Planning to start Rs 25,000 SIP? Invest in these 3 funds

Last week, I got a call from my friend from Mumbai, informing me about his promotion. Soon after, he said: “Also, I want to start a Rs 25,000 monthly SIP. But I don’t know where to begin. There are so many funds out there.” It’s a problem most first-time investors face. You’ve got the intent and the discipline to invest. But where do you start? So, instead of throwing five-star ratings or past return tables at him, I broke it down into something easier: start with three funds. Start with an aggressive hybrid fund If you're starting your investing journey, an aggressive hybrid fund can be your perfect first step. Why? Because it blends the best of both worlds: about two-thirds of your money goes into equities (for growth) and the rest into debt (for stability). “But isn’t debt very conservative?” my friend chimed in. It sure is, but during market crashes, debt acts like a shock absorber. While your pure equity fund might be tumbling, this one holds steadier, making it easier to stay calm and invested. And staying invested in an aggressive hybrid is the real game-changer. Take this: a middle-of-the-road aggressive hybrid fund delivered around 14.4 per cent returns over the last 10 years. So, even if you assumed an aggressive hybrid to grow 14 per cent annually, a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP would’ve grown to Rs 25.6 lakh in 10 years. That too, without the full rollercoaster ride of equity funds. Moreover, the truth is, new investors often panic during downturns. It’s natural. Watching your investme