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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on May 10, 2023

Colonel Sanjeev Govila (retd) is the founder of Hum Fauji Initiatives, a financial planning company dedicated to the armed forces personnel and their families.
He has over 12 years of experience in financial planning and is a SEBI certified registered investment advisor; he is also accredited with AMFI and IRDA.... more
Puneet Question by Puneet on May 10, 2023Hindi
Money

Sir, I have following mutual Funds and I believe I have made many mistakes.. Need your advice as all are completing 12 months now. Canera robeco infrasturcfure fund Growth Regular - 5000/SIP - total value 70000 (with small lumpsum) Current Value 72236 - I am not sure whether to keep or not? UTI Flexicap - 5000 SIP with total value 65000 Current value 64500 - I am not sure whether to keep or not? Mirae asset large cap growth regular - 5000 SIP - total value 113000 (With small lumpsums) Current Value 115000 - I am not sure whether to keep or not? Axis focused 25 growth regular - 5000 SIP - total value 75000 (with small lumpsums) - Current Value 74700 - I am not sure whether to keep or not? Axis Bluechip growth regular - 5000 SIP TOtal Value 155000 - Current Value 155100 - I am not sure whether to keep or not? Kotak small Cap growth regular No SIP - I put in lumpsums during dips - total value 2 lakhs current value 202946 - I plan to keep it and eventually bring it to direct mode and continue investing - what's your opinion? SBI Contra Fund growth regular - NO SIP - I put in lumpsums during dips total value 166000 and current value 179780 - I plan to continue and bring it eventually to direct mode and continue investing. What is your opinion? SBI Contra fund - direct growth No SIP - I put in lumpsums during dips - total value 125000 current value 133000 - I plan to keep it and continue investing during dips and will eventually bring the 166000 from the regular mode also to the direct mode. What is your opinion? SBI Flexi CAP regular growth No SIP - I put in lumpsums during dips ) - Total value 1 lakh - current value - 103500 - I am not sure whether to continue investing in this one or not? Invesco India regular growth - 5000 SIP - total value - 40000 - current value - 40900 - I am not sure whether to continue or not? DSP Mid Cap regular growth - 5000 SIP - total value 40000 - current value 40200 - I am not sure whether to continue or not? HDFC Multicap Regular Growth - 5000 SIP - total value 50000 (with small lumpsum) - Current vlaue - 50260 - I might just continue with this one. What is your opinion? Parag Parikh Flexi cap regular growth No SIP - I put in money during dips - total value 2.7 lakh - current value - 2.93 Lakhs. I plan to continue investing lumpsums during dips and will eventually bring it in direct mode. What is your opinion? SBI Large and mid cap direct growth - 5000 SIP - total value approx 70000 - current value approx 74000. I might just continue with this one. What is your opinion? Quant ELSS direct growth No SIP - I put in money during dips. Total value approx 3 lakhs. Current value (haven't checked). I plan to continue putting lupmsums during dips. What is your opinion? Nippon India Small Cap direct growth No SIP - I put in money during dips. Total value approx 2.8 lakhs. Current Value (Haven't checked). I plan to continue putting lump sums during dips). What is your opinion? Kotak Bluechip Direct growth - No SIP. I put in money during dips. total value 2.35 lakhs. Current value approx 2.5 lakhs. I plan to continue putting lumpsums during dips. What is your opinion? As, I can see that there are too many funds and lots of overlapping also. Many funds have been at their historically low and some have been at the lowest ladder in rankings with continue bad performance. Thus, I need to reduce the number of funds and stop the bad ones and also to reduce the overlapping. It is not a goal based investment but simply an investment with no time horizon but I do not see myself touching them for the next 10 years. In fact, I plan to just keep putting in more so my approach can be seen as aggressive one and I would not mind going bullish on small caps and mid caps as the time horizon is long. Please advice me on how to proceed. Thanks

Ans: Puneet
You have 17 MFs and it is not possible for me to analyse and give recommendations on each one of them in the time available to me.

