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Is Internship Stipend Taxable? How Students Can Claim 100% TDS Refund (Complete Guide)

Imagine this scenario: You land a fantastic part-time work-from-home job or a summer internship. The offer letter says you will be paid ₹15,000 per month . You are thrilled! You already have plans for that money. But when the payment hits your bank account, you only see ₹13,500 . You panic. Where did the remaining ₹1,500 go? Did the company cheat you? Relax. The company didn't cheat you. The government just took a slice called TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) . This silent leak drains millions of rupees from student bank accounts every year because most students assume "I don't earn enough to pay tax, so I can't do anything about it." Don't lose 10% of your stipend to TDS. This cycle shows how filing your ITR (Income Tax Return) legally brings that deducted money back into your pocket. Here is the reality: Just because tax was cut, does...
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Mutual Funds vs Fixed Deposits: Which is Better for New Investors?

If you're a young earner in India today, you already know that ₹10,000 doesn’t buy what ₹10,000 did five years ago. Inflation quietly eats into your savings, and this is where the debate — Mutual Funds vs Fixed Deposits — becomes more important than ever. Most of us grew up hearing, “FD kara lo, safe hota hai,” but today’s generation wants safety and better returns.

Whether you’ve just started your first job, run a small business, or are saving from part-time work (like the jobs discussed in our guide on work-from-home opportunities for students), choosing the right investment is the first step toward financial freedom.

Infographic comparing Fixed Deposits (FD) with Mutual Funds for Indian beginners, illustrating guaranteed returns and safety on the left versus higher market-linked growth potential on the right.
Confused between the safety of an FD and the growth potential of Mutual Funds? This infographic breaks down the key differences in risk, returns, and suitability for new investors in India. Read the full article to decide which path is better for your financial goals.

In this article, you’ll find a clear, beginner-friendly comparison of Mutual Funds and FDs, supported by facts, examples, real-world calculations, and trusted external references.

Understanding the Basics

What Is a Fixed Deposit (FD)?

A Fixed Deposit is a savings instrument offered by banks (regulated by the Reserve Bank of India) and NBFCs where you deposit a lump sum for a fixed period at a guaranteed interest rate.

  • Guaranteed returns
  • Tenure options: 7 days to 10 years
  • Risk: No market-related risk
  • Liquidity: Premature withdrawal allowed (with penalty)

Best For: Risk-averse beginners, emergency savings, and short-term goals.

What Are Mutual Funds?

Mutual Funds pool money from investors and invest in equities, debt instruments, or both. Managed by SEBI-regulated fund managers, they aim to generate higher long-term returns. For deeper industry data, you can often refer to AMFI India.

  • Equity Funds: High risk, high return potential
  • Debt Funds: Lower risk, stable returns
  • Hybrid Funds: Balanced risk
  • ELSS Tax-Saving Funds: Lowest lock-in, great for 80C

Best For: Long-term wealth creation, inflation-beating goals, and disciplined savings through SIPs.

Mutual Funds vs Fixed Deposits: Quick Comparison Table

Feature Fixed Deposits (FD) Mutual Funds
Returns 5–7% 6–15% (varies by fund type)
Risk Level Very Low Low to High
Lock-in Period Optional; 5 years for Tax Saver FD None (ELSS = 3 years)
Tax Benefit (80C) Yes (Tax Saver FD) Yes (ELSS funds)
Liquidity Penalty on early withdrawal Easy withdrawals (except ELSS)
Best For Safety-first investors Growth-focused investors

Risk vs Reward: The Key Difference

FD: Safety Over Returns

FDs offer assured returns. If you invest ₹1,00,000 in a 7% FD for 5 years:

Maturity Amount: ₹1,00,000 → ₹1,40,255 (approx.)

Safe? Yes. Inflation-beating? Not always. If inflation is at 6%, your real return becomes almost zero.

