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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11136 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 06, 2026

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
Joy Question by Joy on Apr 06, 2026Hindi
Money

: Hello sir I am Joy Paul from Kolkata West Bengal. I am railway group d employee my in hand salary 44000 after deduction of pf. I have personal loan of emi rs 14702 till December and 2027. And an health insurance emi 1747 for my mother. Me and my wife get medical benefits from railway. Now my per month expense is approx 13000. So I have left with 15000 per month for my savings from this month because my all savings were gone due to my marriage 2 months ago. After that I take 280000 rs from my family member for my marriage which does not paying but must there is no interest. Now I want to baby planning in this year which means there is a expense. I have a land for which I take the loan and i want to build house there after my loan complete in 2027 of budget 15 lakh. Is it any possibility to manage all the things and make house in 2027 without taking any loan further with my 15000 savings per month. : My financial situation as Monthly salary -44000 Total emi - 16000 till 2027 Expense -13000 Savings - 15000 Take money from family -280000 Have baby planning in this year Have a home planning in 2027

Ans: You have explained your situation very clearly. This itself shows good financial awareness. At your age and income level, planning marriage, baby, loan repayment and house construction together is not easy. Still, with discipline, your goal looks possible with proper steps.

» Your Present Financial Position

Your monthly position looks stable and controlled:

– Salary in hand: Rs 44,000
– Total EMI till Dec 2027: about Rs 16,000
– Monthly household expenses: about Rs 13,000
– Available savings capacity: about Rs 15,000

This is a healthy structure because:

– Your EMI is within safe level
– Expenses are controlled
– No high-interest borrowing from outside
– Family support loan has no interest

These are strong positives.

» Baby Planning This Year – Financial Preparation Needed

Baby planning is a happy decision. But it brings extra cost in first 2–3 years.

Expected areas of expense:

– Medical checkups and delivery cost
– Baby care items
– Nutrition expenses
– Possible temporary income gap if spouse stops working
– Vaccination and emergency buffer

Since railway medical benefits exist for you and your wife, your burden reduces. This is a major advantage.

Still, keep at least:

– Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh baby emergency reserve before delivery

This should be your first target.

» Family Loan of Rs 2,80,000

Even though this loan has no interest, it is still a responsibility.

Good strategy:

– Start returning slowly after baby expenses stabilise
– Example: small repayment after 12 months
– No need to rush immediately

Interest-free family support is a strong emotional asset. Use it wisely.

» Can You Build Rs 15 Lakh House in 2027 Without New Loan?

This is your main question.

Let us see practically.

Till Dec 2027 you have:

– 21 months approx before EMI closes (from now assumption)
– Monthly savings capacity Rs 15,000

So during EMI period:

Savings possible ≈ limited but useful

After Dec 2027:

Your EMI Rs 16,000 becomes free

So future savings capacity becomes:

Rs 31,000 per month possible

This is the turning point.

Therefore house construction in 2027 becomes possible only if:

– you build savings from now
– increase income gradually
– control lifestyle inflation
– phase construction smartly

Full Rs 15 lakh may not be ready by 2027 start. But construction can begin in stages.

» Step-by-Step Savings Strategy Till 2027

Follow this order carefully:

Step 1:

Build emergency fund first

Target:

– 6 months expenses
– Around Rs 75,000 minimum

Step 2:

Create baby fund

Target:

– Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh

Step 3:

Start house construction fund

Monthly investment:

– Rs 10,000 minimum from current savings

This alone builds strong base by 2027.

After EMI ends:

Increase savings to Rs 30,000 per month

Then construction becomes practical.

» Where To Keep Monthly Savings

Since your goal is within 2–3 years:

Use mix of:

– recurring deposits
– short duration mutual fund investments through SIP
– balanced category mutual funds through SIP

These give better flexibility and stability for medium term goals.

Avoid high risk options for this goal.

» One Important Risk To Control

Right now your financial life depends mainly on one salary.

So please arrange:

– one term insurance plan
– one emergency fund
– continue health insurance for mother

These protect your house goal and family future.

» How Much House Construction Is Realistic in 2027?

Most practical approach:

Phase construction

Example:

– foundation and structure first
– interior later
– expansion later

This reduces loan need.

Many government employees follow this smart method successfully.

