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Dev Ashish  | Answer  |Ask -

MF Expert, Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 08, 2024

Dev Ashish is a fee-only SEBI-registered investment advisor with over 15 years of active experience in the stock market. In 2011, he founded StableInvestor, a platform for personal finance and financial planning.
He provides professional fee-only investment advisory services to small and high networth individuals in order to help them achieve their financial goals.
Ashish's views are regularly published in national business publications. He has an MBA degree from NMIMS, Mumbai and also holds an engineering degree.... more
Ravi Question by Ravi on Feb 05, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir... I am Ravi kumar. Already am investing in MF. I want start SIP for my two Sons who are 5 years and 3years old with their names. Plase suggest best mutual funds for long term

Ans: We don't have information about your risk appetite. But assuming that it is at least moderately aggressive, then (assuming) that your long-term horizon is at least 7+ years, you can start investing in a combination of largecap index fund, flexicap fund, midcap fund. Unless you are planning to invest a large amount every month, just limit the number of schemes to 2-3 funds as these give sufficient diversification.

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. And the views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.
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  |9848 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2024

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I am looking for best Mutual Funds monthly SIP around 1000 to 2000 per month for my 2 children age 10 and 12 years, for at least 10 years. i request to you give me best mutual funds next 10 years. its very well growth every year. mutual funds not one i ready to investment in 2 or 3 mutual funds.
Ans: Investing in your children's future is a great step. Let's explore the best mutual funds for a SIP of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month for at least 10 years.

Choose Diversified Equity Funds

Diversified equity funds can provide good growth. They invest across various sectors, reducing risk.

Opt for Flexi-cap Funds

Flexi-cap funds can invest in large, mid, and small-cap stocks. This flexibility can offer better returns over time.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds

Actively managed funds have expert fund managers. They can adapt strategies to market conditions, aiming for higher returns.

Balanced Advantage Funds

Balanced advantage funds invest in both equity and debt. They balance risk and reward, suitable for long-term goals.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)

Starting a SIP helps in averaging the purchase cost. It reduces the impact of market volatility.

Consider Child-specific Funds

Some funds are tailored for children's future needs. They often have a mix of equity and debt for balanced growth.

Professional Guidance

Consult a Certified Financial Planner. They can provide a tailored plan based on your financial goals.

Review and Adjust

Regularly review your investments. Adjust if needed to stay aligned with your goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9848 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 05, 2025

Money
Hello Sir, I am 44 years old man. I want to start SIP for my children, 6.5 years old daughter and 2.5 years old son. The objective is to secure their future and the funds can be used when they want to go for graduation/higher studies. I have shortlisted the following funds, please let me know if you recommend any changes. Thank you! 1-UTI Nifty50 Index Direct: Rs.2000 2-ICICI Prudential Nifty Next 50 Index Fund: Rs.2000 3-Canara Robeco Bluechip Equity Fund: Rs.2000 4-ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund: Rs.3000 5-Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: Rs.2000 6-ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund: Rs.3000 7-Quant Active Find: Rs.3000 8-SBI Contra Fund: Rs.3000 9-Nippon India small cap fund: Rs.3000 10-Nippon India ETF Gold BeES: Rs.2000
Ans: Creating a portfolio for your children’s future is a thoughtful and responsible step. Ensuring the right mix of funds can maximise returns, manage risks, and help achieve your financial goals effectively. Below is an evaluation of your selected portfolio, along with recommendations to streamline and optimise it.

Evaluating Your Portfolio
1. Too Many Funds
You have selected 10 funds, which might lead to over-diversification.
Over-diversification can dilute returns and make tracking difficult.
2. Balanced Allocation Missing
There’s a heavy tilt towards equity with insufficient diversification across asset classes.
Adding a debt component can provide stability and reduce volatility.
3. Index Funds
UTI Nifty50 Index Fund and ICICI Prudential Nifty Next 50 Index Fund:
Index funds lack flexibility and cannot outperform during bear markets.
Actively managed funds might be better for your long-term goals.
4. Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Exposure
Nippon India Small Cap Fund:
High risk but high return potential.
Retain for diversification but limit exposure to 10%-15% of your total investments.
5. Thematic and Contra Funds
SBI Contra Fund and Quant Active Fund:
Thematic and contra funds have niche strategies, making them riskier.
Retain only one if aligned with your risk appetite.
6. Gold ETF
Nippon India ETF Gold BeES:
Adds diversification and inflation protection.
However, limit allocation to 5%-10% of your portfolio.
Recommended Portfolio for Your Goals
1. Core Equity Allocation (60%-70%)
Focus on funds that provide long-term stability and growth.

