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38, Swedish Dad: How to best boost my SIPs from 17k to 50k?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 02, 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
Tushar Question by Tushar on May 16, 2025Hindi
Money

Hello Sir, I am 38 years old and my wife is 37. We have 2 kids (1 boy 9 yr, 2nd boy 3 yr). My current investments are as below: I am swedish citizen, so I will always have to pay 30% tax on any profit as per sweden rules (If i pay 10% LTCG in india, then I have to pay remaining 20% in Sweden). Monthly in hand salary : 3L INR Home Loan : 75L (60L remaining) 75000/month EMI, loan will finish in next 6 years. Birla Sun life Classic Life Plan (Started Feb 2011, for kids education): Quarterly 15000 Aegon Life Guaranteed Income Advantage Insurance Plan (started Jan 2018, for kids education) : Yearly 97000 SIPs : (All Direct Growth) Parag Parikh flexi cap : 3000 Axis bluechip : 3000 Axis smallcap : 2000 Nippon smallcap : 5000 Tata Digital India : 1500 Mirae LArgecap & Midcap Fund : 2500 Total : 17000/month Question 1: I have capacity and want to increase my SIPs to 50000/month. Can you please help me with financial planning and review SIP portfolio and guide on which ones I can keep and which ones to replace by what fund, and which ones to increase sip amount. My risk capacity is medium to higher. My recent interest of funds are momentum fund, PSU fund, defense fund.

Ans: You are already moving in the right direction.

Your structured approach and commitment to family goals are truly appreciated.

Let’s now build a 360-degree financial roadmap for you and your family.

We will review your existing SIPs, identify gaps, and plan for your future goals.

Your medium to high risk profile allows better flexibility in portfolio construction.

Understanding Your Financial Position

Your monthly income is Rs 3 lakhs.

Home loan EMI is Rs 75,000, and the loan will close in 6 years.

You currently invest Rs 17,000 per month via SIPs.

You have two insurance-cum-investment policies.

You want to increase your SIPs to Rs 50,000 per month.

Your investment interest is in momentum, PSU, and defense-related funds.

You are a Swedish citizen, and subject to 30% tax on capital gains globally.

Existing SIP Portfolio – Detailed Assessment

Let’s review each SIP with a focus on performance and relevance to your goals.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund – A well-diversified, stable long-term option.

Axis Bluechip Fund – Inconsistent performance recently. You may consider exiting it.

Axis Small Cap Fund – Has shown good growth. Volatile but suitable for higher risk appetite.

Nippon India Small Cap Fund – Aggressive fund, good past performance. Suitable for long term.

Tata Digital India Fund – Sector-specific. Good in bull phases, but high risk due to concentration.

Mirae Asset Large & Midcap Fund – Balanced option with strong historical performance.

Insurance-Cum-Investment Policies – Need Re-evaluation

You are paying premiums for two policies:

Birla Sun Life Classic Life Plan – Started in 2011. Returns from such plans are often lower.

Aegon Guaranteed Income Plan – Likely gives low returns and limited flexibility.

Insurance policies with investment features often provide poor growth.

They also lock your money for long periods.

Consider surrendering these policies.

Reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

It will offer better growth potential and liquidity.

Direct Funds – Should You Continue?

Currently, you invest in direct mutual funds.

These funds seem cheaper, but they lack personalised advice.

You are on your own to review and rebalance regularly.

Also, direct funds don't offer emotional coaching during market corrections.

A Certified Financial Planner can guide you better with regular funds.

You get tailored advice and better investment discipline.

Better investment decisions matter more than lower expense ratios.

Consider moving from direct funds to regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

Important Note on Index Funds and ETFs

Though many investors talk about index funds, they are not ideal for all.

They just copy an index. No professional decision-making happens.

They don’t adapt to changing market conditions.

Actively managed funds offer better flexibility.

Fund managers adjust holdings based on opportunities and risks.

In your case, active funds suit better than index funds or ETFs.

Your goals need smarter allocation, not just cheaper options.

Optimised SIP Plan – Suggested Allocation (Total Rs 50,000/Month)

Here is a recommended structure for your new SIP amount:

Rs 10,000 – Diversified Flexi Cap Fund (keep Parag Parikh or another strong one)

Rs 10,000 – Actively Managed Large Cap Fund (replace Axis Bluechip)

Rs 7,500 – Axis Small Cap Fund

Rs 7,500 – Nippon India Small Cap Fund

Rs 5,000 – Mirae Asset Large & Midcap Fund

Rs 5,000 – Sectoral/Theme Fund (Digital, PSU, or Defense – limit exposure)

Keep thematic funds under 10-15% of your total SIP.