» Ways To Improve Success Chances

Simple improvements can change outcome strongly:

– yearly salary increment savings should go fully into house fund
– festival bonus should go into house fund
– avoid new personal loans till 2027
– avoid vehicle loan till construction completes

Even small discipline makes big difference.

» Finally

Yes, your house construction goal in 2027 is possible without new loan, but only if:

– emergency fund created first
– baby fund arranged early
– monthly Rs 10,000 minimum invested regularly
– EMI amount redirected fully after 2027
– construction done in stages if needed

Your situation is stable and manageable. With railway job security and controlled expenses, your foundation is already strong.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
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  |11136 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 29, 2024Hindi
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Iam 40yrs old with 1.6lakhs take home with house wife and 3 yr old baby girl. Below is my current financial condition: 1. Taken Home loan for 35 lakhs for apartment worth of 55lakhs in 2022 with emi requirement of 41k for 11yrs (iam paying monthly 45k and one extra 45k emi yearly) 2. Took Gold loan of 11lakhs in 2022(paying from mar2024 onwards monthly 35k) for apartment purpose 3. Holding 2440 sqft land costs 25lakhs in 2021 now it is 35lakhs planned for baby girl marriage 4. 5lakhs emergency fund in FD 5. 6 lakhs FD for SBI life smart wealthbuilder plan purpose for next 6yrly premium payment, 6. Equity 5lakhs invested now mkt value 8lakhs, 7. Mf 8lakhs now 11lakhs (monthly 20k for 10 different funds with 1k stepup yearly) 8. EPF 20lakhs not withdrawn from beginning for retirement plan 9. Ssy 1.2lakhs for baby girl education (monthly 6k) 10. Ppf 50k for baby girl education (monthly 3k) 11. Nps 4.9lakhs now 6lakhs (monthly 12k from company deduction and 50k annually from my side) 12. Holding agriculture land 1acre 7lakhs near hometown purchased in 2018 now it is same price no increase... Holding bcoz I like to have agriculture land... 13. Holding Gold coins 50gms purchasing when there is Amazon offers.. for baby girl ornaments purpose 14. Term insurance 1crore for me and 50lakhs for my wife purchased in 2022 15. Health insurance 20lakhs with premium 60k for 3yrs purchase in 2022... Monthly 1.6lakhs take home spending as below: 1. 45k home loan emi (annually 45k as one extra emi) 2. 30k mf sip ( 3k each for 10 funds - quant infra, quant smallcap, quant elss, 360 one focused, canara robeco smallcap, canara robeco emerging, mirae largecap, pgim flexicap, parag elss, ICICI prudential technology fund) 3. 35k gold loan prepayment 4. 35k home maintenance expenses 5. 10k ssy and ppf 6. 5k apartment maintenance 7. 45k LIc premium annual requirement 8. 40k term loan premium annual requirement taken 1crore for me and 50lakhs for my wife total to 40k premium 9. 30k annually for bike insurance, services and other maintenance 10. 1.3lakhs for baby girl school fees from this year 50% already paid 50% to be paid in oct 2024 11. 60k premium for health insurance once for 3 years purchased in 2022... I have few ask sir: 1. Want to buy 13 to 15Lakhs car.. when to buy with my financial condition and I have no down payment free cash now 2. Should I change my financial saving/investment please suggest as I am not having any free cashflow post the monthly commitment 3. Want to generate 2nd source of income suggest plz which is good to have it 4. Want to become financial freedom by next 10years so what I need to do for it and plan better...
Ans: You've provided a detailed overview of your current financial situation, which is a great starting point for planning your future financial goals. Let's address your queries one by one:
1. Car Purchase Timing: Given your existing financial commitments, it's important to evaluate whether purchasing a car fits within your budget without compromising your other financial goals. Since you mentioned that you don't have any free cash for a down payment, consider saving up for the down payment first before making the purchase. Additionally, assess whether you can afford the additional monthly expenses associated with car ownership, such as fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
2. Review of Financial Savings/Investments: With your current financial commitments and no free cash flow, it's essential to reassess your savings and investment strategies. Look for opportunities to optimize your portfolio by prioritizing goals and reallocating resources accordingly. Consider reviewing your MF SIPs and other investments to ensure they align with your financial objectives and risk tolerance. Consolidating or reallocating investments may help streamline your financial plan and maximize returns.
3. Generating a Second Source of Income: Exploring avenues for generating additional income can provide financial stability and accelerate your journey towards financial freedom. Consider options such as freelancing, part-time consulting, rental income from property, or starting a side business based on your skills and interests. Evaluate each opportunity carefully to ensure it complements your current lifestyle and commitments.
4. Achieving Financial Freedom in 10 Years: To achieve financial freedom within the next decade, focus on building a robust financial plan centered around your long-term goals. Consider steps such as:
• Increasing savings and investments: Aim to boost your savings rate and channel funds towards high-yield investment options to accelerate wealth accumulation.
• Debt management: Prioritize debt repayment to reduce financial burdens and free up cash flow for investments.
• Diversification: Diversify your investment portfolio across asset classes to mitigate risk and optimize returns.
• Continuous learning: Stay informed about personal finance concepts and investment strategies to make informed decisions and adapt to changing market conditions.
• Regular review: Periodically review your financial plan to track progress, make necessary adjustments, and stay on course towards your goals.
Overall, achieving financial freedom requires discipline, strategic planning, and a long-term perspective. By making informed decisions, optimizing resources, and staying committed to your financial goals, you can work towards building a secure and prosperous future for yourself and your family. Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to receive personalized guidance tailored to your specific financial circumstances and aspirations.