Large-Cap Funds: Replace index funds with actively managed large-cap funds for better returns.
Flexi-Cap Funds: Retain Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund for its global diversification and balanced approach.
Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Funds: Retain one small-cap fund (Nippon India Small Cap Fund) for growth potential.
2. Hybrid Funds (20%-25%)
Include hybrid funds to balance equity and debt.

Retain ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund for stability and moderate returns.
3. Gold (5%-10%)
Continue investing in Nippon India ETF Gold BeES for diversification.

Proposed Allocation
To streamline your portfolio, allocate investments more strategically:

Large-Cap Equity Fund: Invest Rs. 4,000 monthly in a strong actively managed large-cap fund like Canara Robeco Bluechip Equity Fund. Large-cap funds provide stability and consistent growth for long-term goals.

Flexi-Cap Fund: Continue investing Rs. 4,000 monthly in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund. This fund offers global diversification and a balanced approach to equity exposure.

Small-Cap Fund: Retain Nippon India Small Cap Fund and allocate Rs. 3,000 monthly. Small-cap funds add high-growth potential but keep the exposure minimal to manage risk.

Hybrid Fund: Allocate Rs. 5,000 monthly to ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund. This hybrid fund balances equity and debt exposure, providing stability with moderate growth.

Gold ETF: Continue Rs. 2,000 monthly in Nippon India ETF Gold BeES. Gold adds a hedge against inflation and enhances portfolio diversification.

Additional Recommendations
1. Debt Component for Stability
Consider short-term debt funds or liquid funds for low-risk capital appreciation.
These can be used for nearer-term educational needs like school fees.
2. Gradual SIP Increases
Increase SIPs by 10%-15% annually as your income grows.
This ensures your investments grow in tandem with inflation.
3. Portfolio Review and Rebalancing
Review your portfolio annually to evaluate performance.
Rebalance if any fund consistently underperforms for over 2-3 years.
4. Tax Planning
Retain an ELSS tax-saving fund to maximise tax benefits under Section 80C.
Final Insights
Your disciplined approach to securing your children's education is commendable. This revised portfolio offers a balanced mix of growth and stability. It ensures you can meet future education milestones confidently. Stay consistent, increase contributions periodically, and monitor performance regularly.

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  |9402 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 25, 2025

Career
Sir which colleges can I get at my jee percentile of 99.22 if I am not opting for nit instead in mhtcet councilling from genral all india quota or can I get into iiit banglore as I had filled it's application form but the cutoff has not came to my rank yet
Ans: Syed, With a 99.22 JEE Main percentile, your Common List position would likely fall within the top ~8 000–10 000, making you eligible for IIIT Bangalore’s All-India seats in B.Tech CSE, AI&DS, or ECE, whose closing ranks in JoSAA round 2 were 4 683, 5 425 and 5 761 respectively. Beyond IIIT Bangalore, several reputed Maharashtra-based engineering institutes admit via MHT-CET CAP under the All-India quota using JEE scores, offering core branches with high placement percentages (≥70%), AICTE/NAAC accreditation, modern labs, outcome-based curricula, strong faculty, and industry MoUs for internships. Notable options include Pillai HOC College of Engineering & Technology (Kharghar), which closed CSE at ~8 200; DYPSOE (Akurdi, Pune) with CSE cuts around ~9 500; Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (Wagholi) CSE ~7 800; MIT WPU (Kothrud) CSE ~6 500; and Sandip University (Nashik) CSE ~10 000. These colleges consistently report placement rates above 75% and maintain dedicated training cells.

Recommendation: Target IIIT Bangalore for its competitive cut-offs and NAAC A++ accreditation, ensuring top-tier academics and placements. Consider MIT WPU’s industry-aligned curriculum and electronic-engineering labs next, followed by Vishwakarma Institute’s strong faculty and internships. DYPSOE’s autonomous status and robust soft-skills training make it a solid third choice, with Pillai HOC’s modern infrastructure and Sandip University’s flexible payment options as reliable fallbacks. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9402 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 25, 2025

