Can ₹10,000 SIP Make You a Crorepati in 15 Years? Not Unless You Do This

A ₹10,000 SIP sounds like a disciplined, sensible start. But when the goal is ₹1 crore in 15 years, the math can feel like a reality check. That is where the idea of Step-Up SIP comes in. 

Dreams vs Reality: Why a ₹10,000 SIP may not reach ₹1 crore in 15 years 

Meet Mr Parth, an IT professional in his early 40s. He decides to start a SIP of ₹10,000 per month with a clear goal: building a ₹1 crore fund in the next 15 years. 

To test the goal, he uses an SIP calculator with these assumptions: 

• SIP per month: ₹10,000
  • Time period: 15 years
  • Expected return: 12% CAGR 

Outcome after 15 years (₹10,000 SIP at 12% CAGR): 
• Total value: ₹50,45,760 
• Invested amount: ₹18,00,000 
• Estimated returns: ₹32,45,760 

This gap is not because the SIP is “bad”. It is because ₹10,000 stays ₹10,000 for 15 years, while the goal quietly grows in the background due to inflation, lifestyle expectations, and time. 

Step Up SIP Meaning: The Simple Change That Alters the SIP Outcome 

A Step-Up SIP is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of investing the same amount every month forever, you increase your SIP contribution at a fixed rate every year. 

So, the SIP does not remain stuck at ₹10,000. It rises gradually, usually in line with income growth. 

In Parth’s case, everything remains the same: 

• Time period: 15 years
  • Expected return: 12% CAGR

Only one thing changes: 

• Step up rate: 13% every year

Step Up SIP Calculation: ₹10,000 SIP with 13% Annual Increase for 15 years 

Here is the same SIP plan, but with Step-Up SIP applied. 

Outcome after 15 years (Step Up SIP at 13% annually and 12% CAGR): 
• Total value: ₹1,04,28,130 
• Invested amount: ₹48,50,268 
• Estimated returns: ₹55,77,862 

So, the outcome crosses ₹1 crore not because returns magically improved, but because the contribution grew with time. 

Step Up SIP vs Normal SIP: What Really Changes in the Numbers 

In a normal SIP, the invested amount for Parth over 15 years is: 

₹10,000 × 12 × 15 = ₹18,00,000 

In a Step-Up SIP, the invested amount rises because the SIP keeps increasing every year, leading to: 

₹48,50,268 invested across 15 years 

That extra invested capital plays a big role in creating a higher final value, even with the same 12% CAGR assumption. 

Conclusion  

Parth’s story highlights a practical lesson: ambition is good, but numbers decide the route. A ₹10,000 SIP for 15 years at 12% CAGR can build a meaningful corpus of around ₹50.45 lakh. A Step-Up SIP with a 13% annual increase can push the final number near ₹1 crore, simply by investing more over time while letting compounding do its work. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.   
 
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