6 Best One Time Investment Plans In India

6 Best One-Time Investment Plans in India

Opting for the best one-time investment plan with high returns and investing all at once can be an excellent approach to building significant wealth.

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-02-28

1216 Views

12 minutes read

Exit Pop Up

Live Life More Confidently

Get best insurance from our experts

Name is required Name should be Valid
Mobile Number is required Mobile Number should be Valid
DOB is required DOB should be Valid
Annual Income is required
Please tick to proceed further.

Thank you for your interest in our product. Our financial expert will connect with you shortly to help you choose the best plan.

Are you looking to invest your annual bonus for this year expecting a competitive return? It is ideal that you invest this bonus for a specific long-term financial goal for yourself or your family. How? Don’t worry we got you covered here.

Key Takeaways 


  • A one-time investment grows your wealth faster by staying invested long-term.
  • It removes the hassle of frequent investments, giving you peace of mind.
  • Market dips become opportunities, helping you buy at the right time.
  • Compounding amplifies your returns, making your money work harder.
  • Smart tax-saving options ensure higher returns while reducing your tax burden.

What is a One-Time Investment Plan? 

A one-time investment plan is a type of investment option where a lump sum investment is made at one go in a particular financial instrument for a fixed time period. An investor can invest in a one-time investment plan if he has a considerable amount of surplus funds and a high-risk tolerance.

You may also read about - Best Fixed Income Investment Options

How Does a One-Time Investment Plan Work?

A one-time investment plan allows you to invest a lump-sum amount in a financial product that grows your money over time. It is ideal for those who have surplus funds and have a focus on long-term wealth creation. The key factors are as follows:

  • Choose the Right Investment Product: Selecting the right investment depends on your financial goals, risk appetite and investment horizon.  Some of the best investment products are Fixed Deposits, Mutual Funds, United Linked Insurance Plans and Stocks.
  • Making the Investment: Once you choose the product, invest a lump sum amount. Ensure you understand the associated cost, tenure, and withdrawal rules. Many investment products allow digital transactions, making the process seamless.
  • Compounding and Growth:  Compounding allows your investment to grow exponentially over time. The longer your money stays, the better the returns. Investments like mutual funds, ULIPs, and stocks benefit greatly from compounding.

Maximize Your Tax Savings - Talk to an Expert

Please enter correct name Please enter the Full name
Please enter valid mobile number Please enter Mobile Number
Please enter valid email Please enter Email
Consent is required

Enter OTP

An OTP has been sent to your mobile number

Didn’t receive OTP?

Application Status

Name

Date of Birth

Plan Name

Status

Unclaimed Amount of the Policyholder as on

Name of the policy holder

Policy Holder Name

Policy No.

Policy Number

Address of the Policyholder as per records

Address

Unclaimed Amount

Unclaimed Amount
Error

Sorry ! No records Found

.  Please use this ID for all future communications regarding this concern.

Request Registered

Thank You for submitting the response, will get back with you.

Thank you for your interest in our product. Our financial expert will connect with you shortly to help you choose the best plan.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in a One-Time Plan

A one-time investment can be a great way to build wealth, but consider the following factors to get better returns in future:

  • Market Conditions and Valuation: Understanding the current market conditions is crucial to making informed one-time investment decisions. Studying metrics such as the Price-to-Earnings ratio (P/E) provides you with insights into whether the market is overvalued or undervalued. During the high phases, equity investments may yield higher returns, while in bearish conditions, safer assets might be the great choice.
  • Risk Appetite and Investment Horizon: Investing in a one-time plan is truly based on your risk appetite and investment horizon. For better returns, there should be a great relationship between them. On one side risk appetite determines how much risk you are willing to take to achieve your investment goals, whereas investment horizon tells you the time you hold the investment.
  • Liquidity and Accessibility: Liquidity refers to how easily an asset can be converted into cash without significantly affecting its price. When planning for a one-time investment, assess your needs and determine how quickly you can access the funds. Investments with high liquidity can provide flexibility during emergencies, allowing you to withdraw cash as soon as possible. 
  • Impact of Market Fluctuations: Market fluctuations play a significant role in determining the returns on a one-time investment. Since markets are volatile so it is essential to balance the short-term fluctuations with maintaining a long-term wealth creation. A well-diversified portfolio can help mitigate risks and give great returns in future.
trivia-img

Did You Know?

Using the Rule of 72, you can determine the approximate time for inflation to reduce your money by half. 
 

