What is a SIP?
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a method of investing a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals — typically monthly. It harnesses rupee cost averaging and the power of compounding to build long-term wealth, starting from just ₹500 per month.
Can I stop my SIP at any time?
Yes, you can stop, pause, or reduce your SIP at any time without penalty in most open-ended mutual funds. ELSS SIPs have a 3-year lock-in per instalment, but you can stop new instalments anytime.
What if I miss a SIP instalment?
Missing 1–2 SIP instalments does not cancel your SIP but may attract a small bank ECS return charge. After 3 consecutive missed instalments, most AMCs automatically stop the SIP. You can restart by submitting a new mandate.
What is the best time to start a SIP?
The best time to start a SIP is today. SIP is designed to work across all market conditions through rupee cost averaging — there is no need to time the market. Starting 5 years earlier can nearly double your final corpus due to compounding.
SIP vs Lumpsum — which is better?
SIP is recommended for regular income earners as it averages market volatility through rupee cost averaging. Lumpsum works well when markets have corrected significantly. For most Hyderabad salaried professionals, SIP is more practical and less risky than lumpsum investing.
How many SIPs should I run?
For most investors, 3–5 SIPs across different categories (Large Cap, Mid Cap, Flexi Cap, ELSS) is sufficient. Running too many SIPs fragments your investments and makes tracking difficult. Finvastra advisors help design a focused SIP portfolio.
What is a Flexi SIP?
A Flexi SIP allows you to vary the instalment amount each month — investing more when you have a surplus and less during lean months. It is available in select AMCs and suits investors with variable income.
Can I do SIP in ELSS?
Yes. ELSS SIPs are eligible for Section 80C deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh per year. Each monthly SIP instalment has its own 3-year lock-in, so systematic redemption is possible from year 3 onwards.
What is the benefit of a 10% annual step-up SIP?
Increasing your SIP by 10% every year keeps pace with salary increments and inflation. Example: ₹10,000/month with 10% annual step-up over 20 years at 12% generates approximately ₹1.99 crore vs ₹99.9 lakh for a flat SIP — nearly double the corpus.
How is XIRR calculated for SIP?
XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) calculates the annualised return accounting for the actual timing and amount of each SIP instalment and redemption. It is the most accurate return metric for SIPs and is available on all major fund platforms and CAMS/Karvy statements.