Retail Investors Keep SIPs on Track Despite Volatile Markets: ICRA Analytics

Retail participation in Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) remained resilient in February 2026, even amid heightened market fluctuations, according to ICRA Analytics.

SIP inflows for February 2026 totaled ₹29,845 crore, marking a 14.8% rise from ₹25,999 crore in February 2025. While this reflects continued enthusiasm among retail investors, contributions were slightly lower compared with January 2026, which saw ₹31,002 crore, representing a month-on-month dip of 3.7%.

Expansion in SIP Accounts

The number of active SIP accounts climbed to 9.44 crore, up from 8.26 crore a year earlier, signaling sustained retail engagement. Total outstanding SIP accounts also grew to 10.45 crore, compared with 10.17 crore in February 2025.

Assets Under Management and Market Impact

SIP assets under management reached ₹16.64 lakh crore, constituting roughly 20.3% of the total mutual fund industry AUM, based on Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) data. The slight moderation in SIP AUM was largely due to mark-to-market corrections from market volatility rather than waning investor interest.

Also Read: Quant Small Cap Fund Stocks Update: What the Fund Bought and Sold in February?

Long-Term Investment Trends

The data underscores the continued appeal of SIPs as a long-term investment tool. Retail investors in India are increasingly favouring mutual funds, particularly equity-oriented schemes and SIPs, as a structured approach to wealth creation. This shift reflects both structural changes in household financial behaviour and growing awareness of disciplined, long-term investing strategies.

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