SIP Investment Best Plan for Beginners in India
For beginners entering mutual fund investing, SIPs offer a structured, accessible starting point. Investors can start with low minimums and automate contributions. SIPs eliminate the need for market-timing expertise and help build long-term wealth through regular income investing.
Top SIP for Beginners
Here is a list of the top SIPs for beginners based on 5Y CAGR:
| Name | AUM | NAV | CAGR 3Y | Expense Ratio | Exit Load | Volatility | Absolute Returns - 3M | Absolute Returns - 1Y | Minimum SIP | CAGR 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI PSU Fund | 5,979.80 | 41.09 | 37.46 | 0.83 | 0.50 | 15.29 | 10.71 | 36.90 | 1500.00 | 28.65 |
| Quant Infrastructure Fund | 2,790.94 | 40.68 | 21.01 | 0.83 | 0.50 | 16.93 | -2.35 | 12.45 | 1000.00 | 24.67 |
| Kotak Infra & Eco Reform Fund | 2,252.41 | 79.07 | 22.32 | 0.69 | 0.50 | 14.77 | 2.20 | 23.54 | 100.00 | 23.31 |
| Bandhan Infrastructure Fund | 1,522.04 | 56.03 | 26.16 | 0.90 | 0.50 | 16.33 | -1.95 | 13.13 | 0.00 | 22.54 |
| Quant Mid Cap Fund | 7,283.39 | 222.65 | 16.78 | 0.83 | 0.50 | 14.69 | -6.23 | 2.28 | 0.00 | 21.60 |
| SBI Contra Fund | 4,8729.33 | 430.91 | 21.32 | 0.71 | 0.25 | 10.37 | 0.00 | 13.81 | 500.00 | 21.41 |
| Sundaram Infra Advantage Fund | 916.59 | 107.33 | 25.12 | 1.61 | 0.50 | 13.62 | 3.07 | 25.99 | 0.00 | 20.78 |
| SBI Infrastructure Fund | 4,545.62 | 53.52 | 22.56 | 1.04 | 0.50 | 12.89 | 0.09 | 13.87 | 1000.00 | 20.73 |
| Tata Infrastructure Fund | 1,928.49 | 185.73 | 21.01 | 1.18 | 0.25 | 14.69 | 2.16 | 16.26 | 0.00 | 20.09 |
| Tata Mid Cap Fund | 5,497.27 | 510.42 | 24.18 | 0.65 | 0.50 | 12.90 | 0.34 | 22.01 | 100.00 | 19.61 |
Disclaimer: Please note that the above list of the Best SIP for Beginners is for educational purposes only, and is not recommendatory. Please do your own research or consult your financial advisor before investing. The data is derived from Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener and is subject to real-time updates.
Note: The data on the list of Best SIP for Beginners is from 24th February 2026. This data is derived from the Tickertape Mutual Funds Screener.
- Plan: Growth
- Category: Equity
- 5Y CAGR: Sorted from highest to lowest
Pro Tip: You can use Tickertape’s Mutual Fund Screener to research and evaluate funds with over 50+ pre-loaded filters and parameters.
Overview of the Best Mutual Fund for SIP in India
SBI PSU Fund
An equity mutual fund investing primarily in public sector undertakings across banking, energy, and industrial sectors, aiming to capture opportunities linked to government reforms and state-led economic activity.
Quant Infrastructure Fund
An actively managed thematic fund focusing on infrastructure-related sectors such as construction, capital goods, utilities, and energy, using quantitative models and dynamic allocation strategies to identify emerging opportunities.
Kotak Infra & Eco Reform Fund
A sectoral equity fund investing in infrastructure and companies benefiting from economic reforms, including manufacturing, logistics, capital goods, and financial services linked to India’s structural growth themes.
Bandhan Infrastructure Fund
An equity scheme targeting infrastructure-driven businesses such as construction, engineering, cement, and utilities, aiming to benefit from public and private capital expenditure cycles in India.
Quant Mid Cap Fund
A mid-cap equity fund investing in emerging companies with scalable business models, applying quantitative analytics and active rotation strategies to capture momentum and growth opportunities.
SBI Contra Fund
A contrarian equity fund that invests in undervalued or temporarily out-of-favour stocks across sectors, following a value-oriented strategy focused on long-term re-rating potential.
