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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9758 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 23, 2025

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 - Jun 22, 2025Hindi
Money

Hello Sir, I'm 36 years old, My current investment it 2.5 Lakh in PPF, EPFO 5.5 Lakh, SIP 5 lakh, ULIP 7Lakh, Invest in gold 8k monthly. Having loan of 4.5 lakhs. Monthly house hold expenses are 35k. Monthly salary 1.05 lakh. How I can build capital of 1 cr in 5-6 years.

Ans: Reviewing Your Current Financial Scenario
You are 36 years old with family-like responsibilities.

Your investable assets:
• PPF: ?2.5?lakh
• EPFO: ?5.5?lakh
• SIPs: ?5?lakh total value
• ULIP: ?7?lakh
• Gold: ?8,000 monthly

You carry a loan of ?4.5?lakh.

Monthly household expenses run ?35,000.

Your take-home salary is ?1.05?lakh.

You already have started savings in multiple areas. That is commendable.

Clarifying Your Goal and Timeline
Target: ?1?crore corpus in 5–6 years.

Time horizon is medium-short and volatile markets may impact returns.

At current savings and age, you need an aggressive but disciplined approach.

Returns of 12–15% are needed—requires strong equity allocation with risk management.

Reassessing ULIP Investment
ULIPs blend insurance and investment but come with high charges.

They lack transparency and flexibility compared to mutual funds.

Consider surrendering ULIP if no early lock-ins remain.

Redirect proceeds into actively managed mutual funds for better growth and control.

Consolidating Debt Obligations
Outstanding loan (?4.5?lakh) must be prioritised.

Check if interest rate is above 10%.

Focus on repaying loan early—within a year.

Fast repayment saves interest and frees up cash flow.

After clearing, redirect savings to SIPs.

Reducing Overall Expenses
Current expenses ?35,000 per month.

Scrutinise cost items—subscriptions, utilities etc.

Aim to reduce expenses by ?5,000 monthly.

This frees funds for either faster loan repayment or additional investments.

Enhancing Emergency Fund
You do not mention an existing emergency fund.

Aim to build at least ?2?lakh (6 months of post-expense income).

Use liquid or ultra-short debt funds for parking this reserve.

Do this in parallel with loan repayment and investment.

Restructuring Your Investment Portfolio
New asset allocation plan:

Equity mutual funds: 70%

Aggressive hybrid funds: 10%

Debt and liquid funds: 10%

Gold ETF/fund: 5%

PPF/EPFO: 5% (fixed long-term debt)

This blend supports high growth and manages volatility effectively.

Suggested Monthly SIP Structure (Post-Loan)
With your salary of ?1.05 lakh and after meeting expenses and creating an emergency buffer:

Loan EMI repayment (approx): ?15,000

Household expenses: ?35,000

Emergency fund savings: ?10,000 monthly for 20 months to accumulate ?2?lakh buffer

Remaining: ?45,000 monthly for investment

Investment SIPs:

Large/Flexi?cap equity: ?20,000

Mid?cap/small?cap equity: ?10,000

Aggressive hybrid: ?5,000

Gold ETF/fund: ?5,000

Liquid fund: ?5,000

This yields ?45,000 investment – aligned with your goals.

Managing Existing SIPs During Transition
Continue current equity SIPs until realigned allocation is achievable.

As you add new SIPs, gradually reduce high-risk small-cap SIPs to balance allocation.

Maintain a core flexi-cap and mid-cap exposure; trim others accordingly.

Deploying ULIP and Other Lump-Sum Funds
Surrender ULIP to generate a lump sum (~?7 lakh).

Redeploy into your new portfolio structure as follows:

• Equity allocation (~70% of lump): ?4.9 lakh
• Aggressive hybrid: ?70,000
• Debt/liquid: ?70,000

Use phased deployment over 3–4 months to average entry prices.

Debt Goals and Repayment Strategy
Focus on paying off the ?4.5 lakh loan quickly.

Use freed-up funds post-ULIP and expense reductions.

Once loan is cleared, reallocate EMI amount (?15,000) into SIPs.

