Mutual funds as the name suggests are the investment vehicle which allows investors having the same investment objective to mutually contribute towards a pool of asset which is managed by a fund manager. The pooled assets are then invested in various asset classes like debt, equity or gold based on the investment objectives mentioned in the offer document.

When an investor invests a certain amount of money in any mutual fund scheme, the investor gets UNITS in return.

For eg. If you invest Rs 1 lac in a mutual fund and the current NAV of that fund are 100 then you will get 1000 units?

How To Invest In Mutual Funds

1. Meeting KYC requirements

The first and the foremost thing which one has to ensure is that they are KYC compliant. An investor will not be allowed to invest in mutual funds if they are not KYC compliant. However, you can invest upto Rs. 50,000 in a mutual fund company on the basis of your ID proof like Aadhar, passport, voter id card, etc.

2. Decide how you want to invest

One can invest either through an online mode or offline mode. Also one has to decide whether they want to invest themselves or want to avail the services of various intermediaries. If you want to invest in mutual funds directly, without availing the services of advisors then you will have to decide the schemes on your own, which could be a cumbersome task for naive investors. An investor has the option to invest in mutual funds through the following:-

3. Choose among various options

One has to decide whether they want to invest in a lump sum amount or start a SIP. Also, there are various options available in front of the mutual fund investors:-

• Growth option

In this option, the NAV of the fund continues to grow with the growing value of the underlying assets held by a particular mutual fund scheme.

• Dividend option

In this option, the investor will receive dividend as and when declared by the scheme. It is not necessary that the scheme will declare dividends at every fixed interval. Also, the NAV will fall down when the dividends are declared.

• Dividend reinvestment option

In this option, the dividend is reinvested in the same scheme when it is declared. Hence there is no outflow of money to the investor.

4. Instructing the bank

In case of SIP, one has to fill an ECS mandate form, which instructs the bank to pay a certain amount on a particular date to the AMC. However, if an investor is investing a lump sum amount then he can invest via cheque or if investing online then via online banking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. How should I check whether I am KYC compliant or not?

A. Below are the links which you may refer to check your KYC status.

• www.cvlkra.com
• www.karvykra.com
• www.camskra.com

Q. How can I get my KYC done?

A. KYC is a one-time activity that has to be done in order to invest in capital markets. One has to fill a KYC form, attach the supporting documents like ID proof and address proof along with application form and has to submit both the documents in AMC/RTA office.

A. Yes, if you are new and do not have any clue about how to go about investments, then there is no harm in availing services of the advisors. But one must ensure that you indulge with only qualified advisors or CFP's.

Q. Should I choose the regular plan or direct plans?

A. Direct plans are for those who are capable of investing themselves while on the other hand, regular plans are for those who do not have the time to manage their investments on their own and need recommendations/advisory.

Q. Is it safe to invest in mutual funds online?

A. Yes, it is absolutely safe for investing online. Just ensure that you are using authentic and reliable platforms for investment.

Q. How can I buy mutual funds directly?

A. Yes, one can initiate SIP or invest a lump sum in mutual fund through various online portals available like Budwisefunds.com, scripbox.com, fundsindia.com, or by visiting the respective AMC's website.

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