Children’s Education Planning

You are already investing with children’s education in mind.

But current insurance-based plans may not offer enough returns.

SIPs in equity mutual funds, through regular plans with expert guidance, work better.

Build two separate mutual fund goals – one for each child.

Choose funds based on goal duration and risk comfort.

Review these every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Home Loan Strategy

You have Rs 60 lakhs outstanding on home loan.

Loan will end in 6 years.

You are managing the EMI well.

Avoid using extra funds to prepay aggressively.

Instead, invest surplus in mutual funds for better wealth creation.

Use SIPs to grow your corpus faster than loan savings.

Let compounding work for you.

Taxation – India vs Sweden

As a Swedish citizen, your global capital gains are taxed at 30%.

If you pay 10% or 12.5% tax in India, the balance 17.5% or 20% is payable in Sweden.

Be aware of the new mutual fund taxation rules in India:

Equity mutual funds: LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

Equity mutual funds: STCG taxed at 20%.

Debt mutual funds: Taxed as per your income slab.

To reduce tax impact, use long-term equity funds.

Avoid short-term exits unless really needed.

Also, use goal-based withdrawals for better control on taxation.

Emergency Fund and Insurance Review

Build an emergency fund equal to 6 months' expenses.

Keep it in liquid mutual funds or savings account.

Ensure you have term life insurance and health insurance.

Your family’s protection must not be compromised.

Do not mix insurance and investment going forward.

Keep them separate for better clarity and performance.

Goal-Based Planning – Create Clear Buckets

Define your key life goals and link investments to each.

Create separate buckets like:

Children’s higher education (10 to 15 years away)

Retirement (20+ years)

Family corpus for emergencies

Overseas visits or lifestyle goals (if any)

This clarity will give direction and reduce confusion.

Also, rebalancing becomes easier every year.

Discipline and Review – Key to Wealth Creation

Start and maintain your SIPs with discipline.

Review your portfolio every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Make adjustments based on fund performance, market cycle, and goal changes.

Avoid frequent switching or chasing returns.

Follow a consistent approach.

This will help your money grow steadily.

Your Interest in Momentum, PSU and Defense Funds

These themes are cyclical and high-risk.

Keep your exposure limited to 10-15% of the total SIP.

Do not over-allocate even if returns look attractive.

Themes can underperform suddenly.

Have patience and diversify with core mutual funds.

Let theme-based funds be supporting characters, not the lead.

Finally

You are financially stable and willing to grow your wealth smartly.

You have a strong income and a long-term mindset.

With expert help from a Certified Financial Planner and proper planning, you can achieve all goals.

Review insurance policies, shift to mutual funds, and increase SIPs wisely.

Avoid direct and index funds. Focus on active funds with professional advice.

Stay invested for the long term with discipline and proper tracking.

Your children’s education, your own retirement, and other family goals will be secured.

You are building a strong foundation. Keep moving forward step by step.

Wishing you wealth, wisdom, and well-being.

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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Omkeshwar

Omkeshwar Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Head, Rank MF - Answered on Aug 11, 2021

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Below is my portfolio. Would highly appreciate if you can suggest if it is good or any changes required? Total current investment in SIP is Rs 12,000 (Which now I want to make it Rs 15K) kindly advise a good additional SIP for investing 3K monthly. Also let me know if the MF in lump sum are good? Or any changes required. I am now 45 years of age and my total savings as of date is Rs 13 Lacs only. Kindly advise how much more investment would I have to make to collect a good amount for my son's education and retirement - I have 2 son's aged 12 and 8. My current salary is Rs 1.5 Lacs and wife is also working with a salary of 30 K. Also I keep breaking SIP and lumpsum in between for emergency use. Let me know if that will affect my long terms plans of collecting funds SIPs: NAME OF MUTUAL FUND AMT INVESTED PER MONTH - (LONG TERM) Axis Focused 25 - Growth - RS - 2,OOO /- ICICI Prudential Focused Equity - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- HDFC Top 100 - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- Kotak Standard Multicap Fund - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- L&T Midcap - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- LUMPSUM NAME OF MUTUAL FUND AMT INVESTED LUMPSUM - (LONG TERM) DSP Focus - Growth RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) ICICI Pru Long Term Eq Fund ( Tax Sav) - Growth RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) Kotak Bluechip Fund - Growth RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) Nippon India DYNAMIC BOND FUND - Growth Plan RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) Mirae Asset Focused Fund - Growth RS - 50K (INVESTED IN AUG 2019) Mirae Asset Midcap Fund - Growth RS - 25K (INVESTED IN AUG 2019)
Ans: Prudent approach is to have the family covered for medical and life with pure insurance product.

