Duration
1 week
Level
Beginner friendly
Style
Live and hands-on
Mode
Delhi or online
Language
English and Hindi
Fees
Enquire for fees
The basics

What is a mutual fund, in plain words?

A mutual fund collects money from many investors and invests it in shares, bonds, gold or a mix, according to a written objective. A professional fund manager makes the buying and selling decisions. You receive units, and the price of one unit, the NAV (net asset value), rises and falls with the value of everything the fund owns.

That makes mutual funds one of the simplest ways to own a diversified portfolio with a small monthly amount. It does not make them risk free. Choosing the wrong type of fund for your goal, paying more in costs than you need to, or stopping a SIP in a falling market can cost you far more than picking a “wrong” fund.

This mutual fund workshop for beginners is about those decisions: which category suits which goal, how to read a factsheet, how to compare direct and regular plans, and how tax changes what you take home.

What a fund gives you

  • Diversification with a small amount
  • Professional management
  • Easy SIPs and withdrawals
  • Regulation and disclosure by SEBI rules

What it does not give you

  • Guaranteed returns
  • Protection from market falls
  • A substitute for an emergency fund
  • A reason to skip reading the documents

Indians are investing through mutual funds at record scale

Which is exactly why it pays to understand what you are buying.

Industry assets under management
₹86.34 lakh crore
Money invested through SIPs in one month
₹31,961 crore
SIP accounts
10.63 crore

Source: AMFI monthly data for July 2026, as reported by Cafemutual on 11 August 2026.

Who should join

Who this mutual fund workshop is for

No finance background needed. If you can use a banking app, you can follow every session.

  • First-time investors

    You have savings sitting in a bank account and want a clear, safe way to start investing them.

  • Salaried professionals

    You already run a SIP or two, often picked by someone else, and want to know whether they are the right ones.

  • Families planning goals

    Children’s education, a home, retirement: you want a plan that links each goal to the right kind of fund.

  • Traders who want a core

    You trade actively and want a steady long-term portfolio alongside it, built on rules rather than tips.

Day-by-day plan

The 7-day mutual fund workshop plan

One focused topic a day, each ending with something you can use straight away. By day seven you have a written plan for your own money.

  1. Day1

    How mutual funds work

    The structure behind every fund and the words you will see on every statement.

    • AMC, trustees, custodian and RTA
    • NAV and units
    • Open-ended vs closed-ended
    • Growth vs IDCW options
    • Direct vs regular plans
    • Scheme documents: SID and KIM

    You can explain exactly what you own when you buy a unit.

  2. Day2

    Fund categories and risk

    SEBI’s categories decoded, so that every fund name tells you what it may hold.

    • Large, mid, small and flexi cap
    • Debt funds by duration and credit
    • Hybrid and balanced advantage funds
    • Index funds and ETFs
    • Life cycle and solution-oriented funds
    • The riskometer

    You can shortlist the right category for a given goal.

  3. Day3

    Reading a factsheet

    Compare funds on more than last year’s return.

    • Rolling returns vs point-to-point
    • Benchmark comparison
    • Expense ratio under SEBI’s 2026 rules
    • Portfolio, AUM and turnover
    • Standard deviation, Sharpe ratio, beta
    • Fund manager track record

    You can compare two funds side by side with a written checklist.

  4. Day4

    SIP, lump sum, STP and SWP

    How you invest matters as much as where.

    • Rupee cost averaging
    • Step-up SIPs
    • Lump sum vs staggered entry
    • Systematic transfer plans
    • Systematic withdrawal plans
    • Power of compounding

    You can size a SIP for a target amount and date.

  5. Day5

    Goal planning and asset allocation

    Link every rupee to a goal, a time horizon and a level of risk.

    • Emergency fund first
    • Short, medium and long-term goals
    • Equity, debt and gold mix
    • Inflation-adjusted targets
    • ELSS for tax saving
    • Rebalancing rules

    You have an asset allocation written down for each of your goals.

  6. Day6

    Costs, exit loads and tax

    What you keep after costs and tax is the only return that counts.

