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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 21, 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
CHANDAN Question by CHANDAN on Jul 19, 2025Hindi
Money

Hello sir I am 37 years, central government employee having salary of 75000 per month. I have 14000 monthly sip fund of 700000 in share market equity, 2500 monthly Lic premium, 577 monthly scheme in APY, no debt, no pressure for making home already available. How much I should more invest and in which sector..please suggest me..I am married having a daughter of one year.

Ans: You have built a solid base. At age 37, you are debt-free, have a government job, own a house, and are already investing. These factors give you a strong foundation to grow your wealth. Let us now explore step-by-step how you can plan your investments better and secure your family’s future from a 360-degree view.

? Income, Savings and Existing Investment Summary

– Your monthly salary is Rs 75,000.
– You are investing Rs 14,000 in SIPs regularly.
– You are paying Rs 2,500 towards LIC premium.
– You contribute Rs 577 in Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
– You have equity investments worth Rs 7 lakhs.
– You have no loans or EMIs.

This is a healthy position. Your fixed obligations are low. That gives you space to plan better.

? Family Responsibility and Future Needs

You are married and have a daughter aged one. Her education, marriage, and your retirement are three key goals. You need to plan with these goals in mind.

– Education cost is rising fast.
– Inflation in education is around 9-10%.
– Marriage cost is optional but still worth preparing.
– Retirement is a must-have goal.
– You need to build a solid retirement fund by age 60.

Let’s look at each part now.

? Review of Current Mutual Fund Investments

– You are doing SIP of Rs 14,000 every month.
– You have Rs 7 lakhs already invested in equity.

This shows that you have already taken a growth-oriented path. That is good.

But now, you must review:

– Are you investing in regular plans or direct plans?
– Are the funds actively managed?
– Are the schemes reviewed yearly?

If you are investing in direct funds, please be careful. Direct funds may seem cheaper, but they don’t come with any advice or support. There is no one to review your funds, suggest switches, or help in market falls.

Investing through regular plans via a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with CFP credential gives you long-term benefits. You get:

– Personalised strategy
– Risk-adjusted portfolio
– Goal-based planning
– Emotional support during market dips
– Help in withdrawal and rebalancing

That is why direct funds are not suitable for long-term investors. Guidance matters more than low fees.

Also, avoid index funds. Index funds follow the market blindly. They cannot avoid bad-performing sectors. They don’t protect your downside. Actively managed mutual funds give better risk control and flexibility. That is what you need for long-term success.

? LIC Premium – Review Needed

You are paying Rs 2,500 per month in LIC. That is Rs 30,000 annually. Please check the type of policy.

– If it is an endowment, money-back, or ULIP policy, you are mixing insurance with investment.
– These give poor returns — usually 4-5% or less.

In such cases, you can surrender the policy. Use the surrender value to invest in mutual funds. Take only pure term insurance for life cover. That is the right way to protect your family.

? APY Scheme – Good to Continue

You are investing Rs 577 in Atal Pension Yojana. It is a small but safe pension tool. Continue it. It gives guaranteed monthly income after age 60.

But don’t depend only on APY for retirement. That amount will not be enough. You need a bigger retirement fund through mutual funds and other long-term options.

? Emergency Fund – Do You Have It?

You haven’t mentioned if you have an emergency fund. That is important. Please keep at least 6 months of expenses in a liquid place.

– You can use bank fixed deposits.
– Or use liquid mutual funds.

This money should be easy to access during sudden needs.

Example: job delay, health issues, repairs, etc.

? Child’s Education – Plan Must Start Now

Your daughter is only one now. You have 16-17 years for her graduation. That’s a good window.

Cost of education today is Rs 20-30 lakhs for good colleges. In 15 years, it may become Rs 50 lakhs or more.

You must begin a separate SIP only for her education.

– Start with Rs 5,000 per month now.
– Increase it by 10% yearly as salary increases.
– Use actively managed equity mutual funds.
– Mix large-cap and flexi-cap funds.

