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Best Investment Plan

best investment plan

The best investment plan for every investor can be different. What suits one investor might not suit the other mainly because their goals, financial situation, and risk tolerance levels vary. Though every investor is unique, we have categorised them based on goals, investment duration and financial situation. Following are some of the best investment options in 2024 for different kinds of investors.

Best Investment Plan in India 2024

Investment OptionsBest forReturns Rate
Bank Fixed DepositBest for Short-Term Investment3.50% to 8.50% p.a.
National Savings Certificate (NSC)Best for 5 years7.70% p.a.
Short Term Mutual FundsBest for 3 Years6% – 8% p.a.
Ultra-Short Term FundsBest for 1 Year3% – 5% p.a.
Post Office Monthly Income SchemeBest for Monthly Income7.40% p.a.
Child Mutual FundsBest for Child Future10% – 15% p.a Market Linked
Mutual Fund SIP PlansBest for a Salaried Person10% – 15% p.a Market Linked
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)Best for Senior Citizen8.20% p.a.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)Best for Girl Child8.00% p.a.
National Pension Scheme (NPS)Best for Retirement9.00% to 12.00% p.a.
Debt mutual fundsBest for Beginner7-9%, market-linked
Public Provident Fund (PPF)Best for Long term Investment7.10% p.a.

Best Short Term Investment Option

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Liquid Funds5%
Corporate Deposits5%-7%
Bank Fixed Deposit3.5-7.25%
Recurring Deposits4.25-7%
Post-Office Time Deposits5.5-6.7%
NOTE:

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Best Investment Plan for 5 Years

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Large Cap Mutual Funds12.00% to 15.00% p.a.
ELSS Mutual Funds12.00% to 15.00% p.a.
Arbitrage Funds4-5%
Fixed Maturity Plans8-9%
Dynamic Bond Funds7%
Income Funds6-7%
Corporate Bond Funds5.5-7.5%
Tax Saving Fixed Deposit5-6%
Recurring Deposit4.25%-7%
Post Office Time Deposit6.90% to 7.50% p.a.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme7.40% p.a.
National Savings Certificate (NSC)7.70% p.a.
NOTE:

Who Should Invest

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Best Investment Plan for 3 Years

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Liquid Funds4.50% to 7.50% p.a.
Short Term and Ultra Short Term Funds6-8%
Low Duration Funds3-6%
Fixed Deposits3.50% to 8.50% p.a.
NOTE:

Who Should Invest

Best Investment Plan for 1 Year

Best for 1 Year InvestmentHighest Rate of Return (in % p.a)
Liquid Funds4%
Ultra-Short Term Funds3-5%
Low Duration Funds3-6%
Fixed Deposits7.25%
Recurring Deposits4.25-7%
NOTE:

Who Should Invest

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Best Investment Plan for Monthly Income

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Monthly Income Fixed Deposit3.50% to 8.50% p.a.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme7.40% p.a.
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme8.20% p.a.
Long-Term Government Bonds3.89%
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)7.40% p.a.
FD Annuity Scheme6%
Mutual Funds – Systematic Withdrawal PlansDepends on your mutual fund investments.
NOTE:

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Best Investment Plan for Child’s Future

Best for Child FutureRate of Return (in % p.a)
Children’s Mutual Funds10-15%, market-linked
Mid Cap Funds10-15%, market-linked
Large and Mid-Cap Funds10-15%, market-linked
Multi-Cap/ Flexi Cap Funds10-12%, market-linked
Gold Funds7-8%
International Mutual Funds10-15%, market-linked
Public Provident Fund (PPF)7.10% p.a.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)8.00% p.a.
NOTE:

Who Should Invest

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Best Investment Plan for a Salaried Person

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
SIP in ELSS tax-saving funds10-15%, market-linked
SIP in equity mutual funds10-15%, market-linked
Hybrid mutual funds10-12%, market-linked
Debt mutual funds7-9%, market-linked
Tax-saving fixed deposits6.80%
Recurring Deposits4.50% to 7.30% p.a.
National Pension Scheme (NPS)9.00% to 12.00% p.a.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)7.10% p.a.
NOTE: 

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Best Investment Plan for Senior Citizens

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Debt Funds7-9%, market-linked
Senior Citizen Fixed Deposits7.50%
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)8.20% p.a.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)7.40% p.a.
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)7.40% p.a.
NOTE: 

Who Should Invest?

Best Investment Plan for Girl Child

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Child mutual funds10-15%, market-linked
Equity mutual funds10-15%, market-linked
Gold funds7-8%
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)8.00% p.a.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)7.10% p.a.
NOTE: 

Who Should Invest?

