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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Sanjeev Question by Sanjeev on Sep 26, 2023Hindi
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Hello Sir This Sanjeev Kumar, From Himachal Pradesh. Below are my Investments. Sir I would like to known that Is my portfolio good enough to get better return. I want to accumulate 20 to 30 lakhs in next 10 to 12 years from below investment. Also suggest me that whether, below MF are good enough, or reshuffling is required. 1. Aditya Birla Sun life Multi Cap Fund-regular growth --- Rs 1000/- 2. Invesco India Flexi Cap Fund-regular plan growth ---- Rs 1000/- 3. Invesco Multicap fund-Regular growth --- Rs 1000/- 4. Kotak Emerging Equity fund growth ---- Rs 1000/- 5. Kotak tax saver fund growth (ELSS) ---Rs 500 /- 6. Kotak multi cap fund --------- Rs 1000/- 7. Union long term equity fund growth regular plan ----- Rs 1500/- 8. Nippon India Flexi cap fund ----------- Rs 1000/- 9. LIC ------------------ 51000 /- (Annually). 10. PPF -------------- 1.5 lac (Annually, Since 2015). 11. NPS ------------ 50000 /- (Annually).

Ans: Hello Sanjeev,

Your investment portfolio appears to be diversified with a mix of mutual funds, insurance, and other instruments. Diversification is key to managing risk and potentially achieving better returns over the long term. However, it's essential to periodically review and rebalance your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Consider assessing the performance of each mutual fund regularly and comparing it with benchmark indices and peer funds. If any fund consistently underperforms or if your investment goals change, you may consider reshuffling your investments.

Additionally, continue contributing to instruments like PPF and NPS, as they offer tax benefits and long-term wealth accumulation opportunities. Remember, investing is a journey, and staying disciplined while focusing on your goals will increase your chances of achieving financial success.
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 17, 2024

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Dear Sir, I Sanjeev Kumar, aged 42 years investing in following investment, I would like to have your opinion that are these saving quite enough to accumulate to fund value of 70 to 80 lac in next 10 to 12 years. 1. Aditya birla multicap fund --- Rs 1000 PM (SIP) 2. Invesco flexi cap fund -------- Rs 1000 PM (SIP) 3. Invesco india multi cap fund ----- Rs 1000 PM (SIP) 4. Kotak Multicap fund ------ Rs 1000 PM (SIP) 5. Kotak emerging equity fund ----- Rs 1000 PM (SIP) 6. Kotak tax saver fund ------- Rs 500 PM (SIP) 7. Nippon multicap fund -------- Rs 1000 PM (SIP) 8. Union Tax saver fund --------- Rs 1500 PM (SIP) 9. LIC -------------------------- 52000 (annually) 10. PPF ----------------------- 1.5 lac (annually) 11. NPS --------------------- 5000 Rs (annually) I would also like to hear from you, that whether reshuffling is required in my portfolio. Eager to hear from you soon.
Ans: Review of your Investment Portfolio
Strengths:

Regular Savings: You're consistently contributing through SIPs in various mutual funds, PPF, NPS, and LIC, which is a positive aspect for long-term wealth creation.
Diversification: You have a good mix of multi-cap and flexi-cap funds, along with tax-saving options (ELSS) through SIPs. This provides some diversification across market capitalizations and offers tax benefits.
Areas for Potential Review:

Number of Funds: Having nine SIPs across different mutual funds can be complex to manage and rebalance. Consider consolidating some funds with similar investment styles. Three to five well-chosen funds can provide sufficient diversification.
Equity Allocation: While you have some tax-saving SIPs, the overall weightage towards equity might be on the lower side for a 10-12 year investment horizon, considering your target corpus of Rs. 70-80 lakh.
LIC Policy: LIC policies offer life insurance and savings, but their returns might be lower than pure investment options. Analyze the returns of your LIC policy and consider if it aligns with your goals. Speak to your advisor for potential alternatives.
Reshuffling Considerations (Consult a Financial Advisor for Specific Recommendations):

Consolidation: Consider merging some of your multi-cap funds with similar investment styles. This will simplify your portfolio and reduce management complexity.
Increase Equity Allocation: Discuss with a financial advisor about potentially increasing your SIP contributions in existing equity funds or starting a new SIP in a large-cap or mid-cap fund to potentially boost your equity exposure and align it better with your investment horizon.
Here are some additional tips:

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund with 3-6 months of living expenses to cover unexpected costs. Park this in a liquid instrument like a savings account or short-term debt fund.
Review and Rebalance: Regularly review your portfolio performance (at least annually) and rebalance if needed to maintain your desired asset allocation.
Goal-based Investment: Consider aligning specific investments with your retirement goals. Equity funds can be suitable for long-term goals like retirement, while debt funds can be good for shorter-term goals.
Reaching your target corpus of Rs. 70-80 lakh in 10-12 years might require:

