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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2024

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 - Apr 29, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir I am 43 and from 2017 monthly invested sbi mf 5000 Kotak small cap fund 2500 mirae asset elss 2500 icic pru 2500 and sbi blue chip 1500.. currenly hve salary 1.35 lakh and have obligation of Rs 55 k monthly.. ppf 10000 monthly invest and 5000 nps investment if you suggest better please guid future gol of monthly 1.50 lkh

Ans: Your consistent monthly investments since 2017 reflect admirable financial discipline. Let's review your current investments and suggest potential adjustments to align with your future goals.

Review of Current Investments
1. SBI MF Monthly Investment:

Allocation: ?5,000 monthly.
Assessment: SBI Bluechip Fund may offer stability and consistent returns, suitable for long-term wealth creation.
2. Kotak Small Cap Fund:

Allocation: ?2,500 monthly.
Assessment: Small cap funds offer high growth potential but come with higher risk due to volatility.
3. Mirae Asset ELSS:

Allocation: ?2,500 monthly.
Assessment: ELSS funds provide tax benefits with potential for equity market growth. Suitable for long-term goals.
4. ICICI Pru Fund:

Allocation: ?2,500 monthly.
Assessment: Depending on the specific fund, ICICI Pru offers a range of options catering to different risk profiles.
5. SBI Blue Chip Fund:

Allocation: ?1,500 monthly.
Assessment: Provides exposure to bluechip companies, offering stability and steady returns.
6. PPF and NPS Investments:

Allocation: ?10,000 in PPF and ?5,000 in NPS monthly.
Assessment: PPF and NPS offer tax benefits and retirement savings, contributing to long-term financial security.
Potential Adjustments and Suggestions
1. Review of Existing Funds:

Performance Check: Evaluate the performance of your current funds against benchmarks and peers.
Risk Assessment: Consider your risk tolerance and investment horizon when assessing the suitability of each fund.
2. Optimal Allocation:

Strategic Rebalancing: Consider rebalancing your portfolio to align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Diversification: Aim for a well-diversified portfolio across asset classes and investment styles.
3. Additional Investments:

Increase Monthly Contributions: Since you aim to increase your monthly investment to ?1.50 lakh, consider allocating the additional funds strategically.
Asset Allocation: Ensure a balanced allocation across equity, debt, and other asset classes based on your risk profile and financial goals.
4. Professional Guidance:

Engage a Certified Financial Planner (CFP): Seek personalized advice from a CFP to optimize your portfolio and ensure it aligns with your long-term objectives.
Financial Planning: A CFP can help create a comprehensive financial plan considering your income, expenses, goals, and risk tolerance.
Final Thoughts
Your current investment strategy demonstrates a commitment to long-term wealth creation and financial security. To optimize your portfolio for your future goal of increasing your monthly investment to ?1.50 lakh, consider reviewing the performance of your existing funds and making strategic adjustments. Seeking professional guidance from a Certified Financial Planner can provide valuable insights and ensure your investments are on track to meet your goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 29, 2024Hindi
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I am 33 years and earn around 1Lakh per month. Below are my investments. I want to have a good retirement corpus before 50 or monthly income for 50k 1. Axis ELSS Tax Saver Fund - 15th Dec 2018 - 2500 PM - 1.23L invested till now - paused now as ELSS not needed 2. Tata Small Cap Fund - 28th Aug 2021 -2500PM - 72.49k invested till now 3. UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund - 10th Mar 2023 - 2500PM - 43.99k invested till now 4. Axis Bluechip Fund - 21st Aug 2019 - 2500 PM - 1.32L invested till now 5. Nippon India Growth Fund - 10th Apr 2023 - 2500 PM - 33.87k invested till now 6. Axis Small Cap Fund - 28th Aug 2021 - 2500 PM - 72.49k invested till now 7. Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund - 15th Mar 2024 - 420 PM - 1.8k invested till now 8. Zerodha Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund - 2221 Lumpsum 9. DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund - 32.49k Lumpsum 10. Bank of India ELSS Tax Saver - 36.99k Lumpsum Apart from this i invest 50000 in NPS annually. PPF 1500 annually since 2018 have 2 Flats of approx 45lakh each and have a pending loan of 23lakh for one. kindly suggest.
Ans: Your diligent approach towards investing and financial planning at 33 sets a strong foundation for achieving your retirement goals. Let's analyze your current investments and outline a strategy to build a robust retirement corpus or secure a monthly income stream by age 50.

