{"id":36059,"date":"2025-07-17T23:27:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T23:27:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/?p=36059"},"modified":"2025-07-17T23:33:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T23:33:30","slug":"recurring-deposit-vs-sip-which-is-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/recurring-deposit-vs-sip\/","title":{"rendered":"Recurring Deposit vs SIP \u2013 Which Is Better"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>December 15, 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My first salary in India after moving back from the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u20b92.8 lakh per month. Not bad for Bangalore standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here&#8217;s the thing. I had absolutely no clue what to do with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the US, everything was simple. 401k. Roth IRA. Done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In India? I was a complete noob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My mom called that evening. &#8220;Beta, put money in RD every month. Bank will give you good interest.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My Druva colleagues laughed. &#8220;Mani, do SIP in mutual funds. RD is for uncles.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was stuck between mom&#8217;s wisdom and millennial advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s what happened next. And why it changed everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smart Money Decisions \ud83e\udde0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Highlights:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Real returns comparison over 7 years of actual investing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal experiments with both RD and SIP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Data-driven insights from my investment journey<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practical guidance for NRI families<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tax implications that most people miss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Great Experiment Begins \ud83d\udd2c<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>January 2018. I decided to test both options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u20b910,000 monthly in SBI RD. \u20b910,000 monthly in HDFC Top 100 Fund SIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My wife thought I was crazy. &#8220;Why not just pick one?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But I wanted real data. Real results. Real proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seven years later, the results will shock you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Current Market Reality Check (2025 Data) \ud83d\udcca<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RD Interest Rates (July 2025):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SBI: 5.00% to 6.50% (general citizens)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HDFC Bank: Competitive rates varying by tenure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ICICI Bank: Attractive rates for different tenures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Senior citizens get additional 0.50% across banks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SIP Historical Performance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Equity mutual funds: 12% to 22% returns over 5-10 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Top performing funds consistently beating RD returns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market volatility creates opportunity for rupee cost averaging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me show you the exact numbers from my personal journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Ultimate 3-Column Reality Check \u2694\ufe0f<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Factor<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Recurring Deposit (RD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>SIP (Systematic Investment Plan)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>My Actual Returns (2018-2025)<\/strong><\/td><td>6.2% average<\/td><td>14.8% average<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Current Interest Rates<\/strong><\/td><td>5.0% &#8211; 8.5% (guaranteed)<\/td><td>8% &#8211; 25% (market linked)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Risk Level<\/strong><\/td><td>Zero (bank guaranteed)<\/td><td>Medium to High (market risk)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Minimum Investment<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b9100\/month (SBI)<\/td><td>\u20b9500\/month (most funds)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tax Treatment<\/strong><\/td><td>Interest taxed as income<\/td><td>LTCG: 10% if &gt;\u20b91L, STCG: 15%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Flexibility<\/strong><\/td><td>Fixed tenure (6m-10y)<\/td><td>No lock-in, can stop anytime<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Liquidity<\/strong><\/td><td>Penalty for early withdrawal<\/td><td>Can redeem anytime (exit load may apply)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>TDS Threshold<\/strong><\/td><td>\u20b940,000\/year (\u20b950,000 for seniors)<\/td><td>No TDS on investment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Inflation Protection<\/strong><\/td><td>Poor (barely beats inflation)<\/td><td>Good (historically beats inflation)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Suitable For<\/strong><\/td><td>Short-term goals, risk-averse<\/td><td>Long-term wealth, growth seekers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>NRI Accessibility<\/strong><\/td><td>Available for NRE\/NRO accounts<\/td><td>Easy through Indian mutual funds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Compounding Effect<\/strong><\/td><td>Limited due to lower rates<\/td><td>Powerful due to higher returns<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case Study: My Personal Numbers Don&#8217;t Lie \ud83d\udcc8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The RD Journey (2018-2025):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Total Invested:<\/strong> \u20b98.4 lakh (\u20b910,000 x 84 months) <br><strong>Current Value:<\/strong> \u20b910.9 lakh <br><strong>Absolute Return:<\/strong> \u20b92.5 lakh <br><strong>Actual Rate:<\/strong> 6.2% annual average<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The SIP Journey (2018-2025):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Total Invested:<\/strong> \u20b98.4 lakh (\u20b910,000 x 84 months)<br><strong>Current Value:<\/strong> \u20b919.2 lakh <br><strong>Absolute Return:<\/strong> \u20b910.8 lakh <br><strong>Actual Rate:<\/strong> 14.8% annual average<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Difference:<\/strong> \u20b98.3 lakh extra from SIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#8217;s more than my entire first year&#8217;s RD deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Conversation That Changed My Mind \ud83d\udcad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>March 2019. My son Arjun asked me a simple question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Papa, why do you put money in both places?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I explained. RD is safe. SIP can grow faster but has risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said, &#8220;But Papa, if you&#8217;re young, can&#8217;t you take some risk?