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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 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
Asked by Anonymous - May 12, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir, im 41. Started my investment a couple of months ago. 3 lacs in motilal midcap, quant small cap together. And a monthly sip of 5000 each on Canara robeco infrastructure, franklin templeton focused , icici prudential bond fund, sbi magnum income fund, uti nifty 200 index, parag parikh flexicap,JM flexicap , 300 in quant flexicap, and 2000 in hdfc flexicap.. i have 2 daughters aged 12 and 10. I require funds for education and marriage.. are my choices ok? Anything to switch? And howlong to hold these funds.. pls suggest

Ans: It's commendable that you've started investing and are thinking ahead for your daughters' education and marriage. Let's review your current investment choices and see if any adjustments are needed.

Your portfolio seems diversified across various mutual funds, covering different segments of the market. However, it's essential to ensure that your investments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Given your daughters' ages and the timeframe for their education and marriage, you have a reasonably long investment horizon. This allows you to consider a balanced approach between growth-oriented and stable investments.

Regarding specific funds, while I can't provide detailed recommendations on individual schemes, I can offer some general guidance. Evaluate each fund's performance, expense ratio, and consistency over time. Ensure that the funds you've chosen have a track record of delivering returns in line with your expectations and risk profile.

Regularly monitor your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as needed. As your daughters' milestones approach, you may consider gradually shifting your investments to more conservative options to safeguard the capital.

Remember, investing is a long-term commitment, and patience is key. Stick to your investment strategy, and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to get personalized advice tailored to your financial goals and family needs. They can help you fine-tune your investment strategy and ensure you're on track to meet your objectives.

Keep up the good work with your investments, and stay focused on your long-term financial goals!

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  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 19, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I need some financial advice and modification if needed. I am 32 yo and I am investing below funds since 2 years - 1)Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct Growth 5K 2)Axis Midcap Fund - Growth 2K 3)SBI Contra Direct Plan Growth 10K 4)Nippon India Small Cap 5K 5)Canara Robaco Small Cap 5K 6)Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth 5K 7)Tata Digital India Direct Growth 10K Please suggest if i should continue this or change this. I am planning to invest for next 15-20 yrs.My goal is to create a corpus for my kids education and retariment.
Ans: Diversified Investment Strategy
You have a well-diversified portfolio, which is crucial for mitigating risks and achieving long-term growth.

Diversifying across various market capitalizations can balance risk and reward effectively.

Your portfolio covers flexi-cap, mid-cap, contra, small-cap, and sector-specific funds.

Evaluating Current Funds
Flexi-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market capitalizations, adapting to market conditions.

Mid-cap funds can offer higher growth potential compared to large-cap funds but come with higher risks.

Contra funds invest in undervalued stocks, potentially offering high returns when the market corrects.

Small-cap funds have high growth potential but are also highly volatile.

Sector-specific funds, like digital funds, can benefit from sectoral growth but carry higher risk if the sector underperforms.

Suggested Modifications
Consider reducing exposure to small-cap funds to mitigate volatility.

Reallocate some investment to more stable, less volatile funds for better balance.

Evaluate the performance and expense ratios of your current funds regularly.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds offer professional management and can outperform the market.

These funds can adapt to market changes, making strategic decisions to maximize returns.

Considerations for Long-Term Goals
Aligning your investments with your long-term goals, like children's education and retirement, is crucial.

Evaluate the risk tolerance and time horizon for each goal.

Higher-risk investments are suitable for long-term goals but ensure you balance with lower-risk options.

Direct vs Regular Funds
Direct funds have lower expense ratios but require more effort in fund selection and monitoring.

Regular funds, through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), provide professional guidance.

Regular funds can help you make informed decisions, balancing risks and returns effectively.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Periodic rebalancing ensures your portfolio aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.

Review your investments at least annually or when significant market changes occur.

Rebalancing helps in capturing profits and reinvesting in underperforming assets, maintaining your desired asset allocation.


Your commitment to investing for your family's future is commendable.

You have made informed choices in diversifying your investments, which is excellent.

Long-term investing requires patience and discipline, and you are on the right track.

Conclusion
Your diversified portfolio is a good foundation for long-term goals.

Consider reducing small-cap exposure and reallocating to more stable funds.

Regular review and rebalancing are essential for continued success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Money
Sir good morning. I am 27 years old. I have been investing Rs 10000/- each in SBI Mid cap fund, Small cap Fund and Rs 10000 in ABSL Flexi cap fund and Rs 5000/- in HDFC Midcap funds. I may please be guided whether to continue or to switch to other funds. Thank you sir.
Ans: At 27, you're making proactive investment decisions, which is commendable. Let's review your current investment strategy and explore potential adjustments:

Assessing Your Current Portfolio
SBI Mid Cap Fund and Small Cap Fund: Mid-cap and small-cap funds offer growth potential but come with higher volatility. Consider your risk tolerance and investment horizon when evaluating these funds.

ABSL Flexi Cap Fund: Flexi-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market capitalizations based on market conditions. They offer diversification and potential for growth.

HDFC Midcap Fund: Similar to SBI Mid Cap and Small Cap funds, HDFC Midcap Fund focuses on mid-cap stocks. Assess whether the overlap in mid-cap exposure across funds aligns with your diversification goals.

Considerations for Continuation or Switch
Performance: Evaluate the performance of your current funds relative to their benchmarks and peers. Consistent underperformance may warrant a review.

Fund Manager Track Record: Assess the track record and expertise of the fund managers managing your investments. Consistency in performance and adherence to investment objectives are key considerations.