Post that, create a corpus for emergency fund that should be 6 month of monthly expenses.

Only post that investment is recommended.

Depending upon your cash flows, mode of investment can be SIPs or lumpsums; however, SIPs are recommended.

Existing funds are okay; for further investment Axis ESG Equity Fund – Growth or UTI Flexi Cap fund – Growth can be considered

..Read more

Omkeshwar

Omkeshwar Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Head, Rank MF - Answered on Dec 28, 2021

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Below is my portfolio. I would highly appreciate if you can suggest if it is good or any changes are required. The total current investment in SIP is Rs 12,000 (which now I want to make Rs 15,000). Kindly advise a good additional SIP for investing Rs 3,000 monthly. Also let me know if lumpsum investment in MFs is good or any changes are required. I am now 45 years of age and my total savings as of date is Rs 13 lakhs only. Kindly advise how much more investment I would have to make to collect a good amount for my sons' education and retirement. I have two sons aged 12 and eight. My current salary is Rs 1.5 lakhs and my wife is also working with a salary of Rs 30,000. Also I keep breaking my SIP and lumpsum investment in between for emergency use. Please do let me know if that will affect my long term plan of collecting funds. My SIPs are: Mutual Funds Plan Amt invested per month (long term) Axis Focused 25 Growth Rs 2,000 ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Growth Rs 2,000 Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Regular Growth Rs 3,000 Kotak Standard Multicap Fund Growth Rs 2,000 L&T Midcap Growth Rs 2,000 Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 Growth Rs 2,000 I have lumpsum investment in: Mutual Funds Plan Amt Invested (long term) DSP Focus Growth Rs 1 lakh (invested in April 2016) ICICI Pru Long Term Equity Fund (Tax Saver) Growth Rs 1 lakh (invested in April 2016) Kotak Bluechip Fund Growth Rs 1 lakh (invested in April 2016) Nippon India Dynamic Bond Fund Growth Rs 1 lakh (invested in April 2016) Mirae Asset Focused Fund Growth Rs 50,000 (invested in April 2019) Mirae Asset Midcap Fund Growth Rs 25,000 (invested in April 2019)
Ans: These are good funds, please continue.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 17, 2024

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 23, 2024

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Hello Sir, I am 38 years old and my wife is 37. We have 2 kids (1 boy 9 yr, 2nd boy 3 yr). My current investments are as below: I am swedish citizen, so I will always have to pay 30% tax on any profit as per sweden rules (If i pay 10% LTCG in india, then I have to pay remaining 20% in Sweden). Monthly in hand salary : 3L INR Home Loan : 75L (60L remaining) 75000/month EMI, loan will finish in next 6 years. Birla Sun life Classic Life Plan (Started Feb 2011, for kids education): Quarterly 15000 Aegon Life Guaranteed Income Advantage Insurance Plan (started Jan 2018, for kids education) : Yearly 97000 SIPs : (All Direct Growth) Parag Parikh flexi cap : 3000 Axis bluechip : 3000 Axis smallcap : 2000 Nippon smallcap : 5000 Tata Digital India : 1500 Mirae LArgecap & Midcap Fund : 2500 Total : 17000/month Question 1: I have capacity and want to increase my SIPs to 50000/month. Can you please help me with financial planning and review SIP portfolio and guide on which ones I can keep and which ones to replace by what fund, and which ones to increase sip amount. My risk capacity is medium to higher. Question 2: I dont have any medical insurance in India for any of my family member. However I plan to return to India in few years, may be 5-6 years. Can you guide me if I should buy medical insurance for all 4 of us already now or just 1/2 years before moving to India.
Ans: Your current investment portfolio shows a good start, but there is room for improvement. Given your capacity to increase your SIPs to ?50,000 per month, we can optimize your investments to better suit your medium to higher risk tolerance. Let’s review and enhance your portfolio.

SIP Portfolio Assessment
Your SIPs are diversified, but there are areas to refine for better performance.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: This is a well-diversified fund. Keeping it is beneficial due to its flexibility across market capitalizations.

