According to reports from NDTV Profit, homemakers can begin their investment journey with as little as ₹100 monthly. Many government schemes in India have low entry barriers, making it accessible for those with limited income sources. The key is to start with whatever amount is feasible without impacting overall household expenses, building good fiscal habits over time. As per recent investment planning guidelines, the '100 minus age' formula suggests the percentage of portfolio allocation to equities - for example, someone aged 30 can allocate up to 70% to equity-oriented investments, with the rest in safer debt instruments.
As reported by NDTV Profit, conservative investors can start with Recurring Deposit accounts at post offices, which require only small monthly contributions. Post offices currently provide 6.7% interest on RDs, making them attractive for beginners. Additionally, homemakers may consider investing in gold as a safe, traditional option, with historical returns of around 10% annually. For those aged 60 and above, Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) offers one of the highest interest rates among fixed-income options with tax benefits. Fixed Deposits provide fixed returns over chosen tenures with low risk, while government-backed securities offer safe options for conservative investors.
According to the report, mutual funds offer another viable option for homemakers, particularly large cap or arbitrage funds with debt components for stability. Initial investments can be as low as ₹100, with the ability to gradually increase contributions over time. Investors can rebalance their portfolios based on long-term goals and risk tolerance as their investment knowledge grows. Balanced Advantage Funds combine equity, arbitrage, and debt strategies to provide relatively stable returns with lower volatility than pure equity funds, offering 8-12% returns in the hybrid category. Mutual funds are regulated by SEBI and offer different types of fund options, with lump sum and Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) modes available. ELSS mutual funds provide tax deductions under Section 123 on investment amounts up to ₹1.5 lakh, with gains taxed at 12.5% if sold after 12 months.
As reported by NDTV Profit, even saving 5% of total household budget can serve as a good starting point. For example, someone with a ₹10,000 monthly household budget could begin with ₹500 monthly. The report emphasizes that discipline matters more than investment size, with homemakers able to add extra contributions from gifts, shagun, or selling old items to gradually increase their savings pool. In 2026, investors are seeking investment plans that balance growth, flexibility, and tax efficiency, with focus shifting from just saving tax to building tax-efficient wealth.
Tax-saving remains a key factor while choosing investment plans in India. Under Section 80C of the old regime, options such as PPF, ELSS, life insurance premiums, and NPS allow deductions of up to ₹1.5 lakh, helping reduce taxable income while building long-term wealth. Even under the new tax regime, life insurance policies continue to provide tax-free maturity under Section 10(10D), subject to applicable conditions. The National Pension System (NPS) offers tax benefits under 80C plus additional ₹50,000 deduction, making it a strong retirement-focused investment option. Aviva Signature Investment Plans offer zero allocation charges and tax-free maturity benefits under Section 10(10D), designed to deliver growth, flexibility, and tax efficiency in 2026.
