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

Ulhas Joshi  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Mar 27, 2024

With over 16 years of experience in the mutual fund industry, Ulhas Joshi has helped numerous clients choose the right funds and create wealth.
Prior to joining RankMF as CEO, he was vice president (sales) at IDBI Asset Management Ltd.
Joshi holds an MBA in marketing from Barkatullah University, Bhopal.... more
Prateek Question by Prateek on Mar 24, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hello Ulhas, I am 33 years and I want to start investing in MF with amount 25k per month till next 10-15 years so that I can get a good corpus for my child's education and also retirement . I am also planning to increase the amount each year for this . Can you please help in which type of funds should I invest ( also the company if possible) and how much amount should I increase each year.

Ans: Hello Prateek & thanks for writing to me. As your goal is long term, you can consider investing in equity schemes for around 10 to 12 years, stop your SIP's in equity funds & begin SIP's in balanced advantage funds & multi asset funds for the remainder 3 to 4 years.

You can invest in a mix of

1-Flexicap Funds: 50% of your investible corpus.
2-Multicap Funds:25% of your investible corpus.
3-Midcap Funds: 12.5% of your investible corpus.
4-Smallcap Funds:12.5% of your investible corpus.
Asked on - Apr 05, 2024 | Answered on Apr 05, 2024
Listen
Dear Ulhas , Thanks for your suggestion and apologies for replying late. When you mentioned to do SIP in remaining 3-4 years , is it after 10-12 years in equity or is it 6-7 years in equity and then 3-4 years of other funds ? Also can you tell me how much should I step up every year in the SIP amount so that I can get a target corpus of atleast 4-5 Crs as retirement fund and same for child education as well. You suggested the division of amount in MF category , can you please suggest MF in these category , I know past performance in not indicative of future but still it gives an approx. Idea . Best Regards, Prateek
Ans: Hi Prateek & thanks for writing back.

As your goal is to invest for 15 years, I recommend that for the first 10 to 12 years, you invest via SIP's in equity funds. Then, you pause your investments in equity funds & begin SIP's in balanced advantage funds & multi asset funds for the remainder 2-3 years.

You can consider beginning SIP's in:

1-Parag Parikh Flexicap Fund
2-Samco Flexicap Fund
3-Axis Flexicap Fund
4-SBI Multicap Fund
5-Canara Robeco Multicap Fund
6-Kotak Emerging Equity Fund
7-Tata Smallcap Fund

Do note that if you share other details, I may recommend other schemes. Periodic rebalancing is essential to ensure you are on the right track.
Asked on - Apr 06, 2024 | Answered on Apr 08, 2024
Listen
Hello Ulhas, Thanks for the suggestions but what other details are you referring that I should share. This periodic rebalancing should happen at what interval - monthly/quarterly/yearly. And how can you get an idea that rebalancing is required ? Best Regards, Prateek
Ans: Hi Prateek, other details can include what amount/percentage of annual step-up you can do to your SIP's, whether your financial goals & objective change during the course of the investment journey & whether you make any redemptions midway.

Annual or 6 monthly rebalancing is generally good enough.
Asked on - Apr 08, 2024 | Not Answered yet
Hello Ulhas, Given right now I can invest 25k from my side and 15k from my wife side i.e. a total for 40k , I have a target of atleast 4-5 CR for my child education and same amount for retirement . So, according to that can you tell me how much should I step up my SIP. Mostly I will be dedicated to remain invested for this long period unless an urgent money requirement comes up as I already have 1.5Crs of health insurance and 3Cr of Life Insurance separately. If I have to add any more expense , I can add my child's marriage into it and possible house purchase( not sure about this one right now ) Also what does rebalancing means - can you please explain in a layman manner ,like do I have to increase investment in one SIP and parallel decrease in another ? Or is it something different ? Best Regards, Prateek
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.

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Vivek

Vivek Lala  | Answer  |Ask -

Tax, MF Expert - Answered on Jun 20, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 18, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hello sir, I am 23 years old, just graduated and starting my first job next week. I will be earning around 90k per month and I live at our own house (so no rent). I am planning on investing in MF but don't know where to start or how much to invest. Our monthly expense is roughly 20k and I also have an education loan which I have to start paying soon. I have a goal of saving 1 cr before 30. Kindly let me know where to invest and how much to invest.
Ans: Hello, glad to know that you are interested about investments at such a young age
Assuming 90K is your pre tax income , you will get around 80K in hand post taxes and post EPF
If your house expenses and education loan is 20K + 20K ( assuming ) = 40K , you have an investable surplus of 40K
You can follow the below strategy that I often use for young investors :
Mid cap - 30%
Small cap - 30%
Multi cap - 20%
Emergency Fund ( Payment of term insurance premiums , medical insurance premium and travel fund ) - 20%

If you keep doing this for the next 7yrs and utilise the entire emergency fund on the way, you shall accumulate Rs.44L by the age of 30yrs at 13% XIRR.