But from a cursory glance, I can surely say that there are too many of them. Too many of MFs neither give you diversification nor provide you safety or better returns. They only make monitoring difficult.

Since you are comfortable with an aggressive portfolio and have a long time horizon of 10 years, my advice to you is:-
• Straightaway cut down your number of funds to half – say 8. Use one of the rating websites to know which one is good and which not. Such websites are not the best way to select funds but, in your case, would work fine.
• The cutting down should be category-wise. Try not to have more than one fund per category. Rarely should you have two per category.
• If you only wish to have equity funds, then your total number of funds could be even lesser. Go in for Large Cap / Index Fund, Flexicap Fund, Large & Mid Cap Fund, Mid Cap Fund, Small Cap Fund, and maybe an Aggressive Hybrid or an Asset Allocator Fund. Try and take more funds with a value oriented approach than growth approach.
• One selected, do the same for SIPs and bulk amounts.
• Lastly, monitor your funds once in six months and rebalance if required.
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.
Money

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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Jun 15, 2023

Listen
Money
Hello Sir, I am 38 years working professional. Below are my Mutual Funds list. 1. Axis Bluechip fund Direct Plan growth - 2000 / month 2. PGM mid cap opportunity Direct Plan growth - 2000 / month 3. SBI small cap fund Regular growth - 1000 / month 4. Axis nifty 50 Direct Plan growth - 2000 / month 5. ICICI next nifty 50 Direct Plan growth - 2000 / month 6. ICICI nasdaq index direct plan growth - 2000 / month 7. ICICI technology fund Regular plan growth - 1000 / month Kindly give your input on this. Shall I continue with this for long term or not?
Ans: According to the data you have given, it appears that you have a Rs. 12,000/- monthly systematic investment plan (SIP) distributed across seven different mutual funds. Generally speaking, if your entire investing amount is Rs. 10 lakhs, you should invest in 6-7 mutual funds. Over-diversification can result from having too many mutual funds in your portfolio.

Regarding the recommendation on the mutual funds in your portfolio, all of them are considered to be fundamentally strong with a good track record. Investments in pure equity funds are recommended for the long term, ideally for a period of 5-7 years.

On the other hand, certain categories such as Small Cap, Mid Cap, and Sectoral funds are recommended only if you have an investment horizon of more than 7 years.

It's worth noting that two of the funds in your portfolio, namely Axis Nifty 50 Direct Plan Growth and ICICI Nasdaq Index Direct Plan Growth, are recently launched funds. As a result, they do not have sufficient track record to accurately assess their risk and reward potential.
We hope that you have made your investments based on your short-term and long-term goals, taking into consideration your risk profile.

Disclaimer:
• I have just no idea about your age, future financial goals, your risk profile, other investments and whether you would have the nerves to not get unduly perturbed if stock markets go temporarily down.
• Hence, please note that I am answering your question in absolute isolation to other parameters which should definitely be considered when answering a question of this type.
• I recommend you to also consult a good financial advisor who would look at your complete profile in totality before you act on this advice given by me.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 24, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 07, 2023Hindi
Money
I have invested in the following Mutual Funds, One time & SIP - Are these funds good or any changes required, please advise. Fixed:- ICICI/ India Opportunities Fund - Growth Rs.2,50,000 ICICI/ Value Discovery Fund - Growth Rs.2,50,000 ICICI / Transporation & Logistics Fund - Rs. 2,00,000 SIP:- Axis Flexi Cap Fund - Regular Plan - Growth Rs.5,000 Canara Robeco Emerging Equities - Regular Plan - Growth Rs.5,000 Aditya Birla SL Focused Equity Fund(G) Rs.5,000 HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund(G) Rs.5,000 ICICI Pru Bluechip Fund(G) Rs.5,000 Axis Small Cap Fund - Regular Plan - Growth Rs.5,000 ICICI Prudential Technology Fund - Growth Rs.5,000 L&T Midcap Fund - HSBC Midcap Fund Rs.5,000 ICIPRU Multi-Asset Fund - Growth Rs.5,000 ICIPRU Value Discovery Fund - Growth Rs.5,000
Ans: Let's review your Mutual Fund investments, both one-time and SIPs, to ensure they align with your financial goals and risk profile.

