What makes a good investment option? There are several factors to measure the effectiveness of a savings and investment plan. From the flexibility of investing to the amount of tax exemption it allows – the financial plan should be aligned with your life goals. For most of the investors, if you list down, the following factors influence their investment decision:

• Freedom to invest and withdraw anytime

• Flexibility to invest any amount

• Safer risk-return proposition

• Custom investment period

• Tax benefits & other benefits

Depending on your goals and needs, you can decide which factor has more significant to for long-term investment. Also, you cannot have the best of all worlds; every investment will have a few advantages along with the disadvantages.

Learn more about - Investment

Type of Investment Options

You need to invest in plans which fit the need or purpose of the investment. Thus, investment plans can be broadly divided into three types based on their possible uses:

• Growth Investment Plans

• Safe Investment Plans

• Income Investment plans

Growth Investment Plans

Safe Investment Plans

Income Investment Plans

Long –term investment option

Usually aggressive, and volatile

Have a lock-in period or they do not allow premature withdrawals

Equity stocks, mutual funds, ULIPs, PPF, NPS, etc. are a few examples

Medium-term investment option

These investments keep your capital safe.

Doesn't allow withdrawal within the first few years of investment

Guaranteed savings plans, fixed deposits, etc.,

Low-risk investment option

Turns your lump sum investment into a monthly or quarterly income

Plans with a small equity allocation

Pension plans, Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, POMIS, etc.

Best Investment Options in India

Generally, investment plans help you attain your life goals if you choose them as per the financial plan that you have. Whether you have a short-term or long-term financial goal, consider your financial milestones and choose a plan accordingly.

Let us consider the below-mentioned top investment options in India.

1. Direct Equity – Stocks

Direct equity stocks are one of the best investment options for aggressive investors. Investing in listed equity stocks of companies on the stock exchanges is known as Direct Equity investment. You can get capital gains or dividend returns from the direct stock investments. Performance of stocks depends on factors such as market position, company’s performance, etc.

• This option is one of the most volatile investments and has a high risk-return ratio

• One of the best investment options to generate inflation-adjusted wealth

• Suitable for a long-term horizon

You need to have a bank account and a Demat account to start investing in this. Also, if you want to invest and benefit from stock investments consistently, you must have a high risk appetite. Understand the functioning of equity stocks and markets before you start investing.

2. Equity Mutual Funds

Equity mutual funds are primarily invested in equity stocks and related securities. These are one of the best investment options in India for small investors who want to benefit from equity market growth. You can start investing in well-diversified portfolios of equity stocks with as little as Rs 500 through equity mutual funds.

These funds can invest anywhere between 70 to 95% of the fund value in equity stocks and related instruments. Since these are equity-based, they offer a high risk-return ratio. Typically, there are two types of equity mutual funds:

•  Actively Managed Mutual Funds
  In these types of funds, the fund manager is actively involved. The expertise and capability of the fund manager play an important role in the performance of this fund. They choose the stocks that the fund will invest in based on research and analysis. Active funds are considered riskier than passive investment options.

•  Passively Managed Mutual Funds
  In this type of fund, the fund manager doesn’t play a major role. The fund is based on a particular index or market portfolio. For example, a fund that is built up of stocks of NIFTY50, etc. The performance of the index determines the performance of this fund.

3. Equity Debt Funds

Debt mutual funds or bond funds are investment options to consider if you do not have a high-risk appetite or want to avoid volatility. These are also a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities.

In Debt Funds, the amount is invested in fixed-income securities including government and corporate bonds, debentures and other long-term fixed-income securities. Depending on the type of securities held in the portfolio, funds can have a varied risk profile. You should check the ratings of the securities held by the fund to assess the risk before investing.

Funds with top-rated securities or government bonds are suitable if you want the stability of returns with less risk. Thus, you can consider debt funds when:

• You are risk-averse

• You want relatively fixed returns

• Safety of the principal is a priority

Note that the risk of changing interest rates will still be present in all debt funds.

4. National Pension Scheme (NPS)

National Pension System is one of the government backed investment plan designed to help you secure your retirement financially. It is regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

This helps you to create a strong retirement corpus at your disposal. You can use the NPS retirement account as a salaried or self-employed investor.

There are two types of NPS accounts

• Tier-I (Retirement Account)

• Tier- II

The primary difference between NPS and other provident fund investments is that NPS allows you to build your corpus aggressively. It follows an auto-rebalancing method to maintain a portfolio with a declining risk as you age. Additionally, you can avail of a deduction of up to Rs 2 lakhs for your contribution.

The risk-return on NPS investment will depend on the portfolio mix you choose and the length of time you stay invested. Thus, this retirement investment option works well for both risk-averse and aggressive investors.