    • Expense ratio and exit load
    • Equity fund STCG and LTCG
    • Debt fund taxation
    • IDCW taxation and TDS
    • Tax harvesting basics
    • Switching without surprises

    You can estimate the tax on a redemption before you make it.

  7. Day7

    Build, track and protect your portfolio

    Put it all together, and learn the paperwork and safeguards most investors skip.

    • KYC and investing platforms
    • Consolidated account statement (CAS)
    • Portfolio overlap
    • When to review and when to exit
    • Nominees and records
    • Checking a distributor’s ARN and avoiding mis-selling

    You leave with a one-page mutual fund plan for your own goals.

Concepts, illustrated

Four pictures that explain mutual funds

A preview of how we teach: every idea is drawn first, then worked through with real scheme documents in the workshop.

INVESTORSTHE FUNDPool of moneyFund manager decideswithin the scheme’s rulesPORTFOLIOSharesBondsGold, cash, moremoney ininvestsInvestors get units · value per unit = NAVRegulated by SEBI · trustees oversee the AMC · a custodian holds the securities

How a mutual fund works

Thousands of investors pool their money. A professional fund manager invests it according to the scheme's stated objective. You own units, and the value of one unit, the NAV, moves with the value of the portfolio.

LowLow toModerateModerateModeratelyHighHighVery HighExample needle: a scheme rated High

The riskometer

Every scheme must show its risk level on a six-step scale, from Low to Very High. Match it to your own risk appetite and time horizon before you invest.

50.0Month 162.5Month 283.3Month 366.7Month 455.6Month 545.5Month 6₹20₹16₹12₹15₹18₹22Units bought with ₹1,000NAV that monthAverage NAV ₹17.17Your average cost ₹16.51Illustrative NAVs, not a real fund

Rupee cost averaging with a SIP

A fixed monthly amount buys more units when prices fall and fewer when they rise. It does not guarantee a profit, but it removes the need to time the market.

0.75% yearly cost: ₹84.0 lakh1.5% yearly cost: ₹76.8 lakhGap after 20 years: ₹7.2 lakh₹10,000 a month · 12% a year before costsYr 1Yr 5Yr 10Yr 15Yr 20Illustrative assumptions only, not a forecast

Why costs matter over decades

A small yearly difference in expense ratio compounds into a large gap. Direct plans usually cost less than regular plans because no distributor commission is paid.

Fund category explorer

Types of mutual funds in India, explained

SEBI sorts every scheme into a defined category with rules on what it can hold. Pick a family to explore.

Invest mainly in shares. Highest long-term growth potential and the biggest swings. Suited to goals five or more years away.

  • Large cap

    Mostly the 100 largest listed companies by market value.

    Very High

  • Mid cap

    Mostly companies ranked 101 to 250 by market value.

    Very High

  • Small cap

    Mostly companies ranked 251 and below. The sharpest rises and falls.

    Very High

  • Flexi cap

    Free to move between large, mid and small companies.

    Very High

  • Multi cap

    Must hold a minimum share of large, mid and small companies.

    Very High

  • ELSS

    Tax-saving equity fund with a three-year lock-in.

    Very High

  • Value, contra and focused

    Distinct styles: undervalued stocks, against-the-crowd bets, or a small number of holdings.

    Very High

  • Sectoral and thematic

    One sector or theme, such as banking or infrastructure. Concentrated risk.

    Very High

Risk levels shown are the level most common in each category. Every scheme publishes its own riskometer, which can differ, so always check the scheme’s documents.

Try the numbers

SIP calculator and expense ratio calculator

Two tools we use on day four and day six. Change the inputs and see how time, step-ups and costs change the outcome.

Step-up SIP calculator

Monthly SIP, raised once a year by the step-up rate.

You invest–
Estimated growth–
Estimated value–
Returns are not guaranteed and will vary from year to year. This is an illustration, not a projection for any fund.

What do fund costs take?

Same SIP, same market return, two different expense ratios.

Fund A ends at–
Fund B ends at–
Difference–
Expense ratios differ by scheme and plan. Check the current figure in each scheme’s factsheet.
Tax at a glance

How mutual funds are taxed in India (FY 2026-27)

Tax depends on the type of fund and how long you hold it. Day six covers worked examples and how to plan redemptions.

