₹1 crore sounds impossible on a normal salary until you run the SIP math. At 12% annualised returns, a ₹10,000 monthly SIP reaches about ₹1 crore in roughly 20 years. Start earlier or step up yearly, and the timeline shrinks fast.
Rough timelines at 12% return
- ₹5,000/month: ~25–26 years.
- ₹10,000/month: ~20 years.
- ₹15,000/month: ~17 years.
- ₹25,000/month: ~14 years.
These assume steady returns — markets do not move in a straight line. Use 10–12% for planning, not 15%+ fantasy rates from marketing charts.
The step-up cheat code
Increase your SIP by 10% every year with salary hikes. A ₹10,000 SIP stepped up annually can reach ₹1 crore several years sooner than a flat SIP — without feeling a sudden lifestyle cut.
The takeaway
₹1 crore in 2046 is not the same as ₹1 crore today. Adjust goals for inflation (~6%) or target a higher corpus for real purchasing power.