Sundaram Infra Advantage Fund
A thematic equity fund investing in infrastructure-linked sectors such as transportation, construction, and power, aiming to capture growth driven by urbanisation and capital expenditure expansion.
SBI Infrastructure Fund
An equity fund concentrating on infrastructure and allied sectors, including energy, engineering, and materials, seeking long-term growth aligned with India’s development and investment cycle.
Tata Infrastructure Fund
A sector-focused equity scheme investing in infrastructure-related industries such as construction, power, logistics, and capital goods, positioned to participate in India’s infrastructure expansion.
Tata Mid Cap Fund
A diversified mid-cap equity fund investing in growing companies across sectors, focusing on scalable business models, earnings visibility, and sustainable competitive advantages.
What are SIPs in Mutual Funds?
A Systematic Investment Plan allows an investor to invest a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals, usually monthly. Each instalment buys units at the prevailing Net Asset Value (NAV). This process averages the purchase cost across different market conditions. SIPs support disciplined investing for individuals who earn regular income.
Taxation on SIP in Mutual Funds in India
Indian tax law treats each SIP instalment as a separate investment. The holding period begins from the purchase date of each instalment. The tax rate depends on the fund’s asset composition and the holding duration before redemption. FIFO (First In, First Out) applies at redemption, so the oldest units are sold first. The table below explains the applicable rules under Finance Act provisions effective for the 2025 to 26 assessment year.
| Capital Gains Type | Holding Period | Tax Rate (FY 2026-27) |
| Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) | Less than 12 months | 20% |
| Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) | More than 12 months | 12.5% flat (up to ₹1.25 lakh per year tax-free) |
How to Invest in SIP for Beginners?
You can easily start to invest in the best SIP investment plan by following these steps:
- To invest in the best SIP, you can visit a mutual fund investment platform such as smallcase.
- The next step is to research and identify the SIPs that match your financial goals. Tools like the Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener can help you filter and compare funds based on parameters such as returns, expense ratio, and fund size.
- Once you shortlist the funds, visit smallcase, log in, and search for the fund by name. You can then choose the investment mode, either a one-time lump sum or a mutual fund SIP, and complete the process.
Advantages of Investing in the Best SIP Investment Plan
- Low Minimum Investment Amount: Most mutual funds offer SIPs as low as ₹100 per month, making them accessible to first-time investors at any income level. Beginners can start small and gradually increase their contributions over time.
- No Market Timing Required: SIPs invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, automatically buying more units when NAVs fall and fewer when they rise. This rupee cost averaging removes the pressure of identifying the right market entry point.
- Automated Investment Discipline: The auto-debit mechanism ensures investments happen before discretionary spending. For beginners, this embeds a savings habit without requiring active decision-making each month.
- Power of Compounding Over Time: Returns on existing units are reinvested in the growth option, compounding the corpus non-linearly. Beginners who start early, even with small amounts, give compounding the longest runway to work.
- Flexibility to Pause, Modify, or Stop: Most open-ended SIPs allow pausing, modifying the instalment amount, or stopping entirely, without penalties, subject to the fund’s exit load terms. This makes SIPs more forgiving than rigid long-term commitments.
- Access to Professional Fund Management: SIPs channel investments through SEBI-registered AMCs where professional managers handle stock and bond selection. Beginners benefit from institutional-grade portfolio management without needing deep investment knowledge.
Risks of Investing in the Best SIP for Beginners in India
- Market Risk: SIPs in equity funds carry full market risk. NAV can decline during corrections, and the redemption value may be lower than the total amount invested, particularly over short holding periods.
- Category Selection Risk: Beginners who choose high-risk categories, small-cap, sector, or thematic funds, without understanding their volatility, may experience sharp drawdowns that lead to premature SIP cancellations.
- Premature Discontinuation Risk: Stopping SIPs during market downturns means missing the phase when rupee-cost averaging works most effectively, accumulating more units at lower NAVs before a recovery.
- Inflation Risk from Fixed Amounts: A SIP amount that is never revised loses real value over time. Contributions that adequately address a goal today may fall significantly short of the same goal 10-15 years later without periodic step-ups.
Factors to Consider Before Investing in the SIP for Beginners in India
- Define a Clear Financial Goal: SIPs work best when linked to a specific goal, emergency fund, home purchase, or retirement, with a defined time horizon. Goal clarity determines the appropriate fund category and monthly investment amount.
