Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Mar 28, 2024

Colonel Sanjeev Govila (retd) is the founder of Hum Fauji Initiatives, a financial planning company dedicated to the armed forces personnel and their families.
He has over 12 years of experience in financial planning and is a SEBI certified registered investment advisor; he is also accredited with AMFI and IRDA.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 13, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hello Sir, I plan to invest in the following funds for 2 years through SIP from April 24. Investment holding time frame is 15 years. Nipon India Small Cap (10K); HDFC Small Cap (10K); HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities Fund (7.5K); Motilal Oswal Nifty Mid Cap 150 Index Fund (7.5K); Mirae Assets Large & Mid Cap (5K); ICICI Pru Value Discovery (10K). All funds selected are of Growth option and Direct investment option. Requesting your expert comments in the fund selection/ amount allocation. Looking forward to your response. Thanks.

Ans: In the mentioned funds, most of them are of Small & Mid cap categories and they carry higher risk in comparison to most other categories.
Although, in the recent past these funds have delivered decent returns supported by the ongoing market rally, you should be ready for the uncertain volatilities and may witness negative returns in the short term.

Secondly, funds overlapping in a similar category increases the concentration risk of the portfolio and returns may be impacted during market stress. Hence, it is recommended to diversify the portfolio among categories & across the market capitalization.

The investment horizon in mid & small cap should be of 7+ years for decent returns.

As you have mentioned your investment horizon as 15 years, these funds could be the suitable investment but in the absence of any idea of your risk appetite, it is difficult to assess that. Therefore, selection of funds should be based on your risk appetite, investment horizon and your goals not on the basis of their performance.
Asked on - Apr 04, 2024 | Answered on Apr 09, 2024
Listen
Thanks for your reply. My risk appetite is moderate. I am 40 years old and plan to park the surplus for long term horizon.
Ans: Noted please. Kindly take action as suggested above.
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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 01, 2024

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 13, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hi Sir , I plan to invest in the following funds for 2 years through SIP from April 24. Investment holding time frame is 15 years. Nipon India Small Cap (10K); HDFC Small Cap (10K); HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities Fund (7.5K); Motilal Oswal Nifty Mid Cap 150 Index Fund (7.5K); Mirae Assets Large & Mid Cap (5K); ICICI Pru Value Discovery (10K). All funds selected are of Growth option and Direct investment option. Requesting your expert comments in the fund selection/ amount allocation. Thanks in advance.
Ans: Your investment plan demonstrates a thoughtful approach to diversification across different market segments and fund categories. Let's evaluate your fund selection and amount allocation:

Nippon India Small Cap: Small-cap funds like Nippon India Small Cap have the potential for high growth but come with higher volatility. Considering your long-term investment horizon of 15 years, allocating 10K to this fund can be beneficial for capital appreciation over time.

HDFC Small Cap: Similar to Nippon India Small Cap, HDFC Small Cap focuses on small-cap stocks. Investing 10K in this fund further diversifies your portfolio within the small-cap segment, enhancing growth potential.

HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities Fund: Mid-cap funds like HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities Fund offer exposure to mid-sized companies with growth potential. Allocating 7.5K to this fund complements your small-cap investments and provides diversification across market segments.

Motilal Oswal Nifty Mid Cap 150 Index Fund: Index funds like Motilal Oswal Nifty Mid Cap 150 Index Fund aim to replicate the performance of the Nifty Midcap 150 Index. With 7.5K allocated to this fund, you gain exposure to mid-cap stocks with lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds.

Mirae Asset Large & Mid Cap: Investing 5K in Mirae Asset Large & Mid Cap Fund provides exposure to both large and mid-cap stocks, offering a balanced approach to growth and stability within the portfolio.

ICICI Pru Value Discovery: Value-oriented funds like ICICI Pru Value Discovery focus on undervalued stocks with the potential for long-term growth. Allocating 10K to this fund adds a value-oriented perspective to your portfolio, complementing growth-oriented funds.

Overall, your fund selection covers a wide spectrum of market segments, including small-cap, mid-cap, large & mid-cap, and value-oriented funds, which enhances diversification and potential returns over the long term.

However, since your investment horizon is 15 years, you might consider increasing exposure to equity funds for higher growth potential, considering your risk tolerance and financial goals.

Before finalizing your investment plan, I recommend consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to ensure alignment with your financial objectives and risk tolerance.

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 May 09, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 13, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hi Sir, I plan to invest in the following funds for 2 years through SIP from April 24. Investment holding time frame is 15 years. Nipon India Small Cap (10K); HDFC Small Cap (10K); HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities Fund (7.5K); Motilal Oswal Nifty Mid Cap 150 Index Fund (7.5K); Mirae Assets Large & Mid Cap (5K); ICICI Pru Value Discovery (10K). All funds selected are of Growth option and of Direct investment option. Requesting your expert comments in the fund selection/ amount allocation. Thank You.
Ans: It's commendable that you're planning to invest for the long term, and your fund selection reflects a diversified approach across different market caps and investment styles. Here are my expert comments on your fund selection and allocation:
1. Nippon India Small Cap and HDFC Small Cap: Investing in small-cap funds can offer higher growth potential, albeit with higher volatility. Given your long investment horizon of 15 years, these funds can potentially deliver significant returns. However, be prepared for short-term fluctuations in performance.
2. HDFC Mid Cap Opportunities Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Mid Cap 150 Index Fund: Mid-cap funds offer a balance between growth potential and risk. By investing in both actively managed and index funds in this segment, you're diversifying your exposure and potentially benefiting from different investment strategies.
3. Mirae Assets Large & Mid Cap: This fund provides exposure to both large and mid-cap stocks, offering diversification across market segments. Large and mid-cap funds can provide stability and growth potential, making them suitable for long-term investors like yourself.
4. ICICI Pru Value Discovery: Value-oriented funds like this one invest in undervalued stocks with the potential for long-term capital appreciation. Value investing can be rewarding over the long term, but it requires patience and discipline.
In terms of amount allocation, your allocation seems well-balanced across different market caps and investment styles. However, consider reviewing your risk tolerance and investment goals to ensure the allocation aligns with your financial objectives.
Regularly monitor the performance of your investments and review your portfolio periodically to make any necessary adjustments based on changing market conditions or personal circumstances.
Overall, your fund selection and allocation demonstrate a thoughtful approach to long-term wealth creation through mutual fund investments.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..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'.

...Read more

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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x