Please note that these suggestions are based on your stated goals and the information you provided. It is always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor in person to better understand your risk tolerance, time horizon, and specific financial goals.

Do let me know your thoughts on the same
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ca-vivek-lala-21a2038b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7786 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Career
Dear Sir I seek your valuable input for my son. My son has been a meritorious student all through l but during his undergraduate studies at one of the top 3 IITs he could not do well due to some medical issues and his degree got extended with low CGPA. During this year he tried for admission in masters programs. He got admission from new IIMs I which he didn't join (99.30 percentile CAT score) . Now he has got admission Masters programs in IISc Chemical Engineering and ISI Calcutta in Computer Science. His first priority is to get a job post completing his masters program.. However if he intends to go for research job post doing PhD ( from India or outside India) which program should be choose given the fact that he has low CGPA. He can handle complexity or depth of any of these programs but he has a big barrier of low undergraduate CGPA (5.9) Request to kindly advise based on above scenarios Kind regards
Ans: IISc Bangalore’s M.Tech in Chemical Engineering is a two-year, GATE-driven program with a total tuition fee of ?18,000, admitting 18 students per year. It boasts a 95%+ placement rate for PG (2-year) students, with a median package of ?22.5 LPA and recruiters like Intel, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and TCS. The department offers twelve specialized labs—including two cleanrooms, advanced spectroscopy, chromatography, and high-pressure reactors—plus central facilities such as Nanofabrication and Microscopy Centres, fostering strong industry and research collaborations (DRDO, ISRO, Fraunhofer). Alumni often pursue R&D positions in energy, materials, and process engineering or continue to PhD programs globally.

ISI Kolkata’s M.Tech in Computer Science, with a ?40,000 fee and 41 seats, maintains a 100% placement record for PG students and an average CTC of ?25.2 LPA in 2023, with median ?22 LPA and top recruiters including Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Amazon, and Microsoft. Its Computer and Communication Sciences Division hosts high-performance computing clusters, dedicated AI/ML and cybersecurity labs, and a 56,000-sq-ft library, supported by PhD-active faculty and international research centers across Bengaluru, Delhi, and Tezpur. Graduates excel in data science, fintech, and software R&D roles or transition seamlessly into the ISI-integrated PhD track and top global research programs.

For industry employment post-master’s, IISc Chemical Engineering offers deep process-engineering roles in core chemical and energy sectors with strong lab-to-industry pipelines, while ISI CSE delivers broader software and data science roles with near-universal placement in top tech firms.

For PhD aspirations abroad with a low CGPA (5.9), both institutions’ research rigor and brand matter more than undergraduate grades. PhD admissions committees value publications, strong GATE/GRE scores, compelling SOPs, and direct faculty engagement. Germany (no tuition, research in English), Canada (holistic review), and Ireland (flexible admissions, two-year post-study work permit) are prime targets for applicants with enhanced research profiles and targeted outreach to potential supervisors.

Recommendation: For an immediate industry-oriented career, your son must join IISc Chemical Engineering for its exceptional lab infrastructure, high placement consistency (95%+), and core sector roles. For a software/data science trajectory and smoother transition into a PhD, recommendation is ISI Kolkata Computer Science, leveraging its 100% placement, AI/ML research centers, and integrated PhD pathways. If PhD abroad is the priority, complement either program with strong GATE/GRE scores, published research, and proactive supervisor outreach to secure funded positions in Germany, Canada, or Ireland. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7786 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2025Hindi
Career
which is better nmims mumbai or nmims shirpur
Ans: NMIMS Mumbai, accredited NAAC A++ with a 3.67 CGPA, is the flagship campus and consistently ranks among India’s top universities for engineering, management, and technology. It boasts a legacy of 44 years, 1,348+ corporate partners, and a 99% placement rate in recent years, with over 223 recruiters and strong alumni and industry networks. The Mumbai campus offers a diverse, research-driven curriculum, advanced labs, and a vibrant student life, ensuring high employability and global exposure. NMIMS Shirpur, while sharing the same academic structure and benefiting from industry tie-ups and Centers of Excellence, is a newer, smaller campus with a picturesque setting and modern infrastructure. Shirpur’s BTech placements in 2024 saw a highest package of ?22.24 LPA, average of ?9.91 LPA, and a median of ?8.5 LPA, but placement rates for CSE and IT were lower (56.9% and 45.7% respectively), and most jobs were in mid-tier companies. Student ratings favor Mumbai (4.4/5) over Shirpur (4.0/5), reflecting stronger peer group, recruiter diversity, and campus brand.