5. Public Provident Fund (PPF)

PPF is one of the most popular and best investment options for people considering to put their money into safe investment options. The 15-year plan is the best investment plan to safely achieve your long-term life goals. Originally, introduced as a safe retirement investment plan for self-employed, the plan has been popular for long-term investors, because it provides:

•  Tax Efficiency
  You can claim a deduction under section 80C up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs. Also, the maturity value is tax-free.

•  Liquidity
  You can borrow from the accumulated corpus within the first 5 years of the account. After 5 years partial withdrawals are allowed.

•  Risk-Return Mix
  Low-risk investment with a market-linked rate of interest, which is revised every year.

•  Investment Period
  Minimum of 15 years, after that you can extend the account in batches of 5 years.

Know more about Public Provident Fund.

6. Bank Fixed Deposit

Bank fixed deposit is another popular investment options in India that ensures the safety of your money and provides stable returns. You can invest a lump sum amount and it will offer a fixed rate of interest for a specific term. After your term is over, you will receive the principal with compound interest added over the term.

Consider the following things while investing in a bank fixed deposit:

• Bank FD offers guaranteed returns. Thus, the principal amount is safe.

• You cannot withdraw from your FD till it matures. By withdrawing before the term, you can lose out on compound interest and incur penal charges.

• These are one of the most flexible investment options in India. The investment term can be as low as 7 days and can go as long as 10 years.

• The interest rate agreed upon at the start will continue throughout the term in a Bank FD. Thus, the return on your deposit is fixed until the maturity.

• You can either receive the interest or reinvest it.

• Banks also allow you to auto-renew your FD upon maturity.

7. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)

Senior Citizen Saving Scheme or SCSS is one of the investment options, which help investors fulfill their retirement goals as it helps generate a stable income. It is one of the small saving investment options and you can invest a lump sum in this scheme after turning 60. You will receive a fixed interest pay-out every quarter.

You can open an SCSS account in 2 ways:

• Via post-office

• Via Bank

It is a very popular investment option for senior citizens due to its guaranteed and attractive returns. The current rate of returns is 7.6% (Q3 FY 2022-23). These rates are subject to change quarterly.

Here are some features of SCSS you should know:

• You can invest in it if you have attained the age of 60. People over the age of 55 can also apply, if they have taken VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme).

• Minimum investment is Rs 1000, i.e., you have to deposit more than or equal to Rs 1000.

• Maximum investment is Rs 15 lakh. You cannot invest more than this amount.

• Interest is paid quarterly.

• The maturity term is of 5 years, which can be further extended by up to 3 years more.

8. Unit Linked Insurance Plans

A Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) can be considered as an investment option as it provides insurance along with an avenue for investment. A part of the premium paid by the policyholder goes toward the life cover, and the other part goes towards the funds chosen by the policyholder. This life insurance plan offers market-linked returns, and hence, an investor should weigh in both the pros and cons of the plan before investing in it.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Invest 4G is a ULIP that offers life cover and market linked returns. It has 8 fund options to choose from with partial withdrawal option.

9. Real Estate Investment

Real estate is a good investment option in India. It is, however, usually a big-ticket investment. The investment refers to buying properties such as homes, plots and land. This is one of the best investment options that can help you combat inflation. Investing in this can give you a shot at both regular as well as capital gain income.

You can put the building you have purchased for rent and earn a secondary income. This will ensure that you get monthly rent in form of returns. If your property has appreciated, then you can sell it for a higher price and can get a capital gain.

There is a famous saying that there are 3 things important in real estate and they are, ‘location, location, location’. This is the predominant factor that decides the success of your real estate investment.

Having real estate at a good location may be expensive but can also get you a higher price for rent and has better chances of appreciation.

10. RBI Bonds

RBI Bonds are one of the safest investment options in India. The Reserve Bank of India, i.e., RBI issues bonds to the public to raise money for the development of various government projects. These bonds have a specific term. After maturity, money is returned along with the interest generated.

You can buy these bonds from any of the 12 national chains along with 4 private banks. To acknowledge your debt, RBI will issue you a certificate of holding. This certificate will act as proof upon maturity.

• These have a tenure of 7 years.

• These can be cumulative where the interest is reinvested, and non-cumulative, where you can receive the interest as a regular income.

• The current interest rate is 7.75%** per annum. This is as per the Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) scheme which started on July 01, 2020.

11. Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) is one of the investment options available for the financial safety of senior citizens, i.e., those who are 60 and above. It helps you with a regular income stream after the age of 60.

It also offers interest of 7.4% per annum but it has longer validity. This is the ongoing interest rate that is available till March 31, 2023.