Why Active Managed Funds Over Index Funds
Index funds mimic market with no strategic shifts.

They cannot protect capital during market downturns.

Actively managed funds adjust exposure and reduce loss.

For short horizon, safety controls are crucial.

Role of Regular Plans with CFP Guidance
Direct plans save on cost but come without analysis and monitoring.

Regular plans via CFP-backed MFD offer disciplined support.

You get help in fund selection, tax planning, rebalancing.

Mistakes are reduced; outcomes tend to improve.

Monitoring, Rebalancing & Exit Strategy
Set quarterly reviews to monitor returns and asset allocation vs. targets.

If equity run ahead of target range, switch new inflows to debt/hybrid to rebalance.

Avoid panic selling during corrections; i.e. volatility is normal.

As investment horizon shortens, gradually shift portfolio towards debt.

Tax Efficiency in This Approach
Equity LTCG (>1 year) taxed at 12.5% above ?1.25 lakh gains.

Short-term gains taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains taxed by income slab.

Hybrid taxation depends on equity share within funds.

Use annual LTCG exemption effectively by planning redemptions.

CFP assistance helps time switch/redemption smartly.

Mid-Term Outlook and Portfolio Goals
Target 12–15% average returns from this allocation.

With ?45,000 monthly SIP and lump-sum deployment, composite returns may approach desired target.

This consistent strategy pushes you close to ?1?crore within 6 years.

Risk & Contingency Management
Absence of emergency fund makes you vulnerable—good you’re building one.

Debt repayment protects credit score and frees future cash flow.

Equity volatility will rise in short-term; hybrid & debt helps absorb shock.

Insurance status missing—verify adequacy of life and health cover quickly.

Insurance, Health and Protection Planning
You haven’t mentioned insurance.

Secure term life insurance, ideally 10–12 times your salary.

Health insurance is equally important—get a cover of ?5–10 lakh.

Premiums for these are small relative to income and essential for peace.

Financial Discipline & Behavioural Recommendations
Maintain clarity—track income, spending, and saving goals monthly.

Use separate accounts for expenses, loan EMIs, and investments.

Automate your savings and SIP flows.

Avoid impulse credit card use—carry a buffer instead.

Celebrate milestones: loan repayment, corpus growth.

Final Insights
Your ?1 crore goal in 5–6 years is ambitious but achievable given your discipline. By:

Eliminating your ULIP and redeploying proceeds into equity and hybrid funds,

Clearing your loan quickly,

Structuring SIPs in a balanced growth-focused strategy,

Building an emergency fund,

Securing insurance, and

Engaging CFP guidance for fund selection and tax planning —

You create a resilient, growth-oriented plan. With consistent effort and correct asset allocation, your target is within reach. You have built this with discipline—now structure it smartly to win.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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  |9758 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 28, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hi ..I am 34 year old married..my monthly income is 80k now as I am in government service. I have invested already 2lakh in equity fund and sip of 2k in canara robocop bluechip MF..how to have a capital of atleast 5 CR when I will b 50
Ans: It's great that you're thinking about your financial future at such a young age. Building a corpus of 5 Crores by the time you turn 50 is an ambitious but achievable goal with careful planning and disciplined investing. Here's a plan to help you reach your target:

