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Kirtan

Kirtan A Shah  | Answer  |Ask -

MF Expert, Financial Planner - Answered on Aug 29, 2023

Kirtan A Shah is a certified financial planner and managing director, private wealth, at Credence Family Office.
He is also a Certified International Wealth Manager and Financial Engineering and Risk Manager.
Shah is the co-author of Financial Service Management and Financial Market Operations, which are used as reference books for Mumbai University.
He is frequently seen on CNBC, Zee Business, ET NOW & BQ Prime as an expert guest.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Aug 27, 2023Hindi
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I want to know a way to multiply my life savings ( Rs 70 lakh) lying in an nri account FD around at 7 per cent interest. After looking a bit i was thinking to invest them as below. 1. Parag Parikh flexi cap (25%) 2 UTI nifty 50 index (15%) 3.quant small cap fund direct growth (25%) 4.Tata digital India fund direct growth(20%) 5.Hdfc large and midcap fund growth (15%) I have no pending loans in India. I have no knowledge of stocks and equity. There is no active management or additional funds to deposited. Its a all a one time. The time period will be 15-20 years.

Ans: - Just replace HDFC Large & Midcap with Kotak Emerging Equity.
- Put the funds in liquid & do weekly STP over the next 6 months
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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 08, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 18, 2024Hindi
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Hello Nikunj, Hope you're doing good! I am 32 yrs old and planning to invest till 60 yrs i.e till next 28 yrs. I am investing in below MFs and some other savings schemes, I need you suggestion on the same: MFs Investment: 1. ICICI Prudential Nifty Alpha Low Volatility 30 ETF FOF - 1,500/- PM 2. Tata Resource & Energy Fund - 2,000/- PM 3. ICICI Prudential Technology - 1,500/- 4. Nippon India Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 5. SBI Nifty Next 50 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 6. ICICI Prudential Nasdaq 100 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 7. ICICI Prudential Nifty Bank Index Fund - 2,000/- PM Apart from this I am also investing in NPS around 17,500/- PM and PF around 30,500 including both. Also investing 5,000/- in Max Life Online Savings Plan (10 yrs investing period and 15 Yrs total Policy period). My goal is to be accumulate wealth for my retirement. Thank you in advance for your help.
Ans: It's great to hear about your proactive approach to investing for your retirement. Your portfolio seems well-diversified across different sectors and asset classes, which is essential for long-term wealth accumulation. However, it's essential to periodically review your investments to ensure they remain aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to assess your current portfolio, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and make adjustments as needed. Additionally, continue to contribute regularly to your investments and take advantage of opportunities to increase your savings over time. Best of luck on your financial journey!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 01, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 18, 2024Hindi
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Hello, Hope you're doing good! I am 32 yrs old and planning to invest till 60 yrs i.e till next 28 yrs. I am investing in below MFs and some other savings schemes, I need you suggestion on the same: MFs Investment: 1. ICICI Prudential Nifty Alpha Low Volatility 30 ETF FOF - 1,500/- PM 2. Tata Resource & Energy Fund - 2,000/- PM 3. ICICI Prudential Technology - 1,500/- 4. Nippon India Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 5. SBI Nifty Next 50 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 6. ICICI Prudential Nasdaq 100 Index Fund - 1,000/- PM 7. ICICI Prudential Nifty Bank Index Fund - 2,000/- PM Apart from this I am also investing in NPS around 17,500/- PM and PF around 30,500 including both. Also investing 5,000/- in Max Life Online Savings Plan (10 yrs investing period and 15 Yrs total Policy period). My goal is to be accumulate wealth for my retirement. Thank you in advance for your help.
Ans: Your investment approach reflects a thoughtful strategy aimed at building long-term wealth for your retirement. Diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes, including equity mutual funds, index funds, and savings schemes like NPS and PF, is a wise move.

Maintaining a disciplined investment habit and staying committed to your financial goals over the next 28 years will be crucial. Regularly reviewing your portfolio's performance and adjusting it as needed to stay aligned with your objectives is essential.

Remember, the journey to retirement wealth accumulation is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay patient, stay focused, and trust in the power of compounding to grow your investments steadily over time.

