Rs. 100- Rs. 10 crore
Start investing with Rs. 100 | Easy KYC | Expert-managed funds
How to Invest in SIP A Beginner's Guide
In summary
A folio number identifies your mutual fund investment records with a particular Asset Management Company (AMC).
- A folio number identifies an investor's AMC account.
- It is specific to the AMC that assigns it.
- One folio can cover multiple schemes of the same AMC.
- Investors can hold multiple folios.
- Statements and CAS can show folio details.
- Folios help track purchases, redemptions, switches, and SIPs.
- KYC and investor details are linked to the account.
- A folio number is not the same as a demat account number.
A folio number makes mutual fund record-keeping easier, but it does not itself determine ownership, returns, or tax liability.
What is a folio number?
A folio number is a unique identification code assigned by an AMC to an investor's mutual fund account. It helps the fund house identify the investor and maintain records of holdings and transactions.
A folio is specific to the AMC that issues it. Therefore, if you invest with several AMCs, you can have separate folio numbers for those investments.
A folio can also cover multiple schemes belonging to the same AMC, subject to the fund house's processes. This makes it easier to view and manage investments under one account reference.
You can explore mutual funds to understand the broader range of investment options available across fund categories.
How does a folio number work?
A folio is created when your first mutual fund investment with an AMC is processed. The AMC then uses the identifier to associate subsequent eligible transactions with your investment records.
For example, suppose an investor starts investing with an AMC and receives the folio ABC987654321. Additional eligible investments, redemptions, or switches with that AMC can be recorded against the relevant folio.
A folio therefore works as an account reference within the AMC's system rather than as a universal identification number for all your investments.
The role of an Asset Management Company is broader: an AMC manages mutual fund schemes and performs investment-management, administration, disclosure, and investor-servicing functions.
What information is linked to a folio?
Your folio can be associated with information required to administer your mutual fund account.
This may include:
- Investor name
- PAN details
- Registered mobile number and email address
- Bank account details
- KYC status
- Scheme and plan details
- Transaction records
- Unit holdings
Keeping these details updated can help prevent delays in communication and transaction processing.
What can you do with a folio number?
A folio number can help you manage and track your mutual fund investments.
Track transactions
Purchases, additional investments, redemptions, switches, and other eligible transactions can be recorded against the relevant folio.
View holdings
You can use your folio details to access information about schemes and units held with the AMC.
For a broader understanding of what you own within a mutual fund portfolio, see mutual fund holdings.
Manage investor details
Depending on the AMC's process, the folio can be used when requesting changes to registered contact details, bank information, or nomination details.
Manage SIPs
For an SIP, the folio provides an account reference against which eligible instalments and related transactions can be recorded.
Can one folio contain multiple mutual fund schemes?
Yes. A single folio can generally contain multiple eligible schemes of the same AMC.
For example, you could hold an equity fund and a debt fund from the same fund house under one folio. This can simplify record-keeping because you do not necessarily need a separate account reference for every scheme.
However, a folio issued by one AMC cannot generally be used as the account identifier for investments held with another AMC.
The distinction between a folio and a broader portfolio is important. Your portfolio can contain mutual funds, shares, bonds, and other investments, whereas a folio relates to your investment records with a particular AMC.
Can you have multiple folio numbers?
Yes. Investors can have multiple folio numbers, including multiple folios with the same AMC.
Multiple folios can arise because of different investment arrangements, holding patterns, or account-opening instructions. Some investors may also deliberately maintain separate folios for different investment objectives.
If you have several folios with one AMC, ask the fund house whether eligible folios can be consolidated. Consolidation may simplify record-keeping, but consider its implications for transaction history and taxation before making a request.
Your risk tolerance is another factor to consider when reviewing whether your overall mutual fund portfolio remains appropriate for your financial objectives.
Where can you find your folio number?
You can usually find your folio number in your mutual fund records.
Mutual fund statement
Your account statement generally displays the folio number along with scheme details, transactions, units, and other information.
AMC website or app
You can log in to the relevant AMC's website or app and check your investment records. The exact authentication process varies between AMCs.
Consolidated Account Statement
A Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) can provide information about eligible mutual fund investments held across different AMCs. The relevant folio details are generally shown against the investments.
AMC or registrar
If you cannot locate the number, you can contact the AMC or its Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA). You may need to complete an identity-verification process.
How do you check mutual fund status using a folio number?
You can check your mutual fund status through several channels.
- Use the AMC portal: Log in through the AMC's website or app and access your investment records.
- Use an RTA platform: CAMS and KFintech maintain records for participating AMCs.
- Contact your intermediary: If you invested through a broker or distributor, they may help retrieve relevant information.
- Contact the AMC: Customer support can provide information after completing the required verification.
- Check your CAS: A consolidated statement can provide a broader view of eligible investments across AMCs.
The mutual fund calculator from Bajaj Finance can separately help you estimate potential investment values using your chosen assumptions.
Can multiple folios affect tax planning?
Multiple folios can sometimes provide greater flexibility in identifying which investment holding is redeemed, depending on the circumstances and applicable tax rules.
When units are held within a single folio, the First In First Out principle can become relevant for determining which units are considered sold in applicable situations.
However, the tax outcome depends on the nature of the mutual fund, transaction, holding period, applicable Income Tax provisions, and other circumstances. Do not make a folio decision solely for tax reasons without considering the complete implications.
Is a folio number confidential?
You should treat your folio number and related investment information as sensitive account information.
A legitimate AMC, RTA, or authorised intermediary may require the folio number for account-related services. However, do not disclose passwords, PINs, OTPs, or other authentication credentials to anyone.
Keep your registered contact details updated and review your statements regularly for unfamiliar transactions.
Can you redeem investments using a folio number?
