A simple SIP-first approach can help reduce debt, avoid EMIs and build lasting financial freedom through disciplined spending, advises Ramalingam Kalirajan
Retiring at 50 is not unrealistic. It simply requires: Discipline + Long-Term Vision + Compounding
A sophisticated cross-bank syndicate is systematically defrauding non-resident Indians (NRIs) and elderly citizens by exploiting their fixed deposits through forged documents and fictitious loans, often involving colluding bank employees and real estate deals.
Mutual fund investment through systematic investment plans (SIPs) has surged to an all-time high of Rs 3.34 lakh crore in 2025, driven by growing investor appetite for disciplined, long-term wealth creation.
'Investors shouldn't let fear dictate their decisions. The most important step is simply to begin investing.'
New investors should enter gradually and with a long horizon. 'Staggered investment through systematic purchase plans is advisable rather than lump-sum buying.'
Start SIPs early, increase investments steadily, and let compounding beat inflation to secure retirement wealth, says Ramalingam Kalirajan
Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
The Indian stock market mythos of 36 years is wrapped in a diaphanous negligee, lashed together by a delicate, etheric sash of 1.6 bull markets. To make money from here on will require a ground invasion, trench by trench, rather than carpet bombing. Way more difficult, points out Shankar Sharma.
India's mutual fund industry has significantly increased its share of public trading in the stock market, widening its lead over the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for the fifth consecutive year. While LIC's share of free-float listed shares has fallen to 7.42% as of March 2026, the mutual fund industry's share has surged to 22.92% from 7.06% in 2012.
Do not get trapped in the fear-and-greed cycle. Let time and discipline do the heavy lifting, points out Harsh Roongta.
Domestic institutional investors, on the other hand, made a net investment of Rs 1.13 trillion during this period.
Inflows into equity mutual fund (MF) schemes declined in May, logging their lowest tally in 13 months at Rs 19,013 crore. It came even as the gross systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows surged to a record high of Rs 26,688 crore.
'People become guided by emotions, fear of missing out, and greed. They tend to invest in booming sectors that may prove exceptionally expensive.' 'Typically, that represents the peak, and subsequently, they lose substantially.'
'For the initial decade, I consistently advise young professionals to prioritise career development and income growth rather than market analysis.'
Of course, NOT! Here's why. And here's how you can increase your Rs 1 crore retirement corpus.
The Indian Sports Ministry, led by Minister Manuskh Mandaviya, is establishing a dedicated Task Force to explore the revival of Formula One racing in India. This initiative follows a meeting with key stakeholders, aiming to assess the challenges and benefits of hosting major motorsport events, with a target of bringing F1 back by 2028. The Task Force will recommend a comprehensive policy framework to support motorsports growth, leveraging India's significant F1 fanbase.
Deferred payment plans may come with a cost, which may not be immediately visible.
RIS Steady Life Cycle begins with an equity allocation of 35 per cent at age 60, which gradually reduces. Between ages 75 and 85, it remains constant at 10 per cent.
Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Foreign investors pulled out Rs 21,000 crore (around $2.3 billion) from Indian equities over the last four trading sessions amid deteriorating global risk sentiment triggered by the West Asia crisis.
Inflows into mutual fund (MF) schemes via systematic investment plans (SIPs) have topped Rs 3 trillion for the first time in a calendar year, as investors increasingly rely on the staggered investment route amid market volatility.
New investors should not allow themselves to fall prey to FOMO and rush headlong into gold.
A systematic withdrawal plan doesn't drain wealth, poor planning does. Ramalingam Kalirajan explains the truth behind systematic withdrawal plans
The highlight in January, with no surprise, has been flows into gold and silver ETFs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into effect on July 15, 2026, anticipating a significant boost to bilateral trade and investment.
Net inflows into equity mutual funds (MFs) moderated for the second straight month in September, declining 9 per cent during the month to Rs 30,422 crore. The slowdown came as redemptions from active equity schemes rose 30 per cent month-on-month (M-o-M) to a one-year high of around Rs 36,000 crore.
Market timing is not the only reason for you to plump for SIPs, there are other advantages.
Equity mutual funds attracted Rs 29,911 crore in November, marking a 21 per cent increase from the preceding month, according to data released by industry body Amfi on Thursday. This rise in inflows comes after three consecutive months of decline, signalling an improvement in investor sentiment.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) and Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) are very crucial. Here, we will help you understand how these tools can pave the way for a stress-free retirement.
'Even last year, when India bought gold, the physical quantity was much less than the previous years.'
The post-Covid euphoria surrounding direct equity investing has ebbed in 2025. Individual investors have turned net sellers in the domestic equity market, pulling out about 8,461 crore so far this year - a sharp reversal from the record purchases seen in 2024, according to a report by the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).
Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) poured in Rs 94,829 crore of fresh money into Indian equities in August, the second-highest monthly inflow after record Rs 1.07 trillion influx in October 2024.
This is how two people with the same starting amount can end up in very different financial places. In this article, let's understand what lessons can be drawn for anyone starting out!
2025 marked a shift in investor preference when it comes to MF schemes.
Telangana CID arrests 11 individuals, including an Afghan national, for allegedly operating online betting across multiple states through the Dafabet platform. The investigation revealed a complex network of mule accounts and a coordinated multi-state criminal operation.
'The volatility in the stock markets since September 2024 has hurt the pace of accretion of new investors.'
Fuelled by rising disposable incomes and growing awareness about disciplined investing, monthly SIP inflows across the mutual fund industry could scale up to Rs 40,000 crore over the next 18-?24 months, according to Madhu Nair, CEO of Union Asset Management Company (AMC). SIP inflows stood at Rs 25,925 crore in March, although the industry has witnessed a declining trend over the past four months amid heightened market volatility triggered by frequent US tariff changes.
When it comes to multibagger stocks, patience trumps market timing. Investors who stay invested in fundamentally strong stocks build wealth in the long term, and investors who wait for perfect entry points usually end up confused, late, or out of the market. Here, we will explore the role of patience in multibagger stock investments.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Nitin Narkhede your mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
