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Starting With Just Rs 10,000, Here’s How This Investor Built A Rs 60 Crore Portfolio
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His portfolio was built from scratch over 15 years, with 90% in mid- and small-cap funds averaging 17–18% returns
Calling himself a “sleepy investor,” he says he prefers steady, disciplined investing over high-risk ventures. (News18 Hindi)
The world of mutual funds has witnessed remarkable success through disciplined investing, and Gajendra Kothari’s journey exemplifies how Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can build substantial wealth over time.
Initially, Kothari squandered Rs 50 lakh in Futures and Options (F&O) trading, but once he understood the importance of SIPs, he began investing Rs 10,000 monthly. Astonishingly, his monthly SIP now surpasses Rs 40 lakh, making his story a beacon for mutual fund investors.
Kothari, who aims to have a Rs 3,000 crore portfolio by age 65, is the founder of Etica Wealth Capital.
His entry into mutual funds began in 2004 at age 24, when he joined UTI Mutual Fund after reaching Mumbai through campus placement. At that time, the mutual fund industry was valued at Rs 2-3 lakh crore, far smaller than today’s Rs 75 lakh crore.
Kothari initially had little knowledge of mutual funds, and the industry itself offered minimal awareness. Those around him doubted the potential of wealth creation through mutual funds. In his early years, he made several mistakes—investing in ELSS funds solely for tax savings without understanding the power of compounding. With a salary of just Rs 30,000, saving in Mumbai’s costly lifestyle was challenging, and even more so after marriage.
Lost Rs 50 Lakh In F&O Trading
He later got an opportunity to work in London, where his income grew significantly. However, he soon made the biggest mistake of his life, investing two years’ savings in F&O (Futures and Options) trading. When global markets crashed in 2008, he got caught in day-trading and leveraged positions, losing Rs 50 lakh, a huge sum at the time. The loss left him shocked and wary of the markets, but it taught him a vital lesson: disciplined investing, not speculation, is key.
Gajendra Kothari said in an interview, “This was the most valuable lesson of my life, though it cost me Rs 50 lakh.” This experience inspired him to start his own firm. While at UTI, he advised high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and realized he could simplify investing for everyday investors. In 2009, despite the industry facing challenges after SEBI’s entry load ban, Gajendra launched Etica Wealth.
Small Investment, Big Dreams
His first SIP, started in August 2010, was Rs 10,000 monthly split between small cap funds and ELSS funds. His simple philosophy was, “If I’m advising clients to invest through SIPs, I should start with one myself.” When his daughter was born in December, he continued the SIP without interruption. He neither added nor withdrew funds and never missed an installment. Over 15 years, his total investment of Rs 18 lakh grew to Rs 86 lakh, with the small-cap fund delivering a CAGR of 21% and the ELSS fund a CAGR of 18%.
Kothari said, “This is the first SIP of my life, and I will never touch it. It will be my longest-term investment and teach me the most.” This SIP showcases the power of compounding: his first installment of Rs 5,000 has grown to Rs 55,000–60,000, nearly 11–12 times. He adds, “Imagine, in 30 years, each installment could reach Rs 7 lakh, over 140 times the original amount!”
During COVID-19 in 2020, his SIP returns were just 7% after 10 years, but he remained patient. Compared to a PPF yielding 7.1% guaranteed, his investment was delivering 18%, all tax-free, as he never sold any units.
SIP Growth: From Rs 10,000 To Rs 41 Lakh
Kothari gradually increased his SIP contributions, starting with Rs 10,000, then Rs 50,000, Rs 1 lakh, and by 2020, he was investing Rs 6–7 lakh per month. Today, his monthly SIP stands at Rs 41.2 lakh, amounting to nearly Rs 5 crore annually. Gajendra earned all this money through his job and business, what is known as active income, and consistently invested it into SIPs.
Kothari advises, “Focus on active income during the first 15 years, as that forms the foundation for investments. As you grow older, passive income from SIPs will surpass it.”
About 90% of his wealth came from SIPs, achieved automatically. Whether the market was at 85,000 or 80,000, his SIPs continued uninterrupted. “If it had been done manually, you might have missed payments or stopped investing,” he adds.
Current Size Of Gajendra Kothari’s Portfolio
Kothari’s portfolio today is valued at Rs 60 crore, built from scratch over 15 years. He reveals that 90% of his investments are in mid- and small-cap funds, yielding average returns of 17–18%. He avoids FDs, PPF, crypto, and direct stocks, despite holding a CFA and an MBA in Finance. Calling himself a “sleepy investor,” he says he prefers steady, disciplined investing over high-risk ventures.
Gajendra Kothari’s Investment Strategy
Kothari’s investment strategy takes a contrarian approach. He invests in underperforming sectors—for instance, putting Rs 20 lakh into China Tech when it dropped 50%, and another Rs 40 lakh when it fell 45%. Today, his portfolio enjoys a CAGR of around 23%.
His journey wasn’t easy. The 2008 crash wiped out much of his wealth, but he learned that markets are cyclical, and volatility creates opportunities. Even during COVID, when returns fell to 7%, he remained patient.
Kothari says, “The market gives you the returns you deserve. Staying disciplined is crucial. Investing is a mathematical game. The process must never be interrupted.”
Investment Tips For Everyday Investors
- Start Small: Begin with an initial investment of Rs 10,000, gradually increasing over time.
