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Nikunj

Nikunj Saraf  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Funds Expert - Answered on Jun 29, 2023

Nikunj Saraf has more than five years of experience in financial markets and offers advice about mutual funds. He is vice president at Choice Wealth, a financial institution that offers broking, insurance, loans and government advisory services. Saraf, who is a member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India, has a strong base in financial markets and wealth management.... more
Drl Question by Drl on Feb 24, 2023Hindi
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Sir For Monthly income what is the best Mutual fund scheme pl suggest

Ans: Hello Value Investor. You can consider frequent dividend paying schemes in Balanced Advantag category
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 06, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 14, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir I am a housewife ans have small amount of savings Please suggest best mutual fund
Ans: It's great to see you taking an interest in mutual funds as a means to grow your savings. Let's explore some options:

• Consider starting with a balanced fund, which offers a mix of equity and debt investments.
• These funds provide a balance between growth potential and stability, making them suitable for conservative investors like yourself.

• Look for mutual funds with a track record of consistent performance and a seasoned fund manager.
• Research different funds and assess factors like expense ratios, investment philosophy, and historical returns.

• Opt for funds that align with your investment objectives and risk tolerance.
• If you have a longer investment horizon and are willing to take on more risk for potentially higher returns, you may consider equity funds.

• Conversely, if you prefer lower risk and more stability, debt funds may be a better fit for you.
• They invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and offer regular interest income.

• Keep in mind that past performance is not indicative of future results, so focus on the fund's investment strategy and manager expertise.
• Additionally, consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to help you select the best mutual fund based on your financial goals and circumstances.

• Remember to diversify your investments across different mutual funds to spread risk and maximize returns.
• Regularly review your investment portfolio and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your financial goals.

By choosing mutual funds that suit your risk profile and investment objectives, you can set yourself on the path to achieving your financial aspirations. Keep learning and stay committed to your investment journey. You're taking a positive step towards securing your financial future!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 09, 2025

Money
Sir,which mutal fund scheme is best
Ans: Choosing the right mutual fund depends on your goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. Instead of pointing out one-size-fits-all schemes, it is better to analyze the broader aspects that can guide you toward the right decision.

Let’s explore how you can approach this effectively.

Define Your Investment Goals
Your financial goals set the foundation for choosing a mutual fund.
Decide if your goal is for wealth creation, retirement, or child’s education.
Match the type of mutual fund with your specific goal.
Understand Your Risk Tolerance
Analyze your ability to handle market volatility.
If you can accept higher risks, equity funds could work well.
For moderate risks, consider balanced or hybrid funds.
If you prefer lower risks, explore debt-oriented mutual funds.
Evaluate the Investment Horizon
The duration you plan to stay invested is crucial.
Equity mutual funds work best for goals above five years.
Debt funds may suit short-term needs, under three years.
Hybrid funds could balance risk and return for medium-term goals.
Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds
While index funds follow a benchmark, actively managed funds offer certain advantages:

Active funds aim to outperform the benchmark through expert fund management.
Fund managers adjust portfolios based on market opportunities.
Actively managed funds provide higher flexibility and potential for better returns.
Disadvantages of index funds:

Index funds strictly follow the index and lack flexibility.
Returns depend solely on the market and do not outperform benchmarks.
During market downturns, index funds replicate losses without any adjustments.
Direct Funds vs Regular Funds
When it comes to direct and regular mutual funds, regular funds have distinct benefits:

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ensures proper guidance.
Regular plans involve professional advice tailored to your financial goals.
Direct funds require self-research and monitoring, which can be challenging.
Tax Implications of Mutual Funds
Taxation affects your net returns, so understand the rules:

Equity funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt funds: Both LTCG and STCG are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Choose funds based on post-tax returns aligned with your goals.
Avoid Investment Cum Insurance Products
If you hold LIC, ULIPs, or other investment-cum-insurance policies, consider surrendering them.
These products often provide lower returns and high costs.
Redirect funds into mutual funds for better transparency and higher potential returns.
Expense Ratio and Fund Performance
Check the expense ratio of the mutual fund, as it impacts net returns.
Opt for funds with consistent performance over 5-10 years.
Avoid funds with sudden spikes in performance, as they may lack stability.
Sectoral and Thematic Funds
These funds focus on specific industries or themes, offering high returns.
However, they carry higher risks due to limited diversification.
Consider them only if you have high-risk tolerance and market knowledge.
Role of Diversification
Diversify your investments across equity, debt, and hybrid funds.
This reduces risk while maintaining balanced returns.
Avoid over-diversification, as it can dilute returns.
Seek Expert Guidance
Consult a Certified Financial Planner for a personalized financial plan.
A CFP assesses your risk, goals, and taxation to recommend suitable funds.
This ensures your investments align with your overall financial strategy.
Monitor and Rebalance Your Portfolio
Regularly review your portfolio to align it with market trends.
Rebalance your investments to maintain the desired asset allocation.
Stay informed about changes in mutual fund performance and taxation rules.
Final Insights
Choosing the best mutual fund is not about selecting the highest return scheme. Instead, it involves aligning funds with your unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Active fund management, proper diversification, and expert guidance enhance your chances of achieving financial success.

Invest wisely and focus on long-term benefits for sustained growth.

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  |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!

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

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
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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