Mutual fund investments can be a potential avenue for beginners to invest with small amounts and get diverse exposure. Systematic investment plans can help attain these objectives. There are numerous schemes available for SIP investments in the market. Selecting the best SIP plans among them can be a difficult task.
Therefore, this list of some of the best SIP plans in 2026 can help investors make decisions for the most suitable SIP investment.
List of best SIP plans to invest in 2026
The following schemes are curated based on their 3-year returns for SIP investments as on Jan 16, 2026, and diverse categories. Moreover, all these schemes are direct plans with growth options.
| Mutual Fund Scheme | 3-year SIP returns |
| Bandhan Small Cap Fund | 39.00% |
| Kotak India Growth Fund | 40.69% |
| Invesco India Large & Mid Cap Fund | 33.42% |
| HDFC Flexi Cap Fund | 32.43% |
| ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund | 27.19% |
| HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund | 22.79% |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life Credit Risk Fund | 19.25% |
| 360 ONE Dynamic Bond Fund | 13.57% |
| SBI Long Term Advantage Fund | 38.67% |
Explore the best SIP plans in 2026 in detail!
Investors should explore the features of these schemes to determine the most suitable investment for their portfolio.Here is a detailed explanation of these schemes, their risk factors, portfolio and other dynamics.
- Bandhan Small Cap Fund
The fund is consistently outperforming its benchmark in terms of 3-year and 5-year returns.
- Due to the majority of investments being small-cap stocks, the scheme also faced high risk. Its beta is 8 basis points higher than the category beta.
- The scheme invests 90.31% of its assets under management (AUM) in equities and has a major allocation in financial services.
- The minimum SIP amount in this fund is ₹1000.
- Kotak India Growth Fund
This fund provides exposure to large-cap and mid-cap companies that demonstrate strong fundamentals. Moreover, its portfolio has some of the best-performing stocks which paves its path to become one of the best SIP to invest in 2026.
- Efficient fund management is evident in the financial metrics like a beta of 0.90, which trails below the category average, and a Sharpe ratio of 1.50, which is higher than the category.
- The fund invests 97.70% in equities, with the majority of investments in technology followed by consumer durable industry.
- The minimum SIP amount for this fund is ₹500.
- Invesco India Large & Mid Cap Fund
Investors can diversify their portfolios in such funds to get specific industry exposure. Moreover, infrastructure is one of the most focused sectors in developing nations like India, which makes this fund attractive.
- The scheme’s beta is 0.95, meaning it moves closely with its benchmark but with slightly less volatility than the pure index.
- It has 97.75% of its assets in equities, specifically in the financial and technology services.
- The minimum investment for SIP in this fund is ₹1000.
- HDFC Flexi Cap Fund
This fund takes a flexible approach by investing across companies of all sizes: large, mid, and small-cap stocks. It’s a good option if you want a single fund that can adapt to different market conditions without being locked into one segment.
- In terms of risk, the fund is rated above average.
- While it invests heavily in equities (86.81% of assets) to drive growth.
- It carries slightly lower risk than similar funds, its beta of 0.78 is 13 basis points below the category average.
- The minimum SIP amount is ₹100 for this scheme.
- ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund
This hybrid fund splits its investments between stocks and bonds, giving you equity growth potential with some debt cushioning. It’s designed for investors who want long-term returns but with less dramatic ups and downs along the way.
- It keeps about 73.55% in equities and the rest in debt, which helps manage volatility.
- Its beta of 0.97 is 11 basis points lower than peers.
- The amount for minimum SIP investment is ₹5000.
- HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund
Since its inception, the fund has been consistently generating significant returns for investors by outperforming its benchmark.
- Currently, 67.5-% sits in equities, with financial and energy sectors leading.
- The beta of 1.17 is slightly higher than the category average, reflecting its equity tilt.
- The minimum amount for a systematic investment plan in this fund is ₹100.
- Aditya Birla Sun Life Credit Risk Fund
Debt funds can be a significant source of returns with security. Moreover, credit risk funds invest in corporate bonds, which are rated AA or below.
- Its beta of 0.95 shows it’s quite sensitive to interest rate moves and credit market shifts.
