What are Debt Mutual Funds and How Do They Work?

Mutual funds allow small investors to invest in a variety of financial instruments to earn good returns and create wealth. Investors have the option to start investing with very small amounts and that too without carrying out any kind of research. A variety of mutual fund schemes including equity, debt, hybrid, exchange-traded and tax saving plans are on offer to satiate the investment goals and risk profile of different investors. Here we talk about what is a debt mutual fund and how does it work?

Debt Mutual Funds and Types

The answer to what is a debt mutual fund is simple. A debt mutual fund is a fund that invests in debt instruments like fixed-income securities, debentures, corporate bonds, and money-market instruments. These types of mutual funds can help in generating wealth over the long term. Debt funds can be of several types depending on the types of instruments in which they invest and their maturity periods.

  • Overnight Funds– These funds invest in 1-day maturity security papers.
  • Liquid Funds– These funds invest in debt instruments having a maturity period of not more than 91 days and so are highly liquid.
  • Short-Term or Medium Term or Long-Term Funds– The short-term funds invest in instruments having a maturity period of 1-3 years, medium-term in instruments with a maturity of 3-5 years, and long-term in instruments with a maturity of more than 5 years.
  • Floating Rate Funds– These funds invest in instruments with a floating interest rate.
  • Dynamic Funds-These funds invest in debt instruments of varying maturities.
  • Credit Risk Funds– These funds invest in corporate bonds that do not have the highest ratings.

How Do Debt Funds Work?

Debt funds aim to generate stable returns by investing money in fixed-income securities and instruments and earning interest income. The yield of a debt scheme is determined by its interest income and the expenses incurred to manage it.  

A major factor impacting the performance of these funds is the interest rate changes. A rise in interest rates can have a positive impact on the yield or the interest income from the debt instrument but a negative impact on the prices of the bonds. The reverse happens when interest rates fall. The interest rate risk is more in the case of medium and long-term funds as compared to short-duration funds.

Features of Debt Mutual Funds

  • Return-They offer stable returns and have the potential to offer capital appreciation over time. The returns are, however, subject to market and interest rate risks.
  • Taxation- Investments in debt funds attract taxes only in the year in which they are redeemed and not before that.
  • Liquidity– Debt funds do not have a lock-in period but an exit charge may be levied on an early withdrawal.
  • Stability- Debt funds help you diversify your investment portfolio and balance the risk associated with an investment in equity funds.

How to Invest in Debt Funds?

Debt funds are highly suitable for investors having a moderate risk appetite. Investors can invest in these funds through the lump sum route or the Systematic Investment Plan or SIP option. The latter option allows investors to invest a small amount at regular intervals thereby encouraging disciplined investing. Investors can use the SIP investment calculator to calculate returns on their investment and choose the appropriate SIP amount.

Since a SIP helps in the creation of wealth over the long run it is suitable for investment in debt funds with long investment horizons.

What is the Role of NICU for Premature Baby

The neonatal intensive care unit, more commonly referred to as NICU is an intensive care unit for newborns that are born prematurely. The welcoming of a new child into the family is, of course, one of the most wonderful moments of a person’s life but also complex as many physical and emotional changes occur for both the mother and the baby. 

The baby must learn to adjust to the physical adjustments outside the mother’s body as they cannot depend on the mother’s blood and placenta for important body functions. Newborns that need additional medical care after birth are often put into the NICU. The NICUs also take care of children who are not sick but might need specialised nursing care.

Why Might Babies Need NICU?

Some maternal factors wherein the baby might need NICU are:

  1. Drug or alcohol use
  2. High blood pressure (hypertension)
  3. Multiple Pregnancies
  4. Bleeding
  5. Diabetes
  6. Being younger than the age of sixteen or over the age of 40

The most common ailments in babies that require them to stay in NICU include:

  • Infection and Sepsis
  • Hypoglycaemia
  • Need for blood transfusion
  • Jaundice
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
  • Pneumonia
  • Apnea
  • Heart defects
  • Gastroschisis

In What Ways Is NICU Equipped?

