The number of contributing SIP accounts also reached an all-time high of 10.2 crore, compared with 9.9 crore in July
Inflows into mutual funds through systematic investment plans (SIPs) hit a fresh record high of ₹32,297 crore in August, up from ₹31,861 crore in July, even as equity markets remained turbulent due to geopolitical tensions and higher crude oil prices.
Interestingly, investments in small-cap funds remained buoyant at ₹7,973 crore, compared with ₹7,767 crore in July, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) on Thursday. Mid-cap funds recorded even higher inflows of ₹6,989 crore, up from ₹6,192 crore in the previous month.
SIP accounts
The number of contributing SIP accounts also reached an all-time high of 10.2 crore, compared with 9.9 crore in July. Venkat Chalasani, Chief Executive of AMFI, said that despite geopolitical concerns and rising crude prices, investors continued to believe in India’s growth story. He added that the RBI’s ability to absorb $127 billion has been a significant achievement, considering past experiences.
Inflows into equity funds rose 19 per cent to ₹29,329 crore in August from ₹24,697 crore in July. Outflows from large-cap funds eased marginally to ₹1,147 crore from ₹1,322 crore. The newly introduced life-cycle funds attracted inflows of ₹8 crore.
The industry’s overall assets under management (AUM) increased to ₹87.07 lakh crore from ₹85.76 lakh crore, largely driven by mark-to-market gains.
Manish Mehta, Chief Business Officer at SBI Mutual Fund, said that while new fund offer (NFO) mobilisations of ₹3,051 crore in equity schemes and ₹1,848 crore in other categories contributed to net sales, mid-cap and small-cap schemes continued to account for a significant share of inflows.
He added that the distribution community continues to support investors during volatile market conditions and encourages them to stay committed to their asset-allocation plans.
Harish Krishnan, CIO – Equity at Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC, said the growing strength of equity inflows reflects sustained participation in the broader market and confidence in India’s long-term growth prospects. At the same time, he cautioned that the small-cap segment requires careful differentiation, given the wide dispersion in valuations and underlying fundamentals.
Saugata Chatterjee, President and Deputy CEO of Nippon India Mutual Fund, said record-high SIP contributions and a moderating stoppage ratio underscore the growing investment discipline among Indian investors.
Gold ETFs
He noted that strong investor interest in Gold ETFs, which received inflows of ₹2,597 crore compared with ₹1,559 crore in July, along with consistent investments in multi-asset allocation funds, reflects a growing preference for diversification and balanced portfolio allocation amid global uncertainty.
Gaurav Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Canara Robeco AMC, said robust SIP inflows and steady equity investments indicate that investors are not only participating in the markets but are also remaining invested through market cycles with a focus on long-term wealth creation.
He added that the opportunity for the mutual fund industry now lies in converting this growing participation into deeper engagement by helping investors remain focused on their financial goals and investment horizons.