While cleaning my home recently, I came across a fee receipt from my 6th standard. The fee was ₹60 for two months — roughly ₹360 per year.
Fast forward to today — my younger daughter’s 5th standard annual fees are roughly ₹1 lakh annually.
That’s a ~277x increase, translating to an ~15% CAGR.
Let that sink in.
Which asset class has delivered returns of this magnitude over long periods?
Certainly not:
- Bank deposits
- Postal savings schemes
- Traditional insurance plans
Even real estate, while capable, is inconsistent and capital-intensive.
The closest contender?
A well-diversified equity portfolio.
For context, the BSE Sensex TRI has grown from ~550 levels to ~80,000 over decades — roughly ~14.5% CAGR (considering dividend re-investment). While slightly lower than education inflation in this example, disciplined equity investing remains one of the few scalable ways to even attempt beating such inflation.
The real risk is not volatility.
The real risk is not investing in equity portfolio.
If your portfolio does not meaningfully participate in equity:
- Children’s education goals may fall short
- Retirement corpus may lag reality.
Yes, equity comes with volatility. But avoiding it altogether comes with a far bigger cost — falling behind inflation. If this feels complex or overwhelming, consider working with a SEBI-Registered Investment Adviser who can align your portfolio with your goals and risk profile.
At Naveen Rego Capital, we help individuals and families build portfolios designed to outpace inflation and achieve long-term goals.
Happy Financial Planning!
Naveen Julian Rego – CFP®
MD & Principal Officer
Naveen Rego Capital
SEBI Registered Investment Adviser
Reg No: INA000019211
BSE Membership ID: 2178
Date: 02-05-2026
Disclaimers:
1. Investment in the securities market is subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
2. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BSE and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.
3. Financial products recommended by us which are under the jurisdiction of other regulators are beyond the scope of SEBI’s grievance mechanism.