  1. Incubators: Incubators are small beds enclosed in hard plastic in which the temperature is controlled to keep the baby’s body temperature to a constant where it is supposed to be at.
  2. Infant warmers: These are small beds with heaters, and due to it being opened it is easily accessible and helps babies to keep warm while being monitored.
  3. Monitors: Chest leads, pulse oximetry, temperature probe, blood pressure machines are all present here to keep a check on the vitals of your baby.
  4. Nasal Cannula: Some babies who need extra oxygen but not a ventilator, have a thin pipe that helps them to fulfil the requirement of oxygen and get hooked to a nasal cannula or an oxygen hood that is placed over their heads.
  5. Feeding tubes: Most premature babies who are sick cannot breastfeed and are not old enough to feed on a bottle, get this extra nutrition through feeding tubes. These tubes enter the baby’s body through the nose or mouth and go into the baby’s stomach.

Common Diseases with Which NICU Helps

NICUs is the best maternity hospital to treat a lot of diseases and conditions such as:

  1. Anemia- Not having enough blood cells
  2. Breathing Problems- Due to lungs not being completely developed
  3. BPD- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, as scary as this name sounds it is one of the most common respiratory diseases a newborn could perhaps face.
  4. Septal Defects- A septal defect is a hole in the newborn’s heart for which you might want to visit the best maternity hospital to give your kid the best treatment.
  5. Hypoglycemia- is the condition where the baby has low blood sugar. This can also be if the mother is a diabetic and is usually diagnosed shortly after the birth of the baby.

Parents are allowed to visit their babies in the NICU. A few relatives are also allowed to visit the baby but during special visiting hours and hygiene must be top-notch as the children in the NICU are prone to catching diseases and infections very fast.

All you need to know about filing income tax returns online

Every Indian citizen is required to file an income tax return if the total of his income surpasses the standard exemption limit. However, with the implementation of modern technology, income tax return filing has become simple and hassle-free. The days of standing in line to submit your taxes are long gone, today, IT e-filing has made the entire process more convenient and speedy. The best part is that you may file your returns from the convenience of your home or workplace at no extra expense.

If you don’t know how to file your income tax returns online, you’re not alone. The following post will walk you through the full procedure.

Steps to File ITR Online

The steps for filing income tax returns online are outlined here.

Step 1:  Visit Income tax online portal – http://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in

Step 2:  First, register yourself by using a Permanent Account Number. Your PAN number will also act as your user ID.

Step 3:  Now Log-in to the portal using your user-ID (PAN), password, and other details.

Step 4:  Now, open the ‘e-file’ menu and click on the ‘income-tax return’ link.

Step 5:  On the link page

        Here, PAN is auto-populated

Now you must select – ‘Assessment Year’

Select – ‘ITR Form Number’ ( ITR Form 1)

Select ‘Filing Type’ – ‘Original/Revised Return’

Select ‘Submission Mode’ – ‘Prepare and Submit Online

Step 6:  Read the instructions regarding the income tax slabs, tax rates and other income tax rules carefully. Fill in all the mandatory and other applicable income tax details like tax-saving investments you own on the form.

Step 7:  Under the ‘Taxes paid and Verification’ link, select the verification option.

Step 8:  You can select the two verification options.

  1. Select either e-Verify now.
  2. e-Verify later (within 120 days from the filing date)

Step 9:  Now click the ‘Preview and Submit’ button. You have the opportunity to double-check and verify all the details before submitting your IT returns.

Step 10:  Now you can ‘Submit’ your income tax returns.

Documents Required to File an ITR

Before you start the process of it return filing, get all the necessary documents ready. Some of the necessary documents required are:

  • Salary slips
  • Post office and bank savings account passbook
  • PPF account book
  • PAN card
  • Aadhar card
  • Form 16A – TDS certificate issued by your company containing information about your salary and any TDS deducted upon that.
  • Interest slips from banks or post office
  • Form 16B – If you have sold a property, you will receive the form from the buyer. It indicates the TDS that was deducted from the payment made to you.
  • Form 16C – It’s from your tenant. It specifies the amount of TDS deducted from your rent if any.
  • Form 26AS – It indicates your consolidated annual financial statement. It provides the details about the taxes that have been deposited against your PAN. It includes – TDS deducted by banks, employer, any organization, advanced tax deposited, etc.
  • Home loan statement to claim if any.
  • Proof to claim tax deductions

If you’re wondering how to calculate income tax, you may use an income tax calculator available online. After computing your income tax, you can file the tax online using the above-mentioned procedure.

How to Prepare for a Home Loan?

Want a home loan to finance your property investment? Whether you think of “home loan ke liye documents” or other procedures, the application process is simple. Here is how you can prepare yourself to get a house loan.