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Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Dec 31, 2024

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Sir, I am a group d railway employee .My total income in hand is 40000. I distribute my money as personal loan emi 14702 (3 years left) Fridge emi 1700 (2 left) For marriage purpose 10000/month Investment mf 5500 (just started 5 months) My expense 4000 Family 5000 Now I have to marriage in January 2026 ,try to arrange money 2 lakhs, I know that's not enough but still I try to make up, after marriage I live in rent of 7000, then my marriage purpose 10000 break into rent and my expense. I bought a land 2 years ago, after 2 years of my marriage I want build my home and then I think I have 2.5 lakh in mf and rest I should take a home loan... Am I right path? Please suggest a proper roadmap for my current financial situation.
Ans: Dear Jay, Its good to see that you are sensitive about the future and concerned about how to achieve it, sere are some suggestions, 1. Savings for Marriage: Target: ?2,00,000 by January 2026-Your current savings approach of ?10,000/month is excellent. By January 2026 (approximately 15 months), you’ll save ?1,50,000. Add the maturity value of your MF investments (?5,500/month for 15 months = ~?82,500 assuming 10% returns). Together, this will bring you close to your target.
2. Post-Marriage (From January 2026)- Adjust Budget for Rent:- Allocate ?7,000/month from the ?10,000 set aside for marriage savings. About Expenses: Consolidate other expenses into ?6,000–?7,000. Continue Investing in Mutual Funds: maintain your SIP. 3. Home Construction Planning (2028)-Assess how much additional funds you’ll need beyond the projected ?2.5 lakh from MFs.lan to take a home loan while ensuring your EMIs remain below 40% of your monthly income (~?16,000). 4. Start building an emergency fund of ?50,000–?1,00,000 gradually to handle unexpected expenses without disrupting other goals. By staying disciplined and regularly reviewing your financial plan. Regards, Nitin Narkhede Mentor, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11136 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 20, 2025

Money
Sir, I am a group d railway employee .My total income in hand is 40000. I distribute my money as personal loan emi 14702 (3 years left) Fridge emi 1700 (2 left) For marriage purpose 10000/month Investment mf 5500 (just started 5 months) My expense 4000 Family 5000 Now I have to marriage in January 2026 ,try to arrange money 2 lakhs, I know that's not enough but still I try to make up, after marriage I live in rent of 7000, then my marriage purpose 10000 break into rent and my expense. I bought a land 2 years ago, after 2 years of my marriage I want build my home and then I think I have 2.5 lakh in mf and rest I should take a home loan... Am I right path? Please suggest a proper roadmap for my current financial situation.
Ans: Your current monthly income is Rs 40,000, which you have thoughtfully allocated among various financial obligations. This disciplined approach is commendable and lays a strong foundation for your financial planning. Here’s an evaluation of your current outflows:

Personal Loan EMI: Rs 14,702 (3 years left).
Fridge EMI: Rs 1,700 (2 months left).
Marriage Savings: Rs 10,000.
Investment in Mutual Funds (MF): Rs 5,500 (Started 5 months ago).
Personal Expenses: Rs 4,000.
Family Support: Rs 5,000.
Once your fridge EMI ends in two months, you will have Rs 1,700 freed up, which can be redirected towards your marriage savings or investments.