Source: CNBC

Promise 4 Growth Plus

Six Best One-Time Investment Plans in India

In case of investments, almost all instruments have a role to play depending on your expectations and goals. Time is one factor which determines which investment is best for you and which is not. Fortunately, there are investments like Unit-linked Insurance Plans that lets you segregate your investment amount into a variety of avenues, ensuring a balance of returns. Let's examine the table below to discover which one-time investment offerings are the best in India:

Sr. No.Types of One-time Investment PlansIdeal Investment PeriodRight Time to Invest Tax Benefits On Investment AmountTax Benefits on Maturity AmountRisk Factor
1ULIPsFor tax benefits, wait 5 years.
For retirement planning, allow 10-15 years 		Invest early to enjoy compounding benefitsTax deductions u/s 80C of the IT ActTax benefits u/s 10(10D) of the IT ActMedium to High 
2Equity Funds5 years and above
3 years for the ELSS Scheme 		If you have extra money available for a long period of timeELSS: Deductions under Sec 80C of the Income Tax Act
Other Funds: No tax benefits on investment		At the end of the 1-year holding period, tax benefits are available High
3Debt Funds3 years & more Invests for less than 5 years
Tax implications are lower if you invest for more than 3 years		N/AIndexation benefits on returns at the end of a 3-year holding period Low
4Liquid Funds3 years or less (if it's not a SIP) If you have not yet decided on the best long-term investment plan in IndiaN/AHolding for 3 years or more attracts lower taxes due to indexation benefitsMedium 
5Fixed Deposits (FD)

7 days to 10 years

Depending on your investment horizon 

when you want to avoid market-volatility risksN/AN/ALowest 
65-Year Tax Saving FDsMinimum 5 years to gain tax benefitsExtra funds can be used to reap the tax benefits of fixed returns Tax benefits u/ deductions under 80C of the IT ActSec 10(10D) of the IT Act provides tax benefits on returnsLowest
7 Public Provident Fund(PPF)For a stable and high-returning corpus, 15 years is recommendedAs a safe investment for the retirement periodDeductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 Tax-free returnsLowest
8Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) SSY account up to 21 years or until the girl child marries
Providing tax benefits while creating a fund for the education of girls
Tax deductions u/Section 80C of the IT Act, 1961
Interest earned and Maturity amount is Tax-free Lowest
9National Pension Scheme (NPS)
Till the age of 60-70 years
A one-time investment plan that creates a retirement fund and provides tax benefit
Benefits under Section 80C and 80CCD of the Income Tax Act, 1961
Taxable
Low

1. Equity Funds

Equity funds are less risky alternatives to direct market investments, mostly because of the diversification and professional management involved.
If you are looking to save tax for the financial year under section 80C and want to invest in equity funds, invest in ELSS or Equity-Linked Savings Schemes. Equity-linked savings schemes are pure equity funds, but they give you a deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakhs under section 80C.

  • Ideal Investment Tenure: 5 years or more. ELSS will have a lock-in period of 3 years.
  • Investment Risk: High
  • When to Invest: Invest if you are sure that you can stay invested for a long time.
  • Deduction on Investment: Only on ELSS schemes, up to Rs 1.5 lakhs (Section 80C)
  • Tax on Future Value: After 12 months of holding period gains are exempt from tax.

2. Debt Funds 

There are many types of debt funds, but for your consideration, we are only accounting the ones investing in AAA and AA-rated corporate bonds or government securities.

These funds carry far lower risk from their securities composition than equity funds. Plus, you get the benefit of diverse securities in the fund. These funds also offer steadier returns but may suffer in terms of taxability.

  • Ideal Investment Tenure: 3 years or more

  • Investment Risk: Low

  • When to Invest: Invest if you plan to invest for less than 5 years. However, you may want the tenure to be longer than 3 years for lower tax implications.

  • Deduction on Investment: None

  • Tax on Future Value: After 36 months of holding period your profits get the indexation benefit. Thus, may attract far lower taxes.

So, the tax laws consider profit from debt fund investments a short-term capital gain if you withdraw within 36 months. The short-term capital gains increase your taxable income for the financial year and attract taxes at slab rates.

Learn: Long-term and Short-term Capital Gain.

However, if you stay invested for 36 months, your profits from debt funds will become long-term capital gains. Tax laws require the effect of inflation on long-term capital gains before estimating tax.

3. Liquid Funds 

Liquid funds are among the most useful investment options. They are not the best when it comes to generating long-term returns. But these funds are best for saving your money from being spent while you decide on the best investment option.

Plus, minimal exit load means you can transfer your invested amount directly from the liquid funds to another fund. This simple option opens up huge opportunities for you to invest systematically. We will explore some of these opportunities here, but first:

  • Ideal Investment Tenure: Less than 3 years unless you are using a systematic investment option

  • Investment Risk: Low

  • When to Invest: When you are yet to decide about the investment plan. Or when you want to invest your lump sum money systematically in another long-term investment.