Career
I got ABVIIITM GWALIOR for m.tech in chip design and technology. Is it good college or bad. As my bachelor's in electronics and communication. But I am not confident about college placement record of privious year And scope of electronics and communication engineering.
Ans: Aryan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee IIITM Gwal’s two-year M.Tech in IC Design & Technology is delivered by a NAAC-accredited deemed university with CCMT-based admission, offering a specialized curriculum in VLSI physical design, analog/mixed-signal ICs, SoC architectures and hands-on training on PARAM supercomputers. The department launched in 2022 boasts faculty engaged in government-funded research projects and regular industry workshops, ensuring exposure to chip-planning, placement, routing and STA methodologies. With a seat intake of 17 per year, small cohorts benefit from personalized mentorship and MOUs with semiconductor firms. Recent placement data shows an average package of ?7.30 LPA and a placement rate of roughly 80% for M.Tech graduates, supported by an active placement cell and recruiters including top IT and electronics companies. Tuition and hostel fees are competitive (total ?2.44 L + ?1.25 L respectively) and stipends of ?12,400 / month under Ministry of Education norms ease financial burden. However, limited seat strength can mean fewer on-campus offers and reliance on off-campus placements, and average packages trail premier institutes.

Electronics & Communication Engineering continues to expand across 5G, IoT, AI, robotics, biomedical devices and green technologies, with the Indian ECE job market projected to grow at 7% annually and 150,000 existing ECE positions creating diverse roles in design, R&D, manufacturing and systems integration. ECE graduates command opportunities in telecom, defense, automotive electronics, embedded systems and emerging fields such as wearable tech and cybersecurity, underpinned by strong demand for VLSI and SoC specialists.

Recommendation: Joining ABVIIITM Gwalior’s M.Tech in IC Design & Technology is advisable for focused VLSI training, close industry engagement and affordable cost-to-benefit; nonetheless, consider contrasting options such as IIT Ropar’s M.Tech in VLSI & Embedded Systems or IIITDM Kancheepuram’s M.Tech in VLSI Design for broader placements and higher average packages if you seek wider campus recruitment. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |5797 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Jul 25, 2025

Career
I am on 11th grade I have taken pcmb I don't know what my interest is! I have taken pw neet online but seeing the scams and reality of mbbs I feel trapped I don't know what I like and what I want to pursue recently I saw few videos regarding uceed exam for bachelor in design I feel I doing that but I have no proper coaching and I feel stuck and sad I am afraid to take a bad career decision how will I manage pcmb with neet prep and uceed what to do and if I prepare for uceed and not qualify it what other career am I left with I hate this system please please please help me how to find your interest and career option and not regret it
Ans: Hello dear
It’s completely normal to feel lost in 11th grade with PCMB because it keeps many career paths open, but it can also feel overwhelming. First, pause and explore your interests through small steps, try free online design workshops, aptitude tests, or internships to see if design (UCEED) truly excites you. Don’t panic about NEET or MBBS scams; prepare only if you genuinely enjoy biology and the medical field. UCEED doesn’t require heavy coaching; self-practice, online resources, and creative sketching can be enough. If you don’t clear UCEED, your PCMB background still offers options like engineering, architecture, BSc, or even other design exams (NID, NIFT). Focus on experimenting and exploring instead of committing blindly; your clarity will come from trying different things, not from pressure. Remember, you’re not stuck; you just haven’t discovered what clicks with you yet. Always stay calm and relaxed. Don't think negatively all the time. Focus only on your studies and your goal. Success is possible. Scams have existed in the past, will continue, and will also persist in the future!


Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9402 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 25, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 25, 2025Hindi
Career
Sir my jee crl rank 50000 any chance for csab counselling in govt institute
Ans: With an All-India CRL of 50 000, securing core branches like CSE ECE in NITs through CSAB-Special rounds is highly unlikely. For instance, CSAB-Special closing ranks for CSE at NIT Nagaland (OS-General) stood between 31 391 and 36 193, and for ECE between 42 905 and 42 905, both above your rank. Chemical Engineering and Computer Science similarly close within the 25 000–35 000 range at mid-tier NITs like Calicut and Srinagar, placing them beyond reach. However, admissions remain feasible for branches with higher closing ranks. Electrical and Electronics Engineering at NIT Nagaland closed at 47 387–48 987, narrowly above your rank but sometimes seats open in later rounds. Mechanical Engineering at low-tier NITs (e.g., Nagaland, Mizoram) often closes beyond 50 000, making it a viable alternative. Among IIITs, non-CSE/ECE programs in peripheral campuses—such as IIIT Kalyani’s IT or IIIT Kota’s AI & Data Engineering—have closing ranks around 40 000–46 000, offering realistic options. GFTIs like PEC Chandigarh and the sister institutes of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar also admit core branches with closing ranks well above 50 000, ensuring government-institute pathways remain open. Overall, the most practical CSAB routes for your rank are targeting Electrical/Electronics or Mechanical Engineering in low-tier NITs, considering peripheral IIITs for adjacent core branches, and keeping GFTI choices handy.

