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Best SIP Plans for 3 Year Investment 2025

Updated on December 25, 2025 , 91720 views

Let’s begin with a real-world example that shows why 3-year SIPs are often misunderstood. Reena began a ₹10,000 monthly SIP for a goal just three years away. She chose a “top-performing” equity fund, felt confident, and did everything right — at least on paper. Two years later, the market corrected. Her Portfolio was in the red exactly when she needed the money. The problem wasn’t SIPs. The problem was using a long-term equity strategy for a short-term goal.

SIP

A 3-year SIP follows very different rules. Ignore them, and even disciplined Investing can backfire. This guide explains how SIPs actually work for 3-year goals — what to choose, what to avoid, and how Indian investors should think about risk, returns, and timelines.

Is SIP Suitable for a 3-Year Investment?

Yes — but only if chosen correctly!

A 3-year period is considered short to medium term in Mutual Fund Investing. Equity markets can deliver strong returns over 7–10 years, but in 3 years, Volatility plays a much bigger role. So the goal is not maximum return, but -

  • Controlled downside risk
  • Reasonable growth above inflation
  • Liquidity when the goal arrives

SIP works well here only when the fund category matches the time horizon.

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What Kind of Returns Can You Expect in 3 Years?

Let’s set realistic expectations -

Fund Type Expected Annual Return (Indicative)
Aggressive Hybrid / Equity-Oriented 8% – 12%
Conservative Hybrid 6% – 9%
Short Duration / Corporate bond 5.5% – 7.5%
Equity (Pure Large/Multi Cap) Can be +15% OR negative

Key insight - In a 3-year SIP, risk matters more than return ranking.

Best Mutual Fund Categories for 3-Year SIP Investment

1. Aggressive Hybrid Funds (Best Balance)

These funds invest -

  • ~65–75% in equity
  • ~25–35% in debt

Why suitable for 3 years?

  • Lower volatility than pure equity
  • Still participates in market upside
  • Better downside protection during corrections

Best for - Moderate-risk investors planning goals like car purchase, partial house down payment, or business capital.

2. Large Cap or Large & Mid Cap Funds (With Caution)

Pure Equity Funds can be used only if -

  • You are comfortable with interim volatility
  • You do not need the money at an exact date
  • SIP amount is small relative to total savings

Avoid - small cap and thematic funds for 3-year goals — too volatile.

3. Conservative Hybrid Funds (Lower Risk)

These funds hold -

  • 70–85% in debt
  • 15–30% in equity

Why consider them?

  • More stable NAV movement
  • Suitable when capital protection matters

Ideal for - First-time investors or conservative savers shifting from FDs.

4. Short Duration / Corporate Bond Funds (Capital Protection Focus)

If your priority is safety + predictability, debt-oriented SIPs can be used.

Good choice when -

  • Goal date is fixed
  • Risk appetite is low
  • You want better post-tax efficiency than FDs

Fund Selection Methodology used to find 10 funds

  • Category: Equity
  • Sub-category: Multi%20Cap, Large%20Cap, Large%20&%20Mid%20Cap, Value
  • Investment Option: SIP
  • AUM Range: 500 to 100000 Cr
  • Minimum fund age: 1 year
  • Sorted On : 3-year return (high to low)
  • Tags: SmartSip, fcpro
  • No Of Funds: 10

Best SIP Plans for 3 Year Investment in FY 25 - 26

FundNAVNet Assets (Cr)3 MO (%)6 MO (%)1 YR (%)3 YR (%)5 YR (%)2024 (%)
Invesco India Growth Opportunities Fund Growth ₹100.72
↓ -0.48
₹9,4061.6-0.74.124.12037.5
Bandhan Core Equity Fund Growth ₹139.324
↓ -0.46
₹12,7844.74.37.123.822.228.8
UTI Core Equity Fund Growth ₹187.1
↓ -0.88
₹5,4986.936.822.722.227.2
Nippon India Value Fund Growth ₹230.877
↓ -1.01
₹9,2463.61.33.522.221.922.3
Nippon India Multi Cap Fund Growth ₹299.951
↓ -1.03
₹50,0481-0.63.722.225.425.8
Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 Fund Growth ₹60.4848
↓ -0.47
₹14,3120.3-3.6-4.522.115.545.7
IDBI India Top 100 Equity Fund Growth ₹44.16
↑ 0.05
₹6559.212.515.421.912.6
ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Growth ₹496.92
↓ -1.57
₹60,3916.3513.121.723.520
HDFC Equity Fund Growth ₹2,060.75
↓ -6.24
₹94,0692.63.110.721.623.923.5
ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund Growth ₹1,043.18
↓ -2.25
₹26,9394.23.712.921.423.220.4
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 26 Dec 25

Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased

CommentaryInvesco India Growth Opportunities FundBandhan Core Equity FundUTI Core Equity FundNippon India Value FundNippon India Multi Cap FundMotilal Oswal Multicap 35 FundIDBI India Top 100 Equity FundICICI Prudential Value Discovery FundHDFC Equity FundICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund
Point 1Lower mid AUM (₹9,406 Cr).Lower mid AUM (₹12,784 Cr).Bottom quartile AUM (₹5,498 Cr).Bottom quartile AUM (₹9,246 Cr).Upper mid AUM (₹50,048 Cr).Upper mid AUM (₹14,312 Cr).Bottom quartile AUM (₹655 Cr).Top quartile AUM (₹60,391 Cr).Highest AUM (₹94,069 Cr).Upper mid AUM (₹26,939 Cr).
Point 2Established history (18+ yrs).Established history (20+ yrs).Established history (16+ yrs).Established history (20+ yrs).Established history (20+ yrs).Established history (11+ yrs).Established history (13+ yrs).Established history (21+ yrs).Oldest track record among peers (31 yrs).Established history (27+ yrs).
Point 3Top rated.Rating: 4★ (upper mid).Rating: 3★ (upper mid).Not Rated.Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile).Rating: 5★ (top quartile).Rating: 3★ (upper mid).Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile).Rating: 3★ (lower mid).Rating: 3★ (lower mid).
Point 4Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.
Point 55Y return: 20.00% (bottom quartile).5Y return: 22.25% (upper mid).5Y return: 22.20% (lower mid).5Y return: 21.87% (lower mid).5Y return: 25.41% (top quartile).5Y return: 15.53% (bottom quartile).5Y return: 12.61% (bottom quartile).5Y return: 23.48% (upper mid).5Y return: 23.88% (top quartile).5Y return: 23.22% (upper mid).
Point 63Y return: 24.09% (top quartile).3Y return: 23.84% (top quartile).3Y return: 22.68% (upper mid).3Y return: 22.24% (upper mid).3Y return: 22.24% (upper mid).3Y return: 22.12% (lower mid).3Y return: 21.88% (lower mid).3Y return: 21.75% (bottom quartile).3Y return: 21.61% (bottom quartile).3Y return: 21.38% (bottom quartile).
Point 71Y return: 4.06% (lower mid).1Y return: 7.08% (upper mid).1Y return: 6.75% (lower mid).1Y return: 3.50% (bottom quartile).1Y return: 3.65% (bottom quartile).1Y return: -4.46% (bottom quartile).1Y return: 15.39% (top quartile).1Y return: 13.07% (top quartile).1Y return: 10.68% (upper mid).1Y return: 12.95% (upper mid).
Point 8Alpha: 2.54 (upper mid).Alpha: 0.27 (lower mid).Alpha: -1.49 (bottom quartile).Alpha: -1.42 (bottom quartile).Alpha: -0.86 (lower mid).Alpha: -5.55 (bottom quartile).Alpha: 2.11 (upper mid).Alpha: 4.42 (top quartile).Alpha: 3.46 (upper mid).Alpha: 3.94 (top quartile).
Point 9Sharpe: 0.31 (upper mid).Sharpe: 0.20 (lower mid).Sharpe: 0.08 (lower mid).Sharpe: -0.01 (bottom quartile).Sharpe: -0.06 (bottom quartile).Sharpe: -0.21 (bottom quartile).Sharpe: 1.09 (top quartile).Sharpe: 0.50 (upper mid).Sharpe: 0.42 (upper mid).Sharpe: 0.51 (top quartile).
Point 10Information ratio: 0.98 (upper mid).Information ratio: 1.33 (top quartile).Information ratio: 0.79 (lower mid).Information ratio: 1.63 (top quartile).Information ratio: 0.71 (lower mid).Information ratio: 0.66 (bottom quartile).Information ratio: 0.14 (bottom quartile).Information ratio: 1.05 (upper mid).Information ratio: 1.30 (upper mid).Information ratio: 0.46 (bottom quartile).