Best Investment Plan for Retirement

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Mid-cap mutual funds10-15%, market-linked
Large and Midcap mutual funds10-12%, market-linked
Multi-cap mutual funds10-12%, market-linked
Gold funds/ETF7-8%
Public Provident Fund (PPF)7.10% p.a.
National Pension Scheme (NPS)9.00% to 12.00% p.a.
Tax-free bonds5.5%-6.5%
NOTE: 

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Best Investment Plan for Beginners

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Large-cap mutual funds and multi-cap funds10-12%, market-linked
Debt mutual funds7-9%, market-linked
Gold funds7-8%
Fixed deposits3.50% to 8.50% p.a.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)7.10% p.a.
National Pension Scheme (NPS)9.00% to 12.00% p.a.
National Savings Certificate (NSC)7.70% p.a.
NOTE: 

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Best Investment Plan for Long Term Investment

Investment OptionsRate of Return (in % p.a)
Equity mutual funds10-15%, market-linked
Gold funds7-8%
Public Provident Fund (PPF)7.10% p.a.
National Pension Scheme (NPS)9.00% to 12.00% p.a.
Tax-free bonds5.5%-6.5%
NOTE:

The tenure for the above investments is considered to be 5-10 years. Mutual fund returns are based on historical growth rates.

Who Should Invest?

Things to Consider While Choosing the Best Investment Plan

Comparison Between Best Investment Plans

Every investor must compare all the investment plans before investing on the basis of factors such as liquidity, risk, return on investment, etc. Below is a comparison of the best investment options in India to help you in your investment strategy:

Investment PlanLock-in periodLiquidityRiskReturnWho should invest
Public Provident Fund15 yearsOffers liquidity through loans and partial withdrawalsOffers complete capital protection and risk-free return. It is one of the government investment plans.7.10% p.a.Investors looking for long term financial goals such as retirement, child education etc.
Unit-Linked Insurance Plans5 yearsULIPs are liquid only after the lock-in period of five years is completed. This is achieved by redeeming the units.Risk is dependent on market volatility. Any movement in the same will have an impact on the net asset value.12.00% to 15.00% p.a.Investors with a long-term horizon over 5 years and saving for long-term financial needs like buying a car, house etc.
NPSTill the age of 60 yearsNot considered as liquid instruments The risk is dependent on the markets and the tenure of the investment9.00% to 12.00% p.a.The NPS is a good scheme for anyone who wants to plan for their retirement early on and has a low-risk appetite.
Fixed DepositTax saving FDs have a lock-in period of 5 years. Other FDs come with various tenures ranging from 7 days to 180 days.Liquid instrument. Can be withdrawn before the completion of the tenure upon paying a penaltyThe biggest risk associated with FD is the interest rate risk, which is the risk of the investor’s money being locked up for a long period of time at a lower return.3.50% to 8.50% p.a.Risk-averse individuals can invest in the fixed deposit.
Short Term Debt Mutual FundDebt Mutual Fund – Do not have any lock-in periodSince this is a debt fund instrument, it has better liquidity than other instruments without any penaltyMedium risk investmentAverage 7%-8%Investors who do not have a high-risk tolerance for their capital and seek to have returns better than their fixed deposits
Gold ETFNo lock-in period. Since they are listed on the exchange, they can be traded just like equity sharesHighly liquidMuch less as compared to physical goldAverage 8-10%Ideal for all kinds of investors. Can be traded in lower denominations as well.
Debt Mutual FundDebt Mutual Fund – Do not have any lock-in period
High Liquidity
The key risks to consider for Debt Mutual funds are credit risk and interest rate risk.Debt Mutual Fund – 7-8%Investors who have less risk tolerance should invest in Debt-Mutual funds.
Equity Mutual fundEquity Fund (ELSS) – 3 yearsNot redeemable before the lock-in periodFor Equity funds, it is much risky as it invests in the stocks of companiesEquity Fund – 10-12%Investors who can take more risk should invest in Equity funds for better returns in the long-run
Hybrid Mutual FundsNo lock-in period.Highly liquid since no specific lock-in periodModerately risky as it invests in both equity and debt instruments.7-9%Investors who are looking to diversify their investment portfolio. 

Any investment option you choose should grow your wealth to fulfil all your goals and dreams. However, it requires you to be prudent while choosing an investment option. Ideally, it would be best if you choose an investment plan that will match your objectives, tenure and understanding of risk.  

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best investment plan in India?

Middle-class income groups form a major chunk of the population, and hence, most government schemes revolve around this group. Since investing in lumpsum isn’t an option available for everyone in this income group, choosing investments with low minimum investment is better. Moreover, you have to consider your goals, risk tolerance level and investment duration. However, some of the popular investment options available for them are Public Provident Fund (PPF), equity funds, National Pension Scheme (NPS), and debt funds.

What is the best investment for monthly income?