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the mouth of a 12-year-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That day I realized something. I was playing it too safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next month, I shifted my allocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spotlight: Top Performing Options \ud83c\udfc6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">RD Champions (Current Rates):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SBI Regular RD:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rate: 5.00% &#8211; 6.50% (depending on tenure)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum: \u20b9100\/month<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Senior citizen bonus: +0.50%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>HDFC Bank RD:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Competitive rates across tenures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easy online opening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flexible payment options<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SIP Champions (My Personal Picks):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>HDFC Top 100 Fund:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My actual return: 15.2% (2018-2025)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Large cap stability with growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consistent performer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SBI Bluechip Fund:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reliable long-term performer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower volatility than mid-cap funds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Good for beginners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial Planning Strategies\ud83d\udca1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Current Allocation (As of 2025):<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conservative Approach (Like My Mom):<\/strong> \u2022 70% RD for guaranteed returns \u2022 30% SIP for growth potential \u2022 Focus on capital protection<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Balanced Approach (What I Do Now):<\/strong> \u2022 30% RD for emergency fund building \u2022 70% SIP for long-term wealth creation \u2022 Regular review and rebalancing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Aggressive Approach (For Young NRIs):<\/strong> \u2022 10% RD for immediate goals \u2022 90% SIP for maximum growth \u2022 High risk tolerance required<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Age-Based Strategy:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>20s-30s:<\/strong> 20% RD, 80% SIP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>30s-40s:<\/strong> 30% RD, 70% SIP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>40s-50s:<\/strong> 50% RD, 50% SIP<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>50s+:<\/strong> 70% RD, 30% SIP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Tax Shock That Nobody Talks About \ud83d\udca3<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>2024 was an eye-opener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My RD interest: \u20b952,000 My tax on RD: \u20b915,600 (30% bracket) Net RD return: 4.3% after tax<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My SIP gains: \u20b91.8 lakh My tax on SIP: \u20b98,000 (LTCG on amount above \u20b91 lakh) Net SIP return: 14.2% after tax<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tax efficiency of SIP blew my mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preparation Roadmap for Success \ud83d\ude80<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comprehensive Checklist for Smart Investment:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For RD Investment:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Choose bank with highest rate (compare all major banks) <br>\u2705 Understand penalty terms for early withdrawal <br>\u2705 Consider senior citizen benefits if applicable <br>\u2705 Set up auto-debit for consistent deposits <br>\u2705 Plan for tax implications on interest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For SIP Investment:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2705 Open demat account and mutual fund folios <br>\u2705 Choose funds based on risk appetite <br>\u2705 Set realistic return expectations (10-15% long-term) <br>\u2705 Plan for market volatility periods <br>\u2705 Understand tax implications of gains<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Monthly Investment Strategy:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Month 1-6:<\/strong> Start with 50-50 split to test comfort levels <br><strong>Month 7-12:<\/strong> Adjust based on market behavior and personal comfort <br><strong>Year 2+:<\/strong> Optimize allocation based on goals and age<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Biggest Mistake I Made (And How You Can Avoid It) \u274c<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2020\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>COVID crash.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>My SIP portfolio dropped 35% in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I panicked. Stopped my SIPs for 3 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Worst financial decision ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The market recovered by December. I missed the entire rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background\"><strong>Lesson learned:<\/strong> Never stop SIPs during market crashes. That&#8217;s when you buy the most units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My RD, meanwhile, kept giving the same 6% throughout the chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both have their place in a portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Real Talk: When to Choose What \ud83c\udfaf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choose RD if:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You&#8217;re saving for a specific goal within 5 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can&#8217;t handle ANY volatility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re above 55 years old<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You need guaranteed returns for peace of mind<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re new to investing and want to start safe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choose SIP if:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Your investment horizon is 5+ years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to beat inflation significantly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can handle short-term volatility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You&#8217;re under 50 years old<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to build serious wealth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My honest recommendation:<\/strong> Start with both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Find your comfort zone. Then optimize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Conversation with My Colleague at SuperMoney \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2022\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I was sharing my investment results with my team.