What is a Mutual Fund?
The foundation every investor must understand
A Mutual Fund is a professionally managed investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors and invests it in securities like stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other assets.
When you invest in a Mutual Fund, you become a unit holder. The fund is managed by a qualified Fund Manager employed by an Asset Management Company (AMC).
Your investment is represented in units, and the value of each unit on any given business day is called the Net Asset Value (NAV).
🏦
AMC (Asset Management Company)
The company that manages the Mutual Fund. Examples: HDFC AMC, SBI MF, Nippon India MF, Axis AMC. Registered with SEBI and operates under strict regulations.
📊
NAV (Net Asset Value)
The price of one unit of a Mutual Fund. Calculated daily as: (Total Assets - Liabilities) ÷ Total Units. Published every business day by AMFI India.
👨💼
Fund Manager
A qualified finance professional who makes investment decisions on your behalf. They research markets, select securities, and manage the portfolio according to the fund's objective.
🔖
Unit Holder
You, the investor. When you invest ₹10,000 in a fund with NAV ₹100, you receive 100 units. Your wealth grows as NAV increases.
"
Mutual Funds Sahi Hai — Mutual Funds are the right choice for long-term wealth creation for every Indian investor.
— AMFI India Investor Awareness Campaign
How to Invest in Mutual Funds
Step-by-step guide for first-time investors
1
Complete Your KYC
Know Your Customer (KYC) is mandatory. Submit PAN Card + Aadhar + Address Proof. One-time process, valid across all Mutual Funds in India.
2
Define Your Financial Goal
Are you investing for retirement (15-20 years), children's education (10 years), or wealth creation (5+ years)? Your goal determines which fund category suits you.
3
Assess Your Risk Appetite
Can you handle market volatility? Conservative investors prefer Debt funds. Aggressive investors can consider Equity funds. Balanced investors choose Hybrid funds.
4
Choose SIP or Lumpsum
SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) — invest a fixed amount monthly. Lumpsum — invest a large amount at once. SIP is recommended for salaried investors as it averages market cost.
5
Select the Fund
Use Fund Discovery on this platform to find funds matching your goal, risk, and time horizon. Compare 1Y, 3Y, 5Y returns. Choose Direct Plan for lower cost.
6
Invest Through a Registered MFD or Direct
Invest through a SEBI-registered Mutual Fund Distributor (ARN holder) like Ace Financial Services, or directly through AMC website. SEBI registration ensures accountability.
7
Monitor and Review
Review your portfolio every 6 months. Don't panic during market corrections — stay invested for long term. Re-balance annually if needed.
Categorisation of Mutual Funds
SEBI has categorised all Mutual Funds for transparency and comparability
📈
Equity Funds
Invest primarily in stocks. Sub-categories: Large Cap, Mid Cap, Small Cap, Flexi Cap, Multi Cap, ELSS (Tax Saving), Thematic, Sectoral. Suitable for 5+ year horizon. Higher risk, higher potential returns.
🏦
Debt Funds
Invest in bonds, government securities, corporate debt. Sub-categories: Liquid, Overnight, Short Duration, Medium Duration, Gilt, Credit Risk. Lower risk. Suitable for 1-3 year goals.
⚖️
Hybrid Funds
Mix of equity and debt. Sub-categories: Aggressive Hybrid (65-80% equity), Balanced Advantage (dynamic allocation), Conservative Hybrid. Moderate risk. Good for 3-5 year horizon.
📊
Index Funds & ETFs
Passively track an index (Nifty 50, Sensex, Nifty Next 50). Very low expense ratio. No fund manager bias. Suitable for long-term, cost-conscious investors.
🌐
Fund of Funds (FoF)
Invests in other Mutual Funds. International FoF gives exposure to global markets (Nasdaq, S&P 500). Domestic FoF invests in Indian funds. Adds diversification.
🛡️
ELSS (Tax Saving)
Equity Linked Savings Scheme. Only Mutual Fund eligible for ₹1.5 lakh deduction under Section 80C. Lock-in: 3 years (shortest among 80C instruments). Equity-oriented returns.
📌 Direct Plan vs Regular Plan — Important!
Direct Plan: You invest directly with AMC. No distributor commission. Lower expense ratio = higher returns over time.
