India’s investment scenario is rapidly changing, with a shift towards involvement from smaller towns, young individuals, and women, as highlighted by Groww CEO and Co-founder Lalit Keshre at the ‘Groww IIF – India Investor Festival 2026’ in Mumbai. Keshre emphasized that retail investing in India is no longer confined to major cities, with a notable rise in engagement from the youth and women investors. Notably, women now constitute about 25% of new investors, signaling a growing financial maturity in the country.
The surge in retail investment activities in India over the last decade has been remarkable, with mutual fund assets under management (AUM) escalating from around Rs 12 lakh crore in 2016 to over Rs 80 lakh crore presently. Keshre also pointed out a more than tenfold increase in monthly SIP investments from about Rs 3,000 crore a decade ago. This trend indicates a shift towards not just earning income but also focusing on long-term wealth creation and asset building for the future.
Furthermore, Keshre highlighted the broadening investment landscape beyond Tier-1 cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, with significant participation observed from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and the northeastern region, along with various smaller cities across India. This expansion into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities is attributed to digital investment platforms and enhanced accessibility to financial products, making investing more straightforward for retail investors.
According to Keshre, the future growth of India’s economy is likely to be driven by the deep-tech sector, with a pivotal role played by technology, research, and innovation. He underscored that investment has become a crucial component of financial planning for ordinary Indian households, signifying a shift towards a more investment-oriented approach to financial management.
