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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9696 Answers  |Ask -

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

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
NISHU Question by NISHU on Jun 16, 2025
Money

Hi Sir, I m 34 year old and 2 year old child only and have question on investment if I m going on right path or not I have 8 mutual fund which is HSBC small cap (2000 monthly) parak parik flexi cap (1600 weekly) Canara blue chip (2000 monthly) uti nifty 50 index (5000 monthly) Motilal nifty microcap250 index (500 weekly) icici gold fund etf (400 weekly) Kotak emerging equity (4000 monthly) parak parik elss fund (2500 monthly) sip going on till date corpse become 11 lakh and i add more amount when market down. I have 3lakh in ppf and add more for 15 year and had 3 policy 1 is with hdfc year premium 36000 for 10 year will mature in 15 year as per market performance and will add bonus yearly by company. Second policy is with Canara hsbc where 136000 premium every year for 10 year and will mature in 20 year and it give assured return around 3700000 this is for my child i keep it and last policy with tata smart sip 6000 monthly. I have also nps account 50k yearly. Living in parents house so no tension for it. Monthly expenses 20k around. Pls suggest

Ans: You are 34, have a young child, and your investment journey has already begun. That is an excellent sign. You are thinking long-term, which is good. Let us now assess your strategy carefully and help you move towards financial freedom and child’s future security.

We will look at every component—mutual funds, insurance, PPF, NPS, and expenses—and create a complete 360-degree strategy.

Understanding Your Current Financial Snapshot
Let’s break down what you have done so far:

You have 8 mutual fund SIPs.

You invest in PPF and NPS yearly.

You hold 3 insurance-cum-investment policies.

You live in a family house, hence no EMI burden.

Monthly expenses are only Rs. 20,000.

You are saving a major part of your income. That’s a big strength.

Mutual Fund Investment Review
You are investing across 8 different mutual funds through SIPs. Your total SIP amount is high. That is very positive. But diversification must also be meaningful.

Let’s assess category-wise:

Positive Observations:

SIPs are active and consistent.

You invest extra when market falls.

You have mix of small cap, flexi cap, ELSS, large cap.

Portfolio value already reached Rs. 11 lakhs.

This shows discipline and commitment.

Concerns Identified:

Two funds are index funds.

Gold ETF SIP is ongoing.

Portfolio has overlapping and extra schemes.

Let us now address these concerns.

Problem with Index Funds
You invest in a Nifty 50 index fund and microcap 250 index fund.

But index funds have these problems:

No active fund manager to protect in bad markets.

No personalisation or research.

No performance difference in up/down markets.

Very high correlation across all index funds.

No flexibility to exit weak sectors.

You are better off with actively managed funds.

Benefits of actively managed mutual funds:

Expert fund manager takes sectoral calls.

Avoids weak-performing stocks.

Better long-term return potential.

More flexible and smart stock selection.

Please stop new investments into index funds. Slowly switch to active large cap, flexi cap, or hybrid funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

Problem with Direct Mutual Funds (if applicable)
If you are investing through direct plans, then:

Disadvantages of Direct Funds:

No one to guide during market fall.

Easy to panic and stop SIPs.

No regular rebalancing done.

Wrong asset allocation possible.

Risk of too much in one sector.

Why Regular Funds via CFP are better:

You get annual review support.

Your risk profile is considered.

Asset allocation is planned.

Emotional decisions are avoided.

You get personalised, ongoing advice.

Switch your investments from direct to regular mutual funds through a CFP-led MFD.

This small step improves your entire portfolio efficiency.

Keep SIP Count Lean
You hold 8 SIPs right now. This is slightly more than needed.

Ideal number of SIPs for you:

1 large cap

1 flexi cap

1 mid or small cap

1 ELSS for tax saving

1 hybrid fund for balance

Too many funds lead to overlap and tracking issues.

You can merge similar funds gradually. Avoid adding new schemes unnecessarily.

SIP Frequency and Gold Fund
You invest weekly in few funds. Also, you invest in a gold ETF fund.

Issues with weekly SIPs:

Difficult to track and manage

No major benefit over monthly SIP

Makes portfolio too spread out

Gold ETF issue:

Gold is not a growth asset

It only protects value, not multiplies

Fund value fluctuates with global news

Doesn't suit long-term goals like retirement or child education

Stop weekly SIPs. Convert to monthly.

Limit gold exposure to not more than 5% of your overall corpus.

Insurance Policy Review
You hold 3 insurance-based investment plans. These are:

1 market-linked ULIP type with Rs. 36,000 yearly

1 child plan with Rs. 1,36,000 yearly premium

1 SIP-linked plan from a private insurer

These are not term policies. Hence, these are all investment-cum-insurance plans.

Why these are not good for long-term:

Very low returns (5–6%)

High charges in early years

Poor transparency

Not flexible like mutual funds

Maturity amount is taxable if premium exceeds 5 lakhs in total

These funds will not beat inflation in long run.

Action Steps on Insurance
Please consider these steps:

Surrender these policies only if minimum lock-in is completed

Reinvest the amount received into mutual funds via SIP

Start a pure term insurance with high cover (at least Rs. 1 crore)

Don’t mix insurance and investment going forward

For your child’s goal, use child-focused mutual funds or hybrid funds.