Focus on Your Credit Score and Report

The lender checks your CIBIL score to determine your creditworthiness. If you score 700-900, you can qualify for a large loan quickly at attractive interest rates.

A clean credit report impresses the lender right away. So, at least 6 months before applying for a loan, check your credit score and report. Meanwhile, get any errors in the report corrected and pay off any existing loans and credit card bills. Build a good credit score and confidence to prepare for a home loan.

Seek the Best Bank for Home Loan

Try to find a reputed bank that offers a house loan of a flexible amount like 3,00,000-5,00,00,000 INR at competitive interest rates. The bank may also offer a balance transfer of your existing loan to reduce EMIs with a lower interest burden. Also, see if the home loan eligibility is for both salaried and self-employed persons. The best bank would also offer house loans for various properties anywhere like:

  • Builder, ready-for-possession or under-construction property
  • Resale or new property
  • Property from state housing boards
  • Self-constructed or multi-unit property

Check the Eligibility Criteria

After choosing a good bank, go through the eligibility criteria in detail. To improve your eligibility, you may add a co-applicant with a good CIBIL score. Else even if your mother or wife don’t earn, you can make one a co-borrower since some banks offer better interest rates to women.

Home loan eligibility for a self-employed individual may include:

  • Age limit: 28-70 years
  • Co-applicant: If a property is co-owned by you and other people, the co-owners must be co-applicants. This ensures the security of property and equal enjoyment of loan benefits like tax deductions. The co-applicant must be 18-65 years old.

Home loan eligibility for a salaried person may include:

  • Nationality: Resident or Non-Resident Indian
  • Age: 25-60 years for NRIs; 23-60 years for resident Indians
  • Job profiles: Working with MNCs, public/private sector companies or LLPs, partnerships, proprietorships
  • Co-applicant: Must be a co-owner and aged 18-65

“Home Loan Ke Liye Documents”

Documents required for a home loan from the self-employed may include:

  • Filled and signed application
  • Property documents (if you have finalised a property)
  • Identity and address proofs (KYC): Aadhaar, Voter ID card, PAN card, etc. (for individuals); copies of MOA, AOA and GST registration of the company (for non-individuals)
  • Income proofs: 6-month bank statement, B/S and P&L accounts of the last 2 years, latest 2 ITRs

Documents required for a home loan from salaried individuals may include:

  • Filled and signed application
  • Property documents (for a finalised property)
  • Identity and residence proofs (KYC): Job card issued by NREGA, Voter ID card, PAN card, Aadhaar, etc.
  • Income proofs: 3-month bank statement, latest Form 16, last 2 months’ salary slips

Now apply for the home loan and ensure that the bank promises quick loan disbursals to finance your property investment without delay!

Treatment for unexplained infertility

If you have been trying to get pregnant for a few months and are failing, you may be experiencing unexplained infertility. The diagnosis of unexplained infertility is difficult, and about 20% of infertile couples experience it. However, nothing is lost; even if your infertility cannot be explained, it is treatable.

When is your infertility unexplained?

If you cannot conceive, and all your investigations and medical history don’t tell you anything, you have unexplained infertility. The best way to treat unexplained infertility is by treating it empirically. A woman’s complete fertility evaluation and semen analysis of a man is critical before starting any infertility treatment.

Possible Causes of unexplained infertility:

  1. High or low BMI – If you are overweight or underweight, you may reduce your pregnancy chances. Abnormally high or low BMI can also affect fertility in men.
  2. Thyroid – Most common cause of irregular periods is hypothyroidism. Higher TSH levels due to hypothyroidism can result in unexplained infertility, so checking the thyroid hormone levels is a must before starting any fertility treatment.
  3. Diabetes –Insulin deficiency or insulin resistance can cause infertility in men. In women, too, diabetes may result in PCOS and ovulatory dysfunction.
  4. Endometriosis – More than 20% of women having infertility have endometriosis. While the advanced case of endometriosis can be treated, mild form doesn’t cause tube defects and adhesions. However, irrespective of the severity, women with endometriosis may have problems with egg fertilization.
  5. Cervical mucus with anti-sperm antibodies – Some women may have sperm reactive antibodies in their cervical mucus, making conception difficult.

