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Sanjib

Sanjib Jha  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance Expert - Answered on Apr 13, 2023

Sanjib Jha is the CEO of Coverfox Insurance. His expertise includes health and auto insurance. He has over 22 years of experience in the financial sector. He has completed his post-graduation from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.... more
Manish Question by Manish on Feb 10, 2023Hindi
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Respected Guru, I'm Manish(23yrs) I'm new to mutual fund market. I'm high risk taker in long-term Please suggest me mutual fund in sip mode. Below are my details :- 1. Brother college - 80 lac in 5 years (medium risk). 2. Car - 21 lac in 8 years (high risk). 3. Home - 30 lac in 10 years (high risk). 4. Family traveling- a) 10 lac in 5 years (medium risk). b) 10 lac in 10 years (high risk). c) 10 lac in 15 years (high risk). d) 10 lac in 20 years (high risk). 5. Emergency fund - 8 lac in 5 years (medium risk). 6. Retirement fund- 10cr in 40 years (high risk). 7. Can you suggest me which insurance to buy for health insurance and term insurance for family and me.

Ans: Hi Manish, since you are young, it is best time to buy term and health insurance. Any company/plan with competitive pricing can be looked at but always carefully read through the policy
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 25, 2024Hindi
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Hi. I am ready to invest SIP of 5000 per month for next 20 years and can step up 10% every 2 years. I'm looking for medium risk mutual fund as I'm going for long run. Kindly suggest me some mutual fund that gives some good returns. Quant active fund, mid cap fund, Parag Parikh flexi cap, ICICI prudential retirement fund, Edelweiss large & mid cap are the funds which I have chosen to invest in. Correct me with better plans if I am wrong. Thanks in advance.
Ans: Your investment approach of SIP with step-up every two years for the next 20 years reflects a disciplined and long-term perspective. Here are some insights and suggestions:

Medium-Risk Mutual Funds: Your selection of mutual funds like Parag Parikh Flexi Cap and ICICI Prudential Retirement Fund aligns well with your medium-risk tolerance and long-term investment horizon. These funds offer diversified portfolios across different market caps and sectors, reducing overall risk.
Quant Active Fund and Mid Cap Fund: While these funds may offer higher growth potential, they also come with higher risk due to their focus on mid-cap stocks or active management strategies. Ensure you're comfortable with the associated volatility and risk before investing.
Edelweiss Large & Mid Cap: This fund provides exposure to both large and mid-cap segments of the market, offering a balanced approach. However, review its performance and portfolio composition periodically to ensure it meets your investment objectives.
Review and Adjust: Regularly monitor your portfolio's performance and make adjustments if needed. Consider factors like fund performance, changes in your financial goals, and overall market conditions when reviewing your investment strategy.
Consider Professional Advice: Consulting with a financial advisor or Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance tailored to your financial situation and goals. They can help you fine-tune your investment strategy and select the most suitable mutual funds.
Remember, investing in mutual funds involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Stay focused on your long-term goals, maintain a diversified portfolio, and invest regularly to maximize your chances of achieving financial success.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 20, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 16, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 48 years old and I am investing in mutual fund from 2017 and market value of mutual fund portfolio is 37 Lac and I am investing in following MF in through SIP Parag Parikh flexi cap fund 12 K Mirae asset Large and mid cap fund 5K Kotak emerging equity fund 5K Quant Active fund 5K Nippon India small cap fund 5K And following is lumpsum investment Quant large cap fund 250000 DSP Nifty 50 index fund 200000 ICICI pru short term fund 200000 JM flexi cap fund. 100000 Quant mid cap fund. 70000 I am planning to increase SIP by 10000 This I am planning for 10 years plan for retirement Kindly please suggest MF or guide me for any changes if any needed Thank you ???? Raj
Ans: Your current portfolio shows a solid mix of funds across various categories. You have SIPs in Flexi Cap, Large & Mid Cap, Emerging Equity, Small Cap, and Active funds. Additionally, you have lump sum investments in Large Cap, Index, Short Term, and Mid Cap funds. This diversification strategy is commendable as it balances risk across different market segments.

However, there are a few areas that could be optimized for better returns and lower risk, especially considering your 10-year retirement goal.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
You've invested a lump sum in an Index Fund. Index Funds track a specific benchmark, usually the Nifty 50 or Sensex. While they have lower expense ratios, they also lack the flexibility to adapt to market changes.

Active funds, on the other hand, allow fund managers to pick stocks that can outperform the market. In the long term, this can result in higher returns. Therefore, considering your retirement goal, shifting from the Index Fund to an actively managed fund might be more beneficial.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds
You haven’t specified whether your investments are in regular or direct funds. If you are considering direct funds, it’s important to know their limitations. Direct funds have lower expense ratios, but they don’t come with professional advice.

Certified Financial Planners (CFP) provide guidance, periodic reviews, and help in rebalancing your portfolio based on market conditions and your financial goals. Investing through a CFP ensures your portfolio is always aligned with your objectives.

Evaluation of Your SIPs
Flexi Cap Fund: This is a good choice, providing flexibility to invest across market caps. However, it might be wise to ensure your exposure isn't overly concentrated in any single market cap.

Large & Mid Cap Fund: This fund offers a balance between stability (large caps) and growth potential (mid caps). Continue this SIP as it aligns with your retirement goals.

Emerging Equity Fund: Mid and small caps tend to be more volatile. Consider reviewing this SIP annually to ensure it meets your risk tolerance.

