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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 30, 2025

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Ashok Question by Ashok on Jul 12, 2025Hindi
Money

Which is the best sip to invest in SBI bank.i can invest 10000 monthly.please advice

Ans: You are already doing a great job by committing Rs 10,000 every month towards SIP. Starting a SIP is one of the most disciplined and effective ways to build wealth over time. You are on the right path.

? Don’t invest SIP through banks

– Banks are not experts in mutual fund investments.
– Their main business is lending and deposit-taking.
– SIP through banks may limit your choices.
– SBI bank will promote only their own AMC or selected partners.
– You may miss better-performing funds from other fund houses.
– Banks also lack proper personalised advice.
– Bank staff are not SEBI-registered mutual fund distributors.
– Their focus is mostly on targets, not on your goals.

? Why you should invest SIP through a CFP-MFD

– Certified Financial Planners understand your complete financial life.
– They help align SIPs with your long-term goals.
– A CFP-MFD can access schemes across 40+ AMCs.
– You get customised advice, not just product-selling.
– They do regular reviews and portfolio rebalancing.
– You stay on track for your retirement or child education.
– They help in tax planning using ELSS and capital gains strategies.
– You get better long-term support and handholding.

? Problems with Direct Plans if investing yourself

– Direct plans seem cheaper but have hidden costs.
– Without guidance, wrong scheme selection is common.
– You may get swayed by past returns and media noise.
– No regular review or rebalancing leads to portfolio drift.
– Risk of overlapping schemes with similar holdings.
– Tax planning and withdrawal strategy often ignored.
– During market falls, no guidance leads to panic exits.

A CFP-MFD offers Regular Plans.

They charge a small trail commission.

But the value of advice is far greater.

You save more by avoiding mistakes.

You reach your goals sooner and safer.

? Disadvantages of Index Funds (if you were thinking of them)

– Index funds simply follow the market, blindly.
– They can’t protect you during market downturns.
– No flexibility to exit poor-performing sectors.
– No human expertise to capture new trends early.
– Poor downside protection when compared to active funds.
– You may lose opportunities in mid or small caps.
– Some index funds may lag due to tracking error.

In contrast, actively managed funds have expert fund managers.

They shift assets smartly based on changing conditions.

They manage risks better, especially during volatile periods.

? How to select the right SIP funds for your Rs 10,000/month

– Divide your SIP into 3 to 4 schemes.
– Choose a mix of large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds.
– If long-term goal (above 7 years), include small-cap also.
– Include one hybrid or multi-asset fund for balance.
– Avoid thematic or sectoral funds unless you understand them.
– Reinvest any existing ULIPs or LIC savings plans into mutual funds.
– Ensure each fund complements the others.

SIP selection must match your goals, risk tolerance, and time frame.

Don’t go by star ratings or recent performance only.

Check fund consistency, expense ratio, asset quality, and style.

? Consider your goal timelines and SIP split like this

– Rs 3,000 in a large-cap or flexi-cap fund.
– Rs 3,000 in a mid-cap or small-cap fund.
– Rs 2,000 in a hybrid or aggressive hybrid fund.
– Rs 2,000 in an ELSS if you want tax saving.

Avoid putting all Rs 10,000 in one fund.

Diversifying ensures better risk-adjusted returns.

Keep each SIP running for at least 5 years.

Don’t stop SIPs during market crashes.

? Key checkpoints for a well-structured SIP portfolio

– Clearly defined goals (retirement, child education, etc.).
– Written SIP plan aligned with each goal.
– Balanced allocation across fund types.
– Reviewed every 6 to 12 months with your CFP.
– Changes done only when goals or life situation changes.

SIP is a journey. Stick to the road even if bumps come.

Avoid changing schemes frequently unless performance dips severely.

Take help from a qualified CFP-MFD for peace of mind.

? SIP is not enough. Build a full plan with your CFP

– SIPs must support larger life goals.
– Combine SIPs with emergency fund planning.
– Ensure proper term insurance and health cover.
– Keep liquid funds for short-term needs.
– Use PPF or debt funds for stability.
– Plan asset allocation based on age and risk.
– Track goal progress every year.
– Use SIP step-up to increase investment as salary grows.

Rs 10,000 today can grow to over Rs 1 crore in 20 years.

But only with patience and disciplined planning.

A Certified Financial Planner can help make that possible.

? MF capital gains tax rules you should know

– Equity MF LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG from equity MFs is taxed at 20%.
– For debt MFs, both STCG and LTCG are taxed as per income slab.

So exit funds only when needed.

Time your withdrawals smartly with help from your CFP.

? Finally

SIP through SBI bank is not a wise choice.

You deserve better options and deeper advice.

