Hi, Am a regular reader of 'Money' section, and wanted to start by thanking you for sharing valuable insights and guidance. A common comment at the end of most of these suggestions is a recommendation to connect with a Certified Financial Planner, which is where my questions are: a) Do these CFPs charge basis a % of portfolio or hourly rate or any other basis? b) Could you please advise on a criteria for selection - is there a rating or grading information that can be viewed to decide on a particular planner? Could you share a few tips on how to make an educated choice? c) Is there a repository / directory that provides CFPs by area [e.g., I went to "FPSB India", and it did provide me with area based options, but only as a list of names. Not sure if it provides any further credentials. Are there any more such sites that helps with a brief Introduction / write-ups for CFPs before connecting with them? Thank you.

Ans: Arts (Humanities) stream will be the best, as it aligns well with SSC CGL/LPS/LAS exam subjects (GS, Polity, History) and is generally easier to manage for your situation. If you are interested in science, you can also study the above-mentioned Arts subjects along with science subjects, which is possible for a science student. Basically, a science student has an innate ability to read and understand any subject if he takes an interest in it.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: EWS rank is around 6000 to 8000. The chances of CSE @ NIT/IIIT Raipur are slim, but you may get into lower NITs or other branches.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: Contact the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education or your school/college principal/administrative officer to learn about rules for adding Mathematics as an extra subject, usually through improvement or private candidate exams. Prepare to meet the 75% requirement for JEE Main through improvement exams next year, and explore additional options like the state CET or diploma entry if necessary. Alternatively, you can take Mathematics from the NIOS board. Visit the NIOS website to find the nearest school or centre and inquire about the process to appear as an external candidate.

Practical advice: Drop the idea of JEE and focus on CET only for better options. The final decision will be yours.

Good luck.
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Radheshyam

Ans: You are in a comfortable and strong position at age 70. Having no financial commitments and receiving about Rs 1 crore from property sale gives you a valuable opportunity to create stable income for life and protect capital for future medical needs and family support. This stage requires capital protection first, income second, growth third.

Below is a structured approach suitable for your age and situation.

» First Priority – Keep Emergency Medical Reserve Separate

Before investing the full amount:

– Keep about Rs 10–15 lakh in safe and liquid options
– This amount should be available immediately for health needs
– It should not be linked to market movement
– This gives peace of mind and avoids forced withdrawals later

At age 70, this step is very important.

» Second Priority – Monthly Income Planning

Your investment should generate regular income without risk to capital stability.

Suggested approach:

– Allocate around 40% into conservative mutual funds suitable for income withdrawal
– Start Systematic Withdrawal Plan (monthly income)
– Withdraw only moderate amount so capital lasts longer

This helps create pension-like income without locking money permanently.

» Third Priority – Stability Allocation

Another 30–35% can be placed in safe interest-oriented instruments like:

– senior citizen eligible deposit structures
– post office backed income options
– short-duration debt-oriented mutual funds

Purpose:

– predictable returns
– low volatility
– steady support income

» Fourth Priority – Growth Portion (Important Even at 70)

Even at age 70, some allocation to growth is necessary because:

– inflation reduces purchasing power
– medical costs rise every year
– life expectancy now extends beyond 85

So allocate about 20–25% into carefully selected diversified equity-oriented mutual funds through staggered investment.

This portion protects long-term wealth value.

» Avoid Investing Entire Amount in One Option

Many retirees make this mistake:

– putting full amount into deposits
– locking full amount into one scheme
– giving money for high-return private offers
– lending to relatives without structure

Diversification is the protection shield at this stage.

» Tax Efficiency Planning Is Important

Property sale creates capital gains implications.

So before investing:

– calculate capital gains tax properly
– explore legal reinvestment strategies available
– structure investments in phases instead of lump sum deployment

This preserves more of your wealth.

» Nomination and Estate Planning Must Be Updated

Since you have no commitments now:

– ensure nominee details are correct
– prepare a simple Will
– document investment structure clearly
– inform family members where records are stored

This prevents confusion later.

» Suggested Allocation Structure (Simple Model)

A balanced structure may look like:

– 10–15% emergency reserve
– 30–35% stable income options
– 40% income-support mutual funds
– 20–25% growth mutual funds

This creates:

– monthly income
– liquidity
– inflation protection
– capital safety balance

» Health Insurance Check

Even if you already have coverage:

– review whether coverage is sufficient today
– add top-up if required
– keep separate medical reserve anyway

Medical inflation is the biggest risk after retirement.

» Finally

At age 70, the goal is not maximum return. The goal is steady income, capital protection, and independence with dignity. With proper allocation of this Rs 1 crore, you can comfortably create reliable income support for the rest of your life while preserving wealth for future needs and family support.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I would suggest you not to look for a partner in mainstream dating apps as there might be a huge expectation mismatch, difference in personal history and even lack of understanding because the typical age of the crowd is much younger. Try a niche matchmaking and matrimony app that is specifically designed for divorced and separated singles who are seeking a second chance. There are a few Indian homegrown apps that cater to the Indian audience. A quick search and you will find the perfect one for you.

Hope this helps.

Ans: Anshul,
I assume you are either pursuing CSE. It would be good for you to know what your career goal is. If you don't have a firm goal yet, spend time reflecting on what you would like to do, firm up your goal on what kind of career you wish to pursue and then decide on your whether you wish to do MTech. Additional skills in AI and Cybersecurity can be acquired through NPTEL portal or Coursera. Check with your faculty to see if the College offers these courses. Do share more details about yourself share you full details.

Ans: First breathe - secondly it's if you not been in any relationship before and it is absolutely fine to have few set of friends - having said this, we hope these are good friend/s - even if 1 or 2.


Do know there is nothing to fear - but yes one does get anxious as one has no clue about it. And so if you wish you may want to schedule a relationship guidance session with me - https://andwemet.com/relationship-guidance

Invest in yourself, feel good about life and invest in the relationship - a strong healthy relationship is a life changing experience.

All the best.

Ans: Sundeep, There are as many views as there are people and it is best not to get swayed by them. Ask the experts why they consider it to be a wastage. Do your own independent assessment on parameters like their curriculum, placements, speak to their successful students. Talk to their placement director, companies that hire their students, look at their NIRF ranking. Explore other options from engineering colleges--IITs, NITs, Top 200 Engg colleges by NIRF ranking.

Ans: Hello
Engineering (especially CSE) ke liye Class 9 ya 10 mein Computer subject lena bilkul compulsory nahi hai.
11th–12th mein PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths) lena hi main requirement hota hai.