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45k salary to 1 Crore: How long will it take?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 17, 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
Joyprakash Question by Joyprakash on Jun 21, 2024Hindi
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Money

My monthly income is 45000. How to achieve 1 Crore. How much time is required

Ans: Current Financial Situation

You have a monthly income of Rs. 45,000.

Your goal is to achieve a corpus of Rs. 1 crore.

Setting a Realistic Timeline

Achieving Rs. 1 crore requires disciplined saving and investing.

The timeline depends on your savings rate and investment returns.

Higher returns can shorten the timeline.

Monthly Savings and Investments

You need to save and invest a portion of your income.

Aim to save at least 20-30% of your income monthly.

This means setting aside Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 13,500 each month.

Choosing the Right Investments

Mutual funds are a good option for long-term growth.

Consider equity mutual funds for higher returns.

Equity funds can offer 10-12% returns over the long term.

Avoiding Index Funds

Index funds track the market passively.

They lack active management, which can limit returns.

Actively managed funds can outperform and offer better growth.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds seem cheaper but require more effort.

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

They provide tailored advice and ongoing support.

Benefits of SIPs

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) help in disciplined investing.

They allow you to invest a fixed amount regularly.

SIPs average out market volatility over time.

Calculating the Time Required

If you invest Rs. 10,000 per month in equity funds with 10% returns:

You can achieve Rs. 1 crore in about 15-18 years.

This is a simplified estimate and can vary.

Diversifying Investments

Don’t put all your money in one type of investment.

Diversify between equity, debt, and hybrid funds.

This reduces risk and balances returns.

Tax Efficiency

Invest in tax-efficient instruments to maximize returns.

Equity mutual funds have favorable tax treatment.

Long-term capital gains are taxed at a lower rate.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Review your investments regularly.

Adjust your portfolio based on performance and goals.

Seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner.

Final Insights

Achieving Rs. 1 crore requires disciplined saving and investing.

Start early, choose the right investments, and stay committed.

A diversified portfolio and professional guidance can help you reach your goal.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
Asked on - Jul 29, 2024 | Answered on Jul 29, 2024
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Ok. Thank you sir
Ans: You're welcome! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Best wishes on your financial journey!

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 07, 2024

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I am 23 years at present.I work in pvt.bank and my in hand salary is 11k and I invested per month 6k (sip).So what should my goal towards 1 crore. Please guide
Ans: It's commendable that you're already thinking about long-term financial goals at a young age. Building wealth and achieving a target like 1 crore is definitely achievable with the right approach and discipline. Here's a guide to help you:
1. Define Your Goal:
• Specify your financial goal clearly: In this case, it's accumulating 1 crore.
• Determine the time horizon: Since you're starting early, you have the advantage of time. Let's assume you aim to achieve this goal by the time you retire, say around age 60.
2. Calculate Required Monthly Investment:
• Use a financial calculator or online SIP calculator to estimate the monthly investment required to reach 1 crore by age 60.
• Consider factors like expected rate of return, inflation, and investment duration.
• Since you're investing 6,000 per month currently, you'll need to gradually increase this amount over time to reach your goal.
3. Choose Suitable Investments:
• Opt for diversified investment options that align with your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
• Equity mutual funds, especially those with a long-term growth focus, can be ideal for wealth accumulation over the long run due to their potential for higher returns.
• Consider starting with equity mutual funds with a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds to spread risk and maximize growth potential.
4. Stay Disciplined and Patient:
• Consistency is key. Stick to your investment plan and continue investing regularly, even during market downturns.
• Reinvest dividends and avoid the temptation to withdraw funds prematurely.
• Monitor your investments periodically and make adjustments as needed, but avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.
5. Review and Adjust Regularly:
• Periodically review your investment portfolio and track your progress towards your goal.
• Adjust your investment strategy and monthly contribution if needed, especially as your income increases over time.
• Keep yourself updated on financial news and market trends to make informed decisions.
6. Seek Professional Advice:
• Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner who can help create a personalized financial plan tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation.
• They can provide valuable guidance and support to ensure you stay on track towards achieving your goal of accumulating 1 crore.
Remember, achieving financial goals like accumulating 1 crore requires patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective. By starting early and staying committed to your investment plan, you're laying a solid foundation for a secure financial future. Keep investing and stay focused on your goal!

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi, I am 28 years old. I am earning 1.2 Lakhs per month. I have 6 lakhs in savings, 1.8 lakhs in mutual funds spread over largecap(8k per month), midcap(4k per month), smallcap(1k per month), flexicap(2k per month), 5 lakhs in PF, 1.8 lakhs in NPS(14k per month), and 1 lakhs in direct stocks. How soon can I achieve 1 Crore wealth? Could you please review and provide me changes I should incorporate?
Ans: At age 28, you are doing well by actively saving, investing, and thinking ahead. You already have a diverse mix of financial assets. Your target of achieving Rs 1 crore wealth is realistic if approached systematically.

Let’s look at your financial profile in depth, and how you can grow your wealth faster, while maintaining financial security.

Current Financial Overview
Let’s first understand what you have built so far:

Your monthly income is Rs 1.2 lakhs.

You have Rs 6 lakhs in savings (probably bank savings or FD).

You are investing monthly in mutual funds:

Rs 8,000 in large-cap funds.

Rs 4,000 in mid-cap funds.

Rs 1,000 in small-cap funds.

Rs 2,000 in flexi-cap funds.

Your PF corpus is Rs 5 lakhs.

Your NPS investment is Rs 1.8 lakhs and you are contributing Rs 14,000 monthly.

You also have Rs 1 lakh invested in direct stocks.

