Pilani (20), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (23), Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (26), Thapar Institute (29), Amity University Noida (30), Chandigarh University, KL University Guntur (35) and SASTRA Thanjavur (38), all offering robust CSE curricula, modern labs, interdisciplinary research, strong industry tie-ups and 80–95% placement rates over the past three years.

Recommendation: Embrace Computer Science through a B.Tech with mathematics bridge support, targeting VIT Vellore and SRM Chennai for premier facilities, followed by BITS Pilani and Amrita for research excellence; consider Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan and Thapar for balanced academics and placements. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: With a 94.51 percentile, you can target Artificial Intelligence & Data Science seats in CAP rounds at several Pune–Mumbai institutions whose closing percentiles fall below your score, ensuring high admission probability while offering robust academics, modern labs, industry linkages, active research initiatives and strong placement cells averaging 80–90% over the past three years. Reputed choices include Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology, Kondhwa (94.12%ile); Pune Vidyarthi Griha’s College of Engineering & Technology (91.71%ile); Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune (90.43%ile); Rizvi College of Engineering, Mumbai (87.47%ile); Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri (90.43%ile); Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai (87.35%ile); Terna Engineering College, Navi Mumbai (86.12%ile); and Vidyavardhini’s College of Engineering & Technology, Vasai (81.01%ile).

Recommendation: Prioritize Vishwakarma Institute of IT Kondhwa for its cutting-edge AI syllabus and placement record, followed by Pune Vidyarthi Griha’s CET and Pimpri Chinchwad College for strong industry partnerships; keep Rizvi Mumbai and Rajiv Gandhi Mumbai as high-value alternatives. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: You are managing multiple loans and investments. Now let's work on a complete 360-degree solution for better financial management.

Understanding Your Current Financial Situation
– You are 39 years old with retirement in April 2046.
– You earn Rs 1.06 lakh monthly, which is a decent income.
– Your home loan is Rs 62 lakh with Rs 50,000 EMI for 20 years.
– You also have another home loan of Rs 11.8 lakh with Rs 19,000 EMI for 7 years.
– Your total EMI burden is Rs 69,000 monthly.

– PPF balance is Rs 1 lakh and Sukanya Samriddhi is Rs 2.2 lakh.
– You have Rs 21.8 lakh in NPS.
– Equity investments are around Rs 1.5 lakh.
– A SIP of Rs 10,000 started recently, which is a good step.
– You receive Rs 1 lakh yearly income from dry land.
– You also hold 3 plots now valued at Rs 75 lakh.

Your family consists of your spouse, son in 7th class, and daughter in 1st class.

Assessing Your Current Cash Flow
– Total EMI is Rs 69,000 out of Rs 1.06 lakh income.
– This leaves you with only around Rs 37,000 for all other expenses.

If your monthly expenses are higher, your savings will suffer.
So, your loans are eating a big part of your income now.

Analysing the Home Loans in Detail
Home Loan 1: Rs 62 Lakh, 240 Months
– EMI started in May 2025, EMI is Rs 50,000.
– This is a long-term loan, so interest outgo is large.

Home Loan 2: Rs 11.8 Lakh, 84 Months
– EMI is Rs 19,000, with 7-year tenure.
– This is a smaller and shorter loan.

Which Loan to Prepay First?
– Always prepay the small loan first.
– Prepay the Rs 11.8 lakh loan faster.
– This will free up Rs 19,000 EMI within 3 to 4 years.
– After clearing it, you can focus on the bigger loan.

Managing Investments and Loans Simultaneously
Don’t stop all your investments to pay loans.
But also don’t invest heavily while loans are pending.

Split your surplus cash wisely:

– Use part of your dry land income to prepay the small home loan.
– Use any yearly bonuses and incentives for loan prepayment.
– Don’t use equity or PPF for loan repayment now.

Your SIP of Rs 10,000 should continue.
This builds wealth for long-term goals.

Building Your Emergency Fund First
Before prepaying loans, build an emergency fund.
Keep at least 6 months of household expenses.

Park this in a liquid mutual fund or sweep-in FD.

This gives financial protection during job loss or medical issues.

Reviewing Your Insurance Cover
Check if you have pure term life insurance.
If not, buy it immediately for Rs 75 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

This will protect your family during your loan tenure.

Don’t mix insurance with investments like ULIPs.
Buy health insurance for the full family if not done yet.