Do not depend on these traditional insurance-based policies.

PPF and NPS Review
You are contributing to both PPF and NPS. This is a balanced approach.

PPF Status:

Balance is Rs. 3 lakh

Regularly contributing for 15 years

Tax-free returns

Safe and stable part of portfolio

Keep doing this every year.

NPS Contribution:

Rs. 50,000 yearly

Helps in extra tax saving

Invested in equity and debt mix

Partial withdrawal allowed after 60

You can continue contributing. But remember:

NPS maturity amount is partly taxable

Limited liquidity

Compulsory annuity purchase not needed now, but evaluate later

Continue both PPF and NPS as part of safe allocation.

Lifestyle and Expenses Planning
You live in a family house. Monthly expenses are only Rs. 20,000.

That’s a big plus. You can invest aggressively.

However, lifestyle cost will go up as child grows.

Prepare for:

Child school, college, coaching

Health expenses

Travel and family goals

Build a monthly budget and target-based investments accordingly.

Future Financial Goals – What to Do Next
You are young. Time is on your side. Here’s how to move next:

For Child Education
Use mutual funds instead of insurance

Start one child-specific SIP

Use hybrid or flexi cap mutual funds

Review fund yearly with CFP

For Retirement
Let mutual fund corpus grow for 20+ years

Avoid early withdrawals

Maintain SIP discipline

Don’t depend on PPF/NPS alone

Build large corpus with SIPs and bonuses

For Emergencies
Keep 6 months of expenses in liquid fund

Don’t touch mutual funds for emergencies

Health insurance for you and child is must

Finally
You are on a good financial path already. Your savings habit is strong. But to maximise your wealth, optimise the instruments.

Key Steps to Take Now:

Stop investing in index funds

Shift from direct to regular funds via CFP

Merge overlapping mutual funds

Review insurance policies and exit non-term plans

Start proper term insurance cover

Focus on child and retirement goals separately

Continue PPF and NPS steadily

Create an emergency fund in liquid mutual funds

Review goals once every year with a Certified Financial Planner

With this structured approach, you will create long-term wealth with clarity.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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 Kalirajan  |9696 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 26, 2024Hindi
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We have invested 3k from last 4 years in Aditya Birla mutual fund equity based. And last year kotak mid cap and small cap of 7k and 3k respectively. Other than this we invest in NPS 50k per year from last 5 years and have two lic policies of 5 lalk sum assured. We have two kids aged 7 and 4. Earning is 1 lakh . Expenses are home loan 31k for 32 lakh loan of 15 years , 3 years are done. Monthly expenses are 31k emi, 30k home, 15 k parents. Please suggest if this is a good way to invest for future of our children or any changes that need to be done we plan to keep investing in mutual funds for long term. Kotak Balanced Advantage Fund Growth (Regular Plan) and Kotak Small Cap Fund - Growth (Regular Plan) (Erstwhile Kotak Mid-Cap). No term insurance and there is company health insurance of my husband. I earn 10k per month.
Ans: Current Financial Situation

You have a combined monthly income of Rs. 1.10 lakh.

You have two kids aged 7 and 4.

Your monthly expenses include:

Rs. 31k home loan EMI
Rs. 30k home expenses
Rs. 15k for parents
Current Investments

You invest Rs. 3k per month in Aditya Birla mutual fund (equity-based) for the last 4 years.

You invest Rs. 7k per month in Kotak Mid Cap fund and Rs. 3k per month in Kotak Small Cap fund (last year).

You invest Rs. 50k per year in NPS for the last 5 years.

You have two LIC policies with a sum assured of Rs. 5 lakhs each.

Assessment of Current Investments

Your current mutual fund investments are good for long-term growth.

Equity mutual funds, especially mid-cap and small-cap, offer high growth potential.

NPS is a good investment for retirement savings, with tax benefits.

LIC policies provide some security but have lower returns compared to mutual funds.

Recommended Changes

Increase SIP in Mutual Funds

Consider increasing your SIPs in equity mutual funds.

This will help in wealth accumulation for your children's future.

Focus on a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.

Balanced Advantage Fund

Balanced Advantage Funds balance equity and debt.

They provide moderate growth with lower risk.

Consider allocating more to these funds for stability.

Avoiding Direct Funds

Direct funds need active management and expertise.

Regular funds, through a Certified Financial Planner, offer professional guidance.

They provide personalized advice and ongoing support.

Health and Term Insurance

You mentioned company health insurance.

Ensure it covers your entire family adequately.

Consider taking a separate term insurance policy for your husband.

Term insurance provides financial security in case of unforeseen events.

Review LIC Policies

LIC policies have lower returns compared to mutual funds.

Consider surrendering or partially surrendering them.

Reinvest the proceeds in high-return mutual funds.

Emergency Fund

Maintain an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses.

This should cover 6-12 months of living expenses.

Keep this fund in a liquid asset like a savings account or liquid mutual fund.

Final Insights

Your current investments are on the right track.