This goal is long-term. So, equity is the right tool. Don’t use PPF or LIC for this goal. They give low returns.

Keep her education fund fully in your name and control.

? Retirement Planning – A Big Priority

You are 37 now. You may retire at 60. That gives 23 years of working life.

After that, you may live till age 85 or more. So, retirement may last 25 years. You need a big retirement fund.

Today, your monthly SIP is Rs 14,000. Let us assume that is going for your wealth creation and retirement.

That amount is good. But you should increase it. Try to raise your SIP by Rs 1,000 every year.

Also add more funds as your salary increases.

Include a mix of:

– Large-cap funds
– Multi-cap funds
– Hybrid funds if needed for stability

All in regular plans. Not direct. Not index.

You can also use NPS up to Rs 50,000 per year. That gives tax benefit under 80CCD(1B). But don’t put large part of retirement into NPS. At maturity, you must use part of NPS to buy annuity. That gives poor return. So use NPS only partly.

Use mutual funds for flexibility and growth. A Certified Financial Planner can guide you to balance all tools well.

? Sector Allocation – Where to Invest More?

You should invest based on goals, not sectors.

Don’t chase specific sectors like IT, pharma, or banking. They rise and fall quickly.

Sector funds are risky for long-term goals. They don’t give stable returns.

Instead, use diversified equity funds. These funds invest in good companies across sectors. That reduces risk and gives better balance.

You may use these types of funds:

– Large-cap fund
– Flexi-cap fund
– Aggressive hybrid fund (for part stability)

Each of these will cover various sectors already. No need to select sectors yourself.

Let the fund manager do that job. They are trained experts.

? Health Insurance – Must Check

You have not mentioned health cover. Government job gives some cover. But please confirm:

– Do you have personal family health insurance?
– Does it cover spouse and daughter?

If not, take one now. Minimum Rs 10 lakhs coverage. Premium is low when age is below 40.

Health expenses can destroy savings. Always protect wealth with insurance first.

? Goal-wise Investment Suggestion

– Child education: Start Rs 5,000 SIP now. Increase yearly. Use equity mutual funds.
– Retirement: Continue Rs 14,000. Increase by Rs 1,000 every year. Add NPS partly.
– Emergency: Keep Rs 1 lakh in FD or liquid fund. Build slowly if not yet done.
– LIC: If it’s traditional or ULIP, surrender and move money to mutual funds.
– Avoid sector funds, index funds, direct funds.

Work with a CFP and invest through regular plans with a trusted MFD.

? Finally – What You Should Do Now

– Review LIC policy. Keep only term plan.
– Confirm health cover. Add personal plan if needed.
– Start child education SIP now.
– Increase SIP for retirement slowly each year.
– Use only actively managed mutual funds.
– Avoid sector bets, index funds, and direct funds.
– Maintain emergency fund.
– Track goals yearly with help of Certified Financial Planner.

You are already in a good position. With small changes and regular follow-up, your future can be financially strong.

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 Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