Regular Plan: Invested through a distributor/broker. Slightly higher expense ratio as distributor earns commission.
For the same fund, Direct Plan always gives higher returns than Regular Plan over long term.
📌 Growth vs IDCW (Dividend) Option
Growth Option: Profits are reinvested. NAV keeps growing. Best for wealth creation and tax efficiency.
IDCW (Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal): Periodic payouts from the fund. Tax inefficient — payouts are taxable at your income slab rate.
Recommendation: Choose Growth option for long-term goals.
What is Expense Ratio?
The annual cost of running a Mutual Fund — deducted from your returns
Definition
The Expense Ratio is the annual fee charged by an AMC to manage your Mutual Fund. It is expressed as a percentage of the fund's average daily net assets and is deducted from the NAV itself — you don't pay it separately.
If a fund has an expense ratio of 1.5% and earns 12% gross return, your net return is approximately 10.5%.
SEBI Limits on Expense Ratio
- Equity Funds — Maximum: 2.25% (regular), typically 0.5-1% (direct)
- Debt Funds — Maximum: 2.00% (regular), typically 0.2-0.5% (direct)
- Index Funds/ETFs — Typically 0.05% to 0.20%
💡
Lower Expense Ratio = Better Returns
Over 20 years, a difference of just 0.5% in expense ratio can result in lakhs of rupees difference in your final corpus. Always compare expense ratios when choosing between similar funds.
📉
TER (Total Expense Ratio)
TER includes fund management fees, administrative costs, marketing, distribution commission (for regular plans), and other operational expenses. Published daily by AMFI.
🔍
Where to Find It
Check the fund factsheet published monthly by each AMC. Available on AMFI India website (amfiindia.com) and AMC websites. Disclosed in Scheme Information Document (SID).
Risks in Mutual Funds
Every investment carries risk — understanding it is your best defence
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks. This mandatory disclaimer carries deep meaning. Here is what every investor must know about the types of risks:
📉
Market Risk
The risk that the overall market falls — taking your fund's value down with it. Unavoidable for equity funds. Time in market is the best remedy — stay invested through cycles.
🏢
Concentration Risk
When a fund is heavily invested in a few stocks or sectors. If those stocks fall, the fund falls sharply. Diversified funds reduce this risk.
💳
Credit Risk
Mainly in Debt Funds. Risk that the bond issuer defaults on payment. Credit Risk funds invest in lower-rated bonds for higher returns but higher default risk.
⏱️
Liquidity Risk
Risk that you cannot redeem your investment quickly at fair value. Liquid and Open-ended funds have high liquidity. Close-ended funds have lock-in periods.
📊
Interest Rate Risk
Affects Debt Funds. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing NAV. Long Duration funds are most sensitive. Short Duration funds are less affected.
💱
Currency Risk
Affects International Funds. If the Indian Rupee strengthens against USD, returns from US markets get reduced when converted to INR. And vice versa.
SEBI's Risk-o-meter
SEBI mandates all funds to display a Risk-o-meter showing the risk level. The 6 levels are:
LOW
Overnight / Liquid Funds
LOW TO MODERATE
Short Duration / UST
MODERATE
Hybrid / Balanced Funds
MODERATELY HIGH
Large Cap Equity
VERY HIGH
Small Cap / Sectoral
KYC — Know Your Customer
Mandatory one-time process required for all Mutual Fund investments in India
KYC is mandatory as per SEBI and PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) regulations. Once completed with a SEBI-registered entity, it is valid across all Mutual Funds, brokers, and financial products in India.
KYC is now managed through KRA (KYC Registration Agency) — CDSL Ventures Ltd (CVL), NSDL, CAMS, Karvy. Your KYC data is shared across all KRAs.
🪪
PAN Card
Mandatory for all investments. Primary identification document. Must be valid and linked to Aadhar.
🏠
Address Proof
Aadhar Card (preferred), Passport, Voter ID, or latest Electricity/Gas Bill (not older than 3 months).
📸
Photograph
Recent passport-size photograph. Clear face visibility required for in-person verification.
🏦
Bank Account
Cancelled cheque or bank statement. Redemptions and dividends credited only to registered bank account.
