MUMBAI, Sept. 1 -- Rs.5,000 had been invested every month in a Nifty 50-linked equity exchange-traded fund over the past 20 years, it would be worth Rs.43.9 lakh today against a total investment of Rs.12 lakh, according to Value Research.

But does everyone have the patience and discipline to stay invested for that long?

Data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India shows that over a third of retail investors are unable to remain invested in equity mutual funds for two years. Yet equity investment is a long-term wealth creation tool with the benefits of compounding become more visible over eight to 10 years.

Market volatility, however, is enough to test even the most seasoned investor. In recent months, growth in retail investor pa...