I am planning to invest 3 lakhs per month for next 3 years (1.5 lakhs in my name and 1.5 lakhs in my wife name), I am planning to go with flexi , mid and small cap with equal investment amount for all 3. Is it good idea. My risk acceptance is from high to medium. Also suggest me which mutual funds would be better

Ans: You are planning Rs.3 lakhs per month. That’s Rs.1.5 lakhs in your name and Rs.1.5 lakhs in your wife’s name. This monthly commitment for the next 3 years is solid. It shows strong savings discipline. You deserve appreciation for taking this big step.

But, to create real wealth, how and where you invest matters more than how much you invest. Your current idea of splitting into flexi cap, mid cap and small cap equally must be properly assessed.

As a Certified Financial Planner, let’s walk through a detailed 360-degree analysis of your plan. This will cover risk, allocation, structure, fund selection, and tax aspects.

Your Portfolio Idea at a Glance

You have chosen three equity categories:

Flexi cap

Mid cap

Small cap

And you plan to split the monthly Rs.3 lakhs equally:

Rs.1 lakh to each category

For 36 months (3 years)

You mentioned your risk level is between high and medium.

Now we’ll assess if this mix supports your goals and risk profile.

Understanding the Nature of Each Fund Category

Let’s understand how these categories behave. That will help shape better allocation.

Flexi Cap Funds:

Can invest in large, mid, and small caps.

Offer flexibility based on market conditions.

Tend to carry moderate risk.

Suitable for medium to long term.

Good core holding in any portfolio.

Mid Cap Funds:

Invest in mid-sized companies.

Can offer high growth.

But volatility is more than flexi caps.

Suited for long-term investors only.

Carry moderate to high risk.

Small Cap Funds:

Invest in smaller companies.

Very high growth potential.

But very volatile and risky.

Return may take 7 to 10 years to stabilise.

Not ideal for investors with only 3 to 5 year horizon.

How Your Current Plan Matches with Risk and Tenure

You are planning this investment for 3 years. You have medium to high risk appetite.

But small cap funds require 7 to 10 years. Mid cap needs at least 5 years. Flexi cap can work well from 3 years onwards.

So, a strict 33% allocation in each of the three is not ideal for you. It adds unnecessary risk in a short-term plan. Small caps, in particular, don’t suit your 3-year goal.

This could result in:

High volatility

Poor returns at the end of 3 years

Difficulty in redeeming without losses

Better Strategy Based on Your Situation

Here’s a more stable and practical approach:

Flexi Cap Funds: 50%

Mid Cap Funds: 30%

Small Cap Funds: 20%

This balances the return and risk better. You still get growth exposure without excessive stress. This structure fits your medium-to-high risk level and 3-year investment horizon.

If your investment plan extends beyond 3 years, say 7 to 10 years, then small cap can be increased. But for now, keep it moderate.

The Importance of Active Fund Management

You didn’t mention direct or regular fund choice. So let’s address that.

If you are considering direct funds, please note the following issues:

You get no help on portfolio review.

You may miss better-performing funds.

There is no support during volatility.

Fund underperformance may go unnoticed.

Tax planning becomes harder.

In contrast, investing through regular plans with a Certified Financial Planner ensures:

Professional fund selection

Periodic review and rebalancing

Guidance during volatile periods

Tax-efficient redemption

Goal-aligned asset allocation

This is critical when investing Rs.1 crore+ over 3 years.

Why Actively Managed Funds Are Better Than Index Funds

You did not mention index funds, but it’s important to clarify.

Some people wrongly suggest index funds for all investors. But there are key disadvantages:

Index funds blindly copy the index.

No control over bad or overvalued stocks.

No downside protection.

Same stocks are repeated in multiple funds.

Not aligned with investor’s risk profile.

In contrast, actively managed funds offer:

Professional research and stock selection

Ability to avoid poor performing sectors

Better performance in volatile markets

Focus on long-term winners

For serious wealth creation, active management is essential.