- Choose the Right Fund Category for Your Risk Profile: Beginners with low risk tolerance and short horizons are generally better suited to debt or hybrid funds. Thematic or sector funds carry concentration risks that are typically unsuitable for first-time investors.
- Start with a Manageable SIP Amount: The amount should be comfortable enough to sustain even during financially pressured months. Overcommitting increases the likelihood of missed instalments, which disrupts the compounding process.
- Understand the Fund’s Expense Ratio: Choosing the direct plan over the regular plan eliminates distributor commission, resulting in a lower expense ratio. Over a 10-20 year SIP horizon, this difference can meaningfully improve net returns.
- Review the Fund’s Benchmark and Track Record: Rolling returns relative to the benchmark give a more accurate picture of consistency than point-to-point returns. Look for funds with stable outperformance across at least one full market cycle.
- Plan for Step-Up SIP from the Start: Building in an annual increase to the SIP amount, even 10% per year, helps maintain the real value of contributions as income grows and can substantially increase the terminal corpus over time.
Who Can Consider Investing in the Best SIP for Beginners in India?
- Salaried Individuals Starting Their Investment Journey: Those with a regular monthly income and no prior investment experience can use SIPs to begin building wealth systematically. The auto-debit cycle aligns naturally with monthly salary credits.
- Young Investors with Long Time Horizons: Investors in their 20s and early 30s have the longest compounding runway. Starting early, even with small amounts, allows time to function as the primary return driver rather than aggressive fund selection.
- Investors Moving Away from Traditional Savings Instruments: Those transitioning from fixed deposits or recurring deposits may find SIPs a structurally familiar entry point, regular fixed contributions, automated debits, and no active portfolio management required.
- Investors Without a Lump Sum to Deploy: SIPs are designed for investors who lack a large upfront corpus but can set aside a fixed amount monthly. They provide equity market access without the capital requirements of lump-sum investing.
- Investors Who Want to Build Financial Habits: Beyond returns, SIPs build savings discipline that many beginners find difficult to develop on their own. The automated structure makes them as much a behavioural tool as a financial one.
To Wrap It Up
SIPs provide beginners with an accessible and structured way to enter mutual fund investing. Low starting amounts, automation, and rupee cost averaging support long-term compounding and disciplined participation.
However, outcomes depend on fund selection, contribution size, time horizon, and consistency during market volatility. Investors who align SIPs with clear goals and review contributions periodically are better positioned to benefit over time. The focus should remain on sustaining the investment journey rather than merely starting it.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best SIP for Beginners in India
Most mutual funds in India allow SIPs starting from ₹100 per month. The minimum amount varies by fund house and scheme. Some funds set higher minimums, such as ₹500 or ₹1,000 for categories like ELSS or hybrid funds.
Open-ended SIPs allow pause or cancellation at any time through the AMC or investment platform. Stopping a SIP does not redeem accumulated units. Those units remain invested until a separate redemption request is made.
If auto debit fails due to insufficient funds, most AMCs allow 2 to 3 consecutive missed instalments before cancelling the SIP. AMCs do not charge penalties, but banks may levy a return memo fee. Re-registration requires a fresh NACH mandate.
A SIP is an investment method, not an investment product. The mutual fund serves as the investment vehicle, while SIP enables fixed-amount contributions at regular intervals rather than lump-sum investing.
Each SIP instalment counts as a separate investment with its own holding period. For equity funds held over 12 months, LTCG of 12.5% applies on gains above ₹1.25 lakh per financial year. Units held for less than 12 months are subject to 20% STCG. FIFO determines redemption order.
Beginner-focused plans often involve lower-volatility categories, such as large-cap, index, or hybrid funds. These categories show relatively stable NAV movement compared to small-cap or thematic funds.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please consult a SEBI-registered financial adviser before investing.
SIPs enable rupee-cost averaging and remove market-timing dependency. Low minimum amounts increase accessibility. Auto debit builds discipline. Long investment horizons amplify compounding.
Disclaimer: These are general features of SIPs. Outcomes may vary based on market conditions, fund choice, and investment horizon. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks.
Category selection risk can expose investors to high volatility without understanding drawdowns. Frequent stoppages during corrections reduce the accumulation of benefits. Fixed contributions without step-up adjustments lose real value to inflation. Early redemption attracts exit loads and short-term capital gains tax.
