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Ulhas

Ulhas Joshi  |280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Jun 28, 2023

With over 16 years of experience in the mutual fund industry, Ulhas Joshi has helped numerous clients choose the right funds and create wealth.
Prior to joining RankMF as CEO, he was vice president (sales) at IDBI Asset Management Ltd.
Joshi holds an MBA in marketing from Barkatullah University, Bhopal.... more
Sudeesh Question by Sudeesh on Apr 03, 2023Hindi
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Hello - I am 49yrs old..I had a bad journey financially post Covid. It is slowly coming on track .. Most of the debt would be cleared in a year or so... I need to make an investment I can shell out INR25K per month as of now on investments. Can you suggest me a good wealth acculmulation pan which can work for me for the next 5 years to accumulate close to a 50L-1Cr wealth.. Thank you .. I await to hear from you

Ans: Hello Sudeesh and thanks for writing to me.

To create a corpus of Rs.1 Crore in 10 years, you need to begin SIP's of around Rs.45,000 every month, assuming your corpus grows at around 12% per annum.

You can consider stepping up your SIP's every year to help create a larger corpus.

You can consider starting monthly SIP's of Rs.5,000 in each of the below funds to begin with:
1-Edelweiss NIFTY 100 Quality 30 Index Fund
2-DSP Quant Fund
3-UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund
4-SBI Focused Equity Fun
5-UTI Flexi Cap Fund

Periodic reassessment is essential to ensure you are on the right path to create wealth.
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 Apr 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 17, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, I am 48 year old, having a monthly income of 4 lakh a month post tax. my current investments as follows . Mutual Fund - monthly contribution of 30k for the past 6 years and it has generated a corpus of 20lac so far. LIC jeevan saral yearly payment of 1lakh and this has generated a value of 31lakh so far.. FD currently to the tune of 1.20 crore and couple of other investments to the tune of 3 lakh. I need an advice as am targeting to get 1.5 crore more in next 5 years over and above the current wealth i have. I have no loan commitment. my monthly expenses around 1.5 lakh on an average
Ans: You're in a great financial position with a good monthly income, consistent savings, and a diversified portfolio. Here are some strategies to help you achieve your goal of accumulating an additional Rs. 1.5 crore in the next 5 years:

1. Increase Monthly Investment Amount:

You're currently saving Rs. 30,000 per month in mutual funds. Consider increasing this amount to accelerate your wealth accumulation. You have a significant disposable income (Rs. 4 lakh - Rs. 1.5 lakh = Rs. 2.5 lakh) after expenses.
2. Review Mutual Fund Allocation:

After 6 years, your chosen mutual fund has generated a corpus of Rs. 20 lakh. Analyze the fund's performance and risk profile. Consider consulting a financial advisor to ensure your mutual fund aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.
3. Explore Equity Investment Options:

While FDs offer stability, their returns may not outpace inflation. Consider allocating a portion of your increased savings to equity-based instruments like stocks or aggressive mutual funds for potentially higher growth. However, remember the inherent risk associated with equity investments.
4. Invest in Tax-Saving Instruments:

Utilize tax-saving instruments like Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) to save taxes while potentially earning higher returns compared to FDs.
Here's a possible breakdown of increased savings:

Increase monthly SIP by Rs. 50,000 (Rs. 30,000 existing + Rs. 50,000 increase)
Invest Rs. 1,00,000 per month in aggressive mutual funds or direct stock picking (if you have the expertise or consult a financial advisor).
Important Considerations:

Risk Tolerance: Equity investments carry higher risk. Ensure your overall portfolio aligns with your risk tolerance.
Diversification: Maintain diversification across asset classes (equity, debt, gold etc.) to mitigate risk.
Financial Advisor: Consulting a financial advisor can provide personalized investment strategies based on your goals and risk profile.
Additional Tips:

Track and Review: Regularly track your investments and review your portfolio to adapt to market conditions and your evolving goals.
Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.
By increasing your savings, considering higher growth investment options, and maintaining a diversified portfolio, you can significantly increase your chances of achieving your target of Rs. 1.5 crore in the next 5 years. Remember, this is a general guideline, and consulting a financial advisor can provide a more personalized roadmap for your specific situation.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 20, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 38 years old, having monthly salary of 1.8lakhs, invested in stocks (3lakhs), SGB 6lakhs, MF portfolio current value 14lakhs, ppf 25lakhs, nos 5lakhs, term insurance of 2cr, having 2 property of abt 2cr current value. Emergency fund of 10lakhs. Home loan of 16lakhs with 25k monthly emi. Monthly investment in nps = 40k, MF = 21k Monthly expenses= 50k Having 2 kids, 9yrs and 3yrs old. Parents are not dependent on me. I left with 50k monthly which I can invest. Pl suggest appropriate instrument to invest into, which is safe and give higher than 10%. Also how can I build a corpus of 10cr in next 12years
Ans: congratulations on your impressive financial journey so far. With a robust monthly salary of Rs. 1.8 lakhs and diverse investments, you are well-positioned to achieve your financial goals. Let’s delve into a strategic plan to help you build a corpus of Rs. 10 crores in the next 12 years while ensuring safety and higher returns.

