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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 13, 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
Taib Question by Taib on May 02, 2024Hindi
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Sir I hv invested 50k in icici bluechip fund 50k in Motilal oswal midcap fund and 50k in Quant small cap fund and I will keep investing 1.5 laks in these 3 funds for the next 12 years. Kindly review my investment and give suggestions if I need to make any changes.

Ans: Your investment approach demonstrates a diversified strategy across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds, which is commendable. However, it's crucial to assess the suitability of each fund in alignment with your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals.

Reviewing Your Portfolio:
ICICI Bluechip Fund:
Provides exposure to well-established, large-cap companies.
Offers stability and consistent returns over the long term.
Suitable for investors seeking capital preservation and moderate growth potential.
Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund:
Focuses on mid-sized companies with high growth potential.
May exhibit higher volatility but offers the opportunity for significant returns.
Ideal for investors with a higher risk appetite and a longer investment horizon.
Quant Small Cap Fund:
Targets investments in small-cap companies with growth potential.
Prone to higher volatility due to the nature of small-cap stocks.
Suitable for aggressive investors seeking potential high returns over the long term.
Suggestions for Consideration:
Portfolio Diversification:
Evaluate the overall risk exposure of your portfolio and consider rebalancing if needed.
Ensure adequate diversification across sectors and market caps to mitigate specific risks.
Regular Monitoring:
Stay informed about the performance of each fund and monitor their consistency in delivering returns.
Assess the fund manager's strategy and any changes in the fund's objectives or investment approach.
Consideration of Financial Goals:
Review your investment horizon and financial objectives periodically.
Ensure that your investment strategy aligns with your long-term goals and risk tolerance.
Seeking Professional Advice:
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner for personalized guidance.
A CFP can assess your financial situation, evaluate your investment portfolio, and provide recommendations tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
Conclusion:
Overall, your investment strategy demonstrates a thoughtful approach to wealth accumulation. However, it's essential to periodically review and adjust your portfolio to ensure alignment with your evolving financial goals and risk preferences.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Hello Sir I m investing 9000 in SBI small cap & 9000 in Quant small cap in Feb'2024. Also 6000 in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap and 6000 in Quant Flexi Cap for the period for 20+ years. Please review my funds. Is these are good to continue.
Ans: It's commendable that you're investing with a long-term horizon in mind. Let's review your fund choices:

SBI Small Cap: Small-cap funds typically carry higher risk but also the potential for higher returns over the long term. Given your investment horizon of 20+ years, investing in small-cap funds can be a sound strategy, as they have the potential to outperform over extended periods.

Quant Small Cap: Similar to SBI Small Cap, Quant Small Cap also falls into the small-cap category. It's essential to understand that small-cap funds can be volatile in the short term but may offer significant growth opportunities over the long run.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap: Flexi-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market capitalizations based on market conditions. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap is known for its diversified approach and focus on quality stocks. It's a suitable choice for long-term investors seeking exposure to a mix of large, mid, and small-cap stocks.

Quant Flexi Cap: Flexi-cap funds like Quant Flexi Cap offer flexibility in asset allocation, allowing the fund manager to adapt to changing market conditions. While Quant Flexi Cap may provide growth opportunities, it's essential to monitor its performance and ensure it aligns with your investment objectives.

Overall, your fund selection reflects a diversified approach across small-cap and flexi-cap categories, which can potentially provide robust growth prospects over the long term. However, it's essential to regularly review your investments to ensure they remain aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner periodically to reassess your investment strategy and make any necessary adjustments based on changing market dynamics and personal circumstances.

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 Feb 27, 2025

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Hello, I am 36 years old, married & have 1 daughter (5 years old). I'm investing in following funds & have investment horizon of more than 15 years. Below is my profile, kindly review and provide your valuable feedback. Monthly Investment 53k. ============================== (A) Small Cap - 21.5k (40%) (1)SBI Small-7k (2) Axis Small-4.5k (3) Quant Small-6.5k (4)BOI small-3.5k ============================== (B) Mid Cap - 7.5k (around 15%) (1) Motilal Mid Cap - 7.5k ============================== (C) Flexi Cap - 8k (15%) (1) Quant Flexi - 4k (2) Parag Flexi - 4k ============================== (D) Large Cap - 10500 (20%) (1)Mirae Bluechip - 2.5k (2)Motilal Large & Mid-3k (3) ICICI Large & Mid-1.5k (4)ICICI Pru Dividend Yield-3.5k ============================== (E) Balance Advantage/Index/ELSS - 5.6k (10%) (1)HDFC Balanced Advantage-2.6k (2)UTI Nifty200 Momentum 30 Index-2k (3)Mirae ELSS-1k Also let me know if any changes are required in my Portfolio.
Ans: Your monthly investment of Rs 53,000 is a strong commitment to wealth creation. Your investment horizon of 15+ years allows you to take calculated risks. Below is a detailed review of your portfolio.

Strengths of Your Portfolio
Good Diversification: Your portfolio has exposure across small-cap, mid-cap, large-cap, flexi-cap, and hybrid funds.

High Growth Potential: Small-cap allocation is aggressive, which can generate high returns in the long term.

Long Investment Horizon: Investing for 15+ years helps you ride market volatility.

Balanced Risk Exposure: Your allocation across different fund categories manages risk and return efficiently.

Areas of Improvement
1. Excessive Small-Cap Allocation
You have allocated 40% to small-cap funds. Small caps can be highly volatile.
Ideal small-cap exposure should be around 20-25% of the portfolio.
Reduce small-cap allocation and shift some funds to mid-cap and large-cap categories.
2. Mid-Cap Allocation Needs an Increase
Mid-cap funds provide a balance between risk and return.
Increasing mid-cap allocation from 15% to 20% will improve stability.
3. Flexi-Cap Fund Selection is Good
These funds provide flexibility to shift across market caps.
Keep this category as it is, as it helps in market downturns.
4. Large-Cap Allocation Can be Strengthened
Large-cap stocks provide stability in volatile markets.
Increase allocation to large caps from 20% to 25%.
This will bring more consistency to your portfolio.
5. Avoid Index Funds
Your portfolio has an index fund (UTI Nifty 200 Momentum 30).
Index funds do not actively manage risks and miss opportunities in volatile markets.
Actively managed funds outperform index funds in the long run.
Shift this allocation to a well-managed flexi-cap or large-cap fund.
6. Balanced Advantage Fund Can Stay, but Avoid ELSS If Not Needed
HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund is a good choice for stability.
Mirae ELSS is only needed if you require tax-saving benefits.
If you don’t need tax savings, move this allocation to a flexi-cap fund.
Suggested Portfolio Allocation
Revised Category Allocation
Small Cap: 20-25%
Mid Cap: 20%
Flexi Cap: 15%
Large Cap: 25%
Hybrid/Balanced Advantage: 10%
Additional Investment Recommendations
1. Increase SIP When Income Grows
Consider increasing your SIP amount by 10% every year.
This will help you achieve larger financial goals over time.
2. Review Performance Every Year
Check fund performance annually and replace underperforming funds.
Compare with category averages, not just past returns.
3. Asset Allocation Adjustment
As you get closer to your goals, reduce equity exposure and move to safer instruments.
After 10 years, start shifting some funds to balanced and debt funds.
Final Insights
Your current portfolio is well-structured but slightly aggressive. Reducing small-cap exposure and increasing mid-cap and large-cap allocations will balance risk and return. Avoid index funds, as actively managed funds provide better returns in the long run.

Stay consistent with SIPs and review your funds yearly to maximize wealth creation.

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 Sep 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 31, 2025Hindi
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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

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
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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!

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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
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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

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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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