Increasing SIPs and adding balanced advantage funds can provide stability.

Ensure adequate insurance coverage and maintain an emergency fund.

Regular reviews and professional advice will help you stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9696 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 21, 2024

Money
Hello sir, I am 44 years old , working in private sector. Take home salary is 1.5 lakh. i have a 8 year old daughter. i am investing is Sukanya Samrdhi scheme for my daughter's future needs started at her 6th month.At present value is Rs.345000. Amount was 30K per year till last FY. From 24-25 FY i have increased this to 1 lakh per year. I have home loan of 30 lakh taken 5 years back. EMI is 35000/- 170 month is balance tenure. I am investing in following mutual fund SIPs, 1. quant large cap fund Rs.4500 direct 2. tata small cap fund Rs.4100 direct 3.icic prudential bluechip fund direct Rs.4400 direct 4.Motilal oswal Midcap regular-Rs 5000 5. Parag parikh flexi cap regular-Rs.2500. 6. Nippon india small cap regular-Rs.5000 7.ICICI Prudential equity and debt fund regular-Rs.2500. I have a post office RD of Rs.2000 per month for 5 years. I can increase my SIP amount upto 20-30% every year. I have term plan for 1.5cr and health insurance of 20 lakh. Please evaluate my investment and kindly advice .
Ans: You have taken thoughtful steps to secure your family’s future. With consistent investments and strategic adjustments, your financial goals can be met efficiently. Below is a detailed evaluation and recommendations for your portfolio.

Key Strengths in Your Financial Plan
Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme (SSS): Investing in this scheme for your daughter is a good choice. It offers guaranteed returns and tax-free maturity, perfect for long-term goals like education and marriage.

Mutual Fund SIPs: Your current SIPs cover a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, flexi-cap, and hybrid funds. This diversification provides stability and potential for high returns.

Insurance Cover: Your Rs. 1.5 crore term plan is sufficient to cover liabilities like the home loan. The Rs. 20 lakh health insurance ensures financial support for medical emergencies.

Home Loan Management: The Rs. 35,000 EMI is well within your affordability, considering your take-home salary of Rs. 1.5 lakh.

Areas for Improvement
1. Direct Funds in Your Portfolio
Direct funds require expertise to track and manage effectively.

Investors often lack time or knowledge to review performance regularly.

Switching to regular funds via a Certified Financial Planner ensures better fund selection and guidance.

2. Overlapping and Inefficiency in Mutual Funds
You have multiple funds in overlapping categories like large-cap and small-cap.

This duplication can lead to inefficiency in returns without adding significant diversification.

3. RD Investment
Post office recurring deposits provide safety but low returns compared to inflation.

Consider redirecting this amount to a diversified equity or hybrid mutual fund SIP for better growth.

4. Loan Tenure
The remaining tenure of 170 months (14+ years) is long, resulting in high interest outgo.

If possible, prepay part of the loan to reduce tenure and save on interest costs.

Recommendations for Your Financial Plan
1. Optimise Mutual Fund Investments
Reduce the number of overlapping funds in your portfolio.

Focus on a well-diversified selection of 4-5 funds, including large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and flexi-cap categories.

Allocate more towards actively managed funds to benefit from fund managers' expertise.

2. Utilise Annual SIP Increases
Increasing your SIPs by 20%-30% annually will significantly accelerate wealth creation.

Focus on equity funds for long-term goals and hybrid funds for medium-term goals.

Aim for a target SIP amount of Rs. 50,000 within the next 5 years to meet your retirement and daughter's needs.

3. Home Loan Prepayment
Allocate any annual bonus or surplus funds towards prepaying the home loan.

Prepaying Rs. 5 lakh over the next 3 years can reduce tenure by 3-4 years, saving significant interest.

4. Enhance Sukanya Samriddhi Contribution
Increasing your annual contribution to Rs. 1 lakh is a commendable move.

This ensures a secure and tax-free corpus for your daughter's future needs.

5. Switch from RD to SIPs
Redirect your Rs. 2,000 RD amount to a hybrid or flexi-cap mutual fund SIP.

This provides better returns while maintaining a balance between risk and growth.

6. Review Insurance Coverage
Your current term plan of Rs. 1.5 crore is adequate, but review it every 3-5 years as liabilities and expenses change.

Ensure your health insurance includes features like no room rent cap, annual health check-ups, and maternity cover, if applicable.

Taxation Considerations
Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme: Contributions, interest, and maturity proceeds are tax-free under Section 80C.

Mutual Funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

Home Loan: The principal repayment is eligible for Rs. 1.5 lakh deduction under Section 80C, while interest repayment gets Rs. 2 lakh deduction under Section 24(b).

Finally
Consolidate your mutual fund portfolio and focus on actively managed funds.

Increase SIPs annually and redirect low-return investments like RD to equity funds.

Prepay your home loan strategically to reduce interest burden.

Regularly review your financial plan with a Certified Financial Planner to stay on track.