Assessing Investment Portfolio
Your diversified investment portfolio comprising Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), mutual funds, index funds, and other tax-saving instruments reflects a proactive approach towards wealth accumulation. Let's evaluate each component to optimize your retirement strategy.

Equity Investments: Building Long-Term Growth Potential
Equity-oriented funds such as Axis ELSS Tax Saver Fund, Tata Small Cap Fund, Axis Bluechip Fund, and others offer exposure to diversified market segments, aiming for capital appreciation over the long term. While these funds carry market risk, they historically outperform traditional investment avenues over extended periods.

Index Funds: Cost-Effective and Passive Growth
Index funds like UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund and Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund provide broad market exposure while minimizing expense ratios and active management fees. Their passive investment approach mirrors market performance, offering steady growth potential with lower volatility compared to actively managed funds.

Real Estate Holdings: Tangible Asset Accumulation
Owning two flats valued at approximately ?45 lakhs each provides tangible asset accumulation and potential rental income streams. However, considering the pending loan of ?23 lakhs, it's essential to evaluate the overall debt exposure and assess the feasibility of leveraging rental income towards loan repayment.

Supplementary Retirement Contributions: NPS and PPF
Your annual contributions of ?50,000 to NPS and regular investments in PPF demonstrate a disciplined savings approach towards retirement planning. Both NPS and PPF offer tax benefits and long-term wealth accumulation potential, complementing your equity and real estate investments.

Crafting Retirement Strategy
Optimize Equity Portfolio: Consider reviewing your equity portfolio to ensure alignment with your risk tolerance and long-term goals. Periodic rebalancing and diversification across market caps and sectors can mitigate risk and enhance returns.

Evaluate Real Estate Holdings: Assess the rental income potential of your flats and explore options to expedite loan repayment. Strategic debt management can unlock additional cash flows and bolster your retirement savings.

Maximize Tax-Efficient Investments: Leverage tax-saving instruments like ELSS, NPS, and PPF to optimize tax benefits while accelerating retirement savings. Regular contributions and systematic investment planning amplify wealth accumulation potential over time.

Monitor and Adjust: Regularly review your investment portfolio, track performance metrics, and adapt strategies based on changing market dynamics and personal circumstances. Seeking professional guidance can provide valuable insights and optimize investment decisions.

Conclusion
With a proactive approach and diversified investment strategy, achieving your retirement goals before age 50 is within reach. By leveraging equity, real estate, and tax-efficient savings avenues, coupled with prudent portfolio management and strategic debt optimization, you can pave the way towards a secure and fulfilling retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 02, 2025

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Hello Sir, Myself Deepak Kumar Age 48 years . Monthly in hand salary 80000/- . Goals -1) Needs 20 LAKH after 7 years for daughter's marriage. 2) Needs 24 lakh in 8 years close my outstanding home loan ( PAYING EMI 32000/- BALANCE TERMS 8 YERAS) 3) Needs 1.5 Crore after 10 years for retirement . Currently RUNNING sips_ of total 23000/- per month . 1) HDFC TOP 100 FUND( Direct Growth) 1500 /- 2) HDFC HYBRID FUND ( Direct Growth) 1500/- 3) MIRAE ASSETS EMERGING BLUE CHIP ( Direct Growth) 4500/- CANARA ROBECO SMALL CAP( Direct Growth) 4000/- PRAG PARIKG FLEXI CAP( Direct Growth) 2500/- QUANT SMALL CAP ( Direct Growth) 2500/- QUANT ELSS TAX SAVER(Direct Growth) 2500/- NIPPON INDIA SMALL CAP FUND ( Direct Growth) 4000/- Total corpus in sips as on date- 24 lakhs . 2) EPFO - 22000/- PER MONTH( BOTH EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER SHARES) - total CORPOS IN EPFO AS ON DATE -20 LAKHS. 3) Sukanya SAMRIDHi 1000/month- total Corpus IN SUKANYA SAMRIDHI AS ON DATE 40326/- 4) PPF 1000/month- total CORPUS IN PPF AS ON DATE 1 LAKH 5) LIC 2500/month-total CORPUS IN LIC AS ON DATE 5 LAKH ( ON MATYRITY 10 LAKHS IN YEAR 2035) 6) Atal pension yojana ( SELF & WIFE) 2514/ month .total CORPUS IN APY AS ON DATE 3. 5 LAKHS ( AFTER 12 YEARS 5000\- PENSION TO ME AND 5000/- TO MY WIFE. Please advice if needs any change in the savings to achieve the above goals
Ans: Your dedication to disciplined saving is commendable. I see your goals are important and well-structured. Let me review your savings and guide you to achieve them. I will share insights, suggest changes, and ensure your plans are 360-degree focused.

