SIP Planning · India 2026
Best SIP Amount for Your Salary – India 2026 Calculator Guide
📅 April 2026
⏱ 9 min read
✍ CalcPhi Editorial Team
⚠️ This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making investment decisions.
One of the most common questions in Indian personal finance: "I earn ₹X per month — how much SIP should I do?" This guide answers it specifically for 5 common salary levels with practical recommendations.
The Universal SIP Rule — 20% of Take-Home
Before the salary-specific recommendations: the universal rule is to invest a minimum of 20% of take-home (in-hand) salary in SIP. If take-home is ₹40,000, SIP should be ₹8,000/month minimum. If you can do more, do more. If you can only do 10%, that's still better than zero — start where you are.
₹25,000/Month In-Hand Salary
Recommended SIP: ₹3,000–5,000/month
- Start with ₹3,000 in Nifty 50 index fund (Direct, Growth)
- Add ₹500–1,000 to emergency fund monthly until ₹25,000 built up
- Increase SIP by ₹500 with every salary hike
₹3,000/month at 12% for 25 years = ₹57 lakhs. At ₹5,000/month = ₹95 lakhs. Not crores — but a genuine start that builds the habit.
₹50,000/Month In-Hand Salary
Recommended SIP: ₹8,000–12,000/month
| Allocation | Amount | Fund Type |
|---|
| Core (60%) | ₹6,000–7,000 | Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct |
| Growth (30%) | ₹2,500–3,000 | Flexi-cap or Mid-cap Index Fund |
| ELSS (10%) | ₹1,000–1,500 | ELSS for 80C if on old regime |
₹10,000/month at 12% for 25 years = ₹1.89 crore. With 10% annual step-up = ₹3.5 crore.
₹75,000/Month In-Hand Salary
Recommended SIP: ₹15,000–20,000/month
- ₹8,000 — Nifty 50 Index Fund
- ₹5,000 — Mid-cap Index Fund
- ₹4,000 — ELSS (if old regime) or Flexi-cap (if new regime)
- ₹3,000 — International fund (if available) or Nifty Next 50
₹20,000/month at 12% for 25 years = ₹3.78 crore. With 10% step-up = ₹7 crore.
₹1,00,000/Month In-Hand Salary
Recommended SIP: ₹25,000–35,000/month
- ₹12,000 — Nifty 50 Index Fund
- ₹8,000 — Mid-cap Index Fund
- ₹6,000 — Flexi-cap Fund (active, quality manager)
- ₹5,000 — ELSS (fill 80C limit alongside EPF)
- ₹4,000 — International/Global fund
₹35,000/month at 12% for 25 years = ₹6.6 crore. With 10% step-up = ₹12.3 crore.
₹2,00,000/Month In-Hand Salary
Recommended SIP: ₹60,000–80,000/month
At this income level, beyond standard equity SIP, consider:
- ₹30,000 — Nifty 50 + Nifty Next 50 Index
- ₹20,000 — Mid-cap + Small-cap Index
- ₹10,000 — International equities
- ₹12,500 — NPS Tier 1 (₹50K/month for additional 80CCD deduction)
- ₹7,500 — Gold via Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) when new tranches open
₹80,000/month at 12% for 20 years = ₹7.99 crore. Focus on retirement corpus + FIRE planning at this level.
The Step-Up SIP Strategy for Every Salary Level
Whatever salary level you're at — implement a 10% annual step-up SIP. This rule says: every year when you receive a salary hike, increase SIP by 10% of the hike. If salary increases by ₹10,000, SIP increases by ₹1,000. This single habit, followed consistently, can add ₹1–3 crore to your final corpus compared to a flat SIP.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much SIP should I do for 50000 salary?+
For ₹50,000 take-home salary: minimum ₹8,000/month (16%), recommended ₹10,000–12,000/month (20%). Allocation: ₹6,000 Nifty 50 index + ₹3,000 flexi-cap/mid-cap + ₹1,000 ELSS if on old tax regime. With 10% annual step-up from this base, you reach ₹3–5 crore in 25 years.
What is a good SIP amount for beginners?+
Any amount is a good SIP amount for a beginner — ₹500, ₹1,000, or ₹5,000. The habit matters more than the amount when starting. Pick an amount that auto-debits without causing financial stress. Increase by ₹500–1,000 every 3 months as you get comfortable. The goal is building the investment habit and increasing incrementally.
Which mutual fund is best for SIP in India 2026?+
For all salary levels: start with Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Plan (UTI or Nippon India). This single fund gives diversified large-cap equity exposure at 0.18–0.20% expense ratio. Once SIP exceeds ₹10,000/month, add a mid-cap or flexi-cap fund. Never invest in more than 3 funds simultaneously.