By taking these steps, you can achieve your long-term goals while ensuring financial security for your family.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9696 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 26, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 26, 2025Hindi
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Money
I am 34 Years old. Earning 80k in hand. Till now I have been through loans due to family constraints. Now I have repaid all my loans in advance by prepaying them. I invested in one mutual fund Mirae asset ELSS. But now I have stopped SIP in it. It currently has 2.20 Lacs. I have 3 lacs in bank and given 4 lacs to someone. Has KVP of 2 lacs maturing in 2033. Wife has two LIC policies maturing in 2033 with 15 lacs approx as maturity amount. I have two kids (boys) 1 and 5 years old. As I am in paramilitary so investing in NPS from past 9 years, currently it has 16.5 lacs corpus with 26 years of my job remaining. I want to invest in mutual funds 37k per month. I have no loans, no credit card and no other liability. I have chosen Parag Parikh Flexi cap-10000 SBI Gold Durect Plan Growth-5000 Bharat 22 Index Fund Fund-5000 Nippon India Large Cap-5000 Motilal Oswal Mid Cap-4000 Nippon India Small Cap-4000 Tata small cap-4000 All are direct plans. Want to start them all in Groww app from Apr 2025. I want to buy a house in next 8-10 years of approx 50Lacs current value. My car is ageing and want to replace it in next one year. Please suggest me if my approach is good or do I have to make adjustments.
Ans: Your disciplined approach to finances is impressive. Paying off loans early was a great decision. Now, you can focus on growing wealth and achieving your goals. Below is a detailed analysis of your financial plan.

Emergency Fund and Short-Term Liquidity
You have Rs 3 lakh in the bank and Rs 4 lakh lent out.

Ideally, keep 6 months of expenses as a liquid emergency fund.

Since your salary is Rs 80,000 per month, target Rs 5 lakh as an emergency fund.

If the Rs 4 lakh is not immediately recoverable, consider adding more liquid savings.

Park this money in a mix of a high-interest savings account and liquid mutual funds.

Insurance Protection
Life Insurance: You did not mention a term plan. Ensure you have one with coverage of at least 10-15 times your annual income.

Health Insurance: You did not mention a health plan. Get a Rs 20-30 lakh family floater policy.

Personal Accident Cover: Since you are in the paramilitary, a personal accident cover is essential.

NPS and Retirement Planning
You have Rs 16.5 lakh in NPS after 9 years. With 26 years left, this can grow significantly.

Continue contributing, but do not rely solely on NPS.

Diversify retirement savings with equity mutual funds to give flexibility at retirement.

NPS has withdrawal restrictions, so having non-restricted investments is important.

Investment Portfolio Review
Existing Investments
ELSS Mutual Fund: It is tax-saving but not suitable for long-term wealth building. Consider diversifying.

KVP: A low-return product locked until 2033. Not ideal for long-term wealth creation.

LIC Policies (Wife): If they are traditional endowment plans, they may have low returns. Consider surrendering and reinvesting if feasible.

Planned SIPs (From April 2025)
Your planned SIPs total Rs 37,000 per month. Below is an evaluation:

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap - Rs 10,000: Good choice for diversification and stability.

SBI Gold - Rs 5,000: Gold should not be a core investment. Reduce allocation to 5-10% of your portfolio.

Bharat 22 Index Fund - Rs 5,000: Index funds have limitations. Actively managed funds can offer better returns.

Nippon India Large Cap - Rs 5,000: Large-cap is important for stability. Keep allocation.

Motilal Oswal Mid Cap - Rs 4,000: Mid-cap funds offer growth but can be volatile. Moderate allocation is fine.

Nippon India Small Cap - Rs 4,000 & Tata Small Cap - Rs 4,000: Small-cap exposure is high. Consider reducing to avoid excessive risk.

Suggested Portfolio Adjustments
Reduce allocation to gold and index funds.

Maintain a mix of large, flexi-cap, mid, and small-cap funds.

Instead of direct funds, invest through an MFD with CFP credentials for better tracking and advice.

House Purchase Plan (8-10 Years)
The house is estimated at Rs 50 lakh in today’s value. Future value may increase.

Start a dedicated SIP in a hybrid or multi-asset fund for this goal.

Avoid real estate investment as a wealth-building tool. Buy a house only for personal use.

Car Purchase Plan (Next Year)
Since this is a short-term goal, avoid equity investment.

Use bank savings and allocate part of your upcoming savings for the purchase.

If needed, opt for a car loan but repay it quickly.

Final Insights
Keep an emergency fund of Rs 5 lakh.

Ensure you have term life and health insurance.

Continue investing in NPS but also in mutual funds for flexibility.

Review and rebalance your SIP choices.