Choose a Certified Financial Planner and invest through Regular Plans.

Avoid Direct Plans unless you are highly knowledgeable.

Don’t fall for index funds. Choose active funds with smart management.

Split your Rs 10,000 into goal-aligned, diversified SIPs.

Keep SIPs for long term. Review regularly with your CFP.

Add protection with insurance and liquidity with debt.

Stay focused, stay patient. Wealth will follow.

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

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 08, 2023

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Sir, best SIP to invest in monthly basis having bugest of INR 10 TO 15K.
Ans: I have no idea about your age, future financial goals, your risk profile and your existing investments. So, while giving one suggested solution to you, I’m assuming that you’re young (less than 40 years of age), are open to equity investing, have a long term horizon of at least 7 years or more and would have the nerves to not get unduly perturbed if markets go temporarily down.

Very first point to note is that when you write that you’re investing for 20 years, please do imbibe it into your thinking too that you’re in it for a very long term. Typically, investors change their investing horizon as per the market conditions – if markets remain good, they’re long term players, if markets turn down, they start exiting in panic and become short term players. Please remember that markets will always give great returns only if you ‘spend time in the markets, rather than try timing the market’.

Since you’re just 37 years old, you have a huge age advantage (those younger have even more advantage!) – use it to your benefit. I have no idea about your other investments, your future financial goals and your risk profile (implying how much volatility are you comfortable with in the markets).

So, I’m just giving you a high-equity portfolio which is a long term portfolio but needs to be reviewed and maybe rebalanced every year. I’m also assuming that you have no other funds or equity.
The portfolio that I would suggest is:-
1. Large Cap - 20% of SIP amount - HDFC Index Fund
2. Flexicap – 20% - Parag Parikh Flexicap Fund
3. Midcap – 20% - Kotak Emerging Equity Fund
4. Aggressive Hybrid – 20% - Canara Robeco Equity Hybrid Fund
5. Small Cap – 20% - SBI Small Cap Fund

In the above portfolio, the last, Small Cap category, will be very volatile and you will need to get used to it. If you’re not up to its gyrations, stick to first four with 25% allocation each.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 11, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 21, 2024Hindi
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Money
Sir i invest every month 10000 Rs plz suggest which is best sip and any other
Ans: Investing regularly is a commendable habit, and you're doing great dedicating 10,000 Rs every month. As a Certified Financial Planner, I understand the importance of choosing the right investment avenue.

Mutual Funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can be a wise choice. They offer diversification, professional management, and the flexibility to invest small amounts regularly. Additionally, they suit investors aiming for long-term wealth creation.

When it comes to SIPs, it's crucial to consider your risk appetite, investment goals, and time horizon. Opting for actively managed funds can be advantageous. Unlike index funds, actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the market, thanks to skilled fund managers who actively select investments.

Moreover, investing through a Certified Financial Planner can offer personalized advice and ongoing support. They can assist in selecting suitable funds, monitoring your portfolio, and making necessary adjustments based on market conditions and your changing financial circumstances.

While direct funds may seem appealing due to lower expense ratios, they lack the guidance and expertise provided by financial professionals. Regular funds, accessed through a Mutual Fund Distributor with a CFP credential, offer personalized service and assistance, ensuring your investments align with your financial goals.

Remember, investing is a journey, and it's essential to stay committed and patient, especially during market fluctuations. Regular review of your portfolio and making adjustments as needed can help you stay on track towards achieving your financial objectives.

Keep up the excellent work with your monthly investments, and may your financial journey be filled with success and prosperity.

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 Aug 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 22, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi Please suggest good SBI funds for long term onetime investment and to start SIP
Ans: SBI Mutual Funds offer a variety of schemes.

It's tempting to invest in top-performing funds.

However, chasing returns may not be the best strategy.

Consistency Over Performance
Consistent Performance: Look for funds with consistent performance over the long term.

Quality of Fund Management: Choose funds managed by experienced and reputed fund managers.

Diversification: Ensure the fund aligns with your risk tolerance and investment goals.

Avoiding Costly Investment Mistakes
Consult a Professional: Seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD).

Tailored Advice: Professionals can provide tailored advice based on your financial situation.

Long-Term Perspective: Focus on long-term growth rather than short-term gains.

Evaluating Funds
Historical Performance: Review the fund's performance over at least 5-10 years.

Expense Ratio: Check the expense ratio, as higher costs can impact your returns.

Risk Assessment: Evaluate the risk associated with the fund and ensure it aligns with your risk profile.

Final Insights
Investing in mutual funds requires careful evaluation and planning. While top-performing funds may seem attractive, focusing on consistency and quality is more important. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner or Mutual Fund Distributor can help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed investment decisions.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
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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!

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1841 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
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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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