Frequently Asked Questions

FundsPundit is an AMFI-registered mutual fund distributor (ARN: 126260) based in Chennai, India. We help individuals invest in mutual funds through personalized guidance, goal-based planning, and ongoing portfolio reviews. Unlike DIY apps, we provide a dedicated advisor who guides you through every step.

Yes, our services are free for investors. We earn a small commission from the mutual fund companies (AMCs), which is built into the regular plan expense ratio. You never pay us directly.

Groww and Zerodha are DIY platforms where you pick your own funds. FundsPundit provides personalized advisory, we recommend specific funds based on your goals, review your portfolio quarterly, and are available to guide you through market ups and downs. Think of us as your personal mutual fund advisor.

Absolutely. Your money goes directly to the AMC (fund house) - it never sits with us. We are registered with AMFI (ARN: 126260) and follow all SEBI regulations. Your investments are held in your name with the fund house.

FundsPundit was founded by Pradip Kumar Sengupta, an AMFI-certified mutual fund distributor with years of experience in financial services. Our mission is to simplify mutual fund investing through transparent, personalized guidance.

We are based in Chennai, India, but serve clients across India and NRIs in the USA, UAE, Australia, Singapore, and other countries. Most of our interactions happen over phone and WhatsApp.

FundsPundit specializes exclusively in mutual funds because we believe they provide the ideal combination of professional fund management, built-in diversification, SEBI regulatory oversight, and accessibility (starting from just Rs 500/month). By focusing exclusively on mutual funds, we ensure our recommendations are always in your best interest, with no incentive to push insurance, loans, stocks, or other products.

Multi-product platforms like Groww and Zerodha earn money from stocks, F&O trading, insurance commissions, and loans. This creates a conflict of interest. Your mutual fund needs might be best served by staying in mutual funds, but the platform profits more from selling you stocks or insurance. FundsPundit eliminates that conflict. Our business model is aligned entirely with your success in mutual fund investing.

In short: we focus on what we do best (mutual fund advisory), our incentives are completely aligned with yours, and we provide deeper expertise in mutual funds than any multi-product platform ever can.

It's simple: (1) Book a free 15-minute consultation call, (2) We understand your goals and create a personalized plan, (3) Complete paperless KYC and start your SIP. The entire process can be done from your phone.

You can start a SIP with as little as ₹500 per month. There's no minimum for consulting with us, we help investors at every level.

You'll need your PAN card, Aadhaar (for KYC), bank account details, and a cancelled cheque or bank statement. The KYC process is fully digital.

Yes! We can review your existing portfolio and provide recommendations. You can continue your existing investments and start new ones through us.

Most clients are fully set up within 24-48 hours. If your KYC is already done, you can start investing on the same day.

A mutual fund pools money from many investors to invest in stocks, bonds, or other securities. Professional fund managers make the investment decisions, making it ideal for people who want market exposure without picking individual stocks.

SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) is a method of investing a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals (usually monthly). It automates your investing and benefits from rupee cost averaging, you buy more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high.

Mutual funds come in two variants. Direct plans are for self-directed investors who research, select, and monitor funds entirely on their own. Regular plans include the support of a qualified advisor or distributor like FundsPundit, who recommends suitable funds, monitors your portfolio, and guides you through market cycles. With a regular plan through FundsPundit, you get personalised fund selection, quarterly portfolio reviews, rebalancing advice, and a dedicated advisor on WhatsApp, all at no additional cost to you. The mutual fund company compensates us for bringing them well-informed investors. Many investors find that having professional guidance helps them avoid expensive mistakes, like panic-selling during a downturn or choosing the wrong fund category, which can cost far more than any difference between plan variants.

Mutual funds are regulated by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and managed by professional fund managers. While they are subject to market risk, they offer diversification which reduces the risk of putting all your money in one stock. Equity mutual funds have the potential to generate attractive returns over the long term, though past performance does not guarantee future results.

Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing.

For equity mutual funds: Short-term gains (held less than 1 year) are taxed at 15%. Long-term gains (held over 1 year) above ₹1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. For debt mutual funds: Gains are taxed as per your income tax slab. ELSS funds offer tax deduction under Section 80C up to ₹1.5 lakh.

The main categories are: Equity funds (invest in stocks, higher risk, higher returns), Debt funds (invest in bonds, lower risk, stable returns), Hybrid funds (mix of equity and debt), ELSS (tax-saving equity funds), and Liquid funds (for parking short-term money, like an emergency fund).

