New Delhi, March 30 -- The Indian mutual fund industry has seen a massive surge in popularity. As of February 28, 2026, the total Assets Under Management (AUM) reached Rs.82.03 lakh crore. To put this in perspective, just ten years ago, in February 2016, the industry AUM stood at approximately Rs.12.63 lakh crore, representing a growth of more than six times in just a single decade.

For a first-time investor, however, this sheer volume of choices can feel overwhelming. Picking the right fund is not about finding a 'magic' scheme, but having a logical process of selection that can be applied over and over again.

Follow the golden rule of comparing like with like

One of the most common mistakes amateur investors make is to compare mutual...