Let’s look at each area carefully.

Current SIP Portfolio Review

Your SIP portfolio is quite diversified.

It includes large-cap, hybrid, small-cap, and flexi-cap funds.

The total monthly SIP is Rs 23,000, which is good.

But you have many small-cap funds.

Small-cap funds are more risky and can be volatile.

You should balance your funds by including more large-cap and hybrid funds.

Flexi-cap funds are good for diversification and can balance the risk.

Having too many funds can create confusion and overlap in investments.

It is better to streamline the number of funds to 4 or 5.

Regular review of SIP performance is essential every year.

Instead of direct funds, consider switching to regular plans.

Regular plans give you a Certified Financial Planner’s advice and help.

Direct funds do not have advisory support.

Without advice, wrong fund selection can lead to poor performance.

Paying a small fee in regular funds is worth the professional help.

This will help you achieve your goals in a planned manner.

Please consider this change for better results.

EPF and Retirement Planning

EPF contribution of Rs 22,000 per month is very good.

EPF is a safe and long-term product.

It will support your retirement well.

But you need Rs 1.5 crore after 10 years.

Your EPF will not be enough for this goal alone.

Your SIPs and EPF together can help if managed properly.

Retirement is your most important goal.

Do not compromise your retirement for other goals.

Keep your EPF untouched until retirement.

Avoid taking loans or early withdrawals from EPF.

This will ensure a secure future after retirement.

You should also increase your monthly SIP slowly.

Whenever your salary increases, increase your SIP by 10-15%.

This will help build a bigger retirement corpus.

Working with a Certified Financial Planner will ensure your retirement target is met.

Daughter’s Marriage Goal

You need Rs 20 lakh after 7 years for your daughter’s marriage.

This is a clear goal with a defined time horizon.

You should allocate a portion of your SIPs for this goal.

Avoid small-cap funds for this short-term goal.

Choose large-cap and hybrid funds with stable growth.

They are less risky and can meet the 7-year goal better.

Review the corpus every year.

Adjust the SIP amount if needed to meet the target.

Avoid withdrawing from this corpus early for other needs.

Keeping it separate ensures clarity and discipline.

Home Loan Repayment Goal

You need Rs 24 lakh after 8 years to close your home loan.

This is also a defined goal with a specific time frame.

Use hybrid funds and large-cap funds to accumulate this corpus.

Small-cap funds are too risky for an 8-year goal.

Review the home loan goal corpus every year.

Make sure your SIP allocation is enough to meet this goal.

If the goal is not on track, increase SIPs for this goal.

Prepaying home loan is a good idea as it saves interest costs.

Do not use retirement corpus for loan prepayment.

Keep your goals separate and focused.

Other Existing Investments

Sukanya Samriddhi of Rs 1000 per month is a great step for your daughter.

Continue this as it gives guaranteed returns and tax-free benefits.

PPF of Rs 1000 per month is a secure option.

Keep contributing to PPF for safe growth.

LIC policy is maturing in 2035 with Rs 10 lakh maturity value.

LIC policies are low-return plans.

It’s better to surrender them and reinvest in mutual funds.

ULIP and insurance-cum-investment policies do not give good returns.

By surrendering, you can put the money into mutual funds for better growth.

Keep Atal Pension Yojana as it gives pension benefits to you and your wife.

Do not rely only on this pension.

It should be seen as an extra source of income in retirement.

Your main retirement corpus will be your EPF and mutual funds.

Keep tracking and aligning these investments.

Streamlining Your SIPs and Fund Choices

You have 8 funds right now in SIP.