One-time Investments:

ICICI India Opportunities Fund:
This fund aims to capitalize on diverse investment opportunities across sectors and market capitalizations. It can be suitable for investors seeking broad-based exposure to Indian equities.
ICICI Value Discovery Fund:
This fund focuses on identifying undervalued stocks with the potential for growth, emphasizing a value investing approach. It can be suitable for investors with a long-term horizon and a value-oriented mindset.
ICICI Transportation & Logistics Fund:
This sector-specific fund focuses on the transportation and logistics sector in India. Sector funds can be volatile and are typically suitable for investors with a higher risk tolerance and a deep understanding of the sector.
SIP Investments:

Axis Flexi Cap Fund:
This fund offers flexibility to invest across market caps, providing diversification and potential for growth. It aligns well with a diversified equity portfolio.
Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund:
This fund focuses on emerging companies with high growth potential, emphasizing mid and small-cap segments. It can be suitable for investors seeking aggressive growth.
Aditya Birla SL Focused Equity Fund:
This fund follows a focused approach, investing in a limited number of high-conviction stocks. It can be suitable for investors seeking concentrated exposure to potential growth opportunities.
HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund:
This fund focuses on the mid-cap segment, aiming to capitalize on the growth potential of mid-sized companies. It can be suitable for investors with a higher risk tolerance and a focus on mid-cap growth.
ICICI Pru Bluechip Fund:
This fund predominantly invests in large-cap stocks, aiming to provide stability and consistent returns. It can be suitable for investors seeking stability with exposure to large-cap companies.
Axis Small Cap Fund:
This fund focuses on the small-cap segment, emphasizing high growth potential but also higher volatility. It can be suitable for aggressive investors with a long-term horizon.
ICICI Prudential Technology Fund:
This sector-specific fund focuses on the technology sector, aiming to capitalize on the growth of the IT industry. It can be suitable for investors bullish on the technology sector.
L&T Midcap Fund:
This fund focuses on the mid-cap segment, similar to HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund. Ensure you are comfortable with the allocation to mid-cap stocks given their higher volatility.
ICIPRU Multi-Asset Fund:
This fund offers diversified exposure across asset classes, including equities, debt, and commodities. It can be suitable for investors seeking balanced growth and diversification.
ICIPRU Value Discovery Fund:
Similar to the one-time investment in ICICI Value Discovery Fund, this fund follows a value-oriented approach. Ensure you are comfortable with the concentration in value stocks.
Recommendations:

Review Sector Funds:
Consider reviewing your allocation to sector-specific funds like ICICI Transportation & Logistics Fund and ICICI Prudential Technology Fund. Sector funds can be volatile and may require a deep understanding of the sector.
Diversification:
Ensure your portfolio is well-diversified across market caps, sectors, and investment styles to manage risk effectively.
Regular Reviews:
Periodically review your portfolio's performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions.
Consultation:
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to personalize your investment strategy, ensure diversification, and navigate market dynamics effectively.
Conclusion:

Your Mutual Fund portfolio is diversified with exposure to various market segments, sectors, and investment styles. Ensure you are comfortable with the risk associated with sector-specific funds and consider regular reviews to align with your financial goals.

Embrace this journey with confidence, patience, and discipline. Regularly review your portfolio's performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure it remains aligned with your long-term financial goals.

Remember, investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused on your goals, maintain discipline, and may your investments flourish over time.