Recommendation: Choose NMIMS Mumbai for its superior placement rates (99%), stronger corporate and alumni networks, higher student satisfaction, and broader recruiter base, which translate to better career prospects and industry exposure. NMIMS Shirpur is a good alternative for smaller batches and modern facilities, but Mumbai delivers a clear advantage in placements, reputation, and long-term opportunities. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7786 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Career
I got 93 percentile in jee mains and have taken a drop ? How should I Target jee 2026 ? What should be plan?
Ans: Achieving a 98.5+ percentile in JEE Main and AIR under 2000 in JEE Advanced within six months demands strategic planning, disciplined execution, and evidence-based preparation methods. For a dropper with 93 percentile, this represents a significant yet achievable improvement with focused effort.

Performance Gap Analysis & Target Setting: From 93 percentile to 98.5+ percentile requires scoring approximately 165+ marks out of 300 in JEE Main (versus ~135 marks for 93 percentile). For JEE Advanced AIR 2500, students typically need 195-205 marks out of 360 (approximately 54-57%). This improvement involves strengthening weak areas, enhancing time management, and achieving near-perfect accuracy in core topics.

6-Month Strategic Timeline - July-August (Foundation Phase): Complete diagnostic assessment to identify weak topics across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Focus on strengthening basics through NCERT textbooks, which form the foundation for 60-70% of JEE Main questions. Allocate 8-10 hours daily study time—morning sessions for challenging topics like Physics and Mathematics, evening for Chemistry.

September-October (Intensive Practice Phase): Implement targeted problem-solving with emphasis on high-weightage chapters: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Optics in Physics; Organic Chemistry and Chemical Kinetics in Chemistry; Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry in Mathematics. Begin weekly mock tests, gradually increasing frequency to identify gaps and improve speed.

November-December (Mastery & Mock Testing Phase): Complete entire syllabus by November end, dedicating December exclusively to intensive mock testing and revision. Take daily mock tests under exam conditions, analyze performance meticulously, and focus on error reduction.

Subject-Specific Strategies - Physics: Master fundamental concepts through NCERT, then progress to advanced problem-solving. Focus on Mechanics (25-30% weightage), Electromagnetism, and Modern Physics. Practice numerical problems daily with emphasis on time management.

Chemistry: NCERT is crucial, especially for Inorganic Chemistry where questions are often direct. Organic Chemistry requires pattern recognition and reaction mechanisms mastery. Physical Chemistry demands strong mathematical foundation.

Mathematics: Build strong conceptual clarity in Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Algebra. Practice diverse problem types and focus on speed enhancement through repeated practice.

Daily Study Schedule Framework - Morning (6:30-11:00 AM): Challenging subjects (Physics/Mathematics) when mind is fresh. Afternoon (12:00-5:00 PM): Problem-solving, homework, and coaching material. Evening (6:00-9:00 PM): Chemistry study and easy topics. Night (10:00-11:00 PM): Revision and note-making.

Take 5-10 minute breaks every hour to maintain concentration. Include physical exercise and proper nutrition to sustain long study hours.

Mock Test Strategy & Analysis - Begin with one mock test weekly, increasing to daily tests by December. Simulate exact exam conditions: quiet environment, 3-hour duration, computer-based format. Post-test analysis is crucial—identify weak areas, timing issues, and silly mistakes.

Focus on accuracy over attempts—avoid negative marking by answering only confident questions initially, returning to doubtful ones later. Practice time management: allocate 40-45 minutes per subject initially, with final 30-40 minutes for revision.

Essential Resources & Study Material - Primary Resources: NCERT textbooks (Classes 11-12) for all subjects form the foundation. Follow one standard reference book per subject rather than multiple sources. Mock Tests: Utilize NTA Abhyas app for official practice tests, supplemented by quality test series.

Previous Year Questions: Solve 10-year question papers to understand exam patterns and frequently tested concepts. Revision Material: Create concise notes and formula sheets for quick revision during final weeks.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls - Droppers often repeat previous mistakes—analyze previous attempt thoroughly to identify specific weaknesses. Don't accumulate excessive study materials; focus on mastering limited, quality resources. Maintain consistent revision schedule to prevent forgetting earlier topics.

Avoid social media distractions and maintain a disciplined routine. Don't attempt new topics close to exam dates; focus on strengthening known concepts.

Mental Preparation & Consistency
Maintain a positive mindset and realistic daily goals. Track progress through weekly assessments and adjust strategy accordingly. Remember that quality study matters more than study duration—focused 8-10 hours trumps distracted 12+ hours.

Final Recommendation: Start with a thorough diagnostic assessment to identify specific weak areas, then implement a structured 8-10 hour daily study schedule emphasizing NCERT mastery, targeted problem-solving, and intensive mock testing. Prioritize accuracy over speed initially, gradually building both through consistent practice. Complete the syllabus by November, dedicating December to revision and daily mock tests while maintaining physical and mental health throughout the journey. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

...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