Let’s say you decide to invest Rs. 10,000 every month through an SIP in a mutual fund called “B.” The number of units you receive depends on the fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) at the time of each investment.
Here's how your investments could look over four months:
Month
|
Investment Amount
|
NAV (Rs. )
|
Units Bought
|
Total Units in Portfolio
|
1
|
Rs. 10,000
|
Rs. 80
|
125
|
125
|
2
|
Rs. 10,000
|
Rs. 85
|
118
|
243
|
3
|
Rs. 10,000
|
Rs. 75
|
133
|
376
|
4
|
Rs. 10,000
|
Rs. 90
|
111
|
487
|
As shown above, your Rs. 10,000 buys a different number of units each month based on the NAV. When the NAV is low, you get more units; when it’s high, you get fewer. Each month, the new units are added to your portfolio, helping it grow over time.
This approach helps reduce the overall impact of market volatility — a benefit known as rupee cost averaging — making SIPs a smart and stable way to build wealth gradually.
Features of SIP investment plan
Here are some features of SIP investment plans:
1. Rupee cost averaging
SIP uses the strategy of rupee cost averaging, helping investors benefit from market fluctuations. During market downturns, the fixed investment buys more mutual funds units, and during upswings, it buys fewer units. This approach helps mitigate the impact of market volatility over time.
2. Disciplined and consistent investing
SIP promotes financial discipline by allowing investors to commit to regular contributions regardless of market conditions. This disciplined approach encourages consistency in investing, fostering a habit of regular savings and wealth creation.
3. Flexibility in investment amount
Investors have the flexibility to choose the amount they want to invest in SIP, making it accessible for a wide range of investors with varying budget sizes. This feature accommodates both small and large investors, enabling them to start with an amount that suits their financial capacity.
4. Professional fund management
SIP investments are managed by professional fund managers who make informed investment decisions based on market conditions and the fund's objectives. This professional management aims to optimise returns and effectively manage risks, providing investors with the expertise needed for successful mutual fund investments.
5. Long-term wealth creation
SIP is designed for long-term wealth creation. Through consistent and disciplined contributions, coupled with the power of compounding, investors can potentially achieve significant returns over an extended period. This long-term approach aligns well with financial goals such as retirement planning or building a corpus for major life events.
6. Option to temporarily halt investments
SIP provides the convenience of temporarily suspending investments, offering valuable flexibility, especially during financial challenges. The SIP automatically resumes at the end of the pause period. It is recommended to verify the availability of this pause feature with your Mutual Fund provider.
7. Unrestricted investment ceiling
With a minimum SIP investment of Rs. 100 and no strict upper limit, investors can contribute any amount of their choice through the SIP. Ensuring the ongoing consistency of SIP investments throughout the plan's duration is essential for optimal results.
Benefits of SIP Investment
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in mutual funds lets you invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals — typically every month. On a specific date each month, the chosen amount is automatically invested in the mutual fund scheme of your choice. While the SIP amount remains constant, the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the fund changes daily. This means each instalment of your SIP will buy a different number of units depending on the NAV on the day of investment. This very feature — consistent investing at varying NAVs — unlocks several advantages of SIPs, which we’ll explore next.
1. Disciplined investment
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) involve investing a fixed amount regularly — usually every month — into a mutual fund of your choice. This not only helps you build a consistent saving habit but also allows your money to grow over time through a market-linked investment with the potential to outpace inflation. While traditional options like recurring deposits also encourage saving, mutual funds stand out by offering the possibility of higher, inflation-beating returns — something most fixed-income instruments don’t provide. Want to see how disciplined, long-term investing can grow your wealth? Try using an SIP calculator to visualise your returns.
2. Cost-effective
Investing through SIPs is a budget-friendly way to enter the market. Instead of needing a large lump sum, you can start building your portfolio gradually with small, regular contributions. This reduces the financial strain and makes mutual fund investing more accessible to a wider range of investors.
3. Power of compounding
Compounding is when your investment returns start generating their own returns — a simple idea with powerful long-term benefits. With SIPs, your regular investments — along with the returns they generate — are continuously reinvested. Over time, this creates a snowball effect, significantly boosting your overall gains. The longer you stay invested, the more this compounding power works in your favor. That’s why starting early and staying consistent with your SIPs is key to maximizing wealth creation.
4. Flexibility
One of the key advantages of SIPs is the flexibility they offer in terms of investment duration. While some mutual funds may require a minimum of 6 SIP instalments, there’s no upper limit — you can continue investing for as long as you like. This kind of flexibility isn’t usually available with lump sum investments, where you're often committing a large amount at once without the option to space it out or adjust over time.
5. Lower Risk
The rupee cost averaging strategy employed by SIPs helps mitigate the impact of market volatility. During market downturns, fixed investments acquire more units, and during upswings, fewer units are bought. This strategy lowers the average cost of acquisition, reducing the overall risk and providing a more stable investment journey.