Treatment options for unexplained infertility – IUI or IVF

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – Many studies have shown that chances of conceiving naturally or with IUI without any fertility drugs are only 4% in patients with unexplained infertility. IUI with ovulation-inducing medication doubles the chances of getting pregnant. Though injectable fertility medicines with IUI can also be beneficial, it increases the chances of twin or multiple pregnancies. So, doctors in fertility clinics need to take extra precautions.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) – If IUI doesn’t succeed and the age of the women is an issue, then the next step should be to go to an IVF treatment center. During the process, the doctor takes the eggs out of your body and, in the lab, mixes them with the sperm to fertilize them. Then one or more fertilized eggs are again put in the uterus. Sometimes IVF also helps the doctor in determining the cause of infertility in you. The way eggs are fertilized or how the embryos are developing in the lab can also reveal the cause of your infertility. It would help if you understood that unexplained fertility doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot have your children. Many treatment options are available in a fertility clinic in Chennai       that can help you with your reproductive goals. There is no harm in taking additional fertility tests or getting a second opinion to understand your infertility in a better way.

Certifications every CA should consider doing

There was a time when obtaining a CA designation was enough to get a good job. Today, however, the importance and demand for experts in specialized areas such as equity research, business management, risk management, etc. have increased with globalization.

Thus even after becoming a CA, there are certification programs that can benefit a CA. The world of finance is widely expanding and opening new roles and job opportunities at its expense. Gaining advanced knowledge and keeping yourself updated with the latest technical skills will not only help you boost your career but also open enticing work opportunities ahead.

If you are thinking about “what to do after CA,” here are the certification programs you can consider.

  1. CFA

Chartered Financial Analysts work in the area of investment banking, portfolio management, etc. So if you want a breakthrough in these subjects, you should consider doing CFA after CA.

CFA is among the most reputed certifications in the finance field. And CA plus CFA will undoubtedly give your career an extra boost. However, you should analyze and understand your field of interest promptly before taking the plunge.

  1. FRM

Issued by the Global Association of Risk Professionals, FRM is a globally recognized designation in finance. During your practice as a CA, you may sometimes have calculated risk related to an investment portfolio.

If that small encounter with risk management fascinated you enough, you could consider becoming a Financial Risk Manager by completing the FRM course. It is primarily focused on risk management in the financial world.

  1. ACCA

Obtaining ACCA after completing CA has many benefits; one of them is that you don’t have to all the ACCA exams if you have completed ACCA intermediate or final. As the syllabus of both CA and ACCA have many subjects in common, you only have to give additional papers.

Another benefit of doing CA + ACCA is that you get a preference when applying to the top 4 firms in India. This will certainly create better career opportunities for you.

  1. Diploma in IFRS

If it is financial reporting and statements that you are interested in, you should consider pursuing a diploma in IFRS.

IFRS professionals have high demand in Indian as well as in the international market as companies often prefer hiring these professionals to make a smooth transition from their old accounts to the new ones.

IFRS course duration is 3-6 months, and there are some basic eligibility criteria you have to fulfill to get through. Check IFRS course details before you apply.

There are many certifications available and recommended after completing CA. However, you should choose the one that suits your field of interest and help you fulfill your career goals.

5 Things You Must Try in Doha’s The Pearl Qatar

Imagine visiting an enthralling man-made island spread across 14 square kilometres! That’s The Pearl Qatar at Doha. Housing nearly 46,000 people, it’s the most luxurious region in Qatar you must visit. Resting near Doha’s west bay lagoon, the Pearl waits to delight you with its architectural excellence and a host of refreshments. So, book a Delhi to Doha flight right away! Here are the top 5 things to explore in the charming Pearl.

Enjoy a Grand Stay at Marsa Malaz Kempinski

After you land from your Delhi flight to Doha, begin your holiday with a royal treatment at this top luxurious five-star hotel in Costa Malaz in the Pearl. Its architecture blends Arabian and European art. Its wonderful setting lets you absorb the best panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf. You won’t only enjoy family-friendly services but also unmatched refreshments at the pool, fitness area and dining restaurants. You can choose from 281 suites and rooms with lavish facilities, and marvel at a pristine view of nature from the balcony.

Shop around the Streets

Time to go on a shopping spree in the islets around Pearl Qatar. There the top galleries and malls are waiting to revamp your style and fashion. You’ll find fancy showrooms and boutiques housing popular brands and even street-style outfits. The Floresta Galleria and Giardino Mall will stun you with the top-notch accessories to shop. You can even go window shopping at other nearby malls like the Mall Doha, Lagoona Mall and Villaggio.

