Investing in mutual funds doesn’t have to feel confusing or out of reach. If you’re willing to take a few steps with clarity and care, you can start growing your money without watching markets every day. Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund is one of India’s well-known fund houses, with decades of presence, diverse schemes, and a strong track record. This article walks you through the whole process — from understanding what the fund house offers to making your first investment and tracking it over time.
What Is Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund?
Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund is an asset management company that pools money from many investors and invests it across stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments based on the scheme’s objective. It has a range of options covering equity, debt, hybrid, ELSS (tax saving), liquid and even thematic or international funds. The idea is simple: small amounts, when invested wisely and held patiently, can grow meaningfully over time
Start With Your Investment Goal
Before you pick a scheme, ask yourself a few plain questions:
- Why am I investing?
- What’s my time frame — short, medium, or long?
- How much risk can I tolerate?
Your answer to these decides which category of Franklin Templeton funds fits you best:
- Short term: liquid or debt schemes
- Medium term: balanced or hybrid funds
- Long term: equity or ELSS funds for growth and tax saving
Take a moment here. It’s tempting to chase returns, but matching your goal with the right fund is what matters most.
Know the Major Types of Franklin Templeton Funds
Here’s a simple view of what’s available:
1. Equity Funds
These invest mostly in stocks of companies. They carry higher risk but higher growth potential over long horizons.
2. Debt Funds
These invest in fixed-income instruments like government and corporate bonds. They are relatively stable and suit conservative investors.
3. Hybrid Funds
These mix stocks and bonds. They try to balance growth and stability.
4. ELSS (Tax-Saving Funds)
Equity linked schemes with a 3-year lock-in and tax benefits under Indian law.
Step 1: Complete Your KYC
KYC (Know Your Customer) is mandatory before investing. It’s a one-time process and valid across all mutual funds. You’ll need:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Bank details
- Address and identity proof
You can complete KYC:
- On the Franklin Templeton website
- Via mutual fund apps
- Through registered distributors
Make sure your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar and PAN for smooth OTP verification.
Step 2: Choose How You Want to Invest
You have two basic ways to put money in:
1. Lump Sum
This means you invest a single large amount at once. It’s best when you have a chunk of money and a long horizon.
2. SIP (Systematic Investment Plan)
This is the most common and beginner-friendly approach. You invest a fixed amount every month automatically. It builds discipline and averages out market ups and downs. It’s especially good for salaried people or beginners.
You can start SIPs with small amounts, often as low as ₹500 a month.
Step 3: Pick the Right Scheme
Now comes the real choice. With 40+ schemes on offer, Franklin Templeton gives you plenty of options across equity, debt, hybrid, and even international funds.
Some points to consider:
- Your goal and horizon: Long goal = equity; short = debt
- Risk level: Every fund page shows a riskometer
- Past performance vs consistency: Don’t pick only by last year’s top return
- Expense ratio: Lower costs help returns over time
Take time to read the Scheme Information Document (SID) and factsheet before investing.
Step 4: Decide Between Direct and Regular Plans
Every Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund scheme offers two variants:
- Direct Plan: Lower cost, higher returns over the long run, no commission paid to intermediaries.
- Regular Plan: Bought through a distributor or advisor who may guide you, but comes with slightly higher costs.
If you’re comfortable choosing funds yourself, Direct Plans usually make more sense.
Step 5: Make the Investment
You can invest online quite easily. Platforms include:
- Franklin Templeton’s official website
- Mutual fund apps like Paytm Money, Groww, ET Money
- Bank investment portals
- Brokers or registered distributors
The steps generally look like:
- Register or log in
- Complete KYC (if not already done)
- Search for the Franklin Templeton AMC
- Select a scheme
- Choose SIP or Lump sum
- Enter the amount and pay
Once done, you’ll get confirmation and units will be allotted in a few working days.
Monitor, But Don’t Obsess
Investing isn’t a daily task. Check your portfolio once or twice a year:
- Is the fund still right for your goal?
- Any big life change that shifts your risk appetite?
- Fund performance vs benchmark over the long term?
Avoid daily NAV watching and short-term panic. Long holds often win.
Tax Basics (Indian Context)
- Equity funds: Long-term capital gains above ₹1 lakh per year are taxed. Short-term gains are taxed at a flat rate.
- Debt funds: Taxed based on income slab and holding period.
Tax rules evolve, so keep yourself informed.
A Few Mistakes to Avoid
- Investing without a clear goal
- Chasing “top returns” only
- Stopping SIPs when markets dip
- Ignoring costs or fund objectives
Simple, steady investing beats flashy moves.
Final Words
Investing in Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund can be a smart way to grow your money over time. Start with a clear goal. Pick funds that fit that goal. Decide whether SIP or a lump sum suits you better. Keep costs low with direct plans if you can manage it yourself. And finally, stay calm through market noise.
Good investing isn’t about timing. It’s about time in the market, consistency, and patience.