Plan separately for house and car goals with appropriate investments.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9696 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 18, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Ramalingam Sir, I'm a working 40 year old women and a mother of 2 kids. my monthly take home is 1.75L. my deductions and investments are house loan EMI 52000 personal loan 22000 car loan 21444 top up loan 8500 LiC premiums per annum 1L Term Life insurance per annum 52k NPS around 5700 i.e. 4% of basic pay Sukanya Samriddhi 6k monthly PPF 6k monthly Mirea Asset Large&Midcap Fund direct 2k SIP upto 3yrs Quant Small Cap Fund 5k SIP upto 3 years Nippon India Multi cap fund 5k SIP upto 3 yars ICICI Prudential Bluechip fund 5k SIP upto 1 year Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund 10k SIP upto 1 year my 1 year SIPs would complete by October 2025. my daughter is 8yrs old and son 3 yrs old. I would like to know if my investments are correct and please suggest if am going in right direction with regards to investments. As I'm working in a software company, I would like to have some pooled up money for my kids for education purpose. my husband is also working and focusing on building physical assets for kids so I want to have right investments and purpose for the money I earn. Thank you Sir in advance.
Ans: You are very organised with your finances.
As a Certified Financial Planner, let me give you a full 360-degree review.

Family and Income Snapshot
You are 40 years old and working in software.

You have two children aged 8 and 3.

Monthly take-home salary is Rs 1.75 lakh.

Your spouse is also earning and focusing on physical assets.

You wish to build a focused education fund for children.

You are already investing with discipline and purpose.
Let’s now study everything in detail and correct where needed.

Existing Loan Commitments
You are currently paying for four types of loans:

Home Loan EMI: Rs 52,000

Personal Loan: Rs 22,000

Car Loan: Rs 21,444

Top-up Loan: Rs 8,500

That is Rs 1,03,944 towards loan EMIs.
This eats up nearly 60% of your salary.
This is high. It increases financial pressure.

Suggestions:

Try to repay the personal loan early.

Check if car loan can be closed faster.

Avoid fresh loans till current loans are cleared.

Do not use top-up loans for non-emergency needs.

Reducing EMI will free money for better investment.

Insurance Portfolio Review
You have:

LIC premiums: Rs 1 lakh per year

Term life insurance: Rs 52,000 per year

LIC premiums are usually part of endowment or money-back.
These are low-return products combining investment and insurance.
They are not good for wealth creation.

Suggestions:

If your LIC is investment-based, surrender it.

Use surrender value to invest in mutual funds.

Term insurance should be plain and high cover.

Coverage should be minimum 15–20 times annual income.

Don’t mix insurance with investment again in future.

NPS Contribution
You contribute Rs 5,700 monthly to NPS.

It is 4% of basic salary.

NPS is good for retirement, but it locks your money till 60.
Returns are decent but come with withdrawal restrictions.

Suggestions:

Continue NPS contribution for tax benefit.

Don’t increase allocation here.

Your main long-term growth must come from mutual funds.

Sukanya Samriddhi and PPF
Sukanya: Rs 6,000 monthly for daughter.

PPF: Rs 6,000 monthly.

These are safe, tax-free investments.
But they give 7–8% return, which is fixed-income category.
Long term, they can’t beat inflation fully.

Suggestions:

Continue Sukanya till age 15 of daughter.

Cap PPF at Rs 6,000/month.

Don’t increase traditional schemes further.

For long-term goals, use mutual funds more.

Mutual Fund Investments
You are investing via SIPs in 6 different funds.

Mirae Large & Midcap – Rs 2,000 (3 years)

Quant Small Cap – Rs 5,000 (3 years)

Nippon Multicap – Rs 5,000 (3 years)

ICICI Bluechip – Rs 5,000 (1 year)

Motilal Oswal Midcap – Rs 10,000 (1 year)

Monthly SIP total = Rs 27,000

This is a good practice, but there are few issues:

All are direct plans.

Small cap and midcap funds are high risk.

Direct plans offer no advisory support.

No proper rebalancing or goal tracking.

Disadvantages of Direct Plans:

You are alone in selecting and reviewing funds.

No expert helps you during market downturns.

You may miss better schemes or exit too late.

Emotional investing can harm results.

Direct plan TER is low, but mistakes cost more.

Better Approach:

Shift to regular plans via Certified Financial Planner.

He tracks, rebalances and aligns with your goals.

You get emotional support and expert monitoring.

Small advisory fee ensures professional help.

Fund Structure Suggestion:

40% in large and flexicap actively managed funds.

30% in hybrid aggressive and balanced funds.

20% in midcap (not small cap for now).

10% in short-term debt for liquidity.

This makes your portfolio stable and growth-oriented.

Your Current SIP Tenure
Three SIPs are running till 2027 (3-year SIPs).

Two SIPs end in October 2025.

Don't stop your SIPs when tenure ends.
Mutual funds don’t work like FD maturity.
Wealth grows if SIP continues for 10–15 years.

Suggestions:

Extend your SIPs for longer duration.

Increase SIP amount slowly as EMI reduces.

Align each SIP with a specific goal.

Kid’s Education Planning
Your daughter is 8. You have 8–10 years for higher education.
Son is 3. You have 12–14 years for him.

Your goal is to build strong education fund for both.
You want to do it alone, while spouse builds physical assets.

Action Plan:

Create two child education buckets.

Assign separate SIPs to each goal.

Use child-focused active equity funds.

Invest monthly through regular plans with a planner.

Review yearly progress of corpus.

Target corpus:

Rs 50–60 lakh per child in today’s value.

Will need Rs 1–1.25 crore combined for both.

With 10–12 years horizon, SIP is best route.

