FD vs Mutual Fund — An Honest, Tax-Adjusted Comparison for Salaried Indians (2026)
FD vs Mutual Fund — An Honest, Tax-Adjusted Comparison for Salaried Indians (2026) FD vs Mutual Fund — An Honest, Tax-Adjusted Comparison for Salaried Indians (2026) By The Bystander | June 2026 | Last updated: June 2026 The direct answer: For most salaried Indians investing for more than 3 years, a well-chosen mutual fund will outperform a fixed deposit on a post-tax basis. But FDs are not useless — they are right for your emergency fund, short-term goals (under 2 years), and for retirees needing guaranteed income. The choice depends on your goal and timeline, not on which is universally "better." What's in this guide The core difference in one table The real question: post-tax returns over 5 years Who should choose FD? Who should choose mutual funds? The smartest approach: not either/or, but both FAQ The Core Difference — In One Table Factor Fixed Deposit (FD) Mutual Fund Returns Guaranteed...