Potentially increasing your SIP contributions in existing equity funds.
Analyzing and potentially adjusting your LIC policy if the returns don't align with your goals.
Remember:

This is a general overview, and consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is highly recommended for a personalized plan considering your specific risk tolerance, financial goals, and investment time horizon.
Disciplined investment and staying invested for the long term are crucial for achieving your financial goals.
By strategically reviewing your portfolio, potentially consolidating funds, and potentially increasing your equity allocation, you can improve your chances of reaching your desired corpus.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 2024

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Hi Experts! I am 36 years old, married 1 year ago. I have Rs.223000 invested in Mutual Fund. Per Month 10k in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, Rs.1250 in DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth, Rs.1000 in Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth, PGIM India Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth, Rs.2000 in Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth, Rs.2000 in Quant Multi Asset Fund Direct Growth and Rs.2000 in ICICI Prudential BHARAT 22 FDF Direct Growth. Apart from this I pay Rs.10k/month in PPF and 1.5 lac/year in SBI Life Insurance. Please let me know if this is a good portfolio or should I modify anything in this. What kind of Future return I will be expecting here with this portfolio.
Ans: Congratulations on your recent marriage and your proactive approach towards financial planning. It's evident that you're committed to securing your financial future.

Your investment portfolio reflects a diversified approach, which is a positive sign. Diversification helps spread risk and can enhance long-term returns. Let's delve into your portfolio to assess its effectiveness and potential for future returns.

Investing in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund offers exposure to a diversified portfolio across various sectors and market capitalizations. This fund's flexible investment strategy allows it to capitalize on emerging opportunities, potentially leading to attractive returns over time.

ELSS Tax Saver Funds like DSP and Kotak offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act while providing exposure to equities. These funds have a lock-in period of three years, aligning with your long-term investment horizon.

Nippon India Small Cap Fund and Quant Multi Asset Fund offer exposure to smaller companies and multiple asset classes, respectively. Small-cap funds have the potential for higher growth but come with increased volatility. Ensure they align with your risk tolerance.

ICICI Prudential BHARAT 22 FDF provides exposure to a diversified basket of public sector enterprises and select private sector companies. This fund can add stability to your portfolio while offering growth potential.

Your investments in PPF and SBI Life Insurance contribute to your overall financial security and tax planning. PPF offers stable returns with tax benefits, while life insurance provides protection for your family's future financial needs.

Considering your age and investment horizon, this portfolio has the potential to generate attractive returns over the long term. However, periodically review and rebalance your portfolio to ensure alignment with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

For a more comprehensive analysis and personalized advice, consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner who can tailor recommendations to your specific needs and objectives.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 31, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Team Need your advise on my current investment portfolio where I invest upto 6400 0 monthly. Currently I am 43 years old and targeting my investment to 2 cr. Are my investment in the right track. Please advise. Scheme Name distributed across and current value at 12lakhs. Have I chosen the right investments Axis Midcap Fund Growth Kotak Multicap Fund Growth Tata Digital India Fund Growth Kotak Large Cap Fund Direct Growth Kotak Small Cap Fund Growth Tata Balanced Advantage Fund Growth ICICI Prudential Equity Savings Fund Growth UTI Multi Asset Allocation Fund Plan Growth Axis Midcap Direct Plan Growth Kotak Arbitrage Fund Growth Axis Large & Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth UTI Large & Mid Cap Fund Plan Growth Tata Digital India Fund Direct Growth Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct Growth ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund Growth Invesco India Largecap Fund Growth Nippon India Gold Savings Fund Direct Growth Kotak Manufacture in India Fund Growth Kotak Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Kotak Large Cap Fund Growth Axis Large & Mid Cap Fund Growth Nippon India Flexi Cap Fund Growth
Ans: Dear Friend,
At 43, you have built a corpus of ?12 lakh and are investing ?64,000 monthly with a target of ?2 crore. Your portfolio is spread across 20+ funds, with heavy overlap in midcap, smallcap, and largecap categories, along with sectoral and hybrid exposure. While diversification is good, excess duplication dilutes returns and adds complexity. You are overexposed to volatile mid/small caps and sectoral funds, while debt and hybrids are relatively underweighted. Simplifying into 6–7 quality funds—mixing large/flexicap, midcap, smallcap, balanced advantage, gold, and limited sectoral allocation—will provide better balance. With current investments, you are on track to cross ?3 crore in 15 years. Gradually shift part of equity into hybrid/debt after 50 and maintain an emergency buffer.
Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
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Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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