12 LPA is the package where SIP finally feels possible — and lifestyle inflation kills it fastest. On fixed-heavy metro packages, in-hand often lands ₹75–90k/month. After rent at 30–35%, you still have headroom for ₹15–25k SIP if you automate on payday.
SIP math on 12 LPA in-hand
Do not SIP on CTC ÷ 12. Run fixed pay through a take-home calculator, subtract rent and essentials, then target 15–20% of in-hand for equity SIP. At ₹80k in-hand, that is ₹12–16k/month — enough to build ₹1 crore over 15–18 years at 12% CAGR if you step up on raises.
- Fixed-heavy 12 LPA metro in-hand: often ₹75–90k/month after PF and tax.
- Conservative SIP: ₹10–15k/month if rent is controlled.
- Aggressive SIP: ₹18–25k/month if you live with roommates or in Tier-2.
- Start with ₹5k if you must — zero SIP while waiting for the perfect amount is the real trap.
The takeaway
Automate SIP the same day salary hits. The month you upgrade rent or phone EMI before investing is when 12 LPA stops compounding.