The best monthly income scheme varies from investor to investor. It primarily depends on your risk tolerance levels. For a high-risk taker, mutual funds with the SWP option can be a suitable option. While risk-averse investors may prefer guaranteed income plans. Some popular schemes are Monthly Income Fixed Deposit, Post Office Monthly Income Scheme, SWP Mutual Funds, Corporate Deposits, Senior Citizen Savings Scheme & Long-Term Government Bonds.

What are the best investment options in India?

The best investment option is the one that matches your goals, risk tolerance level and investment horizon. The market has an abundance of investment products suiting different investors. If you aim to invest for a short-term horizon, choosing low-risk investments like debt funds and fixed deposits is considered ideal. However, suppose your goal is to accumulate enough for a financially secured future. In that case, you can consider investing for a long-term horizon in equity funds or PPF.

Which mutual fund is best for long term investment?

Equity funds are one of the best investments for long term investment. This is because they have the potential to outperform all other asset classes in the long term. Within equity funds, there are sub-categories of funds like the large-cap, mid-cap, multi-cap, ELSS, and index funds. Based on your goal and risk tolerance level, you can choose investments. For example, large-cap and index funds are a better choice for a five-year horizon, and for a seven-year horizon, and mid-cap funds are a better investment.

Which investment plan doubles your money?

Every investment can double your money. However, if the returns are higher, you will be able to double your money faster. High-risk investments can double your money faster. For example, stock investments can double your money in 3-5 years and MFs in 5-6 years. On the other hand, low-risk investments take a longer time. PPF investments take about 8 years to double your money, and FDs around 8-9 years.

Where to invest money to get a good return?

A good return is always subjective. However, as a rule of thumb, always invest in schemes that will help you generate inflation-beating returns. Historically seen, equity investments have given the highest returns. However, they have significant risks attached to them. If you are a risk-taker, then invest in equity. If you are a risk-averse individual, debt or government-backed schemes can help you generate stable returns.

What is the impact of tax on my Investment?

Tax is an expense that lowers your returns to an extent. It is always important to consider the pre-tax and post-tax return of any investment before investing in it. Choose investments that either have tax free returns like PPF or the tax is lower. The LTCG tax for equity funds is 10% for gains above INR 1,00,000. However, you can further reduce your taxes by practising tax harvesting.

Which investment scheme gives the highest return?

Investing is done with the sole purpose of earning a return from it. Returns from an investment depend on multiple factors like the type of the investment, portfolio of the investment, terms of the investment and market conditions. Some investments give fixed returns, while there are investments whose return depends on the market conditions.
For example, equities are investments that give the highest return provided the market conditions are positive. On the other hand, gold acts as a hedge against market volatility, inflation, and currency risk. When the market is falling, gold acts as a hedge and stabilizes portfolio returns. Therefore there is no best investment that gives good returns across all market conditions.
Hence investors are advised to spread their investments across multiple investments and diversify the portfolio risk. This will also help in increasing the portfolio return if the investors choose the right investments that suit their financial goals and investment objectives.

What is the best investment for the next five years?

The financial market has multiple investment options with different investment tenures and varying risk levels. A tenure of 5 years is considered as a medium to long term horizon. There are fixed deposits, recurring deposits, equity mutual funds, debt mutual funds, corporate bonds, government bonds, government securities like National Savings Certificate (NSC), etc., for a tenure of 5 years. However, each of them is different in terms of return, liquidity, risk, tax and other factors.
For example, equity funds are highly liquid. However, they are affected the most by market volatility. Government securities and fixed deposits tend to give fixed and guaranteed returns. However, they lack liquidity and often have a lock-in period. Corporate bonds give fixed returns in the form of interest. However, they are prone to default risk.
Hence an investor is advised to first list down their investment goals and objectives. Then, understand the different investment options available for a tenure of 5 years. Next, they have to match their investment objectives with the different investment options available and choose the one that best suits their requirements.

What is the safest investment with the best return?

Risk and return are directly related. The more the return from an investment, the more is the risk involved in it. However, there is no guarantee that by taking more risk, a higher return is guaranteed. Suppose an investor’s understanding of risk is low when compared to the risk involved in an investment. In that case, it is better to avoid it.
Even if a slight change in the portfolio affects an investor in a negative way, it means the investor is not willing to accept more risk. For these kinds of investors, low-risk investments like fixed deposits, recurring deposits, debt securities like debt funds, government bonds etc., best suit them.
However, not all low-risk investments suit everyone. The investment horizon, investment objectives and liquidity have to be considered before investing in any of the investments. Often fixed-income investments tend to have high taxes or TDS. Hence investors also have to consider the taxation policies of these investments before investing in them.

How lock-in period works for ELSS mutual funds?

ELSS or equity-linked mutual funds have a mandatory lock-in period of 3 years. This means the amount invested cannot be redeemed before the expiry of 3 years from the date of investment in these tax-saving mutual funds. Further, once the lock-in period of 3 years has expired you can redeem the units of ELSS at any time.

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