Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, told the packed auditorium at the NDTV Profit Ignite summit in Mumbai on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, that a systematic investment plan held for ten years has never turned out poorly for investors. She said the premium earned over a typical fixed deposit stems from the plan's ability to ride market swings, delivering 4–5% higher returns on average. ‘Investing in India means investing in growing companies,’ she added, underscoring that earnings growth outpaces external turbulence.
Gupta also forecasted that India will soon have 100 asset‑management companies, a sharp rise from the current 75, and that the sector will accommodate a spectrum of models—from mega‑cap, full‑service firms to niche specialists and passive managers—mirroring the US and China landscape.
Meanwhile, SEBI chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced that from November 1, direct plans will become the default option on all AMC digital platforms, urging investors to note the higher expense ratios on regular plans. But the scrutiny on fees could push AMCs to lower their charges. A recent SEBI survey found 63% of households were aware of at least one securities‑market product, yet only 9.5% actually invested.
For a 28‑year‑old freelancer in Bengaluru, the shift means reviewing his monthly SIP contributions and possibly switching to a direct plan to shave off the 1.5% expense differential, a move that could net an extra ₹5,000 annually.
The industry will watch the upcoming policy rollout closely, as the new default could accelerate the shift towards direct plans and reshape the competitive dynamics among the growing pool of AMCs.