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Child Education Planner

How much should you save monthly to fund your child's education?

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Child Education Planner
How much should you save monthly to fund your child's education?
Current education cost
₹
ten lakhrupees
Years until education needed
Years
Education inflation rate (%)
%
Expected investment return (%)
%
Future education cost
₹21,58,925
48%
returns
Invested
Returns
Current cost₹10.00 L
Future cost (10 yrs)₹21.59 L
Monthly SIP needed₹9.4K
Total you invest₹11.26 L
Start child SIP →

For illustration only. MF returns not guaranteed. Market risks apply.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Results are for illustration only. Mutual Fund investments subject to market risks. Assumed returns may not reflect actual performance. Read all scheme-related documents carefully. Not investment advice.
About this calculator

Child Education Planner — explained

The Child Education Planner Calculator estimates the monthly SIP you need to start today to fund your child's higher education in the future. Education inflation in India runs 8–10% annually — significantly higher than general CPI inflation — which means a college programme that costs ₹15 lakhs today could cost ₹35–45 lakhs in 15 years. This free education planning calculator factors in education-specific inflation, your investment horizon, and expected mutual fund returns to surface the realistic monthly SIP figure.

Whether you're saving for an engineering or MBBS programme in India, an MBA at IIM or ISB, or an overseas Bachelor's/Master's degree, education planning is among the highest-priority financial goals for Indian parents — and one of the easiest to underestimate. Use this calculator to convert vague education aspirations into a concrete monthly SIP plan, backed by AMFI Registered MFD Nithin Finserv.

What is the Child Education Planner?

Child education planning is the personal-finance discipline of saving for a child's future higher-education costs through systematic monthly investments. It differs from generic wealth planning because education costs inflate faster than general prices, the goal date is fixed (typically when the child turns 18), and the corpus must be large enough to cover tuition, hostel, books, travel, and living expenses. Most Indian parents under-fund this goal, leading to last-minute education loans or compromise on the chosen institution.

How it works — the formula

Step 1: Future education cost = Today's cost × (1 + education inflation)^years. Step 2: Required monthly SIP = Future cost × monthly_r / [(1 + monthly_r)^n − 1], where n is the number of months until the child needs the money. The result is the disciplined monthly contribution required from today.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter the current cost of the education programme (in today's prices)
  2. 2Set the years until your child will actually need the funds
  3. 3Choose the education inflation rate (8–10% is realistic for premium institutions)
  4. 4Choose the expected investment return rate
  5. 5Read the inflated future cost and the monthly SIP required today
  6. 6Combine with our Goal Planning Lumpsum Calculator if you have a windfall to deploy

Key features

  • ✓Education-specific inflation modelling
  • ✓Future cost calculation and SIP requirement in one tool
  • ✓Adjustable for India / overseas education scenarios
  • ✓Works alongside Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana planning for daughters
  • ✓Free, mobile-friendly, no signup

Frequently asked questions

Why is education inflation higher than general inflation?
Tuition fees, hostel costs, and overseas-education expenses have risen 8–12% annually in India, well above the 5–6% CPI inflation. Top institutions raise fees aggressively year-on-year, and exchange-rate depreciation amplifies overseas costs.
When should I start a child education SIP?
Ideally the same year your child is born. A ₹10K/month SIP at 12% over 18 years builds ~₹76 lakhs. Starting at age 5 instead leaves only 13 years and needs ~₹16,000/month for the same target.
Sukanya Samriddhi or mutual fund SIP for my daughter?
Sukanya offers ~8% guaranteed, tax-free returns and 80C benefit, but has restrictions and is debt-only. Equity SIPs offer higher (~12%) returns with market risk. Many parents use both — Sukanya for safe core, equity SIP for growth.
Should I take an education loan instead of saving for years?
Loans come with 9–11% interest. If your SIP returns are higher than the loan rate, you're better off investing. Most parents use a mix — SIP corpus covers part, loan funds the rest, and child's eventual earnings repay the loan with 80E tax benefit.
How much should I budget for an MBA from IIM?
Currently around ₹25–30 lakhs all-in (fees + living). At 8% education inflation over 18 years, that grows to ₹100–120 lakhs. Plan accordingly.
What about saving for overseas education?
Overseas costs inflate at general inflation plus rupee depreciation — effectively 10–12%/year. A current $50K/year UG programme in the USA could cost the rupee equivalent of ₹2 crore+ in 15 years.
Should I keep the corpus in equity till the end?
No. Start shifting from equity to debt 3–5 years before the goal date to protect against market drawdown right when you need the money.
Is the education SIP locked in?
Regular open-ended mutual fund SIPs are not locked in — you can pause or redeem any time. Only ELSS instalments are locked in for 3 years each. Use a regular equity fund (not ELSS) for child education goals.
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