Here are some features of PMVVY for which you may consider this investment option:

• Pension payable at monthly, quarterly, or yearly mode

• It has a maturity date of 10 years

• The minimum amount you have to invest is Rs 1000, maximum you can invest in a month is Rs 9250.

• You can use this against taking loans up to 75% value provided you have held it for over 3 years.

12. Gold

In India, Gold is often seen as a go-to investment option to keep a family’s legacy safe. But rising costs and making charges have now made it almost impossible to buy gold as a family heirloom.

Instead, investment options like Gold ETFs allow you to build gold purchasing power gradually over time. These are commonly known as ‘paper gold’. It contains gold stocks and investments. Unlike expensive gold, these can be brought according to your capacity from the stock market.

Since this is an ETF, i.e., Exchange Traded Fund, this is managed passively. It mirrors the physical gold price movement of the same quality. The higher the gold rates, the higher the ETF’s NAV will grow.

Thus, if you invest a small sum regularly in SIP mode, you can accumulate more units at lower prices.

• Since traded on the stock exchanges, these are volatile and possess more risk.

• These are liquid and you can enter and exit from them as per your preference.

• Research well about the stocks before you decide to buy.

13. Guaranteed Saving Plans

Guaranteed saving or income plans offer life cover along with guaranteed returns to help you achieve the milestones of life easily. For example, Canara HSBC Life Insurance iSelect Guaranteed Future is a life insurance cum savings plan that allows you to build a corpus over a period of time (as chosen by you), to help you attain your goals.

The returns are guaranteed based on the investment period and the number of annual contributions that you make.

Which Investment Plans Offer the Highest Returns?

In any investment plan, the amount of returns depends on the time for which you stay invested in it. The longer your term, the better the returns you can expect. Also, it is worth keeping in mind that plans that guarantees higher returns have higher risk of investment. However, if a plan doesn’t offer a high rate of return, it offers a nominal return amount. So, it can be said that rate of return is indirectly proportional to the guarantee of return.

Typically, the investment plans that offer high returns do not guarantee on the returns. And the longer you stay invested in a plan; the chances are high that you will get better returns.

Saving and investment plans are an integral part of a financial planning as they help to build corpus for the life goals. However, as there are multiple options to invest in, you cannot expect to find a “One Size Fits All” plan. You should find options that fit your goals and milestones.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their caution and not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature. Readers should research further or consult an expert in this regard. 

Best Investment Options in India in 2023

We know how important it is to consider our investment options. However, a financially secure life must also include money accumulation and returns that can improve the future and your goals. Additionally, relying solely on savings won't always make sense, will it?

There are plenty of investing options in India. In this blog, you will find out what you would like to opt for to create financial stability and security that would benefit you. So, here are some of the Best Investment Options in India in 2023 based on three main criteria. You can choose how you could start your investment journey-

• Low-Risk Investments

• Medium-Risk Investments

• High-Risk Investments

What is A Low-Risk Investment?

Put, a Low-Risk investor has a lower risk tolerance. It indicates that the investor wants little to no volatility in their portfolio of investments.

Typically, retirees and beyond who have spent years building a nest egg choose to make these investments. The returns from these investments are always guaranteed because they rely on fixed-income instruments.

Here Are A Few Low-Risk Investment Options

Some of the best investment plans carrying low risk are as follows-

1. Fixed Deposit
   They are consistently regarded as one of the best investment options and the safest form of investment. In addition, you can assemble high returns from various Fixed Deposit schemes through a fixed deposit.
   
   The fund always maintains security and promises returns free of market fluctuations. Most importantly, the principal on a fixed deposit is not depreciated.

2. Public Provident Fund
   A Public Provident Fund is a government-backed investment option that can be used for a safe investment with high returns in India. It provides you with a risk-free return, which also makes it one of the best investment options.
   
   The interest received over the amount on this scheme is revised and paid by the government every quarter.

5. Money Market Funds
   Money Market Funds are short-term debt funds.
   
   They invest in various money market instruments and endeavour to offer good returns over up to one year while maintaining high levels of liquidity. The average maturity of a Money Market Fund is one year.

6. Municipal Bond
   A Municipal Bond or Muni-Bond is a debt instrument issued by municipal corporations or associated bodies in India.
   
   These local governmental bodies utilize the funds raised through these bonds to finance projects for socio-economic development through building bridges, schools, hospitals, providing proper amenities to households, etc.

7. Certificate of Deposit
   A Certificate of Deposit is a term deposit offered by scheduled commercial banks that do not have the option of premature redemption.
   