By diligently contributing to your investment portfolio and making informed decisions, you're laying a solid foundation for a financially secure and fulfilling retirement. Keep up the good work, and your future self will thank you for it.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 25, 2024

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Hi, Iam 42 years male working as GM with a hotel with 1.2 lac per month salary. Net in hand post TDS is 1.10 lac. Own a flat in Bhiwadi (NCR) worth 25 lac, a shop in Gurgaon worth 30 lac, one paternal house in South Delhi. No loan or EMI. My current savings are 6 lac in digital gold, 1.5 lac in equity, 50,000 in mutual funds which Iam planning to increase on lumpsum basis, no SIP as nature of my job is uncertain. ULIP linked LIC with a premium of 50,000 per year. Term insurance of 75,00,000/- with a premium of 15,000 per annum. Monthly household expenses are 50,000. Need your advise on how to go ahead on investments, I don't believe in long term gain or loss, NO SIP or regular payments, I wish to make. Wish to invest 50,000 per month. Kindly advise.
Ans: You are 42 years old, working as a GM in a hotel with a monthly salary of Rs 1.2 lakh.

Net in hand post TDS is Rs 1.10 lakh.

You own a flat in Bhiwadi worth Rs 25 lakh, a shop in Gurgaon worth Rs 30 lakh, and a paternal house in South Delhi.

Your savings include Rs 6 lakh in digital gold, Rs 1.5 lakh in equity, and Rs 50,000 in mutual funds.

You have a ULIP-linked LIC with a premium of Rs 50,000 per year and a term insurance of Rs 75 lakh with a premium of Rs 15,000 per annum.

Monthly household expenses are Rs 50,000.

You wish to invest Rs 50,000 per month but prefer not to make regular payments like SIPs.

Investment Strategy

Lump Sum Investments

Lump sum investments suit your preference for irregular payments.

Consider investing in diversified equity mutual funds.

These funds provide good returns over time.

Balance risk with a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.

Digital Gold

You already have Rs 6 lakh in digital gold.

Gold is a good hedge against inflation.

Avoid further investment in gold.

Diversify into other asset classes.

Equity and Mutual Funds

You have Rs 1.5 lakh in equity and Rs 50,000 in mutual funds.

Increase your mutual fund investments.

Choose actively managed funds for better returns.

Avoid direct equity if you cannot regularly monitor the market.

ULIP

ULIPs combine insurance and investment.

They usually have high charges.

Consider surrendering the ULIP and reinvesting in mutual funds.

This can offer better returns and lower charges.

Term Insurance

Your term insurance cover of Rs 75 lakh is good.

Ensure it is sufficient for your family's needs.

Review and adjust coverage if required.

Fixed Income Investments

Consider fixed income options like fixed deposits and government bonds.

These provide stability and predictable returns.

Allocate a portion of your funds here to balance risk.

Emergency Fund

Maintain an emergency fund equal to 6-12 months of expenses.

Keep this fund in a liquid savings account or short-term FD.

This fund provides financial security for unforeseen events.

Tax Saving Investments

Invest in tax-saving instruments under Section 80C.

Consider ELSS mutual funds for tax savings and good returns.

This will reduce your taxable income.

Review and Adjust Portfolio

Regularly review your investment portfolio.

Adjust based on market conditions and personal circumstances.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for professional advice.

Final Insights

Your goal is to invest Rs 50,000 per month with flexibility.

Lump sum investments in diversified equity mutual funds are suitable.

Avoid further investments in gold and consider surrendering ULIP.

Maintain an emergency fund and review your insurance coverage.

Consider tax-saving investments to optimize your tax liability.

Regularly review and adjust your portfolio with professional guidance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 08, 2025

Money
Hello, My age is 43 years & here is my investment. FD: 11 lakhs (Interest Rate 7.5% pa for 3 years) NPS: 2 lakhs (Monthly 12k inr) PPF Myself: 4.2 lakhs (Monthly 7k inr) PPF Spouse: 2 lakhs (Monthly 5k inr) SIP: 2 lakhs (Monthly 9k inr) EPF: 23 lakhs NPS Vatsalya for son: 1 lakh (Recently started - Monthly 5k inr) SSY for daughter: 1.5 lakh (Recently started, Monthly 3k inr) Gold coins: 175 gram Silver coins: 1 kilo LIC: 15 lakh (Yearly 65k inr premium) Monthly Net Salary: 1.4 lakh Son: 6 years old Daughter: 4 years old Approx monthly expenses: 55-60k (70k ceiling) Home loan cleared 1 year back, Car loan is getting over in 5 months. No other loan burden. I want to increase my investments and savings aggressively now. Please Guide.
Ans: You have done a strong job till now. Clearing home loan early is a huge step. No EMI pressure gives you freedom to focus on building wealth. With your steady income and young children, this is the right time to be aggressive in investments. Let me share a full 360-degree view of your situation and next moves.

» Understanding your current position

Age: 43 years.

Monthly net salary: Rs.1.4 lakhs.

Expenses: Rs.55k to 70k.

Surplus available: Around Rs.70-80k monthly.

No major loan burden from next 5 months.

Dependents: Two kids aged 6 and 4.

This gives you good surplus to invest for long-term goals.