Have Fancy Dinner at the Medina Centrale and Jwala

Want to check out a wonderful café? Visit the Medina Centrale to have the ultimate dining experience. While you admire the beautiful bay water, choose from special dining areas like the triangle or the drawing-room café.

Flights to Doha are popular because Qatar specialises in treating tourists to mouth-watering food. So, the next time you are here, drop by at Jwala to enjoy a scrumptious meal. This is a top family restaurant in Pearl that serves authentic Indian cuisine. It is designed elegantly with vibrant Indian motifs and art to add to your at-home feeling.  

Chill at the Beach

How about unwinding and basking in the sun on the most luxurious private beaches at the Pearl? A big “Yes”! Then head straight to the magnificent artificial islands and visit TaliaMare, the Lido Venezia Beach or any other mesmerising beach. Walk to a beach club to enjoy some quality leisure activities and peace. 

Enjoy a Pampering Therapy

There are several leisure destinations in the Pearl where you can destress and enjoy the perfect holiday getaway. You’ll see various spas and wellness centres ready to offer you some refreshing therapies and yoga sessions. For instance, you can check out the Diva Lounge Spa to completely relax your body and mind. You can then visit one of the libraries to lose yourself in a good book.

Remember to click precious moments of your stay and cherish them back home after the Doha to Delhi flight drops you!

Should You Buy a Home or Rent a House?

Did you know that in 1961, 54% of Indians lived in rented houses? In 2017, just 28% of the urban population lives in rented homes, according to the 2017-18 Economic Survey. The Indian government is aiming to reduce the number of people living in rented homes even further with its “Housing for All” mission. Under this mission, the government aims to build more than 30 lakh homes in urban India alone.

The increasing homeownership is a great sign of improving living condition and affluence among the masses. But is buying a house the best course of action for everyone? Are some people better off just staying in a rented house? Well, here is how you can decide.

Why You Should Rent a House

The benefits of renting a house are:

  • Rents are a lot lower than the EMI of a house. In most metros, a house that has a value of ₹50 lakhs has a rent value of around ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per month. In case of home loan EMIs, it would be around ₹35,000 per month. This is because of the 20% down payment is required since a home loan gets you up to 80% value of the property, plus the interest rate is 8.6% and a maximum tenure of 20 years. In addition, you do not have to take care of things such as house tax and other legal issues. This difference of ₹20,000 can be make a big difference to your lifestyle or which school you send your children to.
  • Another benefit of renting is that there is more freedom. In case you get a job someplace else, you can rent there. If there is a great school you want your kid to enroll in, you can rent a place close to the school as well. In simpler terms, you are not stuck with the house.

Why Buying a House Can be a Great Idea

Here are some of the reasons to buy a house:

  • It has become a lot easier to buy a house. Even if you cannot make a lumpsum payment, there are lots of amazing home loans available in India. You can get home loans from ₹3 lakhs to up to ₹5 crores. The documentation requirements are very simple as well. The best home loan company can give you a loan even if you cannot provide income proof documents, such as ITR. But you should have a good history of repayment.
  • Another reason to buy a house is that a gives a sense of pride and ownership. Along with this there is security. When you are renting a house, your landlord can ask you to leave at any time. Plus, most landlords do not allow tenants to stay in their house for a long period. And this change of houses is not only a hassle, but a blow to savings as well.
  • In addition, you get tax benefits when you buy a house. There are chances of appreciation of the value of your property too, which means that your investment will bring returns.

Whether it is better to buy or rent a house, depends upon your particular situation. But in most cases, it is better to buy. This is because even if you think renting is better today, someday you would want to have a home of your own.

Top Performing Mutual Funds in India in 2021

The Indian mutual funds segment is witnessing good inflows and its total assets under management have grown at a compound annual growth rate or CAGR of 20.6% in the last five years. The growth has been driven by the uptrend in the equity markets, improving global economic scenarios and the growing investor interest in the segment. Are you also looking to invest in mutual funds and wondering about where to invest or what are the top performing mutual funds in India?  If yes, you need to choose a scheme that matches your goals and not simply go by any list of top performers.

Different types of mutual fund schemes are available in the market and invest in a variety of instruments in varying proportions. Choosing the right scheme to match your investment objectives is important. 

Performance and Types of Mutual Funds

The performance of the mutual funds depends on several factors including their portfolio and asset allocation and the overall economic scenario. This means that one type of mutual funds may do well in a specific period while others may perform at some other time. To ensure a steady stream of returns over the long run- one should have a diversified portfolio including mutual funds of various types or mutual fund schemes investing in different instruments.