  • Tax Deduction on Investment: None

  • Tax on Future Value: After 36 months of holding period your profits get the indexation benefit. Thus, may attract far lower taxes.

4. Liquid Mutual Funds to ULIPs 

ULIPs are very tax-efficient investments. That is, they give you deduction under 80C, and tax-free maturity value plus, multiple equity and debt fund options. ULIP may be the only instrument which allows you to invest in debt and liquid funds and still enjoy the same tax benefits.

However, tax benefits only last so far as your annual premium is less than 10% of the policy sum assured. So, if you want to invest Rs 10 lakhs in ULIP you will need a sum assured of Rs 1 crore. But that is only when you are investing Rs 10 lakhs all at once.

Instead, here’s what you can do using liquid funds as an alternative channel:

  • Divide the bonus into five equal parts; i.e. Rs. 2 lakhs in this case

  • Invest Rs 8 lakhs in a liquid fund

  • Start investing in a ULIP plan with Rs. 2 lakhs

  • Submit advance withdrawal requests for Rs. 2 lakhs with the liquid fund a few days before the premium due date for the policy

Channelling and automating your investment through the liquid fund will give you the following advantages:

  • With ULIP you can stay invested for a long time

  • You can withdraw your money partially after five years

  • The minimum maturity period of a ULIP can be five years;

Also, you defer your taxes on your investment in liquid funds as you spread your withdrawals over five years. With a ULIP plan you can invest in a mix of equity and debt funds and use dynamic portfolio management strategies. These strategies allow you to manage your portfolio automatically and exploit market opportunities without taking extra risks. Plus, ULIPs are a great investment option for long-term goals.

Also Read - How to Invest Money?

5. Liquid Mutual Fund to Equity Funds 

Although equity funds carry lower risk than direct equity investments due to diversification, they are still volatile. That is why you should use a systematic approach to invest your money in equity funds. A systematic investment approach will help you benefit from rupee cost averaging in the volatile market.

If you are a regular investor or investing out of your regular income, you can easily create a systematic investment plan or SIP for investing in an equity fund. But, if you want to allocate your bonus income, you can do so with the following steps:

  • Find a suitable equity fund you want to invest in

  • Park your entire bonus into a liquid fund of the same family

  • Submit a systematic transfer request to the liquid fund so that a fixed sum of money goes to the equity fund at regular intervals

  • Remember the minimum holding period of units you buy in equity fund are:

  • 12 months for normal equity funds for tax-exempt future value

  • 36 months for ELSS funds

6. Liquid Mutual Funds to Other Investments

You can create similar investment plans out of liquid funds, such as to a deferred annuity plan, to NPS or PPF. If you are already operating an NPS tier-I account you can claim an additional deduction of Rs 50,000 over the 80C limit of Rs 1.5 lakhs.

Few other notable investments are senior citizen savings schemes which can be a gift for your parents. Also remember, every investment option has its reasons, ideal investment period and different risk-return level. So, make sure you go through all the plans to find the one which makes more sense to you.

Click here to use - Investment Calculator

Who Should Consider a One-Time Investment?

A one-time investment plan is a great tool for those who are ready to invest surplus funds for long-term growth. This plan is generally designed for long-term and tech-savvy investors.

  • Ideal For Long-Term Investors: Investors who have a long-term investment goal benefit from the one-time investment plan. For instance, long-term investing reduces short-term volatility rates and accumulates the wealth creation. 
  • Best Suited for Those Seeking Wealth Growth: A lump sum investment can accelerate wealth creation if placed in high-growth assets like equities or ULIPs. This option is perfect for investors who aim to build a financial corpus for major life goals like education, homeownership, or retirement.
  • Good Option for Tax-Savvy Investors: Some one-time investment plans help you save on taxes while growing your wealth. Options like ULIPs, ELSS funds, and PPF offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. By choosing a tax-efficient plan, you can lower your taxable income and maximise returns.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in One-Time Investments

To get better returns on one-time investments, you have to avoid the following mistakes:

  • Investing Without Understanding the Risks: Every investment carries some risk, such as market fluctuations, changing interest rates, or economic downturns. Jumping in without assessing the risk tolerance can lead to financial stress. Before investing, understand the risks involved and choose options that match your financial goals and comfort level. 
  • Overlooking Liquidity Needs: Locking your funds in long-term investments without cash can be risky. Life is unpredictable, and unexpected expenses can arise at times. Keep a portion of your portfolio in liquid assets like savings accounts or short-term deposits to ensure you’re financially prepared for any situation.
  • Ignoring Market Trends and Inflation: Market trends and inflation directly impact your returns. If your investment doesn’t keep pace with inflation, its real value decreases over time. Similarly, ignoring market trends can lead to missed opportunities or poor financial choices. Stay informed about economic conditions and adjust your portfolio accordingly.