Fund Objectives and Strategy: Ensure that the investment objectives and strategies of your funds align with your financial goals and risk profile.

Potential Actions
Review Fund Performance: Conduct a detailed analysis of the performance of each fund in your portfolio over different time periods.

Consult with a Financial Advisor: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to review your investment strategy and explore alternative fund options based on your goals and risk tolerance.

Consider Diversification: Evaluate the need for diversification across asset classes and investment styles to mitigate risk and enhance long-term returns.

Conclusion
While your current investment strategy demonstrates a focus on growth-oriented funds, it's essential to periodically review your portfolio and make adjustments as needed. Assess the performance, objectives, and risk profile of your funds, and consider consulting with a financial advisor for personalized guidance.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |1190 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Feb 17, 2025

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Hello sir, I am 33years old and like to have a stable life with a good retirement corpus along with children education. I have 2 sons both are of 1 and 3years old respectively and my wife is a housewife. I am having FD of 16L, 10L in gold, bought a flat paying housing loan EMI of 25K, having term insurance for 1cr and health insurance for 4L. I am making investments in mutual funds SIP of 30k since last 1 year. Hdfc dividend yeild fund 1000 Icici bluechip fund 8000 Quant small cap fund 1000 Canara robecco small cap fund 1000 Uti nifty index fund 5000 Icici balanced advantage fund 5000 Jm flexicap fund 2000 Quant elss fund 5000 Parag pareekh flexicap fund 2000 Lumsum Investments Sbi healthcare fund 20K Quant infrastruture fund 10k Sbi magnum gilt fund 20k Plz advice....am i really doing good with these investments or shall i replan my investments....
Ans: Hello;

Having 12 funds(9 sip+3 lumpsum) in portfolio is not required.

You need to just 4 funds for your sip of 30 K(divided equally):
1. Flexicap fund
2. Large and midcap fund
3. Balanced advantage fund
4. Multi asset allocation fund

You may consider exiting the sectoral, thematic and debt fund owned by you and redeploy it in your regular funds.

This ensures equity(large cap oriented)is predominant asset class in your portfolio but it also has exposure to debt and gold for balance and risk mitigation.

Also keep a target to step up sip amount every year by 7-10% atleast.

This will go towards higher education provision for your kids. (~1.85 Cr in 15 years considering 7% annual top-up and 10% modest returns)

For your retirement planning you may consider NPS and start with a decent amount(~30 K pm) as regular investment since time is on your side(27 years to hit 60 age).[3.45 Cr in 27 years without any step up consideration. 8% returns assumed].

Consider buying home loan insurance and super top-up health cover.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4465 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
Jee main 2025,my son got 95.2%tile,71104 rank ,ews rank 10111,home state punjab ,can he get cse,ece,data science,it, branch in any nit,iiit,gftis or which branches he will get in these institutes .
Ans: Varinder Sir, Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories both Home State (HS) i.e. State you belong to & also Other State (OS).
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in, separately for HS & OS Categories for a quick reference.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4465 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
My son got 93.4 percentile jee main . He got eee bit mesra and cse in srm ktr which prospect is better?
Ans: Sharmistha Madam, prefer BIT-M-EEE. Explore more options for your daughter as back-ups by knowing the JoSAA Counselling Opening & Closing Ranks of last year. Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories both Home State (HS) i.e. State you belong to & also Other State (OS).
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in, separately for HS & OS Categories for a quick reference.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'

Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories both Home State (HS) i.e. State you belong to & also Other State (OS).
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in, separately for HS & OS Categories for a quick reference.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

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

...Read more

Prof Suvasish

Prof Suvasish Mukhopadhyay  |598 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
I have already appeared for the JEE Main and secured a 95.15 percentile, which is close to the previous year's cut-off. My query is whether it is possible to select both options JEE and NFATso that if I do not qualify through my JEE score, my application can be considered based on my NFAT score instead. If selecting both options is permissible, could you please guide me on how to do so while filling out the application form? Your assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Ans: No, candidates cannot apply using both JEE Main and NAFT scores for the same admissions. JEE Main scores are used for admissions to engineering programs at NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutions, while NAFT scores are used for admissions to NAFT-affiliated universities. These are distinct admission processes, and only one set of scores can be used.

...Read more

Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |1577 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
hello sir, so i was a neet aspirant gave neet 2 times but did not get qualified...i was doing bsc in biology simultaneously..but the problem is i am not a regular student...all i did was give exams for bsc....now i don't know what to do....i have a thought of going for ssc cgl and then preparing for upsc if i land a job through ssc....but it would be tough to make a transition from neet ssc cgl...but im adamant to do it...please share your thoughts regarding my situation?
Ans: Hello Divyanshi.
Here is a pointwise reply to your current situation: (1) If possible, consider dropping the idea of NEET as you have tried twice but didn't succeed, (2) Focus on your B.Sc. and aim to become a regular student to achieve a high percentile in the exam. B.Sc. Biology has wide applications in both industries and academia. (3) There is no point in joining a job based on SSC as it would likely create further frustration for you. (4) Along with your B.Sc., consider learning some industry-based and computer courses if you are interested. (5) If you have a computer and a Wi-Fi connection at home, you can access many free online courses on the Coursera website. (6) You can also try for public service commission examinations while preparing for your B.Sc. (7) Recognize your strengths and the knowledge you possess, and focus your job search in that sector/area for a successful career. In this modern era, it is not difficult to find a job if someone is an expert in their field.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
Radheshyam

...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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