While mutual funds carry market risk, losing all your money is extremely unlikely in diversified mutual funds. Markets have always recovered from crashes over time. This is why SIP investing and staying invested long-term (5+ years) is recommended.

Start with whatever you can invest consistently, even ₹500/month. The key is starting early and being consistent. As your income grows, increase your SIP amount. We help you determine the right SIP amount based on your goals and timeline.

Yes, SIPs are completely flexible. You can increase, decrease, pause, or stop your SIP at any time without any penalty.

Nothing happens. The SIP installment for that month simply gets skipped. There's no penalty. Your SIP continues from the next month. However, consistent investing gives the best results.

Now. SIPs work on the principle of rupee cost averaging, so market timing doesn't matter. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to compound. Waiting for the "right time" means losing time, which is your biggest asset.

At an assumed 12% annual return: After 10 years: ~₹11.6 lakhs. After 15 years: ~₹25 lakhs. After 20 years: ~₹50 lakhs. After 25 years: ~₹95 lakhs.

Disclaimer: These figures are illustrative only, based on an assumed rate of return. Actual returns will vary depending on market conditions and fund performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Use our SIP Calculator for personalized projections.

Yes! We actively serve NRIs in the USA, UAE, Australia, Singapore, and other countries. We handle the entire process including NRI-specific KYC, bank account setup guidance, and compliance requirements.

NRIs need an NRE/NRO bank account in India, PAN card, passport copy, and proof of overseas address. We guide you through the entire documentation process.

US and Canada-based NRIs face some restrictions as certain AMCs don't accept investments due to FATCA compliance. However, several major fund houses do accept NRI investments, and we help you identify the right options.

NRI mutual fund gains are subject to TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) in India. The rates depend on whether it's short-term or long-term gains. NRIs may also need to report these in their country of residence. We recommend consulting a tax advisor for your specific situation.

We conduct quarterly portfolio reviews for all clients. During reviews, we analyze performance, check if your allocation is on track, and recommend changes if needed. You can also reach out anytime for an interim review.

You can redeem (withdraw) your mutual fund investments anytime. Most equity funds have no exit load after 1 year. Liquid funds can be redeemed within 1 working day. We help you plan withdrawals tax-efficiently.

You can reach us via WhatsApp (+91 98410 39433), phone, or email ([email protected]). Most clients prefer WhatsApp for quick queries. For detailed discussions, we schedule phone or video calls.

Yes, we recommend ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) mutual funds that qualify for tax deduction under Section 80C up to ₹1.5 lakh per year. We help you choose the right ELSS fund based on your risk profile.

Absolutely. Retirement planning is one of our core services. We create a customized SIP plan based on your target retirement age, desired monthly income, and current savings to help you build a sufficient retirement corpus.

Absolutely. We maintain strict confidentiality of all client information. Your investment details, portfolio value, and personal financial data are never shared with anyone. We follow stringent data security practices and adhere to all regulatory requirements regarding client data protection. Many of our high-net-worth clients choose FundsPundit specifically because of the discretion and privacy we provide.

OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) holders can invest in Indian mutual funds, subject to certain conditions. They need a PAN card, must complete KYC, and typically invest through an NRE or NRO bank account. Some AMCs may have additional requirements. FundsPundit can guide OCI holders through the specific documentation and compliance requirements.

GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). It allows foreign investors, including foreign citizens, NRIs, and OCI holders, to invest in Indian markets through a simplified regulatory framework. Funds domiciled in GIFT City IFSC offer benefits like simplified KYC, potential tax advantages, and dollar-denominated investments. FundsPundit can help you explore mutual fund options available through GIFT City.

Disclaimer: Tax benefits are subject to applicable laws. Please consult a qualified tax advisor.

Investment eligibility depends on your residency status and the specific AMC's policies. Generally, foreign nationals need to follow FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investor) regulations for direct investment. However, GIFT City IFSC provides a more accessible route for foreign citizens of Indian origin. Contact FundsPundit to discuss your specific situation.

The documentation requirements for GIFT City investments typically include a valid passport, overseas address proof, PAN card (if available), and bank account details. The KYC process through GIFT City is often simpler than onshore investing. FundsPundit can walk you through the exact requirements based on your country of residence and citizenship status.