6. Convenience
Convenience is another major benefit of SIPs. You don’t need to constantly track the markets or spend time on in-depth research to time your investments. Once you’ve selected a suitable mutual fund, all it takes is a one-time setup. With standing instructions to your bank, the SIP amount is automatically debited each month — ensuring consistent investing without any manual effort or missed opportunities.
7. Lower Investment Capital
SIPs allow you to start investing with a relatively small amount, making it accessible to a broader range of investors. With lower minimum investment requirements, you can begin building your portfolio with modest contributions. This gradual approach helps accumulate wealth over time without needing a substantial initial capital outlay.
8. SIPs Offer Flexibility
A key advantage of SIPs is the flexibility they offer in terms of how long you can stay invested. While some mutual funds may require a minimum of six SIP instalments, there’s no upper limit — you can continue investing for as long as you want. This freedom to invest for a short or extended period isn’t typically available with lump sum investments, which require committing a large amount at once without the option to space out contributions over time.
9. SIPs Offer Diversification
One of the built-in advantages of SIPs is diversification. Your investments are spread across a range of assets, which helps reduce overall risk. This means that even if one part of the portfolio underperforms, the impact on your overall returns is minimised — helping protect your wealth and improve long-term growth potential.
10. Professionally Managed Investment
When you invest through SIPs, your money is managed by experienced professionals who carefully oversee the mutual fund portfolio. Their expertise helps strategically navigate market ups and downs, aiming to maximise growth opportunities while effectively managing risks on your behalf.
11. Passively Managed Funds
SIPs can also include passively managed funds, such as index funds or ETFs. These funds track specific market indices and aim to replicate their performance rather than actively selecting stocks. Passively managed funds often have lower fees and can provide broad market exposure, making them a cost-effective option for SIP investors.
When to invest in SIP?
SIP investments grow over time, so the sooner you start, the greater your potential to build wealth. Starting your SIP at the beginning of the month can help you stay financially disciplined while maximising the benefits of rupee cost averaging.
1. When you have a long-term investment horizon
SIPs work best when the investment is allowed to grow over an extended period. A long-term approach allows you to ride out market volatility and benefit from compounding.
2. When you want to average your investment cost
SIPs allow you to invest a fixed amount regularly, which helps average the cost of your investment. This strategy, known as rupee cost averaging, reduces the impact of market fluctuations.
3. When you can invest consistently
To gain the full benefit of SIPs, consistency is key. Invest every month without fail, regardless of market conditions, to ensure your investments continue to grow steadily.
4. When market conditions are volatile
Starting an SIP during market downturns or periods of volatility can be advantageous. You can buy more units when prices are low, increasing the potential for higher returns when the market rebounds.
5. When you have disposable income
Only invest in SIPs if you have a steady income and disposable funds available. Ensure your SIP contributions do not interfere with your immediate financial needs.
6. When you are focused on financial goals
Before starting an SIP, it’s essential to have clear financial goals. Whether it’s retirement, buying a house, or funding education, aligning your SIP with your goals will help you stay focused and motivated.
Types of SIP
SIPs offer a disciplined and effective method to reach your financial goals. By starting with small, regular investments, you can take advantage of rupee cost averaging — making it easier to grow your wealth steadily over time.
There are various types of SIPs designed to suit different needs. For instance, a Flexible SIP is ideal for those with irregular income, like freelancers, allowing you to pause, resume, or adjust your investments as your cash flow changes. Meanwhile, a Trigger SIP lets you invest strategically by setting specific market conditions for your investments, giving you greater control over your financial growth.
- Regular or Fixed SIPs
In Regular SIPs, you invest a fixed, predetermined amount every month. This traditional approach promotes disciplined investing and is perfect for those who prefer consistency and predictability in their contributions.
- Top-up SIPs
Also known as Step-up SIPs, these allow you to gradually increase your investment amount at regular intervals. This is ideal if you expect your income to grow over time and want to boost your wealth-building potential by investing more.
- Flexible SIPs
Flexible SIPs let you adjust your monthly investment based on your portfolio’s current value. You invest more when market prices are low and less when they are high, aiming for steady growth by leveraging market fluctuations.
- Multiple SIPs
With Multiple SIPs, you can invest in several mutual fund schemes simultaneously through one plan. This helps diversify your portfolio and spread risk across different funds, enhancing overall stability and return potential.
- Perpetual SIPs
Perpetual SIPs have no fixed end date, allowing you to invest continuously for as long as you wish. This option suits long-term investors focused on building wealth steadily over many years without worrying about renewing their plan.
- Trigger SIPs
Trigger SIPs enable you to set specific market conditions or trigger points for investments. When these conditions are met, your SIP is automatically activated — ideal for investors who want to strategically time their entries based on market movements.