Marriage Savings Goal
You aim to save Rs 2,00,000 for your marriage in January 2026. Here's how you can achieve this goal:

Existing Savings: You are already setting aside Rs 10,000/month for marriage. By January 2026 (24 months), you will accumulate Rs 2,40,000.

Optimisation: After your fridge EMI ends, increase the marriage savings to Rs 11,700. This adjustment will provide an additional Rs 40,800 over 24 months.

Liquid Funds for Safety: Park the marriage savings in a liquid mutual fund or recurring deposit. These options offer better returns than a savings account and ensure liquidity for your goal.

Post-Marriage Financial Adjustments
After your marriage, you plan to live in a rented house for Rs 7,000. The Rs 10,000 saved for marriage can be split as follows:

Rent Payment: Rs 7,000/month.
Personal Expense Increase: Rs 3,000/month.
This adjustment is manageable within your existing cash flow.

Home Construction Plan
You plan to build a house two years after your marriage. Here’s a roadmap to align this goal with your finances:

Mutual Fund Investment: Assuming Rs 5,500/month continues, you could accumulate around Rs 2.5 lakhs by then. This can act as a partial down payment.

Home Loan: For the remaining funds, a home loan is a viable option. Ensure the EMI does not exceed 40% of your monthly income.

Construction Budget: Set a realistic budget for your home construction. Avoid exceeding the affordability limit, considering your other obligations.

Savings Cushion: Maintain a contingency fund to cover unexpected expenses during the construction phase.

Evaluating Your Mutual Fund Investment
Your investment in mutual funds is a positive step. However, here are some pointers to optimise it further:

Avoid Direct Funds: Direct funds require expertise and constant monitoring. Instead, invest through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A CFP can provide guidance and monitor the performance of your portfolio.

Stick to Actively Managed Funds: These funds can deliver better returns with professional management, unlike index funds.

Tax Efficiency: Note that equity mutual funds are taxed at 12.5% LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh and 20% for STCG. Debt funds are taxed as per your income tax slab. Factor these into your financial planning.

Managing Debt and Cash Flow
Debt repayment consumes a significant portion of your income. While it is unavoidable, here’s how to manage it better:

Personal Loan: This EMI will continue for 3 more years. Avoid taking any additional personal loans during this period.

Avoid New EMI Commitments: Once your fridge EMI ends, avoid replacing it with a new EMI. Instead, redirect the funds to savings or investments.

Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is crucial for financial stability. Currently, it is unclear if you have one. If not, here’s how you can build it:

Target Amount: Save at least 6 months’ worth of expenses (Rs 24,000 x 6 = Rs 1,44,000).

Allocation: Use the freed-up EMI amount of Rs 1,700 to start building this fund.

Instrument: Keep the funds in a liquid or ultra-short-term mutual fund for accessibility.

Long-Term Planning
Your long-term goals, including building a home, require strategic planning:

Retirement Planning: Although not mentioned, ensure you allocate funds for retirement. Starting early provides the benefit of compounding.

Children’s Education: If you plan to have children, start a separate fund for their education early.

Key Recommendations
Marriage Goal: Increase savings by Rs 1,700 after the fridge EMI ends. Use liquid funds for better returns and liquidity.

Post-Marriage Adjustments: Split the Rs 10,000 into rent and increased expenses without affecting other allocations.

House Construction: Use your MF investment as partial down payment. Take a home loan with affordable EMIs.

Mutual Fund Strategy: Stick to regular plans with a CFP. Avoid direct funds and index funds.

Emergency Fund: Build a fund of Rs 1,44,000 using the freed-up EMI amount.

Avoid New Loans: Focus on clearing the personal loan before taking additional debt.

Invest for Retirement: Start investing early for your retirement. Use equity mutual funds for long-term goals.