A folio number helps identify the relevant investment account, but it is not generally sufficient by itself to complete a redemption.
You must follow the AMC, RTA, broker, or investment platform's required authentication and transaction process. Depending on the investment structure, additional verification may be required.
Before redeeming, check applicable exit loads, tax implications, and other scheme conditions.
Conclusion
A folio number is an AMC-specific identifier that helps organise your mutual fund investments, transactions, statements, and account information. One folio can cover multiple eligible schemes of the same AMC, while an investor can also have multiple folios.
Keep your folio details and associated investor information secure, check your statements regularly, and understand the implications before consolidating or changing folios. A folio number is an account reference, not a measure of investment performance or a guarantee of returns.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Mutual funds are subject to market risk. Please read the scheme-related documents carefully before investing.
Explore Investment Tools
Articles and Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Folio management
Transactions and records
Security and consolidation
Can I choose my own folio number?
No. A folio number is generally generated by the AMC when your investment is processed. Investors do not normally select the number themselves. The format can vary between fund houses and may contain letters, numbers, or both. Once assigned, the folio serves as the reference for eligible investments recorded under that AMC.
Can a folio number change after it is created?
A folio generally remains associated with the investor's records with that AMC. If multiple folios exist, the AMC may permit eligible folios to be consolidated according to its procedures. Investors should not assume that a new transaction will automatically create or replace an existing folio, as the outcome depends on the instructions and account details provided.
Can I use my folio number to invest in another AMC?
No. A folio is AMC-specific and is not a universal mutual fund account number. If you invest with another fund house, that AMC will maintain its own investment records and folio arrangements. This is why an investor who uses several AMCs can have multiple folio numbers across their mutual fund investments.
Does a folio number show the current value of my investment?
The folio number itself does not represent the value of your investment. It identifies your account records, while the current value depends on factors such as the number of units held and the applicable NAV. Your AMC statement, online account, or other authorised platform can provide the relevant valuation information.
What should I do if I find an unknown transaction under my folio?
Review the transaction details and contact the relevant AMC or RTA promptly if you do not recognise the activity. Complete any identity verification requested and keep records of your communication. Do not share OTPs, passwords, PINs, or other authentication credentials with anyone claiming to investigate the transaction.
Can I close a folio after redeeming all my units?
The treatment of a folio after all units have been redeemed depends on the AMC's systems and procedures. Redeeming all holdings does not necessarily mean that the folio identifier is erased from historical records. If you no longer intend to invest with the AMC, ask it about the applicable closure or record-maintenance process.
Disclaimer
Bajaj Finance Limited ("BFL") is registered with the Association of Mutual Funds in India ("AMFI") as a distributor of third party Mutual Funds (shortly referred as 'Mutual Funds) with ARN No. 90319
BFL does NOT:
(i) provide investment advisory services in any manner or form.
(ii) carry customized/personalized suitability assessment.
(iii) carry independent research or analysis, including on any Mutual Fund schemes or other investments; and provide any guarantee of return on investment.
In addition to displaying the Mutual fund products of Asset Management Companies, some general information is sourced from third parties, is also displayed on As-is basis, which should NOT be construed as any solicitation or attempt to effect transactions in securities or the rendering any investment advice. Mutual Funds are subject to market risks, including loss of principal amount and Investor should read all Scheme/Offer related documents carefully. The NAV of units issued under the Schemes of mutual funds can go up or down depending on the factors and forces affecting capital markets and may also be affected by changes in the general level of interest rates. The NAV of the units issued under the scheme may be affected, inter-alia by changes in the interest rates, trading volumes, settlement periods, transfer procedures and performance of individual securities forming part of the Mutual Fund. The NAV will inter-alia be exposed to Price/Interest Rate Risk and Credit Risk. Past performance of any scheme of the Mutual fund do not indicate the future performance of the Schemes of the Mutual Fund. BFL shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or shortfall incurred by the investors. There may be other/better alternatives to the investment avenues displayed by BFL. Hence, the final investment decision shall at all times exclusively remain with the investor alone and BFL shall not be liable or responsible for any consequences thereof.
Investment by a person residing outside the territorial jurisdiction of India is not acceptable nor permitted.
Disclaimer on Risk-O-Meter:
Investors are advised before investing to evaluate a scheme not only on the basis of the Product labeling (including the Riskometer) but also on other quantitative and qualitative factors such as performance, portfolio, fund managers, asset manager, etc, and shall also consult their Professional advisors, if they are unsure about the suitability of the scheme before investing.
Disclosure: Bajaj Finance Limited (BFL) is a distributor of Mutual Funds with ARN - 90319 and distributes mutual funds of Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited (BFSAMC). BFL receives commission towards distribution of mutual fund products. BFSAMC is a group company of BFL, carrying business on arm’s length basis without any conflict of interest and in accordance with the prevailing law / regulation.
Disclaimer
Bajaj Finance Limited ("BFL") is an NBFC offering loans, deposits and third-party wealth management products.
The information BFL contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute any financial advice. The content herein has been prepared by BFL on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, BFL cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant such information will not be changed.
This information should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any investment decisions. Hence, User is advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting independent financial experts, if any, and the investor shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.
Disclaimer
Mutual Fund SIP calculator may provide potential investors an approximate estimate on the maturity amount of the monthly SIP, purely based on mathematical calculation of the projected annual return rate selected by investor. However, such calculation does not factor the actual performance by the Asset Management Company (AMC) and should not be treated as any advice or assurance about the actual return of investment. Mutual Funds do not have a fixed rate of return and it is not possible to predict the rate of return. Please note that the SIP calculator are for illustrations only and do not represent actual returns which may vary depending on various factors including but not limited to actual performance, expense ratio, taxation, exit load (if any), etc.