15 LPA is the package where SIP finally feels comfortable — and lifestyle inflation kills it fastest. On fixed-heavy metro packages, in-hand often lands ₹95k–1.15L/month. After rent at 30–35%, you still have headroom for ₹20–35k SIP if you automate on payday.
SIP math on 15 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 ₹1L in-hand, that is ₹15–20k/month — enough to build ₹1 crore over 12–15 years at 12% CAGR if you step up on raises.
- Fixed-heavy 15 LPA metro in-hand: often ₹95k–1.15L/month after PF and tax.
- Conservative SIP: ₹15–22k/month if rent is controlled.
- Aggressive SIP: ₹25–35k/month if you live with roommates or in Tier-2.
- Start with ₹8k 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 15 LPA stops compounding.