Axis Bluechip Fund: Bluechip funds are generally stable. This can be retained for consistent growth.

Axis Smallcap Fund and Nippon Smallcap Fund: Smallcap funds have higher growth potential but are volatile. Consider consolidating into one smallcap fund to avoid overexposure.

Tata Digital India Fund: Sectoral funds can be risky due to concentration in one sector. You might want to reduce or diversify away from this.

Mirae Largecap & Midcap Fund: This provides a balanced exposure. It’s good to maintain for growth and stability.

Recommendations for SIP Adjustments
To align your portfolio with your risk tolerance and increase your SIPs:

Consolidate Smallcap Funds: Merge Axis Smallcap and Nippon Smallcap into one fund. Choose the one with better past performance and management efficiency.

Increase SIP Amounts: Increase SIP amounts in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap and Mirae Largecap & Midcap funds. These funds provide good diversification and potential for steady returns.

Add a Diversified Equity Fund: Consider adding a diversified equity fund. Actively managed funds often outperform index funds, providing better returns through expert fund management.

Review Sectoral Exposure: Evaluate the allocation in Tata Digital India. If it’s too concentrated, redistribute to more balanced funds.

Insurance Planning
Medical insurance is crucial for financial security, especially as you plan to return to India. Here's how you should approach it:

Buying Medical Insurance Now vs Later
Immediate Purchase: Buying medical insurance now ensures coverage during visits to India. It also locks in premiums at a younger age, potentially saving costs.

Before Moving: If you prefer waiting, plan to buy insurance 1-2 years before moving. This allows time to understand policies and ensure coverage starts smoothly.

Family Coverage
Family Floater Plans: Consider family floater plans that cover all members. This is often cost-effective and ensures comprehensive protection.

Critical Illness Cover: Adding critical illness cover provides extra security against severe health issues. This can be crucial given the rising healthcare costs.

Tax Considerations
As a Swedish citizen, you face higher tax implications on investments. It’s essential to consider tax-efficient strategies:

Tax-efficient Funds: Opt for funds with lower turnover rates to minimize taxable events. Actively managed funds often strategically manage tax liabilities.

Long-term Investments: Focus on long-term investments to benefit from lower Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rates. Ensure compliance with both Indian and Swedish tax laws to avoid double taxation.

Future Financial Goals
Given your medium to high-risk capacity, your investment strategy should aim for growth while balancing risk. Here's a holistic approach:

Children’s Education: Ensure your insurance plans align with your goals for children’s education. Continue with the Birla Sun Life and Aegon Life plans if they meet your expectations.

Home Loan Management: Continue managing your home loan efficiently. Early repayments can reduce interest costs, but ensure it doesn’t strain your liquidity.

Conclusion
Your financial strategy should blend growth and safety. Optimizing your SIP portfolio and securing medical insurance ensures a robust financial future.

Remember, actively managed funds can outperform index funds through strategic management, offering better growth. Consolidate your smallcap investments, increase SIPs in diversified funds, and consider tax-efficient options.

For medical insurance, early purchase provides better rates and immediate coverage. Family floater plans and critical illness cover offer comprehensive protection.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |417 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Sep 17, 2025

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Hello Sir, I am 38 years old and my wife is 37. We have 2 kids (1 boy 9 yr, 2nd boy 3 yr). My current investments are as below: I am swedish citizen, so I will always have to pay 30% tax on any profit as per sweden rules (If i pay 10% LTCG in india, then I have to pay remaining 20% in Sweden). Monthly in hand salary : 3L INR Home Loan : 75L (60L remaining) 75000/month EMI, loan will finish in next 6 years. Birla Sun life Classic Life Plan (Started Feb 2011, for kids education): Quarterly 15000 Aegon Life Guaranteed Income Advantage Insurance Plan (started Jan 2018, for kids education) : Yearly 97000 SIPs : (All Direct Growth) Parag Parikh flexi cap : 3000 Axis bluechip : 3000 Axis smallcap : 2000 Nippon smallcap : 5000 Tata Digital India : 1500 Mirae LArgecap & Midcap Fund : 2500 Total : 17000/month Question 1: I have capacity and want to increase my SIPs to 50000/month. Can you please help me with financial planning and review SIP portfolio and guide on which ones I can keep and which ones to replace by what fund, and which ones to increase sip amount. My risk capacity is medium to higher. My recent interest of funds are momentum fund, PSU fund, defense fund. Also, since I live in Sweden with swedish citizenship, can you please guide me if i should buy health insurance for me and my wife already now if i plan to move to india in 3-5 years or should wait.
Ans: Hi Tushar,

Let us go through your details one thing at a time:

1. Birla Fund for kids education - these plans often provide less returns. As it has been 14 years already, no point in surrendering. Continue with this but do check annualized return for buying any such plan in future.

