How to Invest in SIP?

How Does a Systematic Investment Plan Work?

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) allows you to invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, most commonly every month, into mutual funds. Here's how it works with a simple example.

Suppose you earn ₹70,000 per month. After meeting all your expenses, you manage to save ₹30,000. You decide to keep ₹10,000 aside for emergencies and use the remaining ₹20,000 for investments. This ₹20,000 can be invested in a single mutual fund or divided across multiple funds, such as ₹5,000 in four different mutual funds, to create a diversified portfolio.

Once you set up an SIP, the chosen amount is automatically invested on a fixed date each month. Although SIPs promote disciplined investing, they offer flexibility. You can modify, pause, or withdraw your investments whenever needed. Many investors use SIP calculators to estimate potential returns and make more informed decisions.

A Guide on How to Invest in SIP in India

If you're new to mutual fund investing and looking to begin with a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), the process might seem overwhelming at first. But don’t worry, it’s simpler than it sounds. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide to help you start your SIP journey in India the right way.

1. Set Your Financial Goal

Before choosing a fund or deciding how much to invest, it’s important to identify your goal. Are you saving for a down payment on a house? Planning for your child’s education? Or building wealth for retirement? The purpose of your investment will guide your investment horizon, risk tolerance, and fund selection.

2. Decide How Much to Invest Monthly

Once your goal is clear, determine how much you can comfortably invest each month. This amount should not disrupt your monthly budget. Even starting with ₹500 is fine—the key is consistency.

3. Choose the Right Mutual Fund

Next, select a mutual fund that aligns with your risk profile and financial objective. Equity funds are ideal for long-term wealth creation, while debt funds may suit short-term or low-risk investors. You can explore options such as large-cap funds, balanced funds, or tax-saving ELSS funds. Don’t just go by past returns. Look at the fund’s long-term performance, fund manager’s track record, and expense ratio.

4. Select the SIP Date

Most mutual fund houses allow you to choose any date of the month to invest. Pick a date that aligns with your salary cycle to ensure funds are available in your bank account on that day.

5. Complete Your KYC

Before investing in mutual funds, it’s mandatory to complete your Know Your Customer (KYC) process. If you haven’t done it already, you can complete e-KYC online by submitting your PAN, Aadhaar, and a passport-sized photo through the mutual fund platform or a registrar like CAMS or KFintech.

6. Choose a Platform to Invest

You can invest in SIPs directly through the mutual fund company’s website or through brokers like 5paisa. Direct plans usually have lower expense ratios compared to regular plans offered through agents or distributors.

7. Register for SIP

Once your KYC is verified and your account is ready, go to the chosen fund and select the SIP option. Enter the monthly investment amount, and the start date. Set up auto-debit instructions with your bank for hassle-free transactions each month.

8. Track and Review Your Investments

After you start your SIP, don’t just forget about it. Monitor your investments at regular intervals, perhaps once every six months or annually. If your goals, income, or market conditions change significantly, consider adjusting your SIP amount or rebalancing your portfolio.
 

How Much Returns Can You Get From SIP?

The returns from SIP depend on the performance of the mutual fund. However, this is not the only factor in determining returns. SIP helps you build a strong investment habit which is essential for long term investment. It gives you the opportunity to generate healthy returns through your limited savings. The gem in SIP is compounding, which means the interest you earn gets reinvested every period. Let’s see what magic does it perform:

Suppose you have planned to invest ₹20,000 in SIP and wish to remain invested for 20 years. In that period, you would have invested ₹48 lakhs. Now here comes the surprise- Considering the annual rate of return to be 15%, your 48 lakhs will turn into a corpus of over 3 crores in 20 years!

But the next question is - Will you invest ₹20,000 only for the entire 20 years? Probably not! As your income increases, you will consider increasing your investments as well. This is where a Step-up SIP comes into play.
 

What Is a Step-up SIP?

A Step-up SIP (also known as a Top-up SIP) allows you to increase your SIP contribution automatically at regular intervals, usually every year. This is a smart way to align your investments with your rising income without needing to make manual adjustments.
For instance, if you start with ₹20,000 per month and opt for a 10% annual step-up, you’ll invest ₹22,000 in the second year, ₹24,200 in the third year, and so on.

Now let’s revisit our earlier example with this step-up feature applied.

By choosing a 10% step-up each year, your total investment over 20 years would be approximately ₹1.37 crores. And the result? A corpus of around ₹5.16 crores—significantly higher than what a fixed SIP would generate.

So, while a standard SIP helps you build wealth steadily, a Step-up SIP supercharges your investment journey by leveraging your growing financial capacity. It’s a simple tweak that can make a big difference over time.
 

How Much You Should Invest in SIP

There’s no fixed rule for how much you should invest in a SIP. The right amount depends entirely on your income, expenses, goals, and comfort level. Some investors may choose to invest a large portion of their monthly savings, while others may start small and increase their contributions gradually over time. The key is to invest an amount that feels sustainable and consistent.

While higher contributions can lead to faster wealth accumulation, it’s more important to stay invested regularly and avoid overcommitting. SIPs work best when they fit seamlessly into your financial routine, without straining your monthly budget.

It's also important to remember that capital market investments are dynamic and often subject to volatility. This can impact returns in the short term. That’s why SIPs are best suited for long-term investing, especially in equity mutual funds, where market fluctuations tend to balance out over time.
 

Key Takeaways

For a lot of people in India, the systematic investment plan or SIP has made financial planning much more accessible. More importantly, salaried individuals (which comprises most of the Indian citizens) can also invest their money and gain higher returns if they invest in mutual funds through SIP. 

Also, make sure to have a financial plan and take the help of an expert if required. Remember that SIP can be a perfect opportunity for salaried individuals to earn their share of returns from the equity market. Most salaried individuals cannot use lump sum amounts for investments but through SIP these individuals can contribute as low as ₹500 and become a part of any mutual fund scheme.