Current Financial Situation
Income and Expenses
Monthly Salary: Rs. 1.8 lakhs
Monthly Expenses: Rs. 50,000
Monthly Investments:
NPS: Rs. 40,000
Mutual Funds: Rs. 21,000
Remaining Monthly Amount for Investment: Rs. 50,000
Existing Investments
Stocks: Rs. 3 lakhs
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB): Rs. 6 lakhs
Mutual Funds: Rs. 14 lakhs
Public Provident Fund (PPF): Rs. 25 lakhs
National Pension System (NPS): Rs. 5 lakhs
Emergency Fund: Rs. 10 lakhs
Term Insurance: Rs. 2 crores
Property: Current value approx. Rs. 2 crores
Home Loan: Rs. 16 lakhs (EMI: Rs. 25,000 per month)
Investment Goals and Strategy
Your primary goal is to build a corpus of Rs. 10 crores in the next 12 years. To achieve this, you need to focus on a balanced and diversified investment strategy that emphasizes growth, safety, and tax efficiency.

Recommended Investment Instruments
Equity Mutual Funds
Why Equity Mutual Funds?

Higher Returns: Historically, equity mutual funds have provided returns averaging 12-15% over the long term.
Diversification: Investing in a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds offers balanced risk and return.
Strategy:

SIP (Systematic Investment Plan): Continue your SIPs and consider increasing the amount annually.
Additional Allocation: Allocate a portion of your Rs. 50,000 surplus into equity mutual funds.
Balanced Advantage Funds
Why Balanced Advantage Funds?

Dynamic Allocation: These funds adjust the allocation between equity and debt based on market conditions.
Stability: They offer a good balance of risk and return, providing some downside protection.
Strategy:

Monthly Investment: Consider allocating Rs. 10,000-15,000 per month to balanced advantage funds.
Direct Stocks
Why Direct Stocks?

Potential for High Returns: Individual stocks can provide significant returns if well-researched and selected.
Diversification: Investing in different sectors can mitigate risks.
Strategy:

Research and Investment: Invest Rs. 10,000 per month in blue-chip and high-growth potential stocks.
Debt Funds
Why Debt Funds?

Lower Risk: They are less volatile compared to equity funds.
Steady Returns: Ideal for stability and regular income.
Strategy:

Monthly Investment: Allocate Rs. 10,000-15,000 per month to debt funds, focusing on high-quality corporate bonds and government securities.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Why PPF?

Tax Benefits: Offers tax exemption under Section 80C.
Safe Returns: Government-backed, ensuring safety of principal.
Strategy:

Annual Contribution: Continue contributing to your PPF account to maximize the benefits.
Building a Corpus of Rs. 10 Crores
Systematic Investment and Compounding
Importance of Compounding:

Regular Investments: Continuously invest the Rs. 50,000 surplus every month.
Reinvestment: Reinvest returns to benefit from compounding over the next 12 years.
Expected Returns:

Equity Mutual Funds and Stocks: Assuming an average annual return of 12-15%.
Balanced Funds: Expecting around 10-12% returns annually.
Debt Funds and PPF: Providing 7-8% returns annually.
Monthly Investment Allocation
Suggested Allocation:
Equity Mutual Funds: Rs. 25,000
Balanced Advantage Funds: Rs. 10,000
Direct Stocks: Rs. 10,000
Debt Funds: Rs. 5,000
This diversified approach balances high returns with safety and stability.

Tax Implications and Planning
Equity Investments
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Taxed at 10% beyond Rs. 1 lakh of gains.
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): Taxed at 15%.
Debt Investments
LTCG: Taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.
STCG: Taxed as per your income slab.
Managing Your Home Loan
Early Repayment
Consider making occasional lump sum payments towards your home loan principal to reduce the interest burden and pay off the loan sooner.

Financial Planning for Your Children
Education and Future Needs
Child Education Plans: Consider investing in child-specific mutual funds or balanced advantage funds.
SIP for Children: Start SIPs dedicated to your children’s education and future needs.
Regular Review and Adjustment
Periodic Review
Review Investments: Conduct semi-annual or annual reviews of your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Rebalance Portfolio: Adjust your investments based on performance and changing financial goals.
Final Thoughts
You have a solid financial foundation and a clear goal. By following a disciplined investment strategy, leveraging the power of compounding, and regularly reviewing your investments, you can achieve your target corpus of Rs. 10 crores in the next 12 years. Remember, the key to successful investing is consistency, diversification, and periodic assessment.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 11, 2024