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Hi Sir, Im 36 have 4.5 year old daughter and wife (home maker) i'm earning 1.40 lac monthly have a expanses of 70k including rent, daughter fee (UKG) and car loan. My investment: LIC - 70000 yearly 2037 maturity Lic 90000 yearly (2057 maturity) Max life insurance 3.6lac yearly Daughter SSY- 1.5 lac yearly (since 4 year) SIP - 30000 (monthly) axis bluechip 5k, axis mid cap 5k, axis small cap 5k, icici large 5k, icici prudential mid cap 5k, icici small cap 3k, tata small cap 2k. I want to retire in next 15 years. Please help me if my investment is correct or i need to revisit my investment especially SIP. Or any other suggestions you can provide
Ans: You're demonstrating excellent foresight by planning for your future and your family's financial security. Here's an assessment of your current investments and some suggestions:
1. Retirement Planning:
• Your goal to retire in the next 15 years is ambitious and requires careful financial planning to ensure you achieve your desired lifestyle post-retirement.
• Consider factors such as your desired retirement age, anticipated expenses, inflation, healthcare costs, and potential sources of retirement income.
2. Investment Analysis:
• Your current investment portfolio consists of a mix of life insurance policies, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) for your daughter, and SIPs in various mutual funds.
• Life insurance policies provide financial protection but may have limited investment growth potential compared to other investment options.
3. SIP Review:
• Review your SIP portfolio to ensure alignment with your long-term financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.
• Consider diversifying across different asset classes and fund categories to spread risk and optimize returns.
• Evaluate the performance of individual funds regularly and make adjustments as needed.
4. Asset Allocation:
• Assess your overall asset allocation to ensure a balanced mix of equity, debt, and other investment instruments based on your risk profile and investment objectives.
• Consider increasing exposure to equity for long-term wealth accumulation, but maintain a diversified portfolio to mitigate risk.
5. Emergency Fund:
• Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund to cover unforeseen expenses and mitigate financial risks. Aim to maintain 6-12 months' worth of living expenses in a liquid savings account or short-term investments.
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• Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to conduct a comprehensive financial review and retirement planning assessment.
• They can provide personalized recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances, goals, and risk tolerance.
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• Periodically review your investment portfolio and retirement plan to track progress towards your goals.
• Make adjustments as needed based on changes in income, expenses, market conditions, and personal circumstances.
In summary, while your current investments show prudent planning, it's essential to periodically reassess your financial strategy to ensure it remains aligned with your evolving goals and circumstances. By staying proactive and seeking professional guidance, you can optimize your investments and work towards achieving a comfortable retirement for yourself and your family.

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I'm 39 years old. I've two kids(Elder son & younger daughter), 11yrs and 8yrs. My yearly take home salary is 24lacs. I've a home loan of 26k EMI and still 24.5lacs pending. Current property value is 70lacs. I'm getting rent of 12k from it. I have another property loan (Commercial building loan), EMI of 44lacs pending with EMI of 52.5k. I'm getting rental income of Rs 60k from this. Apart from this I have 10lacs local loan, for which I'm paying 27k everymonth. This local 10lac loan will be over in another 2yrs. I've just started a SIP few months ago for 16k (8k in ICICI thematic FOF & 8k in ICICI multi asset). I'm planning to start another SIP for 19k every month. I plan to afford 20lacs max for each kid for thier education. Also I guess I may need 75lacs for my daughters wedding and 25lacs for my son's wedding. I wish to retire at the age of 50. I also have Term insurance for 1.5crores. Can you please tell whether the SIP of 35k is enough or do I need to invest more every month?. Also can you please suggest category of fund which I have to invest based upon my need and time of requirement.
Ans: Hi,

You should have an emergency fund of 3-6 months worth expenses along with a health insurance as well.

SIP of 35k for 11 years will only give you 1 crore when you turn 50.

You need to invest to your full capacity to achieve an early retirement. Try to invest 50k per month with a step up of 10% to retire at 50.

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Purshotam Lal  | Answer  |Ask -