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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10852 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 07, 2025

Career
Hello, I’m a student who recently joined the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita University. I’m aiming for a strong academic foundation and a clear career path. Could you please guide me on the following: How good is this course for research careers or higher studies (IISc, IITs, abroad)? What are the placement prospects after Integrated M.Sc Physics at Amrita? Does the program help in preparing for alternate options like UPSC, CDS/AFCAT, or technical roles? What skills (coding, research projects, certifications) should I start early to make the most of this degree?
Ans: Sree, Program Overview and Academic Foundation: Congratulations on joining the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita University. This five-year integrated program represents a rigorous pathway designed to equip you with advanced theoretical and experimental physics knowledge combined with cutting-edge scientific computing skills. The curriculum uniquely integrates a minor in Scientific Computing, which adds substantial computational capability to your profile—a critical advantage in today's research and professional landscape. The program incorporates comprehensive coursework spanning classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical physics, advanced laboratory work, and specialized topics in materials physics, optoelectronics, and computational methods, positioning you excellently for both research and professional careers.
Research Career Prospects: IISc, IITs, and Beyond: For research-oriented careers, the Integrated M.Sc Physics program at Amrita provides an exceptional foundation. Amrita's curriculum specifically aligns with GATE and UGC-NET examination syllabi, and the institution emphasizes early research engagement. The faculty at Amrita actively publish research in Scopus-indexed journals, with over 60 publications in international venues within the past five years, exposing you to active research environments.
To pursue research at premier institutions like IISc, you would typically follow the PhD pathway. IISc accepts M.Sc graduates through their Integrated PhD programs, and with your Amrita M.Sc, you're eligible to apply. You'll need to qualify the relevant entrance examinations, and your integrated program's emphasis on research fundamentals provides strong preparation. The final year of your Integrated M.Sc is intentionally structured to be nearly free of classroom commitments, enabling engagement with research projects at institutes like IISc, IITs, and National Labs. According to Amrita's data, over 80% of M.Sc Physics students secured internship offers from reputed institutions during academic year 2019-20, directly facilitating research career transitions.
Placement and Direct Employment Opportunities: Amrita University boasts a comprehensive placement ecosystem with strong corporate and government sector connections. According to NIRF placement data for the Amrita Integrated M.Sc program (5-year), the median salary in 2023-24 stood at ?7.2 LPA with approximately 57% placement rate. However, these figures reflect general placement trends; physics graduates often secure higher packages in specialized technical roles. Many graduates join software companies like Infosys (with early offers), Google, and PayPal, where their strong analytical and computational skills command competitive compensation packages ranging from ?8-15 LPA for entry-level positions.
The Department of Corporate and Industrial Relations at Amrita provides intensive three-semester life skills training covering linguistic competence, data interpretation, group discussions, and interview techniques. This structured placement support significantly enhances your employability in both government and private sectors.
Government Sector Opportunities: UPSC, BARC, DRDO, and ISRO: Your M.Sc Physics degree opens multiple avenues for prestigious government employment. UPSC Geophysicist examinations explicitly list M.Sc Physics or Applied Physics as qualifying degrees, enabling you to compete for Group A positions in the Geological Survey of India and Central Ground Water Board. The age limit for geophysicist positions is 32 years (with relaxation for reserved categories), and the exam comprises preliminary, main, and interview stages.
BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) actively recruits M.Sc Physics graduates as Scientific Officers and Research Fellows. Recruitment occurs through the BARC Online Test or GATE scores, with positions in nuclear science, radiation protection, and atomic research. BARC Summer Internship programs are available, offering ?5,000-?10,000 monthly stipends with opportunity for future scientist recruitment.
DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) recruits M.Sc Physics graduates through CEPTAM examinations or GATE scores for roles involving defense technology, weapon systems, and laser physics research. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) regularly advertises scientist/engineer positions through competitive recruitment for candidates with strong physics backgrounds, offering opportunities in satellite technology and space science applications.