Include Some Debt for Safety and Balance

Your current plan has no debt component. This increases short-term risk.

Even with high risk tolerance, some debt helps by:

Providing liquidity during emergencies

Reducing portfolio volatility

Giving funds to buy equity during dips

Creating peace of mind

You can consider:

Short-term debt funds

Dynamic bond funds

Conservative hybrid funds

Aim for 20% to 25% allocation in debt. That means about Rs.60,000 to Rs.75,000 per month.

You can adjust your equity exposure accordingly. That still keeps Rs.2.25 lakhs to Rs.2.4 lakhs per month in equity.

Should Your Wife Invest Separately or Jointly?

You are investing Rs.1.5 lakhs each in your name and your wife’s name.

This is smart from a tax and planning angle. Keep her portfolio aligned with same asset allocation. Don’t treat her plan as separate. Instead, treat both portfolios as one unit.

Benefits of this approach:

Joint planning helps in asset allocation.

Easier to track overall progress.

Better tax optimisation.

Funds can be rebalanced between both when needed.

But make sure she is comfortable with the plan. Keep her informed and involved.

Tax Planning for Equity Mutual Funds

Latest mutual fund tax rules:

LTCG on equity funds above Rs.1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%.

So, if you redeem within 3 years, you pay 20% tax on profits.

This affects small and mid cap gains more because of short-term nature.

That’s another reason to avoid high allocation to small cap now. Keep most of your investments in long-term suitable funds like flexi cap and mid cap.

Emergency Fund Should Be Separate

Don’t mix long-term investment with emergency needs. Keep 6 months of expenses in liquid funds.

This avoids selling equity funds during market falls. It gives you breathing space if needed.

Without this, you may panic and redeem your funds early. That causes loss of returns and peace.

Have You Considered Goal Planning?

You didn’t mention any specific goal. But it helps to define goals clearly.

You can consider:

Retirement planning

Child’s education or marriage

House purchase

Business expansion

Financial freedom

Each goal has a different time horizon. That affects fund selection and asset allocation. A Certified Financial Planner will help match funds to goals.

Why Reviewing Portfolio Annually Is Necessary

Don’t just invest and forget. Your Rs.1.08 crore planned investment (Rs.3 lakhs × 36 months) needs annual check.

Every year:

Review performance of all funds.

Remove consistent underperformers.

Rebalance equity and debt.

Adjust allocation based on market condition.

You may not have time or tools to do this. Hence, a Certified Financial Planner is essential here.

Avoid Over-Diversification

You don’t need 10 funds. Limit to 4 to 5 good ones.

One fund from each category is enough. This avoids overlap and makes tracking easier.

Too many funds:

Create confusion

Repeat same stocks

Don’t improve returns

Make review harder

ULIP, LIC, or Endowment Policies?

If you hold any LIC, ULIP or investment-cum-insurance policies, please check their IRR.

Most give low returns (around 3% to 5%). If you find them underperforming:

Consider surrendering them after lock-in.

Reinvest in mutual funds.

Separate insurance and investment for better results.

Investment Discipline is the Final Secret

Even best funds won’t work if you break your discipline.

Follow these steps:

Stick to monthly SIPs.

Don’t panic in market correction.

Avoid frequent fund switching.

Trust the plan created by a Certified Financial Planner.

Focus on long-term growth, not short-term gain.

Discipline will make your investment journey stress-free and successful.

Finally

You are doing great by committing Rs.3 lakhs monthly.

Your sector selection is fair but needs restructuring.

Limit small cap to 20%. Focus more on flexi and mid cap.

Add debt component to reduce stress.

Avoid direct funds. Go through a Certified Financial Planner.

Stay away from index funds. Use active funds for better performance.

Keep your wife’s investment aligned with yours.

Don’t skip emergency fund.

Review yearly with professional help.

Avoid overlapping funds.

Exit low-return insurance policies if any.

This approach ensures long-term wealth and emotional comfort. You don’t just need growth, you need safe growth.

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