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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 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 - Mar 21, 2023Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 43 yrs of age and following is the list of my MF holdings which are all 15 Months Plus......Can you pls advice me if I should continue to remain Invested in the same or should I change any of these....I am looking at an aggressive and high return Funds in the next 3 Years....Also one very important point is all my Investments are thru an Agent, do you suggest i shud withdraw them all and go for Direct Plans.....Pls advice - SIP Details - CANARA ROBECCO EMERGING EQUITIES FUND – 10000 PGIM INDIA MID CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND – 5000 ICICI PRUDENTIAL TECHNOLOGY FUND – 4000 SBI FOCUSED EQUITY FUND – 6000 QUANT ACTIVE FUND – 10000 MIRAE ASSET LARGE CAP FUND – 10000 INDIA INFOLINE - 5000 LUMPSUM Details - PGIM INDIA MID CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND – REGULAR GROWTH – 3 LACS K1155 - KOTAK MULTICAP FUND – REGULAR PLAN GROWTH – 3 LACS AXIS MULTICAP FUND REGULAR PLAN GROWTH – 3 LACS IIFL FOCUSED EQUITY FUND – 4 LACS UTI FLEXI CAP FUND – 2.5 LACS MIRAE ASSET LARGE CAP FUND – 3 LACS LIC MF LARGE AND MID CAP FUND – 4 LACS CANARA ROBECCO BLUE CHIP EQUITY FUND – 3 LACS QUANT ACTIVE FUND – 2.5 LACS PARAG PARIKH FLEXI CAP FUND – 2.5 LACS

Ans: Given your desire for aggressive growth in the next 3 years, it's crucial to assess your current mutual fund holdings and make informed decisions. Here are some considerations:

Performance Review: Evaluate the performance of your existing funds over the past few years. Look at their consistency, returns, and how they have performed during different market cycles.
Risk Appetite: Consider your risk tolerance and whether your current funds align with your risk profile. Aggressive funds typically carry higher risk, so ensure you are comfortable with potential volatility.
Diversification: Check the diversification of your portfolio across different fund types (large cap, mid cap, small cap) and sectors. A well-diversified portfolio can help mitigate risk.
Expense Ratio: Assess the expense ratio of your funds, especially if they are regular plans. Direct plans generally have lower expense ratios, which can significantly impact returns over the long term.
Exit Loads and Tax Implications: Understand any exit loads or tax implications associated with redeeming your existing investments, especially if they are less than 3 years old.
Consideration of Direct Plans: Switching to direct plans can save on expenses in the long run, potentially boosting returns. However, ensure you are comfortable with managing your investments independently or seek the assistance of a fee-based advisor.
After considering these factors, you can decide whether to continue with your current holdings, reallocate investments, or explore new funds that align better with your goals and risk appetite. It's essential to periodically review your portfolio and make adjustments as needed to stay on track with your financial objectives.
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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Asked by Anonymous - Mar 23, 2023Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 43 yrs of age and following is the list of my MF holdings which are all 15 Months Plus......Can you pls advice me if I should continue to remain Invested in the same or should I change any of these....I am looking at an aggressive and high return Funds in the next 3 Years....Also one very important point is all my Investments are thru an Agent, do you suggest i shud withdraw them all and go for Direct Plans.....Pls advice - SIP Details - CANARA ROBECCO EMERGING EQUITIES FUND – 10000 PGIM INDIA MID CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND – 5000 ICICI PRUDENTIAL TECHNOLOGY FUND – 4000 SBI FOCUSED EQUITY FUND – 6000 QUANT ACTIVE FUND – 10000 MIRAE ASSET LARGE CAP FUND – 10000 INDIA INFOLINE - 5000 LUMPSUM Details - PGIM INDIA MID CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND – REGULAR GROWTH – 3 LACS K1155 - KOTAK MULTICAP FUND – REGULAR PLAN GROWTH – 3 LACS AXIS MULTICAP FUND REGULAR PLAN GROWTH – 3 LACS IIFL FOCUSED EQUITY FUND – 4 LACS UTI FLEXI CAP FUND – 2.5 LACS MIRAE ASSET LARGE CAP FUND – 3 LACS LIC MF LARGE AND MID CAP FUND – 4 LACS CANARA ROBECCO BLUE CHIP EQUITY FUND – 3 LACS QUANT ACTIVE FUND – 2.5 LACS PARAG PARIKH FLEXI CAP FUND – 2.5 LACS
Ans: Let's analyze your portfolio and provide recommendations based on your aggressive investment stance and the desire for high returns over the next three years.

