Insights for Everyday Investors
Plain-language guides on SIPs, mutual funds and planning, written by our team in Kolkata.
Invest Like a Student: 5 Lessons from an Ancient Shloka
An old Sanskrit shloka lists five qualities of a true student. Over 17 years of conversations with seasoned investors, I've seen why every investor needs the same five.
Read ArticleHerd Mentality in Investing: Why Following the Crowd Costs You Money
When an asset is in the news, everyone wants it,usually near the top. Using the 2025–26 silver frenzy and the 2020 stock market crash, this blog explains why following the crowd leads to buying high and selling low, and how asset allocation, rebalancing and steady SIPs help you do the opposite.
Read ArticleLTCG and STT: Can Scrapping Them Give Indian Equities a Fresh Start — and Bring FIIs Back?
The Finance Minister has opened the door to a debate on LTCG and STT. Here is the data on how these two taxes grew, what they collect, how FIIs have behaved — and what their removal could realistically do for Indian equities.
Read ArticleOvernight Funds: The Smart Way for Corporates to Park Weekend Cash
Every Friday afternoon, crores of rupees sit idle in Indian corporate current accounts, earning nothing until Monday morning. Overnight mutual funds let a treasury put that cash to work for the weekend, with near-zero credit risk and money back in the bank on the next business day. Think of a mid-sized manufacturer that collects ₹10 crore from customers on Friday but pays vendors only on Monday. Or a company that has received an equity infusion and will deploy it after a long weekend. In a current account, that money earns 0%. Parked in an overnight fund, it earns roughly the overnight money-market rate for every calendar day it stays invested, including Saturday, Sunday and holidays. This guide explains what overnight funds are, how they work, how to time a weekend parking correctly around SEBI's cut-off rules, and what it means for a company's tax and accounting.
Read ArticleResidential Status & NRI Taxation: What India Can Tax You On
Your tax residency, not your passport, decides what India can tax. This guide explains the day-count tests under Section 6 of the new Income-tax Act, 2025, the difference between ROR, RNOR and NRI, how common NRI income such as mutual fund gains, property sales and bank interest is taxed, and how returning Indians can use the RNOR window.
Read ArticleSeven Weeks of Red: What the Current Market Fall Means for Your Mutual Fund Investments
The Nifty has now fallen for seven weeks in a row, and Monday's sell-off hit almost every sector. This post explains what is driving the fall, what history says about big market falls, and why SIP investors should stay the course.
Read ArticleSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Funds, explained without the hype
SIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Funds let managers invest in mid and small caps and short up to 25% of the portfolio. We explain how they differ from regular mutual funds, fact-check the claims about microcaps and concentrated bets, and cover the rules, taxation, risks and who they suit.
Read ArticleWhy Knowing Your Risk Profile Matters More Than Fund Selection
Most investors research funds for hours but never assess their own risk tolerance. This post breaks down why your relationship with volatility — not just fund selection — decides investment success, using a simple FD comparison and how to read a fund's fact sheet correctly.
Read ArticleSuccession Planning: Why It Matters More Than You Think
This blog explains what succession planning is and why it's essential for both families and business owners — not just the wealthy. It covers the five key reasons it matters (protecting family from hardship, preserving wealth, preventing disputes, ensuring business continuity, and honouring personal wishes), the core components of a good plan, and closes with an 8-question FAQ addressing common doubts around wills, nominations, timing, and who should be involved.
Read ArticleHow to Start a SIP in Kolkata: A Practical Guide
If you're searching for how to begin systematic investing in mutual funds while based in Kolkata, this guide walks through the practical steps, the local considerations, and how a Kolkata-based mutual fund distributor can help along the way.
Read Article