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I'm 39 years old. I've two kids(Elder son & younger daughter), 11yrs and 8yrs. My yearly take home salary is 24lacs. I've a home loan of 26k EMI and still 24.5lacs pending. Current property value is 70lacs. I'm getting rent of 12k from it. I have another property loan (Commercial building loan), EMI of 44lacs pending with EMI of 52.5k. I'm getting rental income of Rs 60k from this. Apart from this I have 10lacs local loan, for which I'm paying 27k everymonth. This local 10lac loan will be over in another 2yrs. I've just started a SIP few months ago for 16k (8k in ICICI thematic FOF & 8k in ICICI multi asset). I'm planning to start another SIP for 19k every month. I plan to afford 20lacs max for each kid for thier education. Also I guess I may need 75lacs for my daughters wedding and 25lacs for my son's wedding. I wish to retire at the age of 50. I also have Term insurance for 1.5crores. Can you please tell whether the SIP of 35k is enough or do I need to invest more every month?. Also can you please suggest category of fund which I have to invest based upon my need and time of requirement. I also have PF balance of around 16lacs and I contribute around 20k everymonth (EePF+ErPF). I have NPS for 5000/- pension.
Ans: As per the given information, per month available fund for investment is estimated to be Rs 42000 approx., considering household expenses of 40% (Rs 1.088 L) of your gross monthly earnings. Further the marriage cost may rise @ 8% inflation to Rs 277.50 L after 17 Years for daughter and Rs 73.43L for your son after 14 years. Since you wish to retire by age 50, your investments will stop at that age. To provide for that monthly Equity MF SIP of Rs 66K shall be required and 50K Equity MF SIP for Education is required for your daughter & son till your age 50. You currently has an MF SIP of 16K, which is much short of the target per month investment. Your PF balance is likely to accumulate at current interest rate of 8.25% pa with monthly contribution of 20K, to Rs 81 Lakh. Which is also too less for your comfortable retirement. Available options are to think of retirement age of 58 Years and also reduce your monthly household expenses, reduce provision for child marriages and also to increase monthly SIP every year by say 10% as your income rises. It is also suggested to take a good family floater health insurance policy. Good Luck.

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Naveenn Kummar  |234 Answers  |Ask -

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Dear Naveen Sir, I am 55 Years old and have five more years in superannuation. My monthly take home is approx. 6 Lacs PM . I have accumulated 2 Cr. in MF , 1.5 Cr in PF , 1 Cr FD and NPS and LIC put all together will be approx 50 Lacs and payout will start from 2028 onwards. I have just booked one 4 BHK and take home loan which is construction linked plan . Possession will be in 2029. My Daughter and Son are on Marriage age but both are also earning handsomely as they are in 30% bracket of IT . Have parental property approx 1.5 Cr which i will get in due course of the time. Monthly expenses are approx 1 Lacs only . Please suggest the way forward for next 5 Years .....how and where i start investing ....
Ans: Dear Sir
For a comprehensive QPFP level financial planning and retirement assessment we request the following details. These inputs will allow financial planner to prepare an accurate inflation-adjusted roadmap covering risk protection, income stability, investment strategy and long-term financial security.
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1. Personal and Family Details
Your age and planned retirement year.
Spouse’s age, working status and future income expectations.
Number of dependents and their financial reliance on you.
Any major medical conditions in the family.
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Monthly financial support you provide to them if any.
Expected future medical or caretaker expenses.
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Only Once you share these details, financial planner can prepare a complete five year roadmap covering asset allocation, inflation-adjusted corpus projections, loan strategy, insurance adequacy, medical preparedness, pension and SWP planning, liquidity management and post-retirement income stability.


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The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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Im aged 40 years and my husband is aged 48 years. We have one son aged 8 years and daughter aged 12 years. We both are in business. What should be the ideal corpus to meet their education at the age of 18 years for both children? Present business income we can save Rs.50000 pm
Ans: You are thinking early. That itself is a smart step. Many parents postpone planning and later struggle with loans. You are not in that situation. So appreciate your approach.

You asked about ideal corpus for higher education. Education cost is rising fast. So planning early avoids financial pressure later.

You have two kids. Your daughter is 12. Your son is 8. You have around six years for your daughter and around ten years for your son. With this time frame, you need a proper structured plan.

» Understanding Future Education Cost

Education inflation in India is high. It is increasing year after year. Even professional courses are becoming costly. College fees, hostel fees, books, digital tools and transportation also add cost.

You need to consider this inflation. Higher education cost will not remain at today’s value. It will grow.

So if today a standard undergraduate program costs around a few lakhs, in six to ten years the cost may go much higher. That is why estimating corpus should consider this future cost.

You don’t need exact numbers today. You need a target range to plan. A comfortable range gives clarity.

» Typical Cost Structure for Higher Education

Higher education cost depends on:

– Private or government institution
– Course type
– City or abroad option
– Duration

For engineering, medical, management or technology courses, cost goes higher. For government colleges the cost is lower but seats are limited. Private colleges are more accessible but expensive.