Active Fund: Active funds can outperform benchmarks if managed well. Continue this SIP, but keep track of the fund’s performance.

Small Cap Fund: Small caps can offer high growth but with higher risk. Given your retirement goal, ensure this SIP doesn’t exceed 20% of your total SIPs, as it could add unnecessary volatility to your portfolio.

Assessment of Lump Sum Investments
Large Cap Fund: Large Cap funds are relatively stable, providing consistent returns. This should be a cornerstone of your portfolio.

Index Fund: As discussed, consider switching this to an actively managed fund for better returns.

Short Term Fund: This is a conservative choice, good for parking funds temporarily. However, for long-term growth, these funds may not be ideal.

Flexi Cap Fund: Diversification is key here, and the fund’s flexibility is advantageous. Continue to monitor its performance.

Mid Cap Fund: This fund offers growth potential but with some risk. Ensure this investment complements your overall portfolio strategy without overexposing you to mid-cap volatility.

Increasing Your SIP
Increasing your SIP by Rs 10,000 is a wise decision. Here’s how you might allocate it:

Allocate Rs 5,000 to a Balanced Advantage Fund: This will add stability to your portfolio by balancing equity and debt exposure. It’s a conservative choice that can offer better risk-adjusted returns.

Allocate Rs 5,000 to a Focused Equity Fund: This can potentially offer higher returns as the fund manager focuses on a limited number of high-conviction stocks.

Portfolio Rebalancing and Monitoring
Rebalancing your portfolio regularly is crucial. Markets can be unpredictable, and what works today might not work tomorrow. Review your portfolio every six months to ensure it’s aligned with your risk tolerance and retirement goals.

Final Insights
Your portfolio is well-diversified, but there are opportunities to optimize it further. By shifting from index funds to actively managed funds, and considering the guidance of a Certified Financial Planner, you can potentially achieve better returns. Increasing your SIP is a positive step towards securing your retirement, but make sure to allocate it wisely across different fund categories.

In summary:

Consider shifting from Index Fund to an actively managed fund.

Evaluate your exposure to small caps and ensure it aligns with your risk tolerance.

Invest the additional SIP amount in balanced and focused equity funds.

Regularly rebalance your portfolio and seek guidance from a CFP.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 27, 2025

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Hello Sir, Hi sir, I am 37 years old IT professional and I am looking for your guidance on mutual fund investment. below is my current mutual fund portfolio and need your guidance on this .. please review and let me know the correct way to invest for next 10 years as of now doing SIP of 10900 HDFC Non Cyclical Consumer Fund gr Growth 3700 Edelweiss Small Cap Fund gr Growth 4200 NJ Flexi cap fund gr growth 3000 Please review and let me know if its good for long term or need to change mutual fund scheme here for better return. Apart from these I have SIP on wife name as below cheme SIP amount HDFC Multi Cap Fund Direct Growth 2000 Kotak Emerging Equity Fund Direct Growth 3000 DSP Multicap Fund Direct Growth 1000 Edelweiss Small Cap Fund Direct Growth 2000 Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund 500 ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Direct Growth 1500 Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Direct Growth 1000
Ans: You have a well-structured SIP portfolio with a total investment of Rs 10,900 in your name and additional SIPs in your wife’s name. Investing for the next 10 years is a great decision. Below is a detailed review of your portfolio with suggested improvements.

Strengths of Your Portfolio
Good Diversification: Your portfolio includes small-cap, flexi-cap, multi-cap, and sectoral funds.

Long-Term Investment Horizon: A 10-year investment period allows you to benefit from market growth.

Disciplined SIP Approach: Consistently investing through SIPs is the best way to create wealth.

Areas of Improvement
1. Reduce Small-Cap Exposure
Small-cap funds are risky and volatile.
Your portfolio has multiple small-cap funds.
Reduce small-cap allocation to 20-25% of the total portfolio.
2. Avoid Index Funds
You have an index fund (Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence).
Index funds do not actively manage market risks.
Actively managed funds can provide better returns in the long term.
Shift this allocation to a well-performing multi-cap or flexi-cap fund.
3. Consider Exiting Direct Funds
Direct funds require constant tracking and monitoring.
Regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner give better fund selection and guidance.
Switch direct funds to regular funds for better management.
4. Reduce Overlapping in Multi-Cap and Flexi-Cap Funds
Your portfolio has multiple multi-cap and flexi-cap funds.
Too many funds in the same category can dilute returns.
Consolidate into 1-2 best-performing flexi-cap or multi-cap funds.
5. Limit Sectoral Exposure
HDFC Non-Cyclical Consumer Fund focuses on one sector.
Sectoral funds are risky if that sector underperforms.
Limit sectoral exposure to a maximum of 10% of your portfolio.
Suggested Portfolio Allocation
Revised Category Allocation
Large Cap: 25%
Flexi Cap / Multi Cap: 30%
Mid Cap: 20%
Small Cap: 20%
Sectoral Funds (if needed): 5%
Additional Investment Strategies
1. Increase SIP Amount Over Time
Increase your SIP by 10% annually to maximize returns.
2. Review Fund Performance Yearly
Exit underperforming funds and replace them with better ones.
3. Adjust Allocation Closer to Your Goals
Reduce equity exposure in the last 3 years before withdrawal.
Final Insights
Your portfolio is well-diversified but can be improved by reducing small-cap exposure, avoiding index funds, and switching from direct funds to regular funds. Stick to long-term SIPs, review performance yearly, and adjust allocation as needed.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
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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

...Read more

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.

...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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