Mutual fund capital gains and income tax for individual residents, FY 2026-27
Fund typeHeld up to 12 monthsHeld over 12 monthsNote
Equity-oriented funds (65%+ in Indian equity)20%12.5% on gains above ₹1.25 lakh a yearThe ₹1.25 lakh limit is for all equity gains in a year combined
Debt funds bought on or after 1 April 2023Added to income and taxed at your slab rate, whatever the holding periodNo indexation benefit
Other hybrid, gold and international fundsSlab rate12.5% if held long enough to count as long termRules depend on the fund’s mix and listing; checked in class
IDCW (dividend) payoutsAdded to income and taxed at your slab rate10% TDS when dividends from one fund house exceed ₹10,000 in a year

Rates shown before surcharge and 4% cess. Tax rules change with each Budget, so confirm with a tax adviser before acting.

Myth or fact

Six mutual fund myths that cost investors money

Tap a card to see the reality.

Readiness check

Before you invest: an 8-point checklist

Tick what you have already done. The workshop covers every item you have not.

How you learn

Real factsheets, real statements, your own plan

  • Real documents

    We work through actual factsheets, scheme documents and account statements, not slides alone.

  • Hands-on tools

    SIP, goal and cost calculations done together, so you can repeat them on your own.

  • Delhi or online

    Join our Delhi classroom or the same live sessions online from anywhere in India.

  • Free demo first

    Attend a demo class and see the teaching style before you enrol.

Keep learning

Where to go after the workshop

Pick stocks yourself

Fundamental Analysis Course

Read annual reports, value companies and build your own stock portfolio. Six weeks.

See the Fundamental course → Learn the charts

Technical Analysis Course

Trends, candlesticks, indicators and risk control on live charts. One month.

See the Technical course → Complete programme

Alpha Course

Three months for beginners covering the stock market from basics to live practice.

See the Alpha course →
FAQ

Mutual fund workshop: common questions

What will I learn in the mutual fund workshop?

How mutual funds work, SEBI fund categories and the riskometer, how to read a factsheet, SIPs, STPs and SWPs, goal planning and asset allocation, expense ratios, exit loads and tax, and how to build, track and review your own portfolio.

How long is the mutual fund workshop?

The workshop runs for one week, with one focused topic each day. By the last day you have a written mutual fund plan for your own goals.

Is the workshop suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. It starts from what a mutual fund is and needs no finance background. If you already run SIPs, it helps you check whether they suit your goals.

Can I attend the workshop online?

Yes. You can join our Delhi classroom or the same live sessions online from anywhere in India, in English or Hindi.

Will you tell me which mutual funds to buy?

No. 9AM Traders Academy is an education provider and does not recommend or sell any scheme. We teach you how to compare and choose funds yourself.

What is the difference between direct and regular plans?

Both invest in the same portfolio. A regular plan includes a commission paid to the distributor, so its expense ratio is higher. A direct plan has no commission, so more of the return stays with you over time.

Is a SIP better than a lump sum investment?

A SIP spreads your investment over time, which removes the need to time the market and builds a saving habit. A lump sum can do better when markets rise steadily. The workshop shows when each makes sense, and how an STP combines the two.

How are mutual funds taxed in India?

For FY 2026-27, equity-oriented fund gains are taxed at 20% if held up to 12 months and at 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh a year if held longer. Gains on debt funds bought on or after 1 April 2023 are taxed at your slab rate. IDCW payouts are taxed at your slab rate.

What are the fees for the mutual fund workshop?

Please send us an enquiry through the contact page for current fees and batch dates, or ask during your free demo class.

Are mutual funds safe?

Mutual funds are regulated by SEBI, and your units are held separately from the fund house's own money. They are still subject to market risk, so the value can fall. Choosing the right category for your goal and time horizon is the main way to manage that risk.

Give your money a plan, not a tip

Book a free demo class in Delhi or online, in English or Hindi. Ask us for fees and the next batch of the one-week mutual fund workshop.

Book a free demo Enquire for fees