So planning based only on government college assumption may create funding gaps. Planning based on private college range gives safer margin.

» Suggested Corpus for Both Children

For your daughter, considering next six years gap and inflation, a target range should be higher. For your son, you have more time. So his corpus can grow better because compounding works more with time.

For a comfortable education corpus that covers most course possibilities, many families plan for a higher number. It gives flexibility to choose better college without stress.

So you can aim for a larger goal for both children like this:

– Daughter: Target a strong education fund for next six years
– Son: Target a similar or slightly higher fund for the next ten years because future costs may be higher

You may not need the whole amount if your child chooses a less expensive route. But having extra cushion gives peace.

» Your Savings Ability

You mentioned you can save Rs.50000 monthly. That is a strong saving capacity. But this saving should not go entirely to a single goal. You will also need future retirement planning, emergency fund and other life goals.

Still, a reasonable portion of this amount can be allocated towards education planning. Some families divide savings based on urgency and time horizon. Since daughter’s goal is near, she may need a more stable allocation.

Your son’s goal is long term. So his part can stay in growth asset for longer.

» Choosing the Right Investment Style

A long term goal like your son’s education needs equity exposure. Equity gives better potential for long term growth. It beats inflation better than fixed deposits.

But for your daughter, pure equity can create risk because goal is nearer. Market fluctuations may affect final corpus. So she needs a balanced asset mix.

So investment approach must be different for both.

» Asset Allocation Strategy

For your daughter with six year horizon:

– Higher allocation to a balanced type category
– Some allocation to equity through diversified categories
– Step down equity allocation in final three years

This structure protects capital in later years.

For your son with ten year horizon:

– Higher equity allocation at start
– Continue systematic investing
– Reduce risk allocation gradually closer to goal period

This helps growth and protection.

» Avoiding Wrong Investment Products

Parents often buy traditional insurance plans or children policies for education. These policies give low returns. They lock money and reduce wealth creation potential.

So avoid purely insurance based products for education goals. Insurance is separate. Investment is separate. This separation creates clarity and better growth.

If you already hold any ULIP or investment insurance product, it may not be efficient. Only if you have such policies then you may review and consider if surrender is needed and reinvest in mutual funds. If you don’t have such policies, no need to worry.

» Role of Actively Managed Mutual Funds

For long term goals, actively managed mutual funds offer better flexibility and expert management. They are designed to outperform inflation. A regular plan through a mutual fund distributor with CFP support helps with guidance. They also track your goal and give advice in volatile phases.

Direct funds look cheaper on expense ratio. But they lack advisory support. Long term investors often make emotional mistakes in direct investing. They stop SIPs or switch wrong schemes. So advisory backed investing avoids costly behaviour mistakes.

Index funds look simple and low cost. But they only follow the market. They don’t protect during corrections. There is no strategy or research. Actively managed funds adjust holdings based on market research and valuation. For life goals like education, smoother growth and strategy are needed.

So regular plan with advisory support helps you avoid unnecessary emotional decisions.

» Importance of Systematic Investing

A fixed monthly SIP gives discipline. It also benefits from market volatility. When markets fall, SIP buys more units. In rise phase, the value grows.

A structured SIP helps both goals. For daughter, SIP should shift towards low volatility funds slowly. For son, SIP can run longer in growth-oriented funds before reducing risk.

Your contribution amount may change based on future business income. But start now with whatever comfortable.

» Protecting the Goal With Insurance

Since you both are running business, income stability may fluctuate. So ensuring life security is important. Term insurance is the right option. It is low cost and high coverage.

This ensures child’s education is protected even if income stops.

Medical insurance also matters. A medical emergency should not break education savings.

» Reviewing the Plan Periodically

A fixed plan is good. But markets and life conditions change. So review once every twelve months.

Points to review:

– Are SIPs running on time?
– Is allocation suitable for goal year?
– Any need to shift from equity to safer category?
– Any tax planning advantage needed?

But avoid checking portfolio every week. Frequent checking creates stress.