2. Aegon Life Plan - similar to the above plan. not recommended due to lower XIRR but no use in surrendering after 8 years.

3. SIPs - overall amount dedicated to this is less than it should be. and the overall allocation looks too overlapped. while all direct growth plans are known for their lesser expense ratio but a portfolio like this actually lowers the overall performance than what a suggested regular plan would have given. Suggest you to actually consult a professional so that the mistake and reallocation can be rectified at an early stage.

4. Increasing SIP to 50,000 is a very good idea. You can split it into a mix of equity and hybrid funds. Take a professional's help and then do the same.

5. Momentum fund is one fund which is good to go with. Avoid other sectoral funds.

6. If you are planning to move to India, it is better to go for an insurance now rather than later. As early age usually comes with lower health issues, easy policy issuance and lower premiums. Go for it. Do check the settlement ratio of the policy before buying one. Better the number, go for it. Also avoid choosing any co-payment and deductible clause.

Overall suggestion to you - kindly consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, goals, requirements and risk profile.

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

..Read more

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10852 Answers  |Ask -

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Hello, I’m a student who recently joined the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita University. I’m aiming for a strong academic foundation and a clear career path. Could you please guide me on the following: How good is this course for research careers or higher studies (IISc, IITs, abroad)? What are the placement prospects after Integrated M.Sc Physics at Amrita? Does the program help in preparing for alternate options like UPSC, CDS/AFCAT, or technical roles? What skills (coding, research projects, certifications) should I start early to make the most of this degree?
Ans: Sree, Program Overview and Academic Foundation: Congratulations on joining the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita University. This five-year integrated program represents a rigorous pathway designed to equip you with advanced theoretical and experimental physics knowledge combined with cutting-edge scientific computing skills. The curriculum uniquely integrates a minor in Scientific Computing, which adds substantial computational capability to your profile—a critical advantage in today's research and professional landscape. The program incorporates comprehensive coursework spanning classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, advanced laboratory work, and specialized topics in materials physics, optoelectronics, and computational methods, positioning you excellently for both research and professional careers.
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Essential Skills and Certifications to Develop Immediately: Programming Languages: Start learning Python immediately—it's universally used in research and industry. Dedicate 2-3 hours weekly to data analysis, scientific computing libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas), and machine learning fundamentals. MATLAB is equally critical for physics applications, particularly numerical simulations and data visualization. Aim to complete MATLAB certification courses within your first year.
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Certifications Worth Pursuing: (1) MATLAB Certification (DIYguru or MathWorks official courses) (2) Python for Data Science (complete certificate programs from platforms like Coursera) (3) Machine Learning Fundamentals (for expanding technical versatility) & (4) Scientific Communication and Technical Writing (develop through departmental workshops)
Strategic Internship Planning: Leverage Amrita's research connections systematically. In your third year, apply to BARC Summer Internship, IISER Internships, TIFR Summer Fellowships, and IIT Internship programs (like IIT Kanpur SURGE). These expose you to frontier research while establishing connections for future PhD or scientist recruitment. Target 2-3 research internships across different specializations to develop versatility.

TO SUM UP, Your Integrated M.Sc Physics degree from Amrita positions you exceptionally well for competitive research careers at IISc/IITs, prestigious government scientist roles at BARC/DRDO/ISRO, and international PhD opportunities. The program's scientific computing emphasis differentiates you in the job market. Immediate priorities: (1) Master Python and MATLAB within the first two years; (2) Engage in research projects starting year 2-3; (3) Target internships at premiere research institutions; (4) Prepare GATE while completing your degree for maximum flexibility in recruitment; (5) Consider UGC-NET for long-term academic stability. Your career trajectory will ultimately depend on developing strong research fundamentals, demonstrating consistent excellence in specialization areas, and strategically selecting internship and research opportunities. The rigorous Amrita program combined with disciplined skill development positions you for exceptional career success across multiple sectors. Choose the most suitable option for you out of the various options available mentioned above. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Asked on - Dec 07, 2025 | Answered on Dec 07, 2025
Thankyou
Ans: Welcome Sree.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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