Budget Balance and Cash Flow
Monthly income: Rs 1.75 lakh
Loan EMIs: Rs 1.03 lakh
SIP: Rs 27,000
Sukanya + PPF: Rs 12,000
NPS: Rs 5,700
Insurance premium (annualised): Rs 12,500

You are left with little monthly surplus.
Any bonus or hike should go to reduce loans.

Action Plan:

First, clear personal and car loan.

Reinvest the freed EMI into SIP.

Avoid top-up loans or lifestyle loans.

Maintain an emergency fund of Rs 3–5 lakh.

Keep a health insurance floater for family.

Future Roadmap in Simple Steps
Shift from direct to regular mutual funds.

Engage a CFP to guide every step.

Keep SIPs long-term, goal-linked and diversified.

Reduce loan load over next 2 years.

Use bonuses or hikes to build kids' corpus.

Review portfolio every year.

Avoid any new insurance?cum?investment products.

Final Insights
You are doing a lot of right things already.

But some fine-tuning is needed now.

Direct funds and LIC policies may hold you back.

Loans are heavy, need early closure.

Kids' goals need structured planning and tracking.

Mutual funds must be managed actively by expert.

You have limited earning years ahead.
You can build strong wealth with right plan now.
Let your money grow with clarity and care.
And give your children the financial base they deserve.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

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Career
Dear Sir, My son got CS in Thapar, CS in LMNIIT, ICT in DAIICT Gandhinagar and ECE in COEP Pune. Could kindly suggest the better one.
Ans: Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology’s CSE programme, a NAAC A+ and NBA-accredited, ABET-recognised deemed university ranked 29th in NIRF Engineering 2024, boasts a robust placement ecosystem with 334 recruiters and 88.51% of CSE students placed over the past three years, supported by 27 state-of-the-art computing labs and strong industry tie-ups with Apple, IBM, TCS, and more. LNMIIT Jaipur’s NAAC A++ and UGC Category-I deemed CSE programme delivers an average package of ?13.87 LPA and places 70% of registered students through its dedicated placement cell, achieving an 88.51% branch-specific placement consistency over three years, underpinned by high-value recruiters like Unacademy, NAV Consulting, and Kelly Technologies and cutting-edge algorithm and AI labs. DAIICT Gandhinagar’s B.Tech ICT, NAAC A+ and UGC-accredited and ranked 201–300 in NIRF, secures 96% campus-wide placements with an average package of ?16.03 LPA through 150+ recruiters including Google, Amazon, and Deloitte, facilitated by specialised ICT, VLSI, and data-science research clusters and mandatory project-based learning. COEP Pune’s ECE, part of a NAAC A+ government institute established in 1854, records an 88.57% placement rate for E&TC students and an average package of ?12.00 LPA over three years, leveraging advanced VLSI, signal-processing, and SMT manufacturing labs established via a Centre of Excellence, and a placement cell that engages 230+ recruiters annually.

Recommendation: Prioritise Thapar CSE for its top-tier accreditation, ABET recognition, and balanced placement-infrastructure synergy; next, choose DAIICT ICT for its highest placement consistency and premium packages in the ICT domain; LNMIIT CSE is third for strong average packages and focused AI/algorithm training; COEP Pune ECE stands fourth for specialised electronics manufacturing labs and solid placement metrics in ECE. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8557 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 11, 2025

Career
Sir My Son Shivam soni Got electrical and computer sciences in Thapar patiala Another option may be Nagpur fire safety engineering Which shall be better for him
Ans: Harshiv Sir, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology’s B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering is accredited by NAAC A+, NBA, and ABET, features advanced VLSI, embedded-systems, and signal-processing labs, and registers nearly 100% placement for ECE with 90% campus-wide across branches over three years. Its centralized Career Development Centre secures roles in IT, telecom, and core electronics through 334 recruiters, maintaining a 90%–95% placement rate. The National Fire Service College, Nagpur, a Ministry of Home Affairs institute founded in 1956, offers a B.E. in Fire Engineering approved by AICTE and UGC, with specialized fire-safety and industrial-safety labs, realistic drills, and near-100% placement with an average package of ?12–15 LPA through PSUs like ONGC, GAIL, and IOCL. Both campuses provide residential facilities, strong industry tie-ups, and government-backed curricula, but Thapar’s broader tech ecosystem contrasts NFSC’s niche firefighting focus.

Prioritize Thapar Patiala ECE for broader technology exposure, higher recruiter diversity, and interdisciplinary labs; choose NFSC Nagpur Fire Engineering if aiming for specialized fire-safety leadership roles within government and industrial safety sectors. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8557 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 11, 2025

Career
Bit deoghar cse or bit mesra ece
Ans: (Seems, you have posted your 2nd question today). Birla Institute of Technology Extension Centre, Deoghar, affiliated with BIT Mesra and AICTE-approved, holds NAAC A accreditation and offers a CSE programme established in 2007 with modern computing labs and industry-aligned curriculum. Over the past three years, its CSE branch recorded a 90% placement rate with average packages around ?12 LPA, and recruiters such as Microsoft, Samsung, Infosys, and TCS. BIT Mesra’s flagship ECE programme, part of a UGC-recognized deemed university ranked 48th in NIRF Engineering 2024, boasts advanced VLSI and signal-processing laboratories, Practice School internships, and a 60% placement rate with an average package of ?16 LPA in 2024, attracting companies like Microsoft, Google, and Intel. Both institutions feature dedicated placement cells, research collaborations, and robust infrastructure, but BIT Mesra offers broader campus facilities and higher average ECE packages, while BIT Deoghar provides focused CSE strength with consistent recruitment outcomes.