Invesco India Growth Opportunities Fund

  • Lower mid AUM (₹9,406 Cr).
  • Established history (18+ yrs).
  • Top rated.
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 20.00% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 24.09% (top quartile).
  • 1Y return: 4.06% (lower mid).
  • Alpha: 2.54 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.31 (upper mid).
  • Information ratio: 0.98 (upper mid).

Bandhan Core Equity Fund

  • Lower mid AUM (₹12,784 Cr).
  • Established history (20+ yrs).
  • Rating: 4★ (upper mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 22.25% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 23.84% (top quartile).
  • 1Y return: 7.08% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: 0.27 (lower mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.20 (lower mid).
  • Information ratio: 1.33 (top quartile).

UTI Core Equity Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹5,498 Cr).
  • Established history (16+ yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (upper mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 22.20% (lower mid).
  • 3Y return: 22.68% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 6.75% (lower mid).
  • Alpha: -1.49 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: 0.08 (lower mid).
  • Information ratio: 0.79 (lower mid).

Nippon India Value Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹9,246 Cr).
  • Established history (20+ yrs).
  • Not Rated.
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 21.87% (lower mid).
  • 3Y return: 22.24% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 3.50% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: -1.42 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: -0.01 (bottom quartile).
  • Information ratio: 1.63 (top quartile).

Nippon India Multi Cap Fund

  • Upper mid AUM (₹50,048 Cr).
  • Established history (20+ yrs).
  • Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 25.41% (top quartile).
  • 3Y return: 22.24% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 3.65% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: -0.86 (lower mid).
  • Sharpe: -0.06 (bottom quartile).
  • Information ratio: 0.71 (lower mid).

Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 Fund

  • Upper mid AUM (₹14,312 Cr).
  • Established history (11+ yrs).
  • Rating: 5★ (top quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 15.53% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 22.12% (lower mid).
  • 1Y return: -4.46% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: -5.55 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: -0.21 (bottom quartile).
  • Information ratio: 0.66 (bottom quartile).

IDBI India Top 100 Equity Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹655 Cr).
  • Established history (13+ yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (upper mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 12.61% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 21.88% (lower mid).
  • 1Y return: 15.39% (top quartile).
  • Alpha: 2.11 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: 1.09 (top quartile).
  • Information ratio: 0.14 (bottom quartile).

ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund

  • Top quartile AUM (₹60,391 Cr).
  • Established history (21+ yrs).
  • Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 23.48% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 21.75% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: 13.07% (top quartile).
  • Alpha: 4.42 (top quartile).
  • Sharpe: 0.50 (upper mid).
  • Information ratio: 1.05 (upper mid).

HDFC Equity Fund

  • Highest AUM (₹94,069 Cr).
  • Oldest track record among peers (31 yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (lower mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 23.88% (top quartile).
  • 3Y return: 21.61% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: 10.68% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: 3.46 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.42 (upper mid).
  • Information ratio: 1.30 (upper mid).

ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund

  • Upper mid AUM (₹26,939 Cr).
  • Established history (27+ yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (lower mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 23.22% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 21.38% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: 12.95% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: 3.94 (top quartile).
  • Sharpe: 0.51 (top quartile).
  • Information ratio: 0.46 (bottom quartile).

Common Mistakes Investors Make in 3-Year SIPs

  • ❌ Choosing funds only based on last year’s returns
  • ❌ Investing in small-cap or thematic funds
  • ❌ Expecting equity-like returns with FD-level risk
  • ❌ Stopping SIPs during market corrections
  • ❌ Ignoring exit load and taxation

How to Invest in Mutual Fund SIP Online?

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  2. Complete your Registration and KYC Process

  3. Upload Documents (PAN, Aadhaar, etc.). And, You are Ready to Invest!

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Who Should Invest in SIPs for 3 Years?

  • Salaried professionals planning near-term goals
  • First-time Mutual Fund investors
  • Investors transitioning from FDs to market-linked products
  • Those who want disciplined investing without timing the market

Final Thoughts - Should You Do a SIP for 3 Years?

A 3-year SIP is not about maximising returns. It is about protecting capital, beating inflation, and staying disciplined. If chosen wisely, SIPs can still outperform traditional options — without exposing you to unnecessary risk.

About the Fincash Research Team

At Fincash, our mission is to help investors make informed, confident decisions. With over 9 years in Mutual Fund distribution, our team blends deep industry expertise with a commitment to transparency, accuracy, and investor education.

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Disclaimer

Content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Please consider your risk profile and consult a financial advisor before investing.

Disclaimer:
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.
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vinod kumar verma, posted on 5 Oct 21 12:14 AM

Really very informative

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