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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 18, 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 - Aug 22, 2023Hindi
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is good to get the life term insurance plans from private companies like HDFC , SBI life or ICICI. If they have the good track record on providing amount during death of the insured person like LIC

Ans: Yes, it is good to get term insurance plans from reputed private companies like HDFC Life, SBI Life, and ICICI Prudential Life. These companies have a strong track record of claim settlement and are regulated by IRDAI. While LIC is a trusted government-backed insurer, private insurers also offer reliable and competitive term insurance plans with comprehensive coverage and benefits. It's essential to consider the claim settlement ratio, policy features, financial strength, and customer service when choosing an insurer. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can help you select a plan that best meets your needs and offers financial security to your family.
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 Apr 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 22, 2023Hindi
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Money
If it is good to get the life term insurance plans from private companies like HDFC , SBI life or ICICI. If they have the good track record on providing amount during death of the insured person like LIC
Ans: Private life insurance companies like HDFC Life, SBI Life, and ICICI Prudential Life have established a strong presence in the insurance market and have a good track record of claim settlement. They are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and adhere to the guidelines set by the regulatory authority.

Here are some points to consider when choosing a term insurance plan from private companies:

Claim Settlement Ratio: Check the claim settlement ratio of the insurance company. A higher claim settlement ratio indicates that the company has a good track record of settling claims.
Financial Strength: Assess the financial strength and stability of the insurance company by checking its solvency ratio, profitability, and credit ratings.
Policy Features: Compare the policy features, benefits, riders, and exclusions offered by different insurance companies to find a plan that meets your needs and requirements.
Customer Service: Evaluate the customer service and support provided by the insurance company. Prompt and efficient customer service can make the claim settlement process smoother and hassle-free.
Premium Rates: Compare the premium rates of term insurance plans offered by different companies to find a cost-effective option without compromising on coverage and benefits.
Reviews and Feedback: Research online reviews, testimonials, and feedback from policyholders to gauge the reputation and reliability of the insurance company.
While LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) is a trusted and government-backed insurance provider with a high claim settlement ratio, private insurance companies also offer competitive term insurance plans with attractive features and benefits. It's essential to do thorough research, compare different options, and choose a reputable insurance company with a good track record of claim settlement to ensure financial protection for your family in the event of your untimely demise. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can help you make an informed decision and select a term insurance plan that best suits your needs and budget.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 17, 2025

Money
Can i find customer for LIC life insurance policies for ULIP plans,Traditional plans,gauranteed plans,lifetime plans,pension plans,child plans, Jeevan lakshay 3times insurance, 10 times or 7 times insuramce, term insurance?Online & offline both type service available. There is sovereign gaurantee in Lic only india. Please contact me. Thank you
Ans: You are showing strong energy in promoting your business. It takes effort to approach people with insurance solutions. However, as a Certified Financial Planner, I must explain this from a 360-degree perspective, keeping in mind what is best for customers and their financial goals.

» Understanding the nature of LIC policies
– LIC offers traditional plans, ULIPs, pension plans, child plans, and guaranteed plans.
– These policies usually combine insurance and investment together.
– Many policies have sovereign guarantee on the invested portion.
– People feel safe because of this backing.
– But safety does not always mean better returns.

» Insurance versus investment purpose
– Insurance is best for protection, not for returns.
– Investment is best for wealth creation, not for protection.
– Mixing both in one product usually reduces efficiency.
– Traditional plans give low returns compared to inflation.
– ULIPs carry charges that eat into long-term gains.
– Pension and child plans often lock money for long years with less flexibility.

» Why term insurance is different
– Term plan gives high cover at very low cost.
– This protects family in case of death.
– It does not try to give returns.
– So term insurance is always essential for every earning member.
– Other insurance products for savings are not as effective for wealth creation.

» Issues with ULIP and traditional policies
– ULIPs have high charges in initial years.
– Fund switching and allocation rules are complex.
– Traditional policies usually give 4–5% returns only.
– These returns are lower than inflation over long term.
– Policyholders feel safe, but wealth does not grow.

» Long-term wealth creation needs
– For retirement, child education, or financial independence, higher growth is needed.
– Mutual funds with active management usually beat insurance-linked plans.
– Flexibility of investing more or withdrawing when required is higher in funds.
– Insurance products often have long lock-ins.
– Early exit from such policies brings losses.

» What happens if someone holds LIC, ULIP, or investment policies already
– They must check surrender value versus future benefits.
– Many times, it is better to surrender.
– Proceeds can be reinvested into mutual funds.
– Mutual funds with CFP guidance provide better compounding over years.
– Insurance cover should be continued separately through pure term plan.

» Why customers may feel attracted to guaranteed or sovereign-backed policies
– People like fixed guarantee and sovereign backing.
– But guarantees come with lower growth.
– Over 15–20 years, low returns fail to beat inflation.
– This reduces purchasing power of money in future.
– Active funds, though market-linked, usually give higher inflation-adjusted wealth.

» Drawbacks of depending only on insurance products
– Limited flexibility for partial withdrawals.
– Limited transparency on returns and costs.
– Difficulty in tracking performance year by year.
– Low surrender value in first years if customer wants exit.
– Higher premiums compared to simple term cover.

» Why mutual funds with CFP guidance are better
– Actively managed funds adjust to market changes.
– They give better chance of wealth creation.
– Professional review helps avoid underperforming funds.
– Liquidity is high, unlike locked insurance policies.
– Returns are usually higher in long term.
– Tax treatment is more transparent with clear rules.

» Balanced approach for customers
– Take adequate term insurance for risk protection.
– Avoid mixing savings and insurance in one product.
– Build wealth through disciplined SIPs in mutual funds.
– Review policies and surrender if they are not effective.
– Focus on inflation-beating returns for long-term goals.

» Final insights
– You may find buyers for LIC plans offline or online.
– But from customer interest view, pure term cover is enough.
– For investment, mutual funds with CFP monitoring are better.
– Traditional and ULIP plans reduce wealth growth due to low return or high cost.
– Customers must focus on separating insurance and investment.
– That approach creates both protection and wealth.
– So, selling insurance plans is possible, but best advice for customers is different.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
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  |1841 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
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

...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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