- Automation: SIPs work best when automated, reducing the need for constant decision-making.
- Patience: Investments should continue even during market downturns, with additional funds allocated when markets show recovery.
- Active Income: Growth in income provides the source for further investments.
- Tax Efficiency: Holding investments long-term helps save on taxes.
- Portfolio Management: Maintaining a portfolio of 5–6 well-chosen funds ensures better control and diversification.
Disclaimer:Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
September 11, 2025, 17:58 IST
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The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed a fine of several crores of rupees on the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) over prolonged load shedding and inefficiency.
According to Nepra’s decision, HESCO will be required to deposit a penalty of Rs100,000 per day, effective from April 4, 2024. The regulator stated that the fine was imposed on the basis of losses and unjustified power outages.
The action followed a show cause notice issued to HESCO, in which the company was found guilty of violating distribution standards by carrying out load shedding beyond permissible limits.
Nepra noted that similar action had been taken last week against Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO), which was also fined Rs100,000 per day from April 4, 2024, for the same reasons.
Officials said the regulator is determined to hold distribution companies accountable for poor service delivery and unannounced power cuts affecting millions of consumers.
ITR Filing Deadline 2025 Extension Live Updates: Today is the ITR filing last date for the assessment year 2025-26. Tax professionals and bodies are urging the income tax department to extend the deadline. However, the income tax department has clarified that the current September 15 deadline remains intact and warned taxpayers against a fake message that is spreading widely on social media and messaging app about the deadline extension.
So far, a total of 6.7 crore ITRs have been filed, as of 12:00 pm today, according to the income tax portal. Out of this, 6.03 crore ITRs have been verified by the taxpayers, and over 4 crore returns have been processed by the income tax department.
Last year, by July 31, 2024, 7.6 crore ITRs had been submitted.
Who Must File ITR Today?
The September 15 deadline is for non-audit taxpayers, including most salaried individuals, pensioners, NRIs, and those whose accounts do not require audit. For audit ITRs, the deadline remains October 31.
Usually, the ITR filing deadline every year is July 31. However, this year, the last date for filing non-audit returns was pushed to September 15 from the usual July 31 deadline, owing to delays in the release of updated ITR forms. The extension came after several tweaks were required following the interim Budget’s changes to the capital gains tax framework.
What Happens If You Miss Today’s Deadline?
Taxpayers filing after September 15 face a penalty of Rs 5,000 under Section 234F, though the fine is capped at Rs 1,000 for those with income below Rs 5 lakh. Late filers also lose the ability to carry forward certain losses, risk refund delays and may attract closer scrutiny from the tax department.
With the clock ticking, the department is urging taxpayers to file early to avoid last-minute issues. Whether the deadline is extended once again remains to be seen.
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Rising salaries should match rising SIPs, boosting fund growth and speeding financial goals. But stopping or withdrawing SIPs can shrink the fund and slow progress
Investing more than 20% of the monthly salary and redirecting annual bonuses to investments will expedite fund growth. (Representative/Shutterstock)
Individuals earning a monthly salary of Rs 50,000 can potentially build a substantial fund of Rs 2 crore through disciplined financial planning and investment. This seemingly challenging task can be achieved by adhering to a structured budget and consistent investment strategy.
The key is to manage spending wisely and allocate a fixed portion of the salary towards investments each month. To accomplish this, it is crucial to follow the 50-30-10-10 rule, which recommends dividing the salary into four parts for essential expenses, hobbies, savings, and investments.
For example, with a salary of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 (50%) should be allocated to essential expenses such as rent, utilities, children’s education, groceries, transport, and EMIs. These expenses are vital and must be prioritised.
Next, Rs 15,000 (30%) should be spent on hobbies and lifestyle activities, including outings, movie nights, online shopping, and dining out. This expenditure helps maintain a balanced and enjoyable life.
The third segment, Rs 5,000 (10%), should be dedicated to investments. This involves placing money in avenues like mutual fund SIPs, the stock market, gold, or PPF, where it can grow over time.
The final 10%, Rs 5,000, should be reserved for an emergency fund and insurance, offering a safety net during medical emergencies or unexpected expenses.
How Will The Rs 2 Crore Fund Be Raised?
To build a fund of Rs 2 crore from a salary of Rs 50,000, disciplined investment is essential. If Rs 5,000 is invested monthly in a mutual fund with an average annual return (CAGR) of 12%, it can grow to Rs 2 crore in approximately 31 years.
However, this timeline can be shortened. By starting with Rs 5,000 monthly and increasing the investment by 10% annually (Step-up SIP), the fund can reach Rs 2 crore in roughly 25 years with the same average CAGR of 12%.
Why Step-up SIP Matters Most
It is important to note that increasing investments annually as salaries rise accelerates fund growth, enabling quicker achievement of financial goals. Continuous investment is crucial; withdrawing funds or halting SIPs can diminish the fund’s size. Additionally, term and health insurance should be considered to safeguard investments against major financial setbacks.
For those aiming to achieve Rs 2 crore more swiftly, cutting back on expenses and increasing the investment amount is necessary. Investing more than 20% of the monthly salary and redirecting annual bonuses to investments rather than spending them will expedite fund growth. The earlier and more consistently investments are made, the faster the desired financial target can be reached.
September 15, 2025, 17:38 IST
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