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Priya asked, &#8220;Mani, if SIP is so much better, why do RDs at all?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Great question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RDs teach discipline. They&#8217;re your training wheels for investing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SIPs build wealth. They&#8217;re your vehicle for financial freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You need both at different stages of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting Started Today: No Excuses \ud83c\udfc3\u200d\u2642\ufe0f<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong> Open RD with \u20b95,000\/month Choose SBI, HDFC, or ICICI based on rates<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 2:<\/strong> Open SIP with \u20b95,000\/month Start with large-cap equity fund<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 3:<\/strong> Track for 12 months Compare actual results vs expectations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Step 4:<\/strong> Optimize allocation Shift based on comfort and goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t overthink it. Start somewhere. Today.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What I Tell Every NRI Family \ud83d\udcde<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When NRI friends ask me about RD vs SIP, I tell them this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Your emergency fund should be in RD. Your dreams should be in SIP.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;RD keeps you safe. SIP makes you rich.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Do both. Find your balance. Stay consistent.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The market will take care of the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Mom&#8217;s Wisdom vs Market Reality \ud83d\udc75<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the funny thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After seeing my SIP results, my mom started her own SIP in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She still does RD for monthly expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But her retirement fund? 60% SIP now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes the student teaches the teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line: My Brutal Honesty \ud83d\udcaf<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After 7 years of real money, real results:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For wealth creation:<\/strong> SIP wins. Not even close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For peace of mind:<\/strong> RD wins. Guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For most NRI families:<\/strong> Do both. 70% SIP, 30% RD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For beginners:<\/strong> Start with RD. Graduate to SIP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For aggressive investors:<\/strong> 90% SIP, 10% RD for emergencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your choice depends on your goals, age, and risk appetite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But don&#8217;t do nothing. That&#8217;s the biggest risk of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Sources &amp; References \ud83d\udcda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All data and insights in this article are based on official bank and mutual fund sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>SBI RD Rates:<\/strong> State Bank of India Official Website &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/cleartax.in\/s\/sbi-rd-interest-rates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SBI RD Interest Rates 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HDFC Bank RD Rates:<\/strong> HDFC Bank Official Rate Page &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hdfcbank.com\/personal\/save\/deposits\/recurring-deposit\/rd-interest-rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HDFC Bank RD Interest Rates<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ICICI Bank RD Rates:<\/strong> ICICI Bank Official Website &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.icicibank.com\/personal-banking\/deposits\/recurring-deposits\/rd-interest-rate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ICICI Bank RD Interest Rates<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RD Market Overview:<\/strong> BankBazaar Research &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankbazaar.com\/recurring-deposit-rates.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recurring Deposit Interest Rates India 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SIP vs RD Analysis:<\/strong> Groww Investment Platform &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/groww.in\/blog\/systematic-investment-plan-vs-recurring-deposit-which-is-better\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SIP vs RD Comparison 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mutual Fund Taxation:<\/strong> ClearTax Investment Guide &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/cleartax.in\/s\/different-mutual-funds-taxed\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How Mutual Funds Are Taxed<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Investment Strategy Analysis:<\/strong> Scripbox Research &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/scripbox.com\/mf\/sip-vs-rd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SIP vs RD Investment Comparison<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Market Performance Data:<\/strong> Mirae Asset Mutual Fund Research &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.miraeassetmf.co.in\/knowledge-center\/sip-vs-recurring-deposit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SIP vs Recurring Deposit Analysis<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tax Implications:<\/strong> BankBazaar Investment Guide &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankbazaar.com\/recurring-deposit\/difference-between-recurring-deposit-and-sip.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Difference Between RD and SIP<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Personal Finance Planning:<\/strong> Ujjivan Small Finance Bank &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ujjivansfb.in\/banking-blogs\/deposits\/recurring-deposit-vs-sip-which-is-better\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RD vs SIP Investment Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><em>All data current as of July 2025. Investment returns are subject to market risks. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consult a financial advisor for personalized investment advice.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>December 15, 2017. My first salary in India after moving back from the US. \u20b92.8 lakh per month. Not bad for Bangalore standards. But here&#8217;s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nri-finance"],"modified_by":"Mani Karthik","menu_order":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36059"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36059\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36061,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36059\/revisions\/36061"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/manikarthik.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}