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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Nov 08, 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
SATISH Question by SATISH on Nov 07, 2023Hindi
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I HAVE SIP OF QUANT SMALL CAP,HDFC SMALL CAP, NIPPON INDIA SMALL CAP,HDFC MIDCAP OPPURINITY FUND, NIPPON INDIA GROWTH GROWTH FUND,KOTAK EMERGING FUND, HDFC FLEXI FUND, CAN ROBECO EMERGING FUND, UTI FLEXI FUND, & HDFC BALANCE ADV. FUND EACH Rs 5000/ FOR 5 YEARS. PL SUGGESTS FOR AGRESSIVE INVESTMENT

Ans: To suggest an investment plan, we need to understand one’s financial situation and investment goals first which include Risk tolerance, Investment goals, Time horizon, etc. Your current SIP portfolio is already highly aggressive, with an Equity: Debt ratio of 95:05 focusing majorly on mid and small-cap stocks. These funds have the potential to generate high returns, but they also come with much higher risk. The suggestible investment portfolio for you will vary depending on your individual needs and circumstances.
Asked on - Nov 12, 2023 | Answered on Nov 15, 2023
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I am 56 year old & investing for 5 years. Target is 1 crore
Ans: Still insufficient information please. Request you to contact a financial advisor and discuss your query in detail.
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 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 14, 2024Hindi
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Hi I am 42 currently I did SIP of 20k from last 3 years each 1. ELSS each 1k are 1.Axis long term equity 2.mirai asset 3.canara robeco 3.invesco India 4.parag parikh 2.Midcap funds - White Ock 1k 2.Invesco India multi cap fund 1k 3. Thematic fund - 1 Franklin India apportunity fund 5k 4. Multi asset allocation fund - Tata multi asset opp fund 5k 5. Flexi cap fund - 1.kotak multi asset allocator 1k 2.HDFC flexi cap fund 1k 6. Dynamic Asset allocator - Edelweiss balanced Adv 1k 7. Large & Mid cap - Axis growth apportunity fund 1k 8. Small cap fund - Nippon India 1k Suggest me I want invest another 5k
Ans: It's great to see your diversified investment approach through SIPs across various mutual fund categories. Considering your existing portfolio, here's a suggestion for investing an additional 5k:

Given your current allocation, you might want to consider adding to a category where you have relatively lower exposure. Since you already have investments in ELSS, Midcap, Thematic, Multi-Asset Allocation, Flexi Cap, Dynamic Asset Allocator, Large & Mid Cap, and Small Cap funds, you may consider adding to a fund category that complements your existing holdings.

Considering your investment style and the current market scenario, you might want to explore investing in a Balanced Advantage Fund or a Hybrid Equity-Oriented Fund. These funds dynamically allocate between equity and debt instruments based on market conditions, providing a balance of growth potential and downside protection.

Here's a suggested addition to your portfolio:

Balanced Advantage Fund: Invest the additional 5k in a reputable Balanced Advantage Fund that has a proven track record of managing market volatility and delivering consistent returns over the long term.
Ensure you research and select a fund that aligns with your risk tolerance, investment goals, and overall portfolio strategy. Additionally, regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as necessary to stay on track with your financial objectives.

Always remember to consult with a certified financial planner or investment advisor before making any significant changes to your investment strategy.

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 Sep 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 26, 2024Hindi
Money
HI Sir , My self Sandeep .36 years old .Need your advice on my investments . currently ,I have a monthly SIP of following funds- UTI Nifty 50 Index fund - 3K, HDFC Retirement saving fund-1K, HDFC children Gift fund-1K.I want to invest 7 K more as monthly SIP . I have gone through various analysis and thinking of investing in below manner - 1- 2K as monthly SIP in flexicap - either Parag Parikh Flexicap or JM Flexicap 2- 3k as monthly SIP in ICICIpru nifty 150 midcap index fund /kotak equity opportunity fund/ Motilal oswal midcap Fund 3- 2K in small cap fund - Axis small cap fund/Nippon India small cap fund Kindly suggest the investment strategy and the funds in respective area for next 20 years horizon . Thanks & Regards Sandeep
Ans: Sandeep, it’s great that you are already investing regularly and have a clear plan for long-term wealth creation. Your current SIPs show discipline and thoughtfulness, which are essential for building a solid financial future. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to approach your additional Rs 7,000 SIP and fine-tune your portfolio for the next 20 years.