Too many funds lead to duplication and confusion.

I suggest reducing it to 4-5 funds.

Choose 1 large-cap fund, 1 hybrid fund, 1 flexi-cap fund, and 1 mid-cap fund.

This mix will give stability, growth, and manage risk.

Large-cap funds are more stable in volatile markets.

Hybrid funds balance equity and debt for steady returns.

Flexi-cap funds can adjust allocation based on market conditions.

Mid-cap funds can add some extra growth potential.

Avoid small-cap funds for short-term goals.

Small-cap funds can be volatile and risky in 7-8 years.

Keep small-cap exposure only for long-term retirement goal.

Reviewing your fund performance every year is critical.

Switch underperforming funds if needed after proper evaluation.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds do not involve advice or professional help.

Without help, you may choose funds based on wrong information.

Poor selection can lead to losses and not meeting your goals.

Market conditions change.

Without advice, you may miss opportunities or risks.

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner in regular funds ensures guidance.

Regular funds may have a small fee.

But this fee covers expert advice and goal tracking.

In the long run, this improves returns and reduces mistakes.

Direct plans are better for experts only.

For most investors, working with a CFP using regular plans is safer and more effective.

Taxation and Rebalancing

When you sell mutual funds, capital gains tax is applicable.

For equity funds, LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term capital gains are taxed at 20%.

Debt funds are taxed as per your income slab.

Keep this in mind when withdrawing funds for goals.

Plan redemptions to minimise tax impact.

Rebalance your portfolio every year.

Rebalancing helps maintain the right mix of equity and debt.

It also keeps your risk in check and ensures smooth growth.

Your CFP can guide you on when and how to rebalance.

Risk Management and Emergency Planning

Always keep an emergency fund of at least 6 months’ expenses.

This can be in a liquid fund or a savings account.

Emergency fund protects your SIPs and long-term plans during tough times.

Your current insurance covers are good.

Keep them updated as family and income grow.

Health insurance is very important to avoid sudden big expenses.

Life insurance should be only term insurance for maximum cover at low cost.

Surrender any traditional insurance plans and ULIPs for better returns in mutual funds.

This will ensure your family is protected while wealth grows faster.

Finally

You have a strong habit of saving and investing.

Keep SIPs aligned with your goals and review them regularly.

Reduce the number of funds and switch to regular funds for better guidance.

Use large-cap, hybrid, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds for balance.

Surrender LIC plans and reinvest for better growth.

Do not withdraw EPF and PPF. Let them grow for retirement.

Work closely with a Certified Financial Planner to track progress.

Increase your SIPs whenever income increases.

This small step will build a much bigger corpus over 10 years.

Follow this disciplined approach and stay patient.

You will achieve your goals with a secure and comfortable retirement.

Keep reviewing your goals every year.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 24, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 24, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 32 years old and my investments are. SIP of monthly Rs 26000/- (Small, Mid, Large Cap and Debt Fund) Current value of SIP is Rs 2500000, XIRR 24.5% SIP in Gold Rs 3000 per month, Current Value Rs 45000 SIP in Stock Rs 3000 per month Current Value Rs 55000. SIP on name of Mother Rs 15000 SIP Monthly Current Value Rs 2.75Lakh. PF Value Rs 800000 Plot current value Rs 3500000 Own House No Loan or EMI My Salary Is Rs 75000 and monthly expense is Rs 15000Rs And the rest money is saved as Emergency fund which is around 2.5 Lakh. Please suggest.
Ans: Your disciplined SIPs, clear expense tracking, and zero home loan show excellent financial habits. Let’s review everything in depth from a complete 360?degree perspective and guide you forward.

Current Investment Snapshot

SIP total Rs?26,000/month across small, mid, large?cap, debt funds.

Current SIP corpus typically around Rs?25?lakhs with XIRR 24.5%.

SIP in gold Rs?3,000/month, current value ~Rs?45,000.

SIP in direct stock Rs?3,000/month, current value ~Rs?55,000.

SIP by mother in your name Rs?15,000/month, current value ~Rs?2.75?lakhs.

Provident Fund (PF) balance ~Rs?8?lakhs.

Plot worth ~Rs?35?lakhs.

Own house, loan/EMI free.

Salary Rs?75,000/month, monthly expense Rs?15,000.