- Its allocation of 85.77% in fixed income securities.
- The minimum amount for a systematic investment plan in this fund is ₹100.
- 360 ONE Dynamic Bond Fund
This fund tries to profit from interest rate movements by adjusting how long its bonds are held. When rates are expected to fall, it extends duration; when rates might rise, it shortens up. It’s suited for investors who understand bond markets and want professional management of rate risk.
- The fund has consistently beaten its benchmark over 3 and 5 years while maintaining moderate risk.
- Its beta of 0.86 is 20 basis points below the 1.06 category average.
- The fund invests 86.62% of its assets in fixed-income securities.
- In this fund, SIP investment starts at ₹10,000.
- SBI Long Term Advantage Fund
This is an ELSS fund with a 3-year lock-in that offers tax benefits under Section 80C. The lock-in enforces discipline and the fund focuses entirely on long-term equity growth, making it a dual-purpose tool for wealth building and tax saving.
- With 95.32% in equities (mainly energy and financial services), it’s a high-equity play.
- Though the beta of 0.97 is marginally below the category average.
- The minimum SIP investment amount is ₹1000 for this bond.
Factors to consider in SIP investment
Selecting the best SIP plans to invest in can be an objective decision. Therefore, investors can check the following factors to assess the most suitable scheme:
- Personal investment objectives, risk tolerance and existing portfolio exposure.
- Market conditions for entry or exits from specific funds.
- Recent factsheet of the particular scheme to assess the risk-adjusted returns and other details.
- Suitable SIP amount for investment, which can be allocated every month.
Bottomline
Investors can explore the list of some of the best SIP plans in 2026 to select the most suitable investment. Moreover, they should also check factors like investment objective and risk to analyse a scheme for their portfolio.
FAQs
A SIP allows you to put in a fixed sum into a mutual fund at regular intervals, starting with as little as ₹500. Payments are automatically deducted from your bank account, usually every month. This method buys more units when prices drop and fewer when they rise, potentially balancing out costs. It’s an option for those looking to grow savings steadily without needing a large starting capital.
Yes, you can invest in SIPs for just one year. Many mutual funds offer this flexibility. You make regular contributions and then stop. It’s suitable for short-term goals, though returns may fluctuate with market movements. Always review the fund’s history and performance before choosing.
SIP is not completely without risk. SIPs involve mutual funds, which can be affected by market changes. The value of your money may fluctuate based on these movements. While this method reduces exposure by spreading out purchases, there is still uncertainty. Understand the potential downsides and select options that fit your comfort level. Always do your research first.
Yes, you can. Many options let you contribute small sums regularly. Some even accept ₹500 as a starting point. The main idea is consistency. Pick a plan that matches your financial goals and research before committing.
It really depends on your financial goals. SIPs can provide higher returns but come with uncertainties. Fixed deposits, on the other hand, are secure and offer fixed interest, though usually at a lower rate. Choose FDs for safety. Opt for SIPs if you seek potential long-term gains and can handle some ups and downs.
In 2026, many mutual fund schemes offer SIP investment at as low as ₹100. However, it can differ based on the fund house and the investment scheme and the minimum amount can be ₹500 or ₹1000. Therefore, investors should check these details before investing.
Systematic Investment Plan or SIP is a regular(monthly) allocation towards investment. Therefore, the minimum amount for SIP may differ based on the mutual fund scheme or asset management company. In India, SIP can be started as low as ₹100 in some schemes.
Almost all the mutual fund categories allow SIP investments. Therefore, investors can invest through SIP in equity funds, hybrid funds, funds or others. The minimum amount for SIP should be checked for a specific scheme before investing through its factsheet or other authentic source.
No, other than SIP in Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), investors cannot claim SIP deduction. In ELSS, a total contribution of a maximum ₹1.5 lakhs (also includes other deductions) can be claimed as a tax deduction.
The total cost of SIP can be determined by adding the total investment amount, exit load and any capital gain tax charged during redemption. The total investment cost will be the monthly SIP amount multiplied by the number of months. Exit load is when investments are redeemed before being prescribed by a fund house.