You are showing good financial behaviour. You have not only saved but also invested across different categories. That shows you understand the value of compounding and diversification. Very few 28-year-olds take such disciplined steps.

How Soon You Can Reach Rs 1 Crore
This is the main question. And yes, it’s achievable.

If you only continue your current investments, you can reach Rs 1 crore in about 8 to 10 years.

But if you want to reach it faster—say in 6 to 7 years—you will need to slightly increase your investments and also fine-tune the way your money is allocated.

That’s where we will focus now.

Analysis of Your Mutual Fund Allocation
You are currently investing Rs 15,000 per month across different categories of mutual funds.

But the allocation can be more efficient.

Right now:

Large-cap is getting a majority (Rs 8,000).

Mid-cap is getting Rs 4,000.

Small-cap only Rs 1,000.

Flexi-cap Rs 2,000.

This setup is too skewed towards large-cap. Large-cap funds grow slower than mid-cap or flexi-cap funds.

Flexi-cap and mid-cap have more potential over the long term. You are young and can take moderate risks.

What should be done:

Increase flexi-cap investment to at least Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000.

Increase small-cap SIP to at least Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000.

Mid-cap can be Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000.

Reduce large-cap SIP slightly if needed, or keep it constant.

This will help improve overall growth.

Also, avoid index funds. They just copy the index. If the market goes down, they also go down without any protection. Actively managed funds are better because the fund manager can make adjustments and protect your money.

And most importantly, always go through a Certified Financial Planner and a trusted Mutual Fund Distributor. They can guide you on switching funds, rebalancing, and selecting right options based on market conditions. Direct mutual funds don’t give this kind of support and can lead to mistakes.

Emergency Fund Status
Your Rs 6 lakh savings is a good buffer.

This is your emergency fund. It should cover 4 to 6 months of expenses.

Do not touch this amount for investments. It should stay liquid.

You can put it in a liquid fund or ultra-short debt mutual fund for better returns than a savings account.

This money will help you handle emergencies without touching your SIPs or investments.

NPS Review
You have Rs 1.8 lakhs already in NPS and you are contributing Rs 14,000 monthly.

That’s a good contribution. It gives tax benefits also.

But NPS is for retirement only. You can’t withdraw easily before age 60.

So don’t count it towards short-term goals like Rs 1 crore in 5–6 years.

Still, continue it for long-term wealth and retirement stability.

Make sure your NPS equity allocation is well-balanced. You can opt for higher equity exposure now since you are young.

Provident Fund
Your Rs 5 lakh in PF is another strong pillar.

Treat PF as a long-term safety net. It earns stable returns, though not very high.

Do not use it for short-term targets. Just let it grow quietly in the background.

When planning for Rs 1 crore in 5–6 years, we will not count PF and NPS. That keeps your goal more flexible.

Direct Stock Investment
You have Rs 1 lakh in direct stocks.

That is okay if you are comfortable tracking individual companies.

However, direct stock investing needs knowledge and time.

Mutual funds offer better diversification, more safety, and professional management.

So, if you're not regularly reviewing your stocks, it’s better to shift that amount into mutual funds.

Again, do this through a regular plan under Certified Financial Planner guidance.

This gives better handholding and emotional support during market ups and downs.

Asset Allocation Strategy Going Forward
Now, how can you restructure?

Let’s consider your monthly investable surplus.

If you increase your SIPs by just Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 monthly, you can easily cross Rs 1 crore in 6 to 7 years.

Keep the allocation like this:

Large-cap: Rs 10,000 monthly.

Flexi-cap: Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 monthly.

Mid-cap: Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 monthly.

Small-cap: Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 monthly.

Make sure you invest via regular plan with Certified Financial Planner support.

They will help you switch funds when needed and rebalance your portfolio. Without this guidance, it is easy to panic in market corrections.

What Not To Do
Avoid direct plans of mutual funds. They may seem to save cost, but they don't give proper support.

During bad market phases, you may withdraw at the wrong time.

Regular plans through a qualified Mutual Fund Distributor guided by a CFP help you stay invested and get better results.

Also, don’t increase your direct stock allocation unless you are actively tracking the markets and individual companies.

Stay away from index funds. They simply mirror the index and offer no downside protection. In falling markets, they offer no flexibility.

Always choose actively managed funds where experienced fund managers can shift allocation.

That gives better results over time.

Tax Awareness
When you sell mutual fund units, taxes apply:

For equity mutual funds, long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term capital gains are taxed at 20%.

For debt funds, both long and short-term capital gains are taxed as per your income slab.

Keep this in mind while switching or withdrawing.

Your Certified Financial Planner can help you plan exits smartly and minimise taxes.

What Else to Focus On
Apart from your investments, focus on these areas too:

Increase SIPs with every salary hike.

Review your portfolio once a year.

Set specific timelines for goals like car purchase, travel, or retirement.

Don’t delay taking term insurance and health insurance.

Keep your emergency fund untouched.

Use bonuses and increments to boost SIPs or pay off small debts if any.

Avoid unnecessary expenses and increase your savings rate gradually.

Finally
You are doing many things right already. Starting early is your biggest advantage. If you slightly increase your SIPs and re-allocate your funds better, Rs 1 crore wealth is very much achievable in 6–7 years.

Avoid index funds and direct mutual funds. Stick to regular plans under the guidance of a Certified Financial Planner. That gives you the emotional support and portfolio advice needed to stay on course.

Keep your NPS and PF untouched for long-term retirement safety. Continue your mutual fund investments with rising SIP amounts. Use your emergency fund only for real emergencies. Track your progress every quarter.

With discipline and yearly reviews, your wealth creation journey will stay strong and successful.

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

..Read more

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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

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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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