Balanced or Equity Oriented-Hybrid Schemes

These invest in both equity and debts are highly safe and appropriate for new mutual fund investors. These schemes are relatively less volatile than equity schemes that invest only in equities. Aggressive hybrid schemes are highly suitable for investors looking to create long-term wealth rather than aiming for short term returns.

Equity Funds

Investors wanting to take advantage of the equity markets can go for investment in mutual fund schemes that invest in large cap or mid cap or small cap stocks.  Diversified mutual fund schemes are also a good option for such investors. Investment in large cap funds is likely to generate moderate returns with relative stability. Investors with a higher risk appetite can go for mid-cap and small-cap funds which have the potential to generate good returns but also come with a higher risk.

Systematic Investing

Investors looking for a disciplined way of investing to create long-term wealth should go for investment through the SIP route.

Steady Income

If you are looking for a steady income from your mutual fund investments, you can go for the dividend option available upon investing in a mutual fund scheme. Similarly, investors looking to build a big corpus should choose the growth option of investing in mutual fund schemes.

Tax-Saving

If you are looking to invest in mutual funds for tax saving, you can go for Equity Linked Saving Schemes or ELSS scheme. Predominantly investing in equity, these funds come with a lock-in period of three years and offer tax exemption under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Invest in a Particular Sector

If you wish to take advantage of the changing situation in a particular segment, say energy or power, you can choose to invest in sectoral funds. These mutual funds invest in the stocks of companies operating in a particular field.

Invest in Commodities or Gold

Again, investors looking to benefit from the change in the prices of gold and other commodities should invest in the stocks of exchange traded funds or industry funds.

To conclude, the list of the top performing mutual funds may vary from time to time depending on several factors. It is best to plan your investments keeping in mind your goals, risk appetite and your interest.

ULIPs vs. Mutual Funds: Which is the Right Option for You?

Mutual funds are one of the most lucrative wealth creation options. These can be long term or short term and allow for different risk options. One can put their money into mutual funds for the long term or the short term, depending on their goals.

Unit Linked Insurance Plans offer a selection of these benefits, along with the features of an insurance product. While both are popular choices, one must choose based on their needs and expectations. Before doing so, it is essential to understand some of the important differences.

Differences between ULIPs & Mutual Funds

Here are the key differences between ULIPs and mutual funds.

  • Purpose

While both these options are wealth creation tools, ULIPs come with additional insurance cover features. Mutual funds are directed towards people with varying risk appetites, looking to build wealth. The best ULIP plans offer this and pay out to your nominee in the event of your death. This helps extend your financial cover to your family when you are not around anymore.

  • Rate of Return

Unit Linked Insurance Plans divide your premiums into two parts. One part is meant for wealth creation, the other for insurance cover. There is no insurance aspect to mutual funds. Thus, all your premium amount goes towards building wealth. Depending on your portfolio, this could mean relatively higher returns.

  • Fees & Charges

There are two charges primarily associated with mutual funds. One is a fund management fee or ‘expense ratio’. Another is ‘exit load’, a fee charged when you are closing the mutual fund.

Unit Linked Insurance Plans charge a variety of fees, such as administration charge, fund management charge, partial withdrawal charge to premium redirection charge, mortality charge, and rider charges. The number of charges may differ depending on whether you buy ULIP online or offline.

  • Lock-in duration

The minimum time commitment for mutual funds could be as low as a year. Some schemes would require a three-year lock-in, such as ELSS.

ULIPs have a relatively higher lock-in period. Also, you may want it to be so if you are looking to keep the insurance option intact. Depending on the policy you are purchasing, the lock-in period could be between three to five years.

  • Risk coverage

Unlike mutual funds, ULIP insurances offer risk cover. With an insurance policy inbuilt, the latter will offer death benefits to your family after you are gone. Mutual fund benefits will not extend to your family after your death.

  • Transparency

Mutual funds are more likely to allow you this transparency as compared to Unit Linked Insurance Plans. They allow the customer to decide on factors such as funds and duration. The latter uses a part of your premium for insurance, thus affording your lesser flexibility and transparency. Mutual funds as well as Unit Linked Plans are some of the popular choices for financial growth. Before you make a purchase, it is ideal to analyse your requirements and expectations. Different products are made for different needs; opting for something that does not suit you could be discouraging. Understand the purpose of each of these products before you make a decision.

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