Given stronger placement consistency in CSE at Deoghar and superior average ECE packages at Mesra, the recommendation suggests choosing BIT Mesra ECE for higher pay and infrastructure, with BIT Deoghar CSE as a solid alternative for consistent software placements. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8557 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 11, 2025

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8557 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 11, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9696 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 11, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 11, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi sir, i'm employee and age 33 and Recently married. I have 1. Home loan 7.29 L (Outstanding), tenure 13 yrs, emi is 7000 2.personal loan 12.3L, tenure 57 months, emi is 30500. 3.Another PL 50K (Outstanding), emi is 9350 4.Need to give 1L to friend which I took long back. My monthly income in hand 92k. 1.NPS having 7k ---- Monthly Rs.500 2.Recently (2 months ago) Started a invested on Cryptocoins for BTC,ETH and INJ at Rs.7000 --- One time investment 3.Again Recently (2 months ago) Started a invested on digital gold at 10000 monthly. Tel me better management of loans and savings. Planning to retirement is April-2055.
Ans: You are only 33 and newly married. That gives you solid time to plan smartly for retirement and wealth creation. Below is a detailed 360-degree answer to guide you, written in simple Indian English, keeping your financial goals and commitments in mind.

? Your Current Financial Snapshot

– Your take-home salary is Rs. 92,000 per month.
– You have home loan EMI of Rs. 7,000 monthly.
– One personal loan EMI is Rs. 30,500.
– Another personal loan EMI is Rs. 9,350.
– You have a one-time friend repayment of Rs. 1 lakh.
– You are investing Rs. 500 monthly in NPS.
– You invested Rs. 7,000 in crypto coins recently.
– You are investing Rs. 10,000 monthly in digital gold.
– Retirement planned in April 2055, 30+ years from now.

Let’s review and re-structure your loans, investments, and savings with an expert lens.

? Evaluation of Your Loan Commitments

– Total monthly EMI is nearly Rs. 46,850.
– That takes up over 50% of your income.
– This is on the higher side for your salary.
– Home loan EMI is fine. It is low and for long term.
– But personal loans are reducing your monthly cash flow.
– These loans carry high interest rates.
– Clearing these early will bring huge relief.

– Prioritise repaying the smaller personal loan of Rs. 50,000 first.
– After that, target the 12.3L personal loan.
– Avoid prepayment of home loan for now.
– Home loan gives tax benefit. Personal loans do not.
– Do not take any new loan until existing ones are closed.
– Avoid credit card EMIs or BNPL schemes.

– Once you repay these loans, your savings power will increase.
– Try to increase your EMI by Rs. 2,000-3,000 if possible.
– That will reduce your debt faster.
– Focus all extra income or bonuses toward loan repayments.

? Friend Loan – Honor This Quickly

– Rs. 1 lakh is pending to your friend.
– Clear this first before making any investment.
– Keep personal integrity and trust intact.
– If not possible in one shot, repay in 3 parts over 3 months.
– Avoid delaying this for the sake of digital gold or crypto.

? Assessment of Digital Gold Investment

– You are investing Rs. 10,000 monthly in digital gold.
– That is a high allocation at your age.
– Gold does not create wealth. It only preserves value.
– Over long term, gold returns are less than equity.
– For young investors, equity mutual funds work better.

– Reduce digital gold to Rs. 2,000 per month or pause it.
– Reallocate remaining to mutual fund SIPs.
– Use gold only for diversification or specific goal like jewellery.
– Do not consider gold as a retirement investment tool.

? Assessment of Crypto Investment

– You invested Rs. 7,000 in BTC, ETH, and INJ.
– Crypto is highly risky and volatile.
– It can give high returns or major losses.
– Crypto is not regulated like mutual funds.
– Do not add more money into crypto now.
– Consider it like a lottery ticket, not an investment.
– Keep exposure to crypto under 2-3% of total investments.
– Avoid monthly SIPs into crypto.

? Review of NPS Contribution

– You are contributing Rs. 500 monthly in NPS.
– That is good for tax saving and retirement.
– NPS offers market-linked returns with some tax benefits.
– Increase this to Rs. 1,000-2,000 per month later.
– Don’t depend on NPS as the only retirement tool.
– Use mutual funds also for long-term wealth.

? Savings vs. Expenses – Cash Flow Management

– Income is Rs. 92,000.
– After loan EMIs of Rs. 46,850, balance is Rs. 45,150.
– Digital gold SIP is Rs. 10,000.
– NPS is Rs. 500.
– That leaves Rs. 34,650 for household and other expenses.
– Try to live on Rs. 25,000 for all expenses.
– Keep Rs. 5,000-7,000 aside for emergency or loan repayment.
– Create a budget and stick to it.
– Use apps or notebook to track all monthly expenses.
– Avoid luxury spending, impulse buying or new gadgets.