   The primary difference between a Certificate of Deposit and a Fixed Deposit is that a Certificate of Deposit is freely negotiable.

8. Treasury Bills
   The Government of India issues Treasury Bills to raise funds for up to 365 days. It is considered an investment with the best returns. Since the government gives these, they are considered very safe.
   
   However, lower risks also translate into lower returns which is the case with treasury bills. As a result, the returns on Treasury Bills are lower than other money market instruments.

What is A Medium-Risk Investment?

Some investors are pretty comfortable with Medium-Risk investments on the table. These returns are relatively higher when compared to low-risk investments.

They are investments that have a certain level of risk, but at the same time, they hold higher returns.

Here Are A Few Medium-Risk Investment Options

Some of the best investment plans having medium-risk are-

1.  Balanced Mutual Fund
   A Balanced Mutual Fund is another of India's most prominent investment options. Even though it is subjected to market risks, it can be the best investment to grow money multifold.
   
   On the other hand, when you have a lower risk appetite but want higher returns, a fixed-income mutual fund or monthly systematic investment plan can be your best investment option.

2. Debt Funds
   Debt Funds are mutual funds that invest in fixed-income securities such as bonds and treasury bills. These monthly income plans assure some locked-in money and not a total loss. As a result, they have a low-risk ratio compared to high-risk investments.

3. Dividend-Paying Stocks
   Dividend-Paying Stocks are an excellent way to invest in the stock market. Although they're not as popular as high-yield bonds, dividend-paying stocks offer investors a way to earn a steady income from their investments.
   
   They're also known as "blue chip" stocks because of their history of paying dividends and because they tend to be bought by institutions such as mutual funds and pension funds.

4. Exchange-Traded Fund (ETFs)
   
   An ETF, short for Exchange-Traded Fund, is just like a stock and can also be called a basket of securities that trade on the stock market.
   
   Exchange-traded funds pool the financial resources of several people and use them to purchase various tradable monetary assets, such as shares, and debt securities, such as bonds and derivatives. Most ETFs are registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
   
   Hence, it is an appealing option for investors with limited expertise in the stock market.

5. Corporate Bonds
   A Corporate Bond fund is a mutual fund that invests more than 80% of its total financial resources in corporate bonds. Business organizations sell these to fund their short expenses, such as working capital needs, advertising, insurance premium payments, etc.
   
   Corporate bond funds are increasingly becoming a popular debt instrument for businesses to raise required finances as associated costs are lower than bank loans.

What is A High-Risk Investment?

A High-Risk investment does not precisely have a guaranteed return. However, these are generally high-return investments in India as the returns on these investments, without a doubt, are pretty high if invested wisely.

But the issue arises when the returns are not assured, and there are chances it might result in losses. The investors who pick these kinds of investments are usually the ones who are pretty savvy and are keen on understanding securities and more.

Of course, there stands no limit to the gains in high-risk investments, but significant gains come with risks too.

Here Are A Few High-Risk Investment Options

Some of the good investment plans with high risk are-

1. Direct Equities
   Direct Equities are also one of the best investments for long-term purposes. It is an equity share of a company bound by legal terms related to company ownership.
   
   When you buy an equity share, you get the right to be involved in the company's decision-making. But equities do also hold a high hand when it comes to risk.

2.  Equity Mutual Funds
   Equity Mutual Funds are funds that will primarily invest in stocks. You can invest your money in these stocks through SIP, little by little, or in a lump sum amount.
   
   It suits savvy investors who are experts in the market. But, as you know, it is pretty high regarding the risk involved. Your profits can be immense, but so should your risk appetite.

3. FOREX Trading/Foreign Exchange
   
   FOREX, or Foreign Exchange, may be defined as a network of buyers and sellers who exchange currencies at an agreed-upon price. Hence, Foreign currency trading is the process through which people, businesses, and central banks exchange one currency for another.

4. Hedge Funds
   In the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI's) words, "Hedge Funds, including fund of funds, are unregistered private investment partnerships, funds, or pools that may invest and trade in many different markets, strategies, and instruments (including securities, non-securities, and derivatives) and are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds."

Note - Although these instruments fall under High Risk, they also yield high returns. Investors should assess their risk factors before investing and conduct due diligence.

Conclusion

You can achieve financial stability by saving, but is that sufficient? What if you begin saving for retirement later, which means you won't be able to cover all of the costs by keeping it alone?

Investments are, therefore, always a wise choice, and this blog will assist you in selecting among the best investment plans in India. Additionally, you always have the option to choose between Low-Risk, Medium-Risk, and High-Risk investment options.

Disclaimer: This Site is solely for educational purposes. The securities/investments quoted here are not recommendatory.