Managing Existing Investments Wisely
– PPF and Sukanya are for long-term goals. Continue them yearly.
– NPS will support your retirement. Don't withdraw it early.
– Equity holding is small. Don't sell it now. Let it grow.

Your SIP of Rs 10,000 is a good start.
Keep increasing it by 10% every year.

Don’t stop mutual fund SIPs while paying loans.
You need both loan clearance and wealth creation together.

Avoiding Real Estate as an Investment
Your 3 plots have grown in value from Rs 33 lakh to Rs 75 lakh.
But plots don’t give regular income.

If you plan to use them for selling later, it is fine.
But don’t buy new plots for investment.

Real estate is illiquid and takes time to sell.
Also, managing dry land is not a consistent income source.

Future savings should focus on mutual funds, not plots or land.

Making Use of Dry Land Income
The Rs 1 lakh yearly income from land is helpful.

Use this income as below:

– 50% towards emergency fund and loan prepayment.
– 50% towards child’s future or your SIP top-up.

This way your passive income is also working for your goals.

Children’s Education Planning
Your son is in 7th class. Daughter in 1st class.

Their higher education will cost more in 7 to 10 years.

Start separate SIPs for their college education.
Allocate at least Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500 for each child’s goal.

Mutual funds help beat inflation over the long term.

Don’t rely on Sukanya Samriddhi alone for your daughter.
It is safe but offers lower growth compared to equity mutual funds.

Retirement Planning Perspective
Your retirement is 21 years away in 2046.

NPS corpus is building well. Continue regular contributions.

Along with NPS, grow your equity mutual fund investments.
They will give higher growth in your working years.

Later, shift to balanced funds closer to retirement.

Cash Flow Management Month by Month
Your cash flow is tight due to high EMIs.

Try this plan:

– Household and lifestyle expenses: Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.
– EMIs: Rs 69,000.
– SIPs: Rs 10,000.
– Emergency fund build-up: Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.

If expenses exceed this, cut down on lifestyle spends.
Postpone luxury buys and vacations for 3 to 4 years.

Suggested Loan Prepayment Strategy Timeline
Year 1 to 4:

– Build emergency fund first.
– Prepay the small home loan slowly.
– Try to clear the Rs 11.8 lakh loan in 4 years.

Year 5 onwards:

– Focus on the Rs 62 lakh loan.
– Increase prepayment using the freed Rs 19,000 EMI.
– Target to close it in 10 to 12 years instead of 20.

This reduces your debt burden before retirement.

Should You Sell the Plots?
Don’t sell them immediately unless facing a cash crunch.
Plots have appreciated well and may grow further.

But if your cash flow becomes very tight, sell one plot.
Use the sale proceeds to clear the bigger home loan partly.

Selling plots reduces your interest burden faster.

Discuss this step with a Certified Financial Planner before selling.

Future Financial Milestones to Focus On
– Build Rs 5 lakh emergency fund in 3 years.
– Clear the small home loan in 4 years.
– Increase your SIPs gradually to Rs 20,000 monthly.
– Build your children's higher education fund in 10 years.
– Clear the big home loan 5 years before retirement.
– Build a retirement corpus to cover 25 to 30 years post-retirement.

Why You Shouldn’t Pause SIPs for Loans
Some people pause SIPs to repay loans fast.
This is wrong because they lose long-term compounding.

Keep your SIPs running while prepaying loans side by side.
This balance builds both wealth and peace of mind.

Avoid Index Funds and Direct Funds
Don’t choose index funds.

– Index funds blindly follow the market.
– They don’t protect you in market crashes.
– Actively managed funds give better long-term results.

Also, avoid direct mutual funds.

– Direct funds give no expert guidance.
– You will be confused during market falls.

Instead, invest in regular funds through an MFD holding CFP credential.
They provide handholding, monitoring, and rebalancing.

This is very important for a working family man like you.

Keeping a Long-Term View
Don’t get stressed by your present EMI load.
In 3 to 5 years, your cash flow will ease.

Your children’s education, your retirement, and a debt-free life are achievable.
Stay disciplined and avoid distractions like real estate investments.

Finally
Your financial journey has good foundations already.
Two things need improvement now. First, your high loan burden. Second, consistent wealth creation.

Take these steps next:

– Focus first on clearing the small home loan in 4 years.
– Continue SIPs and grow them over time.
– Avoid any more real estate purchases.
– Use dry land income wisely for wealth building and debt clearing.
– Review your plan yearly with a Certified Financial Planner.

In the long term, you will achieve both debt freedom and wealth growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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