Assessing Your Existing Portfolio
UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund (Rs 3,000 SIP): While index funds offer low-cost exposure to the market, they typically follow the market and don’t outperform it. Actively managed funds, when chosen wisely, can potentially give better returns. Though index funds provide simplicity, keep in mind that over the long term, they may miss out on market-beating opportunities.

HDFC Retirement Saving Fund (Rs 1,000 SIP): This is likely a balanced fund meant for long-term retirement planning. Balanced funds are useful as they offer both growth and stability, but they may underperform compared to pure equity funds in a bull market. It’s a good conservative addition to your portfolio, but should not dominate.

HDFC Children’s Gift Fund (Rs 1,000 SIP): Similar to the retirement fund, this fund might focus on long-term stable returns. However, ensure that you evaluate its long-term performance. These kinds of funds sometimes have a more conservative approach than growth-focused equity funds.

Proposed Additional Investments (Rs 7,000 SIP)
You have wisely considered diversifying your portfolio across flexicap, midcap, and small-cap categories. Here’s an assessment of your choices:

1. Flexicap Funds (Rs 2,000 SIP)
Flexicap funds provide flexibility to invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks based on market conditions, which offers a balanced approach to risk and growth.

Your Choice of Parag Parikh Flexicap or JM Flexicap: These funds have flexibility in their investment strategy, making them versatile. Flexicap funds are ideal for navigating different market phases, providing long-term growth potential while managing risk.
Recommendation: Continue with your plan to invest in a flexicap fund as they offer a good balance of diversification and risk-adjusted returns.

2. Midcap Funds (Rs 3,000 SIP)
Midcap funds target companies with strong growth potential but higher volatility. Over the long term, midcap funds tend to outperform large-cap funds, making them suitable for your 20-year horizon.

ICICI Pru Nifty 150 Midcap Index Fund, Kotak Equity Opportunity Fund, or Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund: Midcap index funds track midcap indices, but actively managed midcap funds like Kotak or Motilal Oswal can offer better returns if the fund manager picks strong-performing companies.
Recommendation: Opt for an actively managed midcap fund instead of a midcap index fund. Actively managed funds have a better chance of delivering higher returns over a 20-year horizon by selecting companies with high growth potential.

3. Small Cap Funds (Rs 2,000 SIP)
Small-cap funds target smaller companies, which offer high growth potential but with higher volatility. Over a 20-year period, small caps can significantly enhance your returns but require a longer commitment to ride out the volatility.

Axis Small Cap Fund or Nippon India Small Cap Fund: Both are strong performers, but small-cap funds are highly volatile in the short term. Since your horizon is 20 years, small-cap funds make sense as they can deliver substantial long-term growth.
Recommendation: Invest in a small-cap fund for higher long-term returns, but understand that short-term fluctuations are inevitable.

Key Points for a Balanced Portfolio
Diversification: You have a well-diversified portfolio with a good mix of large-cap (via index), flexicap, midcap, and small-cap funds. This diversification will help balance risk and maximize growth opportunities over time.

Active vs Passive Investing: While index funds (passive) have their place in a portfolio for low-cost exposure, actively managed funds generally offer better opportunities for higher returns, especially in midcap and small-cap categories. With a 20-year horizon, consider focusing more on actively managed funds.

SIP Discipline: Your current strategy of investing via SIP is excellent for long-term wealth creation. SIPs help you ride market volatility, average out costs, and allow consistent investment without trying to time the market.

Considerations for the Long Term
Asset Allocation: As you approach key financial goals (like retirement or children’s education), you may want to gradually reduce exposure to volatile small-cap and midcap funds, shifting more towards large-cap or flexicap funds to safeguard your wealth.

Risk Appetite: Since you’re 36 years old, you have ample time to take on more risk through small-cap and midcap investments. However, always review your risk tolerance every 5 to 10 years to ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your changing financial goals and risk capacity.

Tax Efficiency: Make sure to review the tax implications of your investments. Equity funds enjoy favorable tax treatment, especially over the long term. Any gains held for more than 1 year are taxed at a lower rate (12.5% beyond Rs 1.25 lakh of gains).

Final Insights
You’re on a great path with your disciplined SIP strategy. Diversifying across flexicap, midcap, and small-cap funds will give your portfolio the right mix of stability and growth. Flexicap funds provide the flexibility you need in dynamic market conditions, while midcap and small-cap funds will offer the growth potential needed for your 20-year investment horizon.

Keep in mind to monitor your portfolio annually or biannually to ensure it stays aligned with your long-term goals. Over time, you might want to shift a part of your portfolio to more stable funds, depending on how close you are to achieving your financial goals.

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
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

...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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