📱
Mobile & Email
Registered mobile for OTP. Email for statements, confirmations, and account alerts.
✍️
Signature
Wet signature for physical KYC. For e-KYC (Aadhar-based OTP), no signature needed.
📱 e-KYC — Complete KYC Online in Minutes
SEBI allows e-KYC using Aadhar OTP authentication. Visit any AMC website, KFintech, or CAMS portal. Complete KYC digitally with Aadhar + PAN + selfie. Investment limit of ₹50,000 per AMC per year for e-KYC investors until full KYC is done. For higher amounts, complete full KYC at an AMC branch or through your MFD.
Mutual Fund Taxation — LTCG & STCG
Updated as per Finance Act 2024 — effective from 23 July 2024
⚠️ Important: Tax rates changed in Budget 2024
The Finance Act 2024 revised capital gains tax rates for Mutual Funds effective 23 July 2024. Ensure you check current rates before filing returns.
| Fund Type |
Holding Period for LTCG |
STCG Tax Rate |
LTCG Tax Rate |
LTCG Exemption |
Equity Funds
(65%+ in Indian equity) |
More than 1 year |
20%
(was 15% before Jul 2024) |
12.5%
(was 10% before Jul 2024) |
₹1.25 lakh per year
(was ₹1 lakh before Jul 2024) |
Debt Funds
(invested after 1 Apr 2023) |
No LTCG benefit |
As per Income Tax Slab
All gains taxed at your slab rate regardless of holding period |
None |
Hybrid Funds
(Aggressive 65%+ equity) |
More than 1 year |
20% |
12.5% |
₹1.25 lakh per year |
Hybrid Funds
(Conservative, Arbitrage, <35% equity) |
More than 2 years |
As per Slab |
12.5% |
₹1.25 lakh per year |
Index Funds / ETFs
(tracking Indian equity) |
More than 1 year |
20% |
12.5% |
₹1.25 lakh per year |
International FoF
(foreign equity) |
More than 2 years |
As per Slab |
12.5% |
None |
| ELSS Funds |
3-year lock-in (auto LTCG) |
N/A (lock-in) |
12.5%
Gains up to ₹1.25L exempt |
₹1.25 lakh per year |
📅
What is LTCG?
Long Term Capital Gain — profit from selling Mutual Fund units held for more than the specified period (1 year for equity funds). Taxed at 12.5% with ₹1.25 lakh annual exemption for equity funds.
⚡
What is STCG?
Short Term Capital Gain — profit from selling Mutual Fund units held for less than the specified period. For equity funds, STCG is taxed at 20% (flat, regardless of your tax slab).
🛡️
Tax Harvesting Strategy
Redeem up to ₹1.25 lakh of LTCG in equity funds each financial year — it is tax-free! Reinvest immediately. This resets your cost basis and saves tax without disrupting your investment journey.
STT (Securities Transaction Tax)
When you redeem equity Mutual Fund units, STT of 0.001% is levied on the redemption value. This is deducted at source by the AMC automatically. Debt Fund redemptions do not attract STT.
TDS on Mutual Fund Returns
For Resident Indians, there is no TDS on Mutual Fund redemptions for equity funds. For NRIs, TDS is deducted at applicable rates before redemption proceeds are credited. NRIs must obtain DTAA benefit if applicable.
Indexation Benefit
With the Finance Act 2024 changes, indexation benefit has been removed for Debt Funds and other non-equity funds. All gains from debt funds invested after 1 April 2023 are taxed at slab rate regardless of holding period.
⚠️ Tax laws change periodically. Always consult a Chartered Accountant or Tax Advisor for your specific tax situation. This information is for general awareness only. Source: AMFI India / Income Tax Act 1961 / Finance Act 2024
How to Redeem Mutual Fund Units
Understanding redemption — when, how, and what to expect
⏰
Cut-off Time
Equity Funds: Submit redemption by 3:00 PM → same-day NAV applies. After 3 PM → next business day NAV.
Debt Funds (liquid): Cut-off is 1:30 PM for same-day NAV.
📅
Settlement Time (T+)
Equity Funds: T+3 business days (money in your bank in 3 days).
Liquid Funds: T+1 business day.
Overnight Funds: T+1 business day.
