By Mr. Yaseen Sahar, Financial Expert

Mutual Fund Industry Maintains Strong Momentum in January 2026

The Indian mutual fund industry continued its robust growth trajectory in January 2026, with assets under management (AUM), investor participation, and SIP contributions reaching new milestones. Data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) highlights steady expansion across key parameters, reflecting growing investor confidence and deeper market penetration.

Industry AUM Crosses ₹81 Lakh Crore

The net assets under management (AUM) of the mutual fund industry stood at ₹81,01,305.58 crore in January 2026, up from ₹80,23,378.99 crore in December 2025. This steady rise demonstrates sustained inflows and appreciation in market values.

The Average Assets Under Management (AAUM) for the month reached ₹82,01,174.62 crore, further indicating stability in overall industry assets.

Investor Base Expands Rapidly

Investor participation saw a significant jump during the month. Total mutual fund folios increased to 26,63,13,561 in January 2026, with 50.6 lakh new folios added in just one month. In comparison, folios stood at 26,12,53,836 in December 2025.

Retail participation remained particularly strong. Retail mutual fund folios (covering Equity, Hybrid, and Solution Oriented schemes) rose to 20,43,09,553 in January 2026, up from 20,27,86,198 in December 2025. This increase underlines the growing popularity of mutual funds among individual investors.

Retail AUM Shows Healthy Growth

Retail AUM, which includes Equity, Hybrid, and Solution Oriented schemes, reached ₹46,48,915 crore in January 2026. This reflects the continued preference of retail investors for long-term wealth creation through market-linked investment avenues.

Equity Inflows Stay Positive for 59th Consecutive Month

January 2026 marked the 59th consecutive month of positive equity inflows, a streak that began in March 2021. This long run of net inflows clearly indicates that investors remain committed to equities despite periodic market volatility.

SIP Culture Strengthens Further

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) continued to be the backbone of retail investing:

· SIP assets reached an impressive ₹16,36,082.09 lakh crore, contributing 20.2% of total mutual fund assets.

· Monthly SIP contributions touched ₹31,002.33 crore in January 2026, reflecting consistent disciplined investing.

· The number of active SIP accounts increased to 9,92,18,602, showcasing the expanding base of regular investors.

These figures reaffirm that SIPs have become the preferred investment route for millions of Indians aiming for long-term financial goals.

New Fund Launch Activity

Fund houses launched 12 new schemes in January 2026, all open-ended and across various categories. These new offerings collectively mobilized ₹1,939 crore, indicating healthy appetite for fresh investment opportunities.

Strong Performance in SIF Category

The Specified Investment Funds (SIF) segment also witnessed encouraging trends:

· Total SIF assets stood at ₹6,564 crore in January 2026.

· The category received net inflows of ₹1,729 crore, with hybrid strategies alone attracting ₹1,637 crore.

This reflects growing investor interest in specialized and hybrid investment strategies.

Conclusion

The January 2026 AMFI data clearly highlights the growing strength and maturity of India’s mutual fund industry. Rising AUM, record SIP contributions, expanding investor base, and continuous equity inflows all point toward a healthy and resilient investment environment.

With financial awareness increasing and more investors embracing systematic investing, the mutual fund industry appears well-positioned for sustained long-term growth in the years ahead.

Mr. Yaseen Sahar has been reached at rahas84@gmail.com and 98433 13512

Read articles written by Mr. Yaseen Sahar, Financial Expert in Nanayam Vikatan, Aval Vikatan and Vikatan.com a leading personal finance magazine : https://bit.ly/4mcEqWq

Yaseen Sahar is an investment strategist and author focused on asset allocation, mutual funds, and wealth creation. He writes extensively on financial markets, macroeconomics, and long-term investment strategy. Views are his personal.