Other significant employers include the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recruiting as scientific officers, and NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited), offering stable government service with competitive compensation packages exceeding ?8-12 LPA for scientists.
Alternate Career Pathways: UPSC, CDS, and AFCAT: UPSC Civil Services (IFS - Indian Forest Service): M.Sc Physics graduates qualify for UPSC Civil Services examinations, with the forest service offering opportunities for science-based administrative roles with potential to reach senior government positions.
CDS/AFCAT (Armed Forces): While AFCAT meteorology branches specifically require "B.Sc with Maths & Physics with 60% minimum marks," the technical branches (Aeronautical Engineering and Ground Duty Technical roles) require graduation/integrated postgraduation in Engineering/Technology. An M.Sc Physics integrates well with technical qualifications, though you would need engineering background for direct officer entry. However, you remain eligible for specialized technical interviews if applying through alternate defence channels.
UGC-NET Examination: This pathway leads to Assistant Professor positions in central universities and colleges across India. NET-qualified candidates receive scholarships of ?31,000/month for 2-year JRF positions with PhD pursuit, transitioning to Assistant Professor salaries of ?41,000/month in government institutions. This route provides long-term academic career security with research opportunities.
Private Sector Technical Roles
M.Sc Physics graduates are increasingly valued in data science, software engineering, and technical consulting. Companies actively recruit physics graduates for software development, where strong problem-solving and logical reasoning translate to competitive packages of ?10-20 LPA. Specialized domains including quantum computing development, financial modeling, and scientific computing offer premium compensation. Your minor in Scientific Computing makes you particularly attractive to technology companies requiring computational expertise.
International Opportunities and Higher Studies Abroad
An M.Sc from Amrita facilitates admission to PhD programs at international institutions. German universities offer tuition-free or low-fee MSc Physics programs (2 years) with scholarships like DAAD providing €850+ monthly stipends. US universities accept M.Sc graduates directly for PhD positions with full funding (tuition coverage + stipend). These pathways require GRE scores and strong Statement of Purpose articulating research interests. Research collaboration opportunities exist with Max Planck Institute (Germany) and CalTech Summer Research Program (USA), both welcoming Indian M.Sc students.
Essential Skills and Certifications to Develop Immediately: Programming Languages: Start learning Python immediately—it's universally used in research and industry. Dedicate 2-3 hours weekly to data analysis, scientific computing libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas), and machine learning fundamentals. MATLAB is equally critical for physics applications, particularly numerical simulations and data visualization. Aim to complete MATLAB certification courses within your first year.
Research Tools: Learn Git/version control, LaTeX for scientific documentation, and data analysis frameworks. These skills are indispensable for publishing research papers and collaborating on projects.
Certifications Worth Pursuing: (1) MATLAB Certification (DIYguru or MathWorks official courses) (2) Python for Data Science (complete certificate programs from platforms like Coursera) (3) Machine Learning Fundamentals (for expanding technical versatility) & (4) Scientific Communication and Technical Writing (develop through departmental workshops)
Strategic Internship Planning: Leverage Amrita's research connections systematically. In your third year, apply to BARC Summer Internship, IISER Internships, TIFR Summer Fellowships, and IIT Internship programs (like IIT Kanpur SURGE). These expose you to frontier research while establishing connections for future PhD or scientist recruitment. Target 2-3 research internships across different specializations to develop versatility.

TO SUM UP, Your Integrated M.Sc Physics degree from Amrita positions you exceptionally well for competitive research careers at IISc/IITs, prestigious government scientist roles at BARC/DRDO/ISRO, and international PhD opportunities. The program's scientific computing emphasis differentiates you in the job market. Immediate priorities: (1) Master Python and MATLAB within the first two years; (2) Engage in research projects starting year 2-3; (3) Target internships at premiere research institutions; (4) Prepare GATE while completing your degree for maximum flexibility in recruitment; (5) Consider UGC-NET for long-term academic stability. Your career trajectory will ultimately depend on developing strong research fundamentals, demonstrating consistent excellence in specialization areas, and strategically selecting internship and research opportunities. The rigorous Amrita program combined with disciplined skill development positions you for exceptional career success across multiple sectors. Choose the most suitable option for you out of the various options available mentioned above. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Asked on - Dec 07, 2025 | Answered on Dec 07, 2025
Thankyou
Ans: Welcome Sree.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

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