Liquid Funds: The Smarter Way to Park Short-Term Money

Imagine earning more on your idle cash—without sacrificing easy access. While India is renowned as a nation of savers, many still rely on traditional saving option missing out on smarter alternatives that could offer better returns. What if there were a way to make your surplus funds work harder, with minimal risk and maximum flexibility?

Published on June 30, 2025

Consider the example of Rohan and Sarika, both of whom recently received a bonus of ₹1,00,000. Rohan chose to deposit his bonus in a conventional saving instrument , while Sarika opted to invest in a liquid fund. Sarika argued that her choice would yield better returns than a conventional savings options. Was she right?

Liquid Funds vs. Conventional Saving options: What Sets Them Apart?

Conventional savings instrument, offers easy access to funds and usually a fixed, modest interest rate. Whereas liquid funds are a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term money market instruments, such as treasury bills and commercial paper and aims o generate relatively stable returns The average 1Y returns for the liquid category is 7.22%* p.a. *Data as on 25th June 2025. Source: ICRA MFI

Key Features of Liquid Funds

Investment Portfolio: Liquid funds primarily invest in debt and money market instruments with maturities of up to 91 days. This short duration reduces exposure to both interest rate fluctuations and credit risk.
Liquidity: Investors enjoy faster redemption options, with T+1 (next business day) availability and instant redemption facilities up to ₹50,000, wherever available.
Easy withdrawals: Redemptions made after seven days of investment incur no exit load, making liquid funds almost as accessible as a traditional saving option

When Should One Choose a Liquid Fund?

Liquid funds are ideal for those who:

Are building an emergency fund and want it to grow while remaining easily accessible.
Need to park surplus money for the short term.
Have received unexpected cash but are unsure where to invest it.
Wish to stagger their investments into the market.
Are uncertain about the right time to make long-term investments.

The Bottom Line

Both a conventional saving option and liquid mutual funds play important roles in personal finance. Conventional saving options offer safety and immediate access, while liquid funds provide the potential for higher returns without compromising liquidity. By parking surplus cash in a liquid fund, investors can make their money work harder while retaining the flexibility to access it when needed.

Pro Tip Start small—most liquid funds accept investments as low as ₹500. Experiment with a modest amount to see how it fits into your financial plan. After all, your money deserves the chance to grow while staying within easy reach.

This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or constitute an offer or solicitation to sell or buy any securities.This document is for intended recipients only. The views expressed herein are based on internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The document does not have regard to specific investment objectives, financial situation and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this document. There is no assurance that any investment strategy or Scheme will achieve its objectives or avoid losses. Certain statements in this document may contain forward-looking information, including projections, estimates, and other statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Scheme. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties. The value of investments may fluctuate and there is no assurance or guarantee that the investment objectives of the Scheme will be achieved. Past performance of the sponsors, asset management company or any Scheme of the fund does not guarantee or indicate future results/returns. Neither the AMC, Trustee Company, sponsors or its affiliates nor any person connected with them shall accept any liability arising from the use of this document.

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