» Education Goal Withdrawal Plan

As the daughter’s goal comes close:

– Stop SIP in high risk category
– Start shifting profit to debt type fund over systematic transfers
– Keep final year money in safe option like liquid category

Same formula should be applied for your son when his goal approaches.

This protects against last minute market crash.

» Emotional Side of Planning

Education is an emotional goal. Parents feel pressure to provide the best. But planning removes fear.

Saving consistently gives confidence. Having a plan helps avoid panic decisions. It also brings clarity of future expense.

This planning sets financial discipline for your children as well.

» Taxation Factors

When redeeming funds for education, tax rules will apply. For equity fund withdrawals, long term capital gains above exemption are taxed at 12.5% as per current rules. For short term within one year, tax is higher.

For debt investments, gains are taxed as per your tax slab.

So plan the withdrawal timing to reduce tax.

Tax planning near goal year is very important.

» What You Can Do Next

– Start separate investments for each child
– Use SIP for disciplined investing
– Choose growth-oriented asset for son
– Choose balanced and phased investment approach for daughter
– Review allocation yearly
– Protect the goal with insurance cover

Following these steps helps achieve the target corpus smoothly.

» Finally

You are already thinking in the right direction. You have time for both goals. You also have a good saving frequency. So you can build a strong education fund without stress.

Your children’s future will be secure if you continue with a structured and disciplined plan.

Stay consistent with your savings. Make investment choices carefully. Review and adjust calmly over time.

This journey will help you reach your ideal corpus for both children.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 09, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, Regarding recent turmoils in global economic situation and trends, Trump's tariffs, relentless FII selling, should I be worried about midcap, large&midcap funds that I have in my mutual fund portfolio? I have been investing from last 4 years and want to invest for next 10 years only. And then plan to retire and move to SWP. I'm targeting a 10%-11% return eventually. And I don't want to make lower returns than FD's. Is now the time to switch from midcap, laege&midcap to conservative, large, flexi funds? Please suggest.
Ans: You have asked the right question at the right time. Many investors panic only after damage happens. You are thinking ahead. That is a strong habit.

You also have clarity about your goal, time horizon and expected returns. This mindset will help you handle market noise better.

» Current Market Sentiment and Global Events
The global economy is seeing stress. There are trade decisions, tariff announcements, and geopolitical issues. Foreign institutional investors are selling. News flow looks negative.
These events can cause short term volatility. Midcaps and small caps usually react faster during these phases. Even large caps show some stress.
But markets have seen many crises in the past. Elections, governments, conflicts, pandemics, financial crashes and tariff wars are not new events. Markets always recover over time.
Short term movements are unpredictable. Long term wealth creation depends more on patience and asset allocation.

» Your Time Horizon Matters More Than Market Noise
You have been investing for 4 years. You plan to invest for the next 10 years. That means your remaining maturity is long term.
For a 10 year goal, equity is suitable. Midcap and large and midcap funds are designed for long term investors. They are not meant for short periods.
If your time horizon is short, it is valid to worry about downside risk. But with 10 more years ahead, temporary volatility is normal and expected.
Short term fear should not drive long term decisions.

» Should You Switch to Conservative or Large Cap Now?
Switching based on panic or temporary news is not ideal. When you switch now, you lock the current lower value permanently. You also miss the recovery phase.
Large cap and flexi cap funds offer stability. But they also deliver lower growth potential during bull runs compared to midcaps.
Midcaps usually fall deeper when markets drop. But they also recover faster and often outperform in the next cycle.
Switching now may protect emotions but may reduce long term wealth creation.

» Target Return of 10% to 11% is Reasonable
Aiming for 10%-11% return with a 10 year investment horizon is realistic.
Fixed deposits now offer around 6.5% to 7.5%. After tax, the return becomes lower.
Equity funds have potential to generate better returns compared to FD over a long tenure. Midcap allocation contributes to this return potential.
So moving fully to conservative funds may reduce your ability to beat inflation comfortably.

