Articles & guides
What we would tell a friend, written down. Real numbers with their sources, updated when the numbers change, and a straight answer in the first paragraph so you do not have to scroll for it.
What Is SIP? Complete Beginner Guide for Indian Investors
A SIP is a method of investing a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals. It builds discipline; it does not guarantee profit or protect aga…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
SIP vs Lumpsum: Which Is Better for Indian Investors?
SIP suits money that arrives regularly and reduces timing anxiety. Lumpsum puts available cash to work immediately but exposes the full amount to the …
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Direct vs Regular Mutual Funds: Costs, Advice and Choice
Direct and regular plans hold the same portfolio under the same scheme, but direct plans exclude distributor commission and therefore have a lower exp…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap Mutual Funds
Large-, mid- and small-cap funds invest in different market-capitalisation segments. Potential return and volatility generally rise as company size fa…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Index Fund vs Active Mutual Fund: A Practical India Guide
An index fund tracks a stated benchmark; an active fund lets a manager select securities to beat or manage risk relative to a benchmark. Cost, trackin…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
CAGR vs XIRR: Meaning, Formula and Examples
CAGR measures the annualised growth between one beginning value and one ending value. XIRR measures an annualised return when cash flows occur on diff…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Should You Stop SIP When the Market Falls?
A market fall alone is usually not a sound reason to stop a goal-linked SIP. Continue if the goal, horizon, emergency reserve and scheme suitability r…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
How Many Mutual Funds Should You Have?
Most investors need only a few non-overlapping funds—often 2–5 across all goals—but there is no regulatory or universal ideal. Count distinct portfoli…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
How to Build an Investment Portfolio in India
Build a portfolio from goals, time horizon, emergency needs and risk capacity. Choose asset allocation first; select products only after each rupee ha…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Asset Allocation by Age: 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s
Age is only a starting point. Goal horizon, job stability, liabilities, dependants, pension assets and ability to withstand loss matter more than a “1…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Emergency Fund vs Investment: What Comes First?
Build a basic emergency buffer before aggressive investing. The reserve protects your goals from forced selling; investments pursue future growth and …
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Stock Market for Beginners in India: A Safe Starting Guide
India’s stock market lets investors own listed businesses through regulated exchanges. Begin with goals, diversification and process—not tips, leverag…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Demat Account Explained: Meaning, Charges and Safety
A demat account holds securities electronically. It is opened with a SEBI-registered depository participant linked to NSDL or CDSL; a separate trading…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
PE Ratio Explained With Examples for Indian Investors
The price-to-earnings ratio equals market price per share divided by earnings per share. It shows how much the market pays for each rupee of current.
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Fundamental Analysis for Beginners: India Checklist
Fundamental analysis estimates business quality and value from the company, industry, financial statements, governance and price. It reduces guesswork…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
STCG vs LTCG on Stocks and Mutual Funds: India Tax Guide
For listed equity shares, equity-oriented mutual funds and business-trust units subject to STT, short-term gains are generally taxed at 20% and qualif…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
ELSS vs PPF vs NPS: Tax, Lock-in and Suitability
ELSS is market-linked equity, PPF is a government small-savings account, and NPS is a retirement system with regulated asset choices. The best fit dep…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
How Much Retirement Corpus Do You Need in India?
Estimate retirement corpus from future annual spending, retirement length, inflation, post-tax return and pension income. A single multiple of salary …
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
Gold ETF vs Physical Gold: Which Fits Your Goal?
Gold ETFs offer exchange-traded exposure designed to track domestic gold prices before expenses; physical gold provides direct possession. Choose base…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
REITs in India: A Beginner Guide to Returns, Risks and Tax
A listed REIT pools investor money into income-producing real estate and trades on a stock exchange. It can provide property exposure at a lower ticke…
26 Sep 2026 · 1 min read