» Review of your fixed deposits

FD of Rs.11 lakhs at 7.5% is safe.

But FD interest is fully taxable.

Inflation will reduce its real value.

Keep FD only for short-term needs and emergencies.

Do not expand FD investments for long-term wealth creation.

» Review of your NPS

Rs.2 lakhs corpus with Rs.12k monthly contribution.

NPS gives tax benefit and some equity exposure.

But flexibility is less.

Withdrawal rules are restrictive.

You can continue contribution for tax savings.

But do not make NPS the only retirement source.

Mutual funds can give more flexible and higher growth.

» Review of your PPF

PPF self: Rs.4.2 lakhs with Rs.7k monthly.

PPF spouse: Rs.2 lakhs with Rs.5k monthly.

Together, Rs.12k monthly in PPF.

PPF is safe and tax-free.

But returns are modest compared to equity.

Keep PPF for safety portion.

Do not increase PPF contribution beyond this.

» Review of your SIP in mutual funds

SIP corpus Rs.2 lakhs with Rs.9k monthly.

Amount is small compared to your salary.

SIP needs to be increased aggressively now.

Actively managed funds are better than index funds.

Index funds just copy the market, without risk control.

Active funds give research-based growth and stability.

Increase SIP gradually to Rs.30k-40k monthly.

This will help long-term wealth creation.

» Review of your EPF

EPF corpus Rs.23 lakhs.

This is a strong retirement base.

EPF gives steady growth with safety.

You should keep it intact for retirement.

Do not withdraw early.

» Review of your NPS Vatsalya for son

Rs.1 lakh corpus, Rs.5k monthly contribution.

You started recently.

This is child-focused plan, but flexibility is limited.

High costs reduce efficiency.

Mutual funds are better for child education goals.

You can continue if you prefer safety.

But higher allocation should go to mutual funds.

» Review of your SSY for daughter

Rs.1.5 lakh corpus, Rs.3k monthly contribution.

This is safe and tax-free.

Good for daughter’s education and marriage.

But growth is limited.

It can be part of safe allocation.

For long-term, mutual funds are more powerful.

» Review of your gold and silver

175 gm gold and 1 kg silver.

Precious metals are store of value.

But returns are inconsistent.

They cannot beat inflation reliably.

Keep as hedge but do not invest more.

» Review of your LIC

Rs.15 lakh LIC with Rs.65k annual premium.

Such traditional LIC plans give poor returns.

Costs are high, returns are low.

Insurance and investment should be separated.

It is better to surrender this plan.

Reinvest the value in mutual funds.

For insurance, buy pure term insurance.

» Children’s future planning

Son is 6, daughter is 4.

You have 12-15 years for higher education.

Both education and marriage need large funds.

At least Rs.1.5 to Rs.2 crores corpus may be required.

Mutual funds are best for such long-term goals.

SIP should be scaled up aggressively for them.

» Retirement planning

You are 43 now.

Retirement corpus needs at least 20-22 years of build-up.

Current EPF and PPF are good base.

But mutual funds should be main wealth builder.

Target corpus should be around Rs.6-7 crores minimum.

This covers lifestyle of Rs.1 lakh monthly, post-retirement.

» Emergency fund requirement

Keep 6-12 months of expenses as emergency fund.

About Rs.4-6 lakhs should be parked in liquid fund or FD.

This should not be mixed with investments.

It gives safety during sudden job or health events.

» Insurance protection

You must have term insurance of 12-15 times yearly income.

For you, around Rs.1.5-2 crores sum assured is needed.

Health insurance for family is also critical.

Without this, emergency can break your savings.

» Tax efficiency planning

FD interest is fully taxable at your slab.

PPF and SSY give tax-free returns.

Mutual fund SWP is tax efficient.

LTCG above Rs.1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

STCG taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains taxed at slab rate.

Proper asset mix reduces your overall tax load.

» Investment strategy going forward

Reduce LIC and ULIP type policies.

Increase SIP allocation in equity mutual funds.

Keep FD only for emergency or short-term needs.

Maintain PPF and SSY contributions as safe layer.

Build large child education corpus in mutual funds.

Review investments yearly with a Certified Financial Planner.

» Discipline and monitoring

Aggressive investing works only with discipline.

Do not stop SIP during market fall.

Stick to long-term view.

Rebalance asset allocation every year.

Ensure goals remain on track.

» Finally
You have a solid base and no loan pressure. Your priority now should be to cut inefficient products like LIC and increase equity SIPs aggressively. PPF, SSY, EPF, and some FD give safety. Mutual funds will give growth for retirement and children’s future. With disciplined investing and CFP guidance, you can achieve both education and retirement goals without stress.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1840 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

...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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