What is a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan)?
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is an investment strategy offered by mutual funds in India, allowing investors to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals — typically monthly. Instead of making a lump-sum investment, SIP lets you invest small amounts periodically, making it accessible for salaried individuals and disciplined investors.
SIPs leverage rupee cost averaging — when markets are down, your fixed amount buys more units; when markets are up, it buys fewer. Over time, this averages out the cost per unit, reducing the impact of market volatility on your investment.
SIPs are widely used in equity mutual funds, ELSS (tax-saving funds), and hybrid funds. They are ideal for long-term wealth creation goals like retirement planning, children's education, or building an emergency fund.
SIP Calculation Formula
The SIP calculator uses the Future Value of Annuity formula, which accounts for compounding on each monthly instalment:
Where:
- FV = Future Value (total maturity amount)
- P = Monthly investment amount
- r = Monthly rate of return (annual rate ÷ 12 ÷ 100)
- n = Total number of instalments (years × 12)
Step-by-Step SIP Calculation Example
Scenario: You invest ₹5,000 per month for 10 years at an expected annual return of 12%.
Step 1: Convert Annual Rate to Monthly
r = 12% ÷ 12 ÷ 100 = 0.01
Step 2: Calculate Total Months
n = 10 × 12 = 120 months
Step 3: Apply the Formula
FV ≈ ₹11,61,695
Result
- Total Invested: ₹6,00,000 (₹5,000 × 120)
- Estimated Returns: ₹5,61,695
- Total Value: ₹11,61,695