» Impact of FII Selling
FII selling creates pressure on the market. But domestic investors including SIP flows are strong today. India is seeing strong structural growth.
Retail investors, mutual funds and systematic flows act as stabilizers.
FII selling is temporary and cyclical. It is not a permanent trend.

» Economic Slowdowns Create Opportunities
Corrections make valuations reasonable. This can benefit long term SIP investors.
During downturns, your SIP buys more units. During recovery, these units grow.
This mechanism works best in volatile categories like midcaps.
Stopping SIP or switching during dips blocks this benefit.

» Midcap Cycles Are Natural
Midcap funds move in cycles. They have phases of strong growth followed by correction. The correction phase is painful but temporary.
Every cycle contributes to future upside. Staying invested during all phases is important.
Many investors exit during downturns and enter again after markets rise. This behaviour produces lower returns than the mutual fund performance.

» Role of Portfolio Balance
Instead of exiting fully, review your asset allocation. You can hold a mix of:
– Large cap
– Flexi cap
– Midcap
– Large and midcap
This gives stability and growth potential.
Midcap should not be more than a suitable percentage for your age and risk tolerance. Since you are 36, some meaningful midcap exposure is fine.
If midcap exposure is very high, you can reduce slightly and move that portion to flexi cap or large cap funds slowly through a systematic transfer. Do not do a lump sum shift during panic.

» Behavioural Discipline Matters More Than Fund Selection
Market cycles test investor patience. Consistency in SIP and holding through declines builds wealth.
Most investors do not fail due to bad funds. They fail due to fear-based decisions.
Your approach should be systematic, not emotional.

» Do Not Compare with FD Frequently
FD gives predictable return. Equity gives volatile but higher potential return.
Comparing FD returns every time the market falls leads to wrong decisions.
FD is for safety. Equity is for growth. They serve different purposes.
Your retirement plan and SWP plan depends on growth. Only equity can provide that growth.

» Should You Change Strategy Because Retirement is 10 Years Away?
Now is not the time to exit growth segments. You are still in accumulation phase.
When you reach the last 3 years before retirement, then reducing equity exposure step by step is required.
At that stage, a glide path helps preserve gains. That time has not yet come.
So continue building wealth now.

» Market Timings and Shifts Rarely Work
Many investors try to predict markets. Most of them fail.
Switching based on news looks logical. But news and market timing rarely align.
Staying consistent with your asset allocation gives better results than frequent changes.

» Portfolio Review Approach
You can follow these steps:
– Continue SIPs in all categories
– Avoid stopping based on short term fears
– If midcap allocation is above comfort level, shift only small portion gradually
– Review allocation once in a year, not every month
This structured approach prevents emotional decisions.

» Tax Rules Matter When Switching
Switching between equity funds involves tax impact.
Short term capital gains tax is higher.
Long term capital gains above the exemption limit are taxed at 12.5%.
Switching without purpose can create avoidable tax leakage.
This reduces your compounding.

» When to Worry?
You need to reconsider only if:
– Your goal horizon becomes short
– Your risk appetite changes
– Your allocation becomes unbalanced
Not because of headlines or temporary corrections.

» Your Retirement SWP Plan
Once your accumulation phase is completed, you can shift to:
– Conservative hybrid
– Flexi cap
– Balanced allocation
This will support a smoother SWP.
But this transition should happen only closer to the retirement start date. Not now.

» SIP is Designed for Turbulent Years
SIP works best when markets are volatile. The hardest years for emotions are the most powerful for compounding.
Your long term discipline is your strategy.
Do not interrupt it.

» What You Should Do Now
– Stay invested
– Continue SIP
– Avoid panic selling
– Review allocation once a year
– Use a steady plan, not reactions
This will help you reach your target return range.

» Finally
You are on the right path. The current volatility is temporary. Your 10 year horizon gives enough time for recovery and growth.
Switching right now based on fear may reduce your future returns. Staying invested and continuing SIPs is the sensible approach.
Your goal of better return than FD is realistic. Equity can deliver that with patience.
Stay calm and systematic.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |6740 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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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