Want to pause SIP investments?: All you need to know

Summary: Do you want to pause your SIPs temporarily? We outline the steps that you need to do. We also tell whether stopping your SIPs during market peaks is a good idea.

When we decide to start an SIP, it is natural to get nervous. Staying committed to a long-term investment is tough work. And the first question that comes to mind is often: Can I pause my SIP when I am in a financial crunch?

We'll answer all your SIP-related questions to put an end to your woes. So, read on to find out how you can fix your SIP slip-ups the right way.

Say I want to pause or take a break from my SIP. Is it possible?

Yes, you can. You can pause your SIPs online or offline for up to six months.

That said, there are a few fund houses that allow this pause facility for three months only. Your SIPs will automatically resume upon the expiry of the pause period.

Suggested read: Don't stop now

Is there any penalty?

No, you are not charged by the mutual fund house.

By when should I need to pause my SIP?

Depending on the AMC, you should send in the request 15 to 21 days before your next instalment date comes up.

How do I pause my SIP?

You can pause it online by visiting either CAMS or KFintech.

Pausing your SIPs on CAMS

• Log in to the CAMS website .
• In the side menu bar, click on 'My Transactions' and then select 'Systematic Transactions'.
• Select 'All' as mutual fund name, 'Systematic Investment Plan' as transaction type and 'Active' as transaction status.
• You will then be shown all your active SIPs.
• Each SIP row will have a 'Cancel' and 'Pause' button.
• Click the 'Pause' button, select the 'Pause Start Date' and 'No. of Instalments', and verify the request.

Pausing your SIPs on KFintech

• Log in to the KFintech website.
• Select 'Transact Online', then 'Pause/cancel Systematic Transactions'.
• Select 'Investor Name', 'SIP' as transaction type and the name of the fund house (for which you want to pause the SIP).
• Each SIP row will have a 'Cancel' and 'Pause' button.
• Click the 'Pause' button, select the 'Pause Start Date' and 'No. of Instalments', and verify the request.

You can also pause your SIPs by visiting the fund house's website. While the process might be different for each fund house, do remember to have your folio number with you.

Can I pause my SIP offline?

You can do so by notifying your fund house. You may also ask your mutual fund agent/advisor to do it for you.

The process to pause SIP offline is as follows:

• Request an SIP cancellation form from your AMC, CAMS or KFintech.
• Fill in the required details such as your folio number, PAN number, SIP scheme name, bank account details linked to the scheme, SIP amount and the date from which SIP is to be paused.
• Submit the paperwork to any branch of the AMC, CAMS or KFintech.

How many times can I pause my SIPs?

Once or twice for the duration of the SIP investment. However, it differs from one fund house to the other.

Why are my SIPs not eligible for pause?

The pause facility is available for monthly SIPs only.

Then, there are some fund houses like Axis that allow the pause facility if your SIP is greater than Rs 1,000 and has completed six months.

What happens if I miss my SIPs for two to three consecutive months?

Missing an SIP for a month or two may not be a problem. But missing it for three months straight will terminate your SIP.

Will I incur a penalty for missing my SIP investment?

Even if you miss making one SIP, your bank may charge a penalty for defaulting on your SIP payment.

To avoid such a scenario, it's best that you pause your SIP.

Does missing or pausing my SIP affect my credit score?

No, it doesn't. Your credit score is impacted only when you miss repaying your loan. And SIP is an investment, not a loan.

I had sufficient balance in my account, but my SIP didn't go through. Has my SIP stopped?

Your SIP may not have been registered for some reason.

But if this has happened during an ongoing SIP period, you need to contact the support team of the mutual fund house or your agent/advisor.

Should I pause my SIPs when the market is at a high and resume when it goes down and vice versa?

NO. No one can time the market to perfection.

In fact, this is the strength of SIPs. It buys less when the market is expensive and more when it is cheap. Hence, there comes the very purpose of SIP investments. By averaging the purchase cost, it saves you from the dilemma of timing the market.

This article was originally published on March 23, 2023, and last updated on December 03, 2025.