Final Insights
Your financial discipline is impressive. With careful adjustments, you can achieve your goals. Prioritise your marriage savings, home construction, and emergency fund. Seek guidance from a CFP to optimise your mutual fund portfolio and long-term planning.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on May 19, 2025

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Dear Sir, Me and my wife are 39 years old, our total in hand income from salary is 1.3 lakhs. I have a car loan EMI of 28100, 4 yrs left in tenure. We have personal loan EMI of total of 25k monthly and 4 yrs remaining. We have invested in 3k monthly in PPF and 6k monthly SIP in MF (both of us incuded). We pay rent of 26k per month. Our kid is 2.5 yrs old and we have put him in daycare as we have to go office. Daycare expenses are 9k per month, including his 3 times meal. Petrol expenses are 7k per month (have to take our own car as using public/shared/office transport takes additional 1 hr to an fro from office). Broadband and moble connection together costs us 2.2k per month and Electricity is 1.8k per month. Remaing amount is spent in Groceries+Misc. We dont have any gold/own house/land/parents house or any savings left nor do we have any cash left. We dnt have any insurance for neither of us. Our child is growing and we need money for his education and futue, we need to buy a home for ourself. How to plan for our child's education and future and our retirement and our income and our future.
Ans: Dear Deepankar,
At 39, with a child and heavy EMIs, focus first on stability. Get term insurance (?1 crore each) and family health insurance (?10–15 lakh). Build a 3-month emergency fund by cutting discretionary spends. Consider refinancing loans to reduce monthly EMIs. Pause SIPs temporarily; restart once debts ease. Shift to a more affordable rental if possible. Delay home buying until finances improve. Track every expense and optimize where possible. Later, restart SIPs for your child’s education and your retirement. Discipline and clear priorities now will secure your family's financial future. Consult a financial planner to structure goals and investment strategy effectively.
Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11136 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 07, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 06, 2026Hindi
Money
: Hello sir I am Joy Paul from Kolkata West Bengal. I am railway group d employee my in hand salary 44000 after deduction of pf. I have personal loan of emi rs 14702 till December and 2027. And an health insurance emi 1747 for my mother. Me and my wife get medical benefits from railway. Now my per month expense is approx 13000. So I have left with 15000 per month for my savings from this month because my all savings were gone due to my marriage 2 months ago. After that I take 280000 rs from my family member for my marriage which does not paying but must there is no interest. Now I want to baby planning in this year which means there is a expense. I have a land for which I take the loan and i want to build house there after my loan complete in 2027 of budget 15 lakh. Is it any possibility to manage all the things and make house in 2027 without taking any loan further with my 15000 savings per month. : My financial situation as Monthly salary -44000 Total emi - 16000 till 2027 Expense -13000 Savings - 15000 Take money from family -280000 Have baby planning in this year Have a home planning in 2027
Ans: You are managing your money with discipline even after marriage expenses. You are thinking about baby planning and house construction in advance. This is a very responsible approach. With proper planning, your goals are possible.

» Understanding your present financial position

Your monthly situation is reasonably stable.

– Salary: Rs 44,000
– EMI till Dec 2027: Rs 16,000
– Household expense: Rs 13,000
– Available savings: Rs 15,000
– Interest-free family support taken: Rs 2,80,000
– Future goals: baby in 2026 and house construction in 2027

The biggest strength is that your family support amount has no interest. This gives flexibility.

» Can you build house worth Rs 15 lakh by 2027 without new loan

Let us see realistically.

From now till Dec 2027, you have around 20–22 months.

If you save Rs 15,000 monthly:

– Total savings possible: around Rs 3 to 3.5 lakh
– Even with some investment growth, corpus may reach around Rs 3.5 to 4 lakh

So full construction of Rs 15 lakh house without any loan will be difficult.

But partial construction is possible.

Example practical approach:

– Complete basement and structure first
– Finish remaining work slowly later
– Use salary increment and future savings after EMI closure

This staged construction method is very common and safe.

» Impact of baby planning this year

Baby planning is a happy decision. But financially it needs preparation.

Typical expenses include:

– Delivery cost
– Mother care
– Baby medical expenses
– Extra monthly household cost increase

Even with railway medical benefits, some expenses will come.

So you should create a baby preparation fund first before house construction.

Target:

– Keep at least 4 to 6 months expenses as emergency fund
– Keep separate baby expense buffer

This protects your family.

» Handling the Rs 2,80,000 taken from family

Even though interest free, this amount should be respected as responsibility.

Best approach:

– Start returning small amount slowly from yearly bonus or increments
– Or clear after 2027 EMI completion
– Avoid pressure on monthly savings now

This keeps relations comfortable and stress free.

» How to use your monthly Rs 15,000 savings wisely

Your savings should be divided into three parts.