💰
Exit Load
Some funds charge an exit load if you redeem early. Typical equity fund exit load: 1% if redeemed within 1 year. ELSS funds cannot be redeemed within 3-year lock-in. Always check before investing.
🔄
Partial vs Full Redemption
You can redeem a specific number of units (partial) or all units (full redemption). For SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan), set up automatic monthly redemptions — ideal for retirement income.
1
Login to your AMC / MFD Portal
Access through AMC website, CAMS, KFintech, or your MFD (Ace Financial Services). Use your registered folio number and credentials.
2
Select Fund and Enter Units / Amount
Choose the fund, specify number of units or amount to redeem. System shows estimated redemption value at current NAV.
3
Confirm and Authenticate
Confirm via OTP sent to your registered mobile. Review exit load, tax implications if any. Proceed only after verifying all details.
4
Receive Credit in Bank Account
Proceeds are credited ONLY to your registered bank account (no third-party transfers allowed). You receive a redemption confirmation statement.
SIP vs Lumpsum — Which is Right for You?
Two ways to invest, each with distinct advantages
📅
SIP — Systematic Investment Plan
Invest a fixed amount every month (minimum ₹100-500). Rupee Cost Averaging reduces timing risk. Best for salaried investors. Builds discipline. Works best in volatile markets. Auto-debit from bank account.
💰
Lumpsum Investment
Invest a large amount at once. Best when markets are at low valuations. Requires timing judgment. Higher upside if market rises from entry point. Suitable for windfalls, bonus, or inheritance.
Power of Compounding — Why Starting Early Matters
₹5,000 SIP per month for 20 years at 12% annual return = ₹49.96 lakhs (invested ₹12 lakhs, gained ₹37.96 lakhs)
₹5,000 SIP per month for 30 years at 12% annual return = ₹1.76 crores (invested ₹18 lakhs, gained ₹1.58 crores)
10 extra years of SIP turns ₹49.96 lakhs into ₹1.76 crores. This is the miracle of compounding — time is your greatest asset.
STP — Systematic Transfer Plan
Park lumpsum in a Liquid/Overnight Fund, then set up automatic weekly/monthly transfer to Equity Fund. Gets you the benefit of both lumpsum (immediate deployment) and SIP (gradual equity entry).
Key Terms Glossary
Essential Mutual Fund terminology every investor should know
📖
AUM (Assets Under Management)
Total market value of all assets managed by a Mutual Fund scheme. Larger AUM generally indicates investor confidence but very large AUM can limit small-cap fund agility.
📖
Benchmark Index
A reference index (e.g. Nifty 50, BSE Sensex) against which fund performance is compared. A fund that consistently beats its benchmark is considered well-managed.
📖
Alpha (α)
Excess return generated by a fund over its benchmark. Positive alpha means fund outperformed. Created by fund manager's skill. Goal of every active fund manager.
📖
Beta (β)
Measure of fund's sensitivity to market movements. Beta of 1 = moves with market. Beta >1 = more volatile than market. Beta <1 = less volatile. Lower beta = more defensive fund.
📖
Standard Deviation
Measures volatility of fund returns. Higher standard deviation = more volatile returns. Lower = more consistent returns. Compare funds in same category for meaningful analysis.
📖
Sharpe Ratio
Risk-adjusted return measure. Higher Sharpe Ratio = better return per unit of risk taken. Compare funds with same category — choose fund with higher Sharpe Ratio.
📖
CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate)
The annualised return of an investment over a specified period. Best way to compare long-term fund performance. All returns on this platform are shown as CAGR.
📖
XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return)
The true annualised return of SIP investments accounting for different cash flow dates. Use XIRR — not simple CAGR — to measure actual SIP portfolio returns.
📖
Folio Number
Unique account number assigned to you by an AMC for each fund family. Multiple funds from same AMC share one folio. Needed for redemptions, statements, and KYC updates.
📖
SID / SAI / KIM
SID = Scheme Information Document (complete fund details). SAI = Statement of Additional Information. KIM = Key Information Memorandum (summary). All mandatory SEBI documents for every fund.
📖
Dividend Stripping
Buying fund units just before dividend/IDCW payout to claim it, then selling. SEBI and Income Tax rules restrict this. Gains within 3 months of payout are treated as short-term and taxed at slab rate.