Increase Investment Amount: Since you're already investing in equity funds and SIPs, consider increasing your investment amount gradually as your income grows. Aim to maximize your contributions towards long-term wealth creation.
Diversify Your Portfolio: While equity funds offer the potential for high returns, diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes can help manage risk. Consider allocating a portion of your investments to debt funds, real estate, and other avenues based on your risk tolerance and financial goals.
Review and Rebalance: Regularly review your investment portfolio and rebalance it as needed to ensure it remains aligned with your financial objectives. Monitor the performance of your funds and make adjustments based on market conditions and changes in your personal circumstances.
Explore Other Investment Opportunities: Look for additional avenues to grow your wealth, such as investing in tax-saving instruments like ELSS funds, PPF, or NPS. These options offer tax benefits along with the potential for long-term capital appreciation.
Seek Professional Guidance: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner who can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific financial situation and goals. They can help you create a comprehensive financial plan and guide you towards achieving your target of 5 Crores by the age of 50.
Remember, achieving your financial goals requires discipline, patience, and a long-term perspective. Stay focused on your objectives, and with the right investment strategy, you can work towards building a substantial corpus for your future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9758 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 26, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 26, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 31 years old. My takehome salary is 1.4 lakh per month. I have 2 outstanding loan - 7.5 lakh (car loan) will end in next 3 years and 1.2 lakh personal loan will end in next 1 year. My investment are 3.5 lakh in MF SIP, 1.5 lakh in PPF, 5 lakh in EPF, 60K in NPS, 1.4 lakh in stocks and a RD of 7000 per month. Have family and personal health cover with topup plan covering around 40 lakh for parents and spouse. Monthly expenses stands at 50000. How can I build a capital wealth of 2 Cr or more in next 10 years.
Ans: You are 31 years old, take home salary is Rs.1.4 lakh per month.

Loans outstanding:

Car loan Rs.7.5 lakh ending in 3 years

Personal loan Rs.1.2 lakh ending in 1 year

Investments:

Rs.3.5 lakh in mutual fund SIPs

Rs.1.5 lakh in PPF

Rs.5 lakh in EPF

Rs.60,000 in NPS

Rs.1.4 lakh in stocks

RD of Rs.7,000 per month

Health cover: family and personal with top?up of Rs.40 lakh

Monthly expenses are Rs.50,000

This is a strong foundation. Portfolio shows variety. Insurance cover is good. You have clear loan timeline.

Wealth Goal
Aim: build capital of Rs.2 crore or more in next 10 years

Monthly savings and disciplined investing will be key

Target required corpus is realistic given your income and time

Gap and Resource Analysis
Current liquid investments total:

MFs: Rs.3.5 lakh

PPF: Rs.1.5 lakh

EPF: Rs.5 lakh

NPS: Rs.60,000

Stocks: Rs.1.4 lakh

RD: grows monthly

Total ~Rs.12 lakh plus monthly additions

Loan EMIs reduce investible surplus

Monthly surplus after expenses and EMIs is your growth engine

Need to calculate required monthly investment to reach goal

Loan Strategy
Personal loan ends in 1 year.

Once it ends, free up that EMI amount.

Car loan ends in 3 years.

After 3 years, that EMI also frees up

Use freed-up cash flow to invest actively

Cashflow Management
Salary: Rs.1.4 lakh

Expenses: Rs.50,000

Loans EMI need detail but assume moderate

Surplus should be channelled into investments

Manage flow to ensure savings before expenses. Automate investments early in month.

Investment Strategy Overview
Use actively managed mutual funds for growth

Avoid index funds; they lack active risk control

Index funds offer only market returns

Active funds can adapt to changing conditions

For direct vs regular plans:

Direct plans lack personalised guidance

No balance tracking, potential timing mistakes

Regular funds via MFD with CFP enable advice and reviews

No annuities recommended due to lack of flexibility

Suggested Portfolio Mix
Equity mutual funds (actively managed): ~65% initially

Debt instruments (PPF, EPF, RDs, debt funds): ~25%

Stocks and NPS: ~10%

Gradually shift equity to debt as retirement nears

Rebalance yearly to maintain desired split

Step?by?Step Plan
1. Prepay Personal Loan
Clears in 1 year

Use any bonus or extra to accelerate

Freeing up funds boosts investments

2. Increase SIPs After Loan Ends
Once loan ends, add EMI amount to SIP

Continue for car loan similarly

3. Automate Investments
Setup SIPs and RD early

Ensure all surplus is invested monthly

4. Choose Active Funds with CFP Insight
Pick diversified large?cap, mid?cap, flexi?cap active funds

Regularly re-evaluate performance

Avoid index plans due to limited management flexibility

5. Continue RD and PPF, EPF, NPS
These provide stability and tax benefit

Keep contributing to PPF and EPF annually

NPS gives retirement aligned returns

6. Stock Investments
Keep small exposure (Rs.1.4 lakh)

Avoid high concentration or speculative picks

Invest only what you are comfortable losing

Insurance and Risk Planning
You already have good health cover including parents

Ensure your term insurance covers liabilities & family needs

Use separate term insurance, not ULIPs or insurance?cum?investment

Emergency fund equal to 6 months’ expenses is essential

Progress Tracking and Review
Review portfolio annually with your CFP

Rebalance asset split yearly

Adjust SIP amounts with salary growth

Monitor performance against equities, debt benchmarks

Discipline & Behavioural Insights
Do not shift investments due to market swings

Stick to long?term vision

Use CFP advice when markets turn volatile

Regular investments reward through compounding

Tax Efficiency
Use tax benefits on PPF, EPF, NPS and ELSS-like active funds

Redeem RD partially to avoid tax burden

Avoid frequent trading in stocks for tax reasons

Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Equity returns vary year?to?year

Debt instruments protect principal

Inflation erodes value, hence need equity growth

Insurance and emergency fund shield against shocks

Approximate Savings Timeline
First year: personal loan payoff, increase SIP

Year 3: car loan payoff, double SIP amounts

Years 4–10: SIP total higher, compounding works

By year 10, portfolio likely crosses Rs.2 crore

360?Degree Wealth Solution Summary
Area Action Plan
Income Save disciplined surplus monthly
Loans Prepay personal then car loan
Investments Active funds + debt + NPS + stocks
Plan Type Regular plans via MFD with CFP
Asset Allocation 65% equity / 35% debt, rebalance
Insurance Term + health cover adequate
Emergency 6-month expenses cash reserve
Review Annual CFP reviews and adjustments
Mindset Long-term focus, avoid impulsive changes
Tax Use tax-advantaged instruments

Final Insights
Your goal of Rs.2 crore in 10 years is feasible.

You have good income, investments, insurance.

Loan-free status will free funds for growth.

Active mutual funds guided by CFP will add value.

Discipline, review, rebalance and risk cover are key.

Avoid index funds, direct plans, annuities, real estate.

With focus, consistency, and CFP insight you can retire financially strong.

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

..Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 16, 2025Hindi
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Hello sirji I got place at NIELIT Ajmer and Thapar both CSE and in NIELIT cyber security and I am from Haryana so wht should I choose?
Ans: As a student from the State of Haryana you are offered seats at NIELIT Ajmer for CSE and Cyber Security alongside CSE at Thapar University, a comprehensive evaluation reveals distinct academic and career pathways. NIELIT Ajmer’s B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering covers Internet of Things, Cyber Security, and Blockchain Technology with a 60-seat capacity, admission via JEE Main closing around 47,166 for general category, and government-funded programs under MeitY ensuring affordable fees and specialized labs. Thapar University’s CSE achieved an 83% placement rate in 2023 with 334 recruiting companies, robust T&P infrastructure, and major recruiters like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, and IBM. Thapar’s average package of ?11.90 LPA underscores consistent industry engagement and comprehensive training. NIELIT Ajmer Cyber Security offers targeted government-backed certification courses, dedicated placement cells, and proximity to Haryana (~322 km), while NIELIT Ajmer CSE remains nascent with limited placement history. Both institutions feature modern laboratories, libraries, and safe residential facilities supporting holistic student development.

Recommendation: Choose Thapar University CSE for its better job placement record, strong ties with companies, and good academic standing; look at NIELIT Ajmer Cyber Security for affordable, government-supported training in new security technologies; steer clear of NIELIT Ajmer CSE because it has little job placement information and is still growing. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

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Hello sir, I need your help in selecting college. The options i have are;- cse in sastra university tanjaore, and industrial and production engineering in nit jalandhar. Which would be better to choose for placements and industry?
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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8925 Answers  |Ask -

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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 16, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello Sir My son has got CSE at III T Hyderabad and AI Hello Sir My son has got CSE at III T Hyderabad and AI at NIT Surathkal. Kindly guide what to prefer . at NIT Surathkal. Kindly guide what should he prefer .
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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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