Emergency protection

– First build emergency fund equal to 4–6 months expenses
– Keep in safe savings instruments

Baby planning fund

– Keep separate amount monthly
– Use for hospital and early child expenses

House construction fund

– Start investing remaining amount in equity-oriented mutual fund through SIP mode
– This gives better long-term growth support for your 2027 goal

This structured approach balances safety and growth.

» What will change after Dec 2027

This is the biggest turning point in your life.

After loan closure:

– Extra Rs 16,000 becomes available monthly
– Your savings capacity becomes around Rs 30,000 per month

Then house completion becomes much easier.

So even if construction starts in 2027, finishing work can comfortably continue after that.

» Additional smart improvements you can consider

– Increase savings whenever salary increases
– Avoid new personal loans till 2027
– Keep health insurance active for mother
– Start small SIP immediately instead of waiting
– Maintain disciplined monthly tracking of expenses

Small habits create strong results.

» Final Insights

Yes, building full Rs 15 lakh house by 2027 without any additional loan is difficult with present savings capacity. But starting construction in stages is fully possible. If you first prepare for baby expenses and emergency fund, then continue SIP for house goal, your plan becomes practical and safe. After EMI completion in 2027, your financial strength will increase sharply and house completion becomes much easier.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11011 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 19, 2026

Career
Sir,My son got 144 in BITS and 86percentile in Jee, what will be the best availabilty/option for engineering institute for CS, Mechanical & Electrical
Ans: Rachna Madam, with a BITSAT score of 144, admission to the CSE, Electrical, or Mechanical branches at all three BITS campuses is effectively not possible. Recent official cutoffs have been much higher—for example, Hyderabad closed at CSE 284/319/270, EEE 251/262/239, and Mechanical 218/192/214 in 2023/2024/2025, respectively, with Goa and Pilani cutoffs even higher.

Through JoSAA, with an 86 percentile in JEE Main, admission to CSE in NITs/IIITs is generally unlikely, and getting Mechanical or Electrical in mainstream NITs is also difficult under the open category. Chances improve mainly with home-state quota, reserved categories, female-only seats, or in lower-demand GFTIs and self-financed institutes accepting JEE Main scores.

Please check JoSAA’s official opening and closing rank archives year-wise before filling choices. Your son can focus on mid-tier or newer NITs and IIITs and state-level colleges and should also consider 4-5 reputed private universities as backup options instead of relying solely on BITS or JoSAA. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |11011 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 18, 2026

Career
Sir, My son has appeared in Class X ICSE Exam and results are awaited. So far , he has been an average performer academically. I believe he is capable and he can do great if he puts in the hard work. His performance in subjects like History/Geography etc has always been better than in Maths/science. I personally never wanted to force him to choose any stream for higher studies. He also is not sure about it. While discussing I suggested him to go for Commerce or humanities stream and then for MBA from a reputed institution. However, he is more concerned about job opportunities and wanted to go for science. Hence, after a lot of discussion, we have got him admitted in Science stream in Delhi and also got him enrolled in Allen for JEE Coaching. We thought if he adapts well and gets going, then may be he can achieve good result. Otherwise, we may decide to change stream after Class XII. What is your opinion? Request for your suggestion please
Ans: Shyam Sir, I have thoroughly reviewed your son’s background. You haven’t mentioned whether he is continuing with the ISC board or has enrolled in the CBSE board with Allen-JEE coaching for this 11th/12th Grade. Firstly, I recommend a psychometric test for your son to gain a rough idea of the most suitable career options for him.

Secondly, job opportunities exist across domains, but to be competitive, your son must have passion and interest in his chosen field and continuously upgrade both technical and soft skills relevant to that domain.

Thirdly, besides understanding suitable career options through the psychometric test, ask him what types of problems he is interested in solving in the future.

Fourthly, since you mentioned his performance is better in History and Geography than in Science and Maths, Allen-JEE coaching would be suitable only if he is truly interested in Maths and Science. If not, his performance may fall short of expectations, leading to demotivation.

My suggestion is to consider enrolling him in the Arts/Humanities stream with a focus on Geography-centric subjects. Later, he can pursue civil services, media, law, or management studies. Reassess his progress after about a year (by December 2026), focusing on his interest, mental health, and realistic performance rather than perceived job security alone.

Before he completes 11th grade (by February 2026), you both can collectively decide and start preparing for entrance exams in law, media, or management (CUET, CLAT, IPMAT, NPAT, SET etc.) based on his interests and future plans. ALL the BEST for Your Son's Prosperous Future!

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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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