Mutual Fund SIP Calculator
Calculate SIP returns by fund category. Compare Large-cap, Mid-cap, ELSS, Debt, and Index fund projections side by side.
Select Fund Category (auto-fills typical return rate)
SIP Details
Fund Category Comparison — Same ₹5,000/mo for 10 Years
Year-wise Growth
| Year | Invested | Value | Gain | Multiplier |
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How to Choose the Right Mutual Fund Category for SIP
Mutual funds in India are categorised by SEBI into equity, debt, hybrid, and other types. Each category has different risk/return profiles, making them suitable for different investment goals and time horizons.
Equity Fund Categories
- Large-Cap: Top 100 companies by market cap. Lower volatility, ~11–13% 10-yr CAGR. Best for conservative equity investors.
- Mid-Cap: 101–250 companies. Higher growth potential, ~14–17% 10-yr CAGR, significant volatility. Ideal for 7–10+ year horizon.
- Small-Cap: Below 251st company. Highest growth and highest risk. ~15–20% in bull markets, can drop 50%+ in downturns. Only for 10+ year horizon.
- Flexi-Cap/Multi-Cap: Fund manager allocates across market caps dynamically. Good all-weather choice. ~13–15% historical CAGR.
- Index Funds (Nifty 50): Low-cost passive investing. ~12–13% long-term CAGR. Expense ratio typically 0.1–0.2% vs 1–2% for active funds.
Tax-Saving Options
- ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme): 3-year lock-in, Section 80C deduction (up to ₹1.5L). Returns ~12–16%. Best tax-saving investment option with shortest lock-in among 80C choices.
Hybrid and Debt Funds
- Balanced Hybrid: 40–60% equity + 40–60% debt. Lower volatility than pure equity. ~9–11% CAGR. Good for medium-term goals.
- Debt Funds: Invest in bonds, government securities, money market. ~6–8% return, very low risk. Returns are now taxed at income tax slab rate (no indexation from FY24).
The Power of Staying Invested
A ₹5,000/month SIP at 13% for 10 years grows to ~₹12L. The same SIP for 20 years grows to ~₹60L — not 2× but 5× more from doubling the duration. This is why starting early is the most powerful decision in mutual fund investing. Every 5-year delay roughly halves the final corpus.
FAQ
What is expense ratio and does it matter?
Expense ratio is the annual fee charged by the fund house (0.1–2.5%). On a ₹10L corpus, a 1% difference in expense ratio costs ₹10,000/year. Over 20 years, a fund with 0.1% ER vs 1.5% ER (compounded) can result in 20–30% less final corpus. Always prefer low-expense index funds or direct plans.
Direct vs Regular mutual fund plans — which is better?
Direct plans cut out the distributor and have lower expense ratios (typically 0.5–1.5% lower). On a 20-year SIP, direct plans can give 10–20% higher final corpus vs regular plans. Always invest via direct plans through AMFI-registered advisors or fund house websites.
What is NAV and how does SIP calculate returns?
NAV (Net Asset Value) is the per-unit price of a mutual fund. Each month's SIP purchases units at the current NAV. Total value = units held × current NAV. Returns are measured as XIRR (extended IRR) on the cash flows of each SIP installment to the final value.
Can I stop SIP anytime?
Yes, except ELSS (3-year lock-in per installment). Regular equity/debt SIPs can be paused or stopped anytime. The invested corpus continues to earn returns until you redeem — no penalty for stopping SIP early.