Emergency fund ~Rs?2.5?lakhs.

You have strong savings capacity of ~Rs?60,000/month. You manage money well. Let me assess each area and give balanced suggestions.

1. Portfolio Diversification and Allocation

Your equity SIP (Rs?26?k + Rs?3?k direct stock + Rs?15?k mother’s SIP) is ~Rs?44 k/month.

Debt SIP is only part of the Rs?26 k; exact split unclear.

Gold SIP is small, giving just Rs?45 k so far.

PF is long?term debt component.

Plot is illiquid; avoid more real estate.

Assessment:

Equity exposure is high and performing great.

Debt exposure seems low; balance is needed.

Gold holding small; can be increased modestly for diversification.

PF offers retirement cushion but adds to debt component.

Suggestions:

Aim for equity 60%, debt 30%, gold 10% allocation.

Increase debt SIP by Rs?5–10 k/month (dynamic bond, corporate bond, flexi-debt fund).

Increase gold investment to Rs?5–7 k/month till allocation reaches 8–10%.

Continue equity SIPs as they yield high XIRR.

Reallocate mother’s SIP distribution if concentrated in one fund.

2. Importance of Debt Exposure

Debt funds offer stability, liquidity, lower risk.

At present, your exposure is limited.

During market volatility, debt cushions equity downside.

Why it matters:

You have a sharp portfolio tilt to equity.

Market corrections could reduce corpus significantly.

Debt helps smooth returns over down cycles.

Action plan:

Start SIP in dynamic bond fund or corporate bond fund.

Allocate Rs?5–10 k/month depending on comfort.

Review debt holdings once every 6–12 months.

3. Gold Allocation Strategy

Current gold SIP is small (Rs?3 k/month).

Current market value ~Rs?45 k; you just began.

Gold reduces portfolio correlation with equity.

Advantages of more gold:

Acts as inflation hedge.

Provides downside protection.

Steps:

Increase gold SIP to Rs?5–7 k/month.

Continue until gold reaches ~8–10% of your portfolio.

Use an actively managed gold fund or sovereign gold bond via mutual fund route.

Avoid broad ETFs or passive index instruments only.

4. Direct Stock SIPs

You invest Rs?3?k/month in direct stocks.

Currently holding ~Rs?55?k in direct stock.

Observation:

Direct stocks are risky compared to funds.

Lack diversification puts you at higher risk.

Suggestion:

Consider shifting direct stock allocation to an actively managed equity fund.

If you continue stocks, review each holding for performance and risk.

Use direct stock SIP amount as opportunity to boost gold or debt SIP.

5. Portfolio via Mother’s Name

You invest Rs?15?k/month in your mother’s name.

Current value Rs?2.75?lakhs.

Considerations:

This likely is for tax optimization or family wealth transfer.

Gains on her account involve her tax slab.

Gift rules apply; ensure withdrawal rules understood.

Guide:

Clarify long-term goal of mother’s investment.

If wealth creation, keep it but monitor funds and asset allocation.

Make sure it is a regular SIP with clear review cycles.

Adjust fund mix if her risk tolerance differs from yours.

6. Emergency Fund Status

You hold Rs?2.5 lakhs in emergency corpus.

Monthly expenses only Rs?15?k.

This covers ~16 months of expenses.

This is excellent.

Covers any medical, job-loss or unexpected need.

Keep it in liquid fund, sweep-in FD or savings account.

Do not use emergency corpus for investments or non-urgent purposes.

7. Retirement and Long Term Goals

You have strong equity exposure in SIPs, gold, PF.

PF Rs?8 lakh gives good base for retirement.

Continue PF contributions.

But consider adding retirement-dedicated equity fund.

Select actively managed multi-cap or large-cap fund.

Start Rs?5–10?k/month SIP post balancing debt/gold.

Helps in building long-term growth beyond PF returns.

8. Tax Planning and Mutual Fund Realisations

With rising equity, consider long-term gains tax rule.

Equity fund LTCG above Rs?1.25 lakhs taxed at 12.5%.

Debt fund gains taxed as per your tax slab.

Plan redemptions with tax efficiency in mind.

Use gains only if needed for goals or rebalancing.

Plan redemptions each year to stay under Rs?1.25 lakh gain.

9. Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds

You mention funds but did not mention index funds.
Still, good to explain differences.

Why prefer actively managed funds:

Managers select good stocks and exit bad ones.

They customise sectors based on market conditions.

Avoid blind performance swings that track index.

They help in goal-oriented investing.

Disadvantages of index funds:

Purely track index; no expert intervention.

Include weaker stocks which reduce returns.

Underperform in sideways or downturn markets.

Do not offer flexibility in asset selection.

Thus continue choosing actively managed funds via regular plans guided by CFP advice.

10. Regular Plan vs Direct Plan Investment Route

I assume your SIPs are through direct or regular plans.
Let me clarify this choice.

Direct Plan cons:

You must manage investments alone.

No guidance for rebalancing or monitoring.

Emotional decisions often lead to poor timing.

Benefits of Regular Plan via CFP:

Professional monitoring and risk mgmt.

Ensures behavioural discipline during market volatility.

Periodic reviews help meet evolving goals.

Regular plan cost difference often offset by better returns and support.

Continue with regular plan route for consistency and financial planning support.

11. Real Estate Holding

You own a plot worth ~Rs?35?lakhs but no EMI or house loan.
As per request, I won’t suggest real estate investment.

Note:

The plot is non?liquid and non?yielding asset.

It does not help in income or portfolio rebalancing.

Keep it but avoid buying more plots or property.

12. Insurance and Risk Coverage

You did not mention insurance. This is a crucial gap.

Life Insurance:

Even without dependents, life cover is essential.

Helps in paying plot loan, EMI, taxes, or future home costs.

Buy a pure term plan of Rs?50–75?lakhs.

Do not buy ULIP or endowment plans.

Health Insurance:

Get individual floater or family cover Rs?5–10?lakhs.

Medical costs can impact investments quickly.

Personal Accident:

Low-cost but useful for disability or injury.

Helps in case of temporary income loss.

These protect your financial stability and preserve investments.

13. Cash Flow and Budget Perspective

You earn Rs?75?k/month and spend only Rs?15?k.

You invest Rs?44?k/month in SIPs and savings.

You invest additional Rs?44 k/month.

That leaves hard cash ~Rs?16 k for discretionary use.

Assessment:

You maintain a high savings ratio and low expenses.

This gives you flexibility to adjust SIPs.

But be careful not to stretch end of month spends.

14. Balanced Growth Strategy

Current asset split roughly:

Equity (funds + stock) ~65–70%

Debt (PF) ~15–20%

Gold ~2%

Real estate ~10–15%

Cash (emergency) ~5%

To build balance:

Boost debt to 30%, gold to 8–10%, keep equity 60%.

Use SIP increases for debt and gold.

Maintain ratio by rebalancing yearly.

15. Regular Reviews and Adjustments

Review portfolio every 6 months.

Assess if debt or gold need topping up.

Check if equity returns still outperform.

Adjust allocations back to target mix.

16. Monitoring Mutual Fund Performance

Evaluate each fund’s performance vs category peers.

Check fund manager tenure and strategy.

Watch expense ratio, risk parameters.

Replace underperforming or high risk fund.

17. Planning for Long-Term Goals

As you progress, consider next big goals:

Retirement around age 60–65.

Floating wedding or child marriage planning.

Career break or foreign travel or sabbatical.

Use time-bound SIPs or targeted funds:

10-year fund for travel/home renovation.

15-20-year fund for retirement.

Use actively managed equity and debt combinations for goal-based SIP.

Final Insights

To summarise:

You have excellently built wealth via disciplined SIPs.

Enhance portfolio balance by adding debt and gold exposure.

Replace direct stock SIP with fund option or periodic review.

Check mother’s SIP fund mix and objective.

Maintain high emergency fund and keep expanding insurance.

Avoid index funds, real estate additions, and direct plans.

Use regular plan route via CFD?guided fund picks.

Continue investing the surplus wisely and review periodically.

With this 360?degree approach, you’ll grow steadily and safely.

You’re doing very well. A few fine?tuning steps now will secure healthy and diversified financial growth.

Would you like help choosing suitable debt and gold funds, or reviewing your current equity portfolio?

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

..Read more

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

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

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

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

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

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

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

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

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

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

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

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

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

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