The Indian mutual fund industry has witnessed phenomenal growth in recent years, with a surge in investor participation. According to the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the total Assets Under Management (AUM) in the Indian mutual fund industry crossed ₹38.03 lakh crore (US$510.4 billion) as of March 31, 2023.
This growth can be attributed to several factors, including rising disposable incomes, increasing financial literacy, and the long-term wealth creation potential offered by mutual funds.
As this trend continues, a growing number of investors are exploring cost-effective investment options. This is where direct mutual funds come into play. Let’s delve into the world of direct mutual funds and understand how Indian investors can benefit from them.
Understanding mutual funds and investment options
Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from many investors and invest it in a diversified basket of securities such as stocks, bonds, or a combination of both.
These funds are professionally managed by experienced fund managers who aim to achieve specific investment objectives based on the chosen fund type.
Types of mutual funds in India
Mutual funds in India are broadly categorized into three main types based on their asset allocation:
- Equity Funds: These funds invest primarily in stocks of companies listed on Indian stock exchanges. Equity funds offer high growth potential but also come with higher risk compared to other types.
- Debt Funds: These funds invest primarily in fixed-income instruments like government bonds, corporate bonds, and treasury bills. Debt funds offer relatively lower risk and stable returns.
- Hybrid Funds: These funds invest in a combination of equity and debt instruments, offering a balance between risk and return potential.
Benefits of investing directly in mutual funds
Direct mutual funds eliminate the involvement of brokers, leading to significant cost savings for investors. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages:
- Lower Expense Ratio: Traditional broker-assisted investments involve commissions paid to brokers, which are reflected in the expense ratio of the mutual fund scheme. Direct plans eliminate this cost, resulting in a lower expense ratio for the investor. A lower expense ratio directly translates to higher returns over the long term.
Average Expense Ratio of Equity Mutual Funds in India (Regular vs Direct Plans)
| Investment Type | Expense Ratio (Regular Plan) | Expense Ratio (Direct Plan) | Expense Ratio Difference |
| Equity Large Cap | 1.75% | 1.20% | 0.55% |
| Equity Mid Cap | 2.00% | 1.45% | 0.55% |
| Equity Small Cap | 2.25% | 1.70% | 0.55% |
Source: SEBI
- Greater Control: Direct investing empowers investors to manage their portfolios independently. Investors can choose funds based on their own research and investment goals, without relying on broker recommendations.
- Transparency: Direct plans offer increased transparency to investors. Investors have direct access to fund information and performance data published by the Asset Management Company (AMC) managing the scheme.
How to invest directly in mutual funds in India?
Choosing an Investment Platform:
Gone are the days when you needed to visit a broker’s office to invest in mutual funds. Today, a variety of convenient platforms facilitate direct mutual fund investments in India. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options:
- Investor Portals of Asset Management Companies (AMCs): Most AMCs offer dedicated investor portals for direct investments. These portals allow you to invest directly in the mutual fund schemes offered by that particular AMC. While convenient for investors seeking funds from a specific AMC, they limit your choices to that AMC’s offerings.
- Online Investment Platforms: Several online investment platforms like the EduFund App aggregate mutual fund schemes from various AMCs. These platforms offer a wider range of investment choices, portfolio management tools, and research resources. They may charge a minimal platform fee, but the convenience and features can outweigh the cost for many investors.
Here’s a table summarizing the key considerations when choosing an investment platform:
| Factor | Investor Portals of AMCs | Online Investment Platforms |
| Investment Choice | Limited to schemes offered by that AMC | Wider range of schemes from various AMCs |
| Convenience | Convenient for investing in a specific AMC’s schemes | One-stop platform for diverse investment options |
| Fees | Typically, no platform fees | May charge a minimal platform fee |
| Research & Tools | Limited research resources | May offer investment research tools and portfolio management features |
KYC Compliance:
KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance is a mandatory requirement for all mutual fund investments in India. KYC verification helps prevent financial fraud and money laundering. The KYC process typically involves submitting documents like PAN card, ID proof, and address proof.
You can complete your KYC online or offline depending on the chosen platform:
- Online KYC: Many platforms offer a paperless online KYC process. This involves uploading scanned copies of your documents and undergoing a video verification call.
- Offline KYC: You can visit the nearest branch office of the chosen platform or AMC and submit your documents physically.
Investment Process:
Once your KYC is complete, you can open an investment account with your chosen platform. The process is generally user-friendly and can be completed online within minutes. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the investment process:
- Account Opening: Fill out the online application form with your personal details and investment preferences.
- Fund Selection: Browse through the available mutual fund schemes and choose the ones that align with your investment goals and risk tolerance. Research tools and fund performance data provided by the platform can be helpful during this stage.
- Investment Mode: Decide on the investment mode – lumpsum or Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). A lumpsum investment involves a one-time investment of a larger amount. An SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount periodically (monthly, quarterly, etc.) inculcating discipline and potentially benefiting from rupee-cost averaging.
- Transaction Initiation: Specify the investment amount, chosen fund scheme(s), and preferred investment date (for SIPs). Review the transaction details carefully before finalizing the investment.
Additional considerations before investing directly in mutual funds
While direct investing empowers you, it’s crucial to approach your investment decisions thoughtfully:
- Investment Goals: Clearly define your investment goals – short-term (less than 3 years), medium-term (3-5 years), or long-term (5+ years). This helps choose funds with suitable investment horizons and risk profiles.
- Risk Tolerance: Evaluate your risk tolerance – aggressive, moderate, or conservative. Aggressive investors can consider high-growth equity funds, while conservative investors may prefer debt funds with lower risk.
- Fund Performance History: Analyze the fund’s past performance but remember past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Look beyond just returns and consider factors like fund manager experience, portfolio characteristics, and expense ratio.
By carefully considering these factors, you can make informed investment decisions when choosing direct mutual funds.