? Emergency Fund is a Must

– You must build an emergency fund.
– Keep at least Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 ready.
– Keep in a savings account or liquid mutual fund.
– This avoids taking loans during sudden expenses.
– Build it slowly over 6 to 8 months.
– Use bonuses or tax refunds to create this fund.

? Future Focus: Mutual Funds for Long Term Wealth

– Your goal is retirement in 2055.
– That gives over 30 years to invest and grow money.
– Mutual funds are ideal for long-term compounding.
– Choose actively managed diversified equity mutual funds.
– These are run by professional fund managers.
– They outperform index funds over long periods.
– Index funds do not beat market in volatile times.

– Avoid direct mutual fund platforms.
– They save cost, but there is no guidance.
– Wrong fund or wrong timing leads to poor results.
– Invest through Certified Financial Planner and MFD.
– They review and adjust based on your goals.

– Start with Rs. 5,000 monthly SIP in equity mutual funds.
– As loan EMIs end, increase SIP step-by-step.
– Use STP if you have lump sum to invest.
– Do not invest lump sum directly into equity funds.
– Choose growth plans, not dividend plans.

? Tax Planning Strategy

– Use home loan interest for tax deduction.
– NPS also gives extra Rs. 50,000 tax benefit under Sec 80CCD(1B).
– Mutual funds are tax efficient for long-term.
– Equity fund gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.
– Debt fund gains taxed as per income slab.

– Fixed deposits are fully taxable every year.
– Avoid them for long-term savings.
– Use debt mutual funds for short-term goals instead.

? Retirement Plan Roadmap

– At age 33, you are in perfect stage to plan retirement.
– Target to build large corpus by 55 or 60 years.
– Use mutual fund SIPs for 20-25 years.
– Review and adjust portfolio every year.
– Shift slowly to safer funds as you near retirement.
– After 55, start SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan).
– It helps withdraw monthly income during retirement.
– Avoid insurance products or annuity plans for retirement.
– Do not lock money for long periods unnecessarily.

? Insurance Coverage

– You have not mentioned term insurance or health cover.
– These are critical for married people.
– Buy term insurance of at least 10 times your income.
– It protects your family in your absence.
– Also, buy a good family health insurance policy.
– Don’t depend only on company group insurance.

– Avoid ULIP or money-back policies.
– These give low returns and poor coverage.
– Keep insurance and investment separate.

? Avoid These Common Financial Mistakes

– Don’t keep adding to digital gold or crypto.
– Don’t ignore loans. Clear them first.
– Don’t stop NPS or delay mutual fund SIPs.
– Don’t use credit cards for lifestyle spending.
– Don’t take new loans unless urgent.
– Don’t invest in index funds. Active funds give better returns.
– Don’t invest directly in mutual funds without guidance.
– Don’t postpone emergency fund or insurance.
– Don’t guess your future needs. Plan and document clearly.

? Finally

– You have made a strong start.
– You are earning well and have many years ahead.
– Focus now on clearing high-cost loans quickly.
– Then increase investments steadily every year.
– Cut down digital gold and avoid new crypto purchases.
– Create emergency fund and buy insurance.
– Start mutual fund SIPs through Certified Financial Planner.
– Review your goals and portfolio every year.
– Stick to your plan. Stay consistent.
– You can build strong wealth and retire peacefully.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8557 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 11, 2025

Career
Sir, my son is getting CSE at Thapar and Dual degree MSc. Physics at BITS Pilani campus. Can you guide which is better in terms of long term career goals.
Ans: Omesh Sir, Thapar University’s four-year B.E. in Computer Science & Engineering is NBA and NAAC A+ accredited, ABET-USA recognized under the Washington Accord, and hosts 27 state-of-the-art undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories with a dedicated data centre. Its 2023 placement drive saw 334 recruiters making 1,884 offers, placing 83% of undergraduates and nearly 100% of CSE students with an average package of ?11.90 LPA. The curriculum, benchmarked to ACM/IEEE standards, features industry-aligned electives and incubation support, while strong industry tie-ups ensure ongoing research and internship opportunities.

BITS Pilani’s five-year Integrated Dual Degree in M.Sc. Physics operates under the Institute of Eminence framework with UGC and NAAC A++ accreditation, offering advanced fabrication, characterization, and clean-room facilities across Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. Practice School internships immerse students in R&D projects; over the past three years, 73.61% of physics graduates secured placement with an average package of ?19.71 LPA. The interdisciplinary curriculum spans quantum mechanics to astrophysics, supported by a robust alumni network and global research collaborations.

Recommendation: Considering sustained high CSE placement rates, strong industry partnerships, and ABET accreditation, the recommendation favors Thapar CSE for a direct software-engineering career trajectory with guaranteed industry readiness; BITS Pilani’s dual-degree M.Sc. Physics suits those targeting advanced research, specialized R&D roles, or academia. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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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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