📖
Lock-in Period
Period during which you cannot redeem units. ELSS: 3 years. Close-ended funds: until maturity. ELSS lock-in applies per SIP instalment separately.
"
Every investor deserves to understand where their money goes, why it grows, and what risks they take. Knowledge is not just power — it is protection. Invest informed, stay invested, and let time do the rest.
— Kaustubh Valimbe · CEO, Ace Financial Services · SEBI Registered MFD · 9 Years of Investor Service
55 AMCs & Their Registrars
Every Mutual Fund in India is serviced by either CAMS or KFintech — the two SEBI-registered Registrar & Transfer Agents (RTAs). Knowing your AMC's RTA helps you access statements, update KYC, and track transactions.
📌 What is an RTA (Registrar & Transfer Agent)?
CAMS (Computer Age Management Services) and KFintech (Karvy Fintech) are SEBI-registered RTAs. They maintain investor records, process transactions, send account statements, and handle KYC on behalf of AMCs. Your Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) is generated from both RTAs combined — available at mfcentral.com.
C
CAMS
Computer Age Management Services · 26 AMCs
| # |
AMC Name |
| 1 | 360 One Mutual Fund (Earlier IIFL) |
| 2 | Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund |
| 3 | AlphaGrep Mutual Fund |
| 4 | Angel One Mutual Fund |
| 5 | ASK Mutual Fund |
| 6 | Bandhan Mutual Fund (Earlier IDFC) |
| 7 | Choice Mutual Fund |
| 8 | DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund |
| 9 | Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund |
| 10 | HDFC Mutual Fund |
| 11 | Helios Mutual Fund |
| 12 | HSBC Global Asset Management (Earlier L&T) |
| 13 | ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund |
| 14 | IL&FS Mutual Fund |
| 15 | Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund |
| 16 | Kotak Mutual Fund |
| 17 | Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund |
| 18 | Navi AMC (Earlier Essel MF) |
| 19 | PPFAS Mutual Fund |
| 20 | SBI Mutual Fund |
| 21 | Shriram Mutual Fund |
| 22 | TATA Mutual Fund |
| 23 | Unifi Mutual Fund |
| 24 | Union Mutual Fund |
| 25 | White Oak AMC (Yes MF) |
| 26 | Zerodha Mutual Fund |
K
KFintech
Karvy Fintech · 29 AMCs
| # |
AMC Name |
| 1 | Abakkus Mutual Fund |
| 2 | Axis Mutual Fund |
| 3 | Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund |
| 4 | Bank of India Mutual Fund |
| 5 | Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund |
| 6 | Canara Robeco Mutual Fund |
| 7 | Capitalmind Mutual Fund |
| 8 | Edelweiss Mutual Fund |
| 9 | Groww Mutual Fund (India Bulls) |
| 10 | INVESCO Mutual Fund |
| 11 | ITI Mutual Fund |
| 12 | JM Financial Mutual Fund |
| 13 | Lakshya Mutual Fund |
| 14 | LIC Mutual Fund (Earlier IDBI) |
| 15 | Mirae Asset Mutual Fund |
| 16 | Monarch Mutual Fund |
| 17 | Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund |
| 18 | Nippon India Mutual Fund (Earlier Reliance) |
| 19 | NJ Mutual Fund |
| 20 | Old Bridge Mutual Fund |
| 21 | PGIM India Mutual Fund (Earlier DHFL) |
| 22 | Quant Mutual Fund (Earlier Escorts) |
| 23 | Quantum Mutual Fund |
| 24 | SAMCO Mutual Fund |
| 25 | Sundaram Mutual Fund |
| 26 | Taurus Mutual Fund |
| 27 | The Wealth Company Mutual Fund |
| 28 | Trust Mutual Fund |
| 29 | UTI Mutual Fund |
💡
To get your Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) covering ALL 55 AMCs in one PDF — visit mfcentral.com · Enter PAN + registered mobile OTP · Download instantly · Free of cost.
📚 Content sourced from AMFI Knowledge Centre (amfiindia.com), SEBI Investor Education portal, and Finance Act 2024. This page is for investor education and awareness only and does not constitute investment advice. For personalised advice, consult a SEBI-registered investment advisor.