Queries
Riya Mishra, email
I am 22 years old and have just started working. I want to invest in stocks. What kind of stocks or initial public offerings (IPOs) should I go for? I want to invest about Rs 5,000 per month.
At 22, with a fresh job and Rs 5,000 a month to invest, resist the thrill of stocks and IPOs. These demand deep research and time, and beginners often fall prey to FOMO, chasing hot tips and suffering losses from volatility. Instead, open a low-cost demat account or work with a financial advisor, and route money through systematic investment plans (SIPs) in diversified mutual funds.
SIPs use rupee cost averaging, buying more units when markets dip, and fewer when they rise, supporting compounding over 10-15 years. Choose beginner-friendly options, such as flexi-cap, multi-asset, and index funds. A mix of automated SIPs and a review every six months can deliver outcomes over a five-year-plus horizon and align with your needs.
Col Sanjeev Govila (Retd.), CFP, CEO, Hum Fauji Initiatives
5 February 2026
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Aryan Shah, email
I am 23 years old and have received Rs 60,000 as a scholarship. I want to invest this amount, but not in a fixed deposit (FD) due to lower returns and limited liquidity. Where should I invest?
Your Rs 60,000 from your scholarship deserves better than FDs offering 6-6.50 per cent returns and liquidity locks. FDs may appear safe, but behavioural inertia often keeps money idle amid inflation for long periods of time.
If liquidity is important, consider liquid mutual funds. They typically yield 6.50-7.50 per cent returns annually, allow quick redemptions within T+1 (trade+1) day, and usually have no exit load, offering liquidity without equity risk.
If higher returns matter more than instant liquidity, equity, aggressive hybrid or multi-asset funds are worth considering at your age. These funds usually offer T+3 day liquidity. Consult a Securities and Exchange Board of India registered investment advisor (Sebi RIA) to personalise your portfolio and stay patient.
Col Sanjeev Govila (Retd.), CFP, CEO, Hum Fauji Initiatives
Salil Patel, email
I purchased a piece of land in Uttar Pradesh about 10 years ago but have not completed the mutation in my name. Is mutation legally required, and what rules apply? As I now plan to sell the land, should mutation be completed first, or can the sale proceed without mutation?
Mutation of land refers to updating revenue records to reflect the name of the current owner. In Uttar Pradesh, mutation is not a document of title, but is important for establishing possession, paying land revenue, and ensuring that government records reflect ownership. The process is governed by the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006, and related rules, under which a purchaser is expected to apply for mutation after executing a registered sale deed.
Legally, ownership of land flows from a valid and registered sale deed, not from mutation entries. Hence, failure to complete mutation does not invalidate ownership. However, the absence of mutation can create practical issues, including discrepancies in revenue records, difficulty in paying land revenue, and disputes during future transactions.
In your case, mutation in your name is not strictly mandatory as long as you hold a valid registered title document. Many buyers prefer the seller’s name in the latest revenue records. Completing mutation before sale helps in ensuring a smoother process due to diligence and registration records.
Mrinal Trivedi, Associate Principal Partner, Square Yards