Portfolio Review:

You have a well-diversified portfolio with exposure to various equity categories, which is a good approach for long-term growth. Given your aggressive stance, let's assess your holdings:

Equity Funds:
You have exposure to large-cap, mid-cap, focused equity, technology, and flexi-cap funds. This diversification can potentially balance risk and return, but you might consider focusing more on aggressive funds for higher growth.
Direct vs. Regular Plans:
Investing through an agent (Regular Plans) involves a higher expense ratio due to commissions. While Direct Plans can reduce costs, your relationship with a trusted Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) who provides personal emotional support can add value beyond just financial advice.
Recommendations:

Continue with Regular Plans through a Trusted MFD:
Given your aggressive stance and the emotional support you receive from your MFD, continuing with Regular Plans through your trusted MFD can align well with your investment goals. A supportive MFD can offer personalized advice, emotional reassurance, and keep you informed about market developments.
Focus on Aggressive Funds:
Emphasize funds with a proven track record of aggressive growth and high returns. Your MFD can help identify and recommend funds that align with your risk appetite and investment horizon.
Periodic Reviews with Emotional Support:
Schedule regular reviews with your MFD to evaluate your portfolio's performance and make necessary adjustments. A supportive MFD can offer emotional support during market fluctuations, helping you stay disciplined and confident in your investment decisions.
Build a Strong Relationship with Your MFD:
Embrace the relationship with your MFD who understands your financial goals, concerns, and provides emotional support. A strong relationship can enhance your investment experience, making it more reassuring and enjoyable.
Conclusion:

Given your aggressive stance and the importance of emotional support in your investment journey, continuing with Regular Plans through your trusted MFD seems suitable. Focus on aggressive funds, maintain regular reviews with your MFD, and nurture your relationship with them for personalized advice and emotional reassurance. Remember, investing is not just about numbers; it's about peace of mind, trust, and confidence in your investment decisions. Embrace this journey with your MFD by your side, and may your investments flourish over time.

..Read more

Hardik

Hardik Parikh  | Answer  |Ask -

Tax, Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Apr 07, 2023

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ello Sir, I am 43 yrs of age and following is the list of my MF holdings which are all 15 Months Plus......Can you pls advice me if I should continue to remain Invested in the same or should I change any of these....I am looking at an aggressive and high return Funds in the next 3 Years....Also one very important point is all my Investments are thru an Agent, do you suggest i shud withdraw them all and go for Direct Plans.....Pls advice - SIP Details - CANARA ROBECCO EMERGING EQUITIES FUND – 10000 PGIM INDIA MID CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND – 5000 ICICI PRUDENTIAL TECHNOLOGY FUND – 4000 SBI FOCUSED EQUITY FUND – 6000 QUANT ACTIVE FUND – 10000 MIRAE ASSET LARGE CAP FUND – 10000 INDIA INFOLINE - 5000 LUMPSUM Details - PGIM INDIA MID CAP OPPORTUNITIES FUND – REGULAR GROWTH – 3 LACS K1155 - KOTAK MULTICAP FUND – REGULAR PLAN GROWTH – 3 LACS AXIS MULTICAP FUND REGULAR PLAN GROWTH – 3 LACS IIFL FOCUSED EQUITY FUND – 4 LACS UTI FLEXI CAP FUND – 2.5 LACS MIRAE ASSET LARGE CAP FUND – 3 LACS LIC MF LARGE AND MID CAP FUND – 4 LACS CANARA ROBECCO BLUE CHIP EQUITY FUND – 3 LACS QUANT ACTIVE FUND – 2.5 LACS PARAG PARIKH FLEXI CAP FUND – 2.5 LACS
Ans: Hello Yatin,

Firstly, I appreciate that you've been consistently investing in mutual funds for more than 15 months. Based on your age and the 3-year investment horizon you mentioned, it's reasonable to have an aggressive investment strategy. However, I would also like to remind you that higher returns often come with higher risks.

Regarding your current holdings, I see that you have a well-diversified portfolio across large-cap, mid-cap, focused, and sectoral funds. Given your investment goals, you may consider continuing with most of these funds. However, I recommend reviewing the performance of the funds against their benchmark indices and their respective categories. You might want to consider replacing any underperforming funds with better-performing alternatives in the same category.

On the point of investing through an agent, I suggest you evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of switching to direct plans. Direct plans generally have lower expense ratios, which could result in higher returns over time. However, if you value the guidance and support provided by your agent, you might want to stick with the regular plans.

If you decide to switch to direct plans, you can do so without redeeming or selling your existing investments. You can start by converting your future SIPs to direct plans and then gradually switch your existing holdings.

Please note that this advice is based on the limited information you provided and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. I recommend that you consult with a certified financial planner or advisor for a detailed analysis of your portfolio and investment goals.

Wishing you the best in your investment journey!

..Read more

Latest Questions
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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