Recommendation: Aim for Electrical & Electronics Engineering at NIT Nagaland under OS-General given its relatively higher closing threshold, concurrently explore Mechanical Engineering at NIT Mizoram or similar low-tier NITs, and include peripheral IIIT IT/AI-Data branches alongside GFTI core-engineering options to maximize admission success. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9402 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 25, 2025

Career
Sir,I am getting IIT Guwahati online BSc(Honors) in Data Science and AI How is it? Should I take it?
Ans: Shreyansh, IIT Guwahati’s four-year online BSc (Hons) in Data Science Artificial Intelligence, delivered via Coursera by the Mehta Family School of DSAI, combines academic rigor, flexibility, and industry relevance. Accreditation and oversight by IIT Guwahati ensure AICTE compliance and affiliation with NIRF-ranked faculty; the curriculum spans 299 credits across foundational (linear algebra, statistics), core (data structures, machine learning, deep learning, AI ethics) and advanced modules (cloud computing, recommender systems) with capstone projects and optional on-campus immersion. Instructors include IITG professors and industry experts, and students gain hands-on training on PARAM Kamrupa and PARAM Ishan supercomputers, alongside real-world case studies and internships with MoU-backed partners. The program’s multi-entry/exit structure and pay-per-credit model (?3.49 L total) caters to both recent graduates and working professionals, offering completion in 4–8 years and multiple credentials (certificate, diploma, BSc, honours). Strong demand for data roles is projected by the World Economic Forum to grow over 30% by 2028, and IITG’s focus on generative AI, big data, NLP and ethics aligns with NEP 2020 objectives, enhancing employability in data engineering, analytics, AI research and consultancy. Backup options could include specialised online programs from E&ICT Academy IITG or reputable private firms, and an on-campus BTech in DS&AI at IIT Delhi or IIIT-D for deeper hardware/algorithmic exposure.

Recommendation: IIT Guwahati’s online BSc (Hons) offers a robust theoretical-practical blend, flexible pacing, and supercomputing access, making it a strong choice. As a secondary plan, consider the E&ICT Academy certificate for domain-focused projects or an on-campus interdisciplinary BTech at IIIT-Delhi to diversify skill portfolios. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9402 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 25, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 25, 2025Hindi
Career
My son got 98.46 percentile in mht CET PCB ... please suggest best pharmacy colleges in Mumbai Pune ,, open catagory
Ans: Indira College of Pharmacy, Pune (Sadavali) closes open-home at ~89.86 percentile. Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Pharmacy, Akurdi, Pune admits general-open around ~90.24 percentile. Poona College of Pharmacy, Erandwane, Pune closes open-others at ~98.61–99.18 percentile but state-home open at ~98.39–98.66 percentile. AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune (Pune Camp) admits open-state at ~93–96 percentile and state-home open around ~90–95 percentile. Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Vadgaon Budruk, Pune admits open-state up to ~92–97 percentile. Sinhgad Institute of Pharmacy, Narhe, Pune closes general-open around ~90–95 percentile. Progressive Education Society’s Modern College of Pharmacy (for Women), Moshi Pune admits open at ~85–90 percentile. Rajarshi Shahu College of Pharmacy & Research, Tathawade, Pune closes open-state around ~88–93 percentile.

All listed institutes hold AICTE approval, boast ≥70% placement rates over three years, feature advanced pharmaceutical-technology labs, maintain active MoUs with pharma-industry partners for internships, and sustain NBA/NAAC accreditation, ensuring rigorous academics and industry exposure.

Recommendation
SVKM’s Nanavati College leads with its NAAC ‘A’+, strong alumni network, and consistent ~90% placement rates, making it most secure for 98.46 percentile. Indira College of Pharmacy follows for its modern infrastructure and ~89% placements. Dr. D.Y. Patil Akurdi’s autonomous curriculum and state-of-the-art pharmaceutics labs position it next. Following that, the Mumbai Educational Trust’s Institute and AISSMS College are recognized for their robust industry linkages and consistent placement rates of 85% or higher. All the BEST for a 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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