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 26, 2025Hindi
Money
I'm 41 years old. Earning around 2.7 lakhs per month post tax, Have 3 house properties, with an outstanding loan of 38 Lakhs (2 different loans 33 lakhs and 5 lakhs), a personal loan of outstanding 3 lakhs (6 more EMIs pending) and Gold loan of 14 lakhs. In total, EMI of 1 lakh (not focusing on gold loan - need guidance here as well). Doing a SIP of 30K per month in 4 different funds, have an ULIP policy (18 lakhs investment is currently at 32 lakhs which additionally covers 20 lakhs insurance), have PPF of 16 lakhs. Total stock current worth of 20 lakhs (though made a couple of disaster investment in 2 companies which causes overall pf to be red at 15% even in this high market). Doing a monthly chit (in chit funds - 25k and Gold - 10k). Have farm land of 5 acres fully owned. Now that I need to focus more on building cash wealth for my kids, say building a corpus of 3 crores in the next 9 years. I can make additional 50k surplus per month for investments. Have term insurance for myself, and life/ulip for my wife/kids too which needs a premium of 2 lakhs per year for next 4 years (all policies payment terms finish by then) Any suggestions/ideas to make a better wealth generation?
Ans: Assessing Your Current Financial Health

Your age is 41. You earn Rs. 2.7 lakh monthly (post-tax).

You own 3 house properties. Loan outstanding is Rs. 38 lakh.

EMI is Rs. 1 lakh monthly.

You also have a personal loan of Rs. 3 lakh (6 EMIs left).

Gold loan is Rs. 14 lakh. You are not focusing on it now.

SIP is Rs. 30,000 per month. Spread across 4 mutual funds.

ULIP invested Rs. 18 lakh. Current value is Rs. 32 lakh. Life cover is Rs. 20 lakh.

PPF balance is Rs. 16 lakh. Stocks worth Rs. 20 lakh (loss of 15%).

Monthly chit: Rs. 25k (chit) + Rs. 10k (gold chit).

Farm land: 5 acres. Fully owned.

Term insurance in place. Other insurance for family through ULIPs.

You want to build Rs. 3 crore corpus in 9 years.

You can invest additional Rs. 50,000 monthly going forward.

Steps to Restructure and Strengthen Your Finances

1. Consolidate Loans and Focus on Gold Loan

Your gold loan is costly. Interest rates are usually 10%-14%.

This loan does not offer tax benefits.

Start repaying gold loan in parts from your chit maturity or stock redemption.

Personal loan will be over soon. Redirect freed EMI to reduce gold loan.

Avoid adding to real estate unless essential. It blocks liquidity.

2. Optimise Your Mutual Fund SIPs

Continue SIPs. But review fund types.

Don’t invest in too many funds.

Reduce overlap and stick to:

1 Flexi-cap Fund

1 Large & Mid-cap Fund

1 Aggressive Hybrid Fund

1 Mid-cap or Multicap Fund

Avoid sector/thematic funds. They carry higher risk.

3. ULIP Exit Strategy

Your ULIP has grown from Rs. 18 lakh to Rs. 32 lakh.

Since 4 more years of premium is pending, wait till payment term ends.

Once it matures, shift full value to mutual funds via STP.

ULIPs give less returns and high charges. Avoid future ULIPs.

4. Use Direct Stock Loss to Your Advantage

Losses in direct stocks should be realised strategically.

Exit poor-performing stocks. Redeploy money to mutual funds.

Avoid chasing stocks unless you track them regularly.

Focus more on mutual funds for long-term growth.

5. PPF Strategy

You have Rs. 16 lakh in PPF.

Keep it untouched till maturity.

It provides tax-free, safe return.

Use PPF for retirement or children’s education later.

6. Rationalise Chit Fund Contributions

Rs. 35,000 monthly in chit and gold chit is too high.

Chit funds are risky and unregulated.

Reduce chit exposure. Redeploy to mutual funds.

Gold chit should be reviewed too. Use gold ETFs or gold savings funds instead.

7. Maximise Your Additional Rs. 50,000 Surplus

Invest Rs. 35,000 monthly in new SIPs.

Use 2-3 good quality diversified equity funds.

Keep Rs. 15,000 in a short-term debt fund or liquid fund.

Build a separate goal-based corpus for children.

8. Children’s Education and Corpus Planning

You want Rs. 3 crore in 9 years.

Start goal-specific SIPs. Keep that corpus separate.

Use aggressive hybrid and flexi-cap funds for this.

With Rs. 80,000 monthly SIP (30k existing + 50k new),
you can potentially build Rs. 3 crore corpus in 9 years.

9. Insurance and Risk Planning

You already have term insurance. Good.

ULIP covers for wife and kids are not enough.

Buy separate term insurance for wife if needed.

Avoid depending on ULIPs for life cover.

10. Emergency and Liquidity Management

Keep 6-9 months of expenses in liquid fund.

Avoid parking large cash in chit funds.

Farm land is good asset but not liquid.

Use part of stock or chit maturity to build emergency fund.

11. Asset Allocation Strategy

Suggested split for your age and goals:

65% Equity (mutual funds + NPS)

25% Debt (PPF + short-term debt funds)

10% Gold (max from gold funds, not physical)

Finally

Don’t invest in index funds. They copy market blindly.

Index funds crash fully during downturns.

Actively managed funds adjust and protect better.

Avoid direct mutual funds. They give no guidance.

Regular funds via Certified MFD with CFP give personalised support.

You are financially aware. With a few course corrections,
You can reach your Rs. 3 crore goal smoothly.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
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!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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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

...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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