SIP Return Projections Reference Tables
Compare compounding growth trajectories across different monthly Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) configurations. Perfect for visual planners mapping long term goals.
How to Read SIP Return Tables & Maximize Compounding
This reference matrix demonstrates how regular monthly contributions in mutual fund Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) compound over 10, 20, and 30-year horizons at conservative (12%) and aggressive (15%) annual return benchmarks.
What the Tables Show
Each row compares your total invested principal against estimated maturity wealth. The numbers highlight the exponential power of compounding: interest earned in the second and third decades eclipses initial contributions by multiple orders of magnitude.
Worked Example (₹5,000/Month SIP at 12%)
Depositing ₹5,000 monthly totals ₹6L invested in 10 years for a ₹11.62L corpus; ₹12L invested in 20 years for ₹49.96L; and ₹18L invested in 30 years yields ₹1.76 Crore. Starting early gives compounding time to generate 90%+ of your final wealth.
12% Expected CAGR Projections (Long-Term Average)
| Monthly SIP | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹2,000 | ₹4.64 Lakh | ₹19.98 Lakh | ₹70.59 Lakh |
| ₹5,000 | ₹11.61 Lakh | ₹49.95 Lakh | ₹1.76 Crore |
| ₹10,000 | ₹23.23 Lakh | ₹99.91 Lakh | ₹3.53 Crore |
| ₹20,000 | ₹46.46 Lakh | ₹1.99 Crore | ₹7.06 Crore |
15% Expected CAGR Projections (Aggressive Markets)
| Monthly SIP | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹2,000 | ₹5.57 Lakh | ₹30.31 Lakh | ₹1.40 Crore |
| ₹5,000 | ₹13.93 Lakh | ₹75.79 Lakh | ₹3.50 Crore |
| ₹10,000 | ₹27.86 Lakh | ₹1.51 Crore | ₹7.00 Crore |
| ₹20,000 | ₹55.73 Lakh | ₹3.03 Crore | ₹14.01 Crore |
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Need a Custom Calculation?
Do you want to model a different monthly investment or check the schedule month-by-month? Check out our dedicated SIP returns projection tool.
SIP CalculatorHow to Read These SIP Return Tables
Each table shows what your monthly SIP investment would grow to after 10, 20, or 30 years at a specific CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate). The 12% CAGR table represents a conservative-to-moderate expectation for diversified equity mutual funds; the 15% CAGR table represents an optimistic long-term return estimate.
To use the table: find your monthly investment amount in the leftmost column, then read across to the time period column to find your projected maturity value. All values assume returns compound monthly and that the SIP amount remains constant throughout the investment period.
Key Assumptions Behind These Projections
- CAGR is constant — Real mutual fund returns fluctuate year to year. These tables use a flat annual return rate for simplicity.
- Monthly compounding — The formula assumes interest compounds every month, which is how most mutual fund NAV-based SIP returns are calculated.
- No exit loads or taxes — Long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax of 12.5% applies on equity mutual fund gains above ₹1.25L per year (FY 2024-25 onwards). The maturity values shown are pre-tax gross amounts.
- No step-up in investment — Tables assume a fixed monthly investment. Increasing your SIP by 10% annually (step-up SIP) can dramatically increase your final corpus — see our SIP Calculator for step-up modelling.
Worked Example — ₹5,000/Month at 12% CAGR for 20 Years
Suppose you start a SIP of ₹5,000 per month in a diversified equity mutual fund targeting 12% annual returns. After 20 years:
Total Investment
₹12 Lakh
(₹5,000 × 240 months)
Projected Maturity
₹49.95 Lakh
(at 12% CAGR)
Wealth Gain
₹37.95 Lakh
(returns earned)
This illustrates the power of compounding: your money more than quadruples over 20 years, with returns (₹37.95L) far exceeding the amount you actually invested (₹12L). Starting earlier — even with a smaller SIP — compounds this effect further.
What If You Increase Your SIP Every Year?
A step-up SIP (also called a SIP top-up) lets you automatically increase your monthly investment by a fixed percentage each year — commonly 10%. If you start at ₹5,000/month and increase by 10% annually, your projected 20-year corpus at 12% CAGR exceeds ₹85 Lakh — nearly 70% more than a flat SIP. Use our interactive SIP Calculator to model your exact step-up scenario.
Understanding Inflation-Adjusted Returns & Taxation
Inflation Impact (Real Returns)
While a 12% nominal CAGR quadruples your money over 20 years, inflation (historically ~5.5% in India) reduces purchasing power. The real rate of return is approximately 6.5%. A ₹50 Lakh corpus in 20 years will buy what ~₹17 Lakh buys today.
Equity Mutual Fund Taxation (LTCG)
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) on equity mutual funds held for over 12 months are taxed at 12.5% for gains exceeding ₹1.25 Lakh in a financial year. Factoring in tax helps you estimate net post-tax wealth accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions — SIP Return Tables
What is CAGR and how is it different from XIRR in SIP returns?
CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) assumes a fixed, constant annual return rate over the investment period — it is a simplified projection tool. XIRR (Extended Internal Rate of Return) is more accurate for real-world SIPs because it accounts for the actual timing of each monthly investment. For example, a SIP that grew from ₹12 lakh invested to ₹49.95 lakh over 20 years shows a CAGR of 12%, but the XIRR on monthly investments would be very close since SIPs invest money uniformly every month. These reference tables use CAGR for ease of comparison across scenarios.
Are the projected SIP returns guaranteed?
No. These tables show hypothetical projections assuming constant 12% or 15% annual returns. Actual mutual fund SIP returns fluctuate year to year based on market conditions, fund performance, and economic cycles. The actual returns may be higher or lower. Past performance of equity funds is not a guarantee of future results. These tables are for planning and illustration purposes only.
How is SIP corpus calculated?
The SIP corpus is calculated using the future value of annuity formula: FV = P × [((1 + r)^n – 1) / r] × (1 + r), where P is the monthly SIP amount, r is the monthly interest rate (annual rate ÷ 12), and n is the total number of months. For example, a monthly SIP of ₹5,000 at 12% CAGR over 20 years (240 months): r = 0.12/12 = 0.01, FV = 5000 × [(1.01^240 – 1)/0.01] × 1.01 ≈ ₹49.95 lakh.
Does LTCG tax apply to SIP maturity amounts shown in these tables?
Yes. The maturity values shown are pre-tax gross amounts. Equity mutual fund long-term capital gains (LTCG) above ₹1.25 lakh per financial year are taxed at 12.5% (no indexation benefit, effective FY 2024-25 onwards). Debt fund returns are taxed at your income tax slab rate. Always factor in LTCG before comparing net post-tax returns across SIP vs fixed deposit or other instruments.
What is a step-up SIP and how much extra corpus does it build?
A step-up SIP (or SIP top-up) lets you increase your monthly investment by a fixed percentage every year, typically 10%. Starting at ₹5,000/month with a 10% annual step-up at 12% CAGR over 20 years yields a projected corpus of over ₹85 lakh — nearly 70% more than the ₹49.95 lakh from a flat SIP. Use our interactive SIP Calculator to model step-up scenarios with your specific parameters.