Infographic illustrating a comparison between Mutual Funds (depicted with growing dollar coins and an upward arrow on a beige background) versus Fixed Deposits (depicted with an FD document and a Rupee money bag on a blue background), posing the question: "Which is Better for New Investors?".
A visual breakdown asking the critical question for beginners: choosing between the potential growth of Mutual Funds and the traditional safety of Fixed Deposits (FDs). Read on to understand returns, risks, and which option suits your financial goals better.

Mutual Funds: Higher Returns Over Longer Periods

If you invest ₹1,00,000 in an equity mutual fund averaging 12% annually:

Maturity Amount after 5 years: ₹1,00,000 → ₹1,76,234 (approx.)

Real return after inflation? Still strongly positive. This is why many financial advisors recommend SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) for disciplined beginners. Even investing ₹2,000/month through SIP can grow significantly over 8–10 years.

Taxation Explained (Beginner Friendly)

Tax on FDs

  • Interest from FDs is fully taxable under your income slab.
  • Banks deduct TDS if interest exceeds ₹40,000 (₹50,000 for senior citizens).
  • No indexation benefits, no special tax advantage except 80C for 5-year tax-saving FD.

Tax on Mutual Funds

  • Equity Funds: LTCG (after 1 year) taxed at 10% above ₹1 lakh; STCG (before 1 year) taxed at 15%.
  • Debt Funds: Taxed based on your income slab.
  • ELSS Funds: 80C benefit (up to ₹1.5 lakh/year) with only a 3-year lock-in (better than the 5-year Tax Saver FD).

SIP vs Lumpsum: What Should Beginners Choose?

SIP (Systematic Investment Plan)

Ideal for: Students, Young professionals, Anyone starting with small amounts.

  • ✔ Rupee cost averaging
  • ✔ No timing the market
  • ✔ Builds discipline

Lumpsum

Ideal for: One-time bonus, Mature investors, Goal-based long-term investing.

Which Is Better for Beginners? (Realistic Scenarios)

  • Scenario 1: You want guaranteed returns.
    FD is safer. Choose this if you cannot tolerate market fluctuations.
  • Scenario 2: You want to beat inflation and grow wealth.
    Mutual Funds (especially diversified equity funds) are better long-term.
  • Scenario 3: You want tax savings.
    Choose ELSS for higher long-term returns + 80C benefits. Choose Tax Saver FD only if you want zero volatility.
  • Scenario 4: You want to save for retirement.
    Equity Mutual Funds or Index Funds with SIPs are ideal.

Practical Example for Beginners

Let’s assume you save ₹3,000 per month.

  • FD Recurring Deposit (RD) at 7% for 10 years: Approx. ₹5.1 lakh
  • SIP in Mutual Fund (Expected 12% return) for 10 years: Approx. ₹7.0 lakh

Difference: ₹1.9 lakh more just for choosing the right vehicle.

Pros and Cons Summary

Fixed Deposits

Pros: Stable/guaranteed returns, best for emergencies, easy to understand.
Cons: Low returns, fully taxable interest, poor at beating inflation.

Mutual Funds

Pros: Higher long-term returns, tax-efficient options, suitable for all goal types.
Cons: Market-linked risk, requires basic understanding, short-term volatility.

FAQs

1. Are Mutual Funds riskier than FDs?
Yes, because they depend on market performance. But long-term SIPs reduce risk significantly.

2. Can beginners start with ₹500 SIP?
Absolutely. Most platforms allow SIPs starting at ₹100–500.

3. Which gives better returns: FD or Mutual Fund?
Mutual Funds typically give higher long-term returns, while FDs offer lower but guaranteed returns.

Conclusion: What Should You Choose?

If your goal is only safety, FDs are great. But if your goal is wealth creation, beating inflation, and building a better financial future — Mutual Funds win the Mutual Funds vs Fixed Deposits battle for most young investors. Start small. Stay disciplined. Let compounding do the magic.

You may also explore our related guides to build a stronger financial portfolio:

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