Final Thoughts 

In India, choosing the best one-time investment plan with high returns allows individuals to invest a lump sum amount in various financial instruments such as mutual funds, fixed deposits, or government schemes. This approach gives investors the advantage of potentially higher returns than traditional savings accounts, thanks to the power of compounding over time. 

Additionally, it allows for diversification across different asset classes, reducing overall risk. One-time investment plans are particularly beneficial for those seeking to build wealth long-term or save for specific goals such as retirement or education. With careful research and consideration of individual financial goals and risk tolerance, these plans can be instrumental in achieving financial security and growth.

Glossary:

  1. Indexation: Indexation is a technique for modifying an asset's purchase price based on the current inflation rate. Examples: stocks, bonds, and real estate.
  2. Holding period: A holding period is the interval between buying and selling a security, or the length of time an investor holds the investment.
  3. Capital appreciation: This can include a growth in land value, an appreciation of investor-held company stocks or bonds, or any upward revaluation of fixed assets.
  4.  Lock-in period: It is a time frame within which an investment, or the amount deposited, cannot be sold or withdrawn. 
glossary-img
Uncertain About Insurance

Recommended FAQs for Best One-Time Investment Plans:

The best one-time investments are:

  1. Single-premium life insurance plans:

  • Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP)

  • Equity Funds  

  • Debt Funds

  • Liquid Funds  

  • Fixed Deposits (FDs)

  • 5-Year Tax Saving FDs

  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)  

  • Public Provident Fund

  1. Stocks
  2. Mutual funds
  3. Bonds
  4. Real estate
  5. Gold
  6. Fixed Deposits (FDs)

Some of the best options to invest ₹10,000 one time are:

  • Equity mutual funds

  • Debt mutual funds

  • Liquid funds 

  • Gold assets

  • Government schemes such as life insurance, PPF, EPF, and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.

The best investment for lumpsum investment are:

  • Axis Small Cap Fund  

  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term

  • Nippon India Nivesh Lakshya Fund  

  • SBI Magnum Gilt Fund  

  • Quant Multi Asset Fund  

  • Quant Absolute Fund  

  • Bank of India Mid & Small Cap Equity & Debt Fund 

The best investment options that are best for high returns are:

  • Stock Market or Equity Market

  • Mutual Funds

  • Real Estate 

  • Fixed Deposit (FDs)

  • National Pension System (NPS)

  • Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) 

  • Gold

  • Government Bond & Scheme

 

Some of the safest investments in India are:

  • Fixed Deposit (FD)

  • Life Insurance

  • Public Provident Fund (PPF) 

  • National Pension Scheme (NPS)

  • Gold

  • Savings Bonds

  • Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) 

  • Post Office Monthly Income Schemes (POMIS)

  • Recurring Deposits

  • National Savings Certificate

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

Recent Blogs

How LTCG Tax Impacts ULIP Investments and Returns?
25 Mar '26
70 Views
7 minute read
Learn how LTCG tax affects ULIP investments, including taxation rules, returns impact and key considerations for long-term financial planning.
Read More
Ulip
How to Choose the Best ULIP Plan for Smart Investing?
10 Mar '26
1076 Views
7 minute read
Choosing the right ULIP plan can make a significant difference to your returns. A clear breakdown of top tips to pick the best ULIP plan for your goals.
Read More
Ulip
Why ULIPs Are Ideal for Stable Wealth Generation?
08 Mar '26
897 Views
6 minute read
Stable fund generation requires the right investment vehicle. Know why unit-linked plans are ideal for building a consistent fund corpus with market-linked growth, flexibility, and long-term wealth creation.
Read More
Ulip
What is NAV? Meaning, Calculation & Importance
08 Mar '26
886 Views
6 minute read
NAV is a key concept every investor should understand. Learn what NAV means, how it is calculated, and why it matters for ULIPs and your overall investment performance.
Read More
Ulip
How ULIPs Protect Your Family's Financial Goals & Future?
08 Mar '26
511 Views
8 minute read
ULIPs offer more than just investment returns - they protect your family's future too. A clear breakdown of how ULIPs safeguard your family's financial goals.
Read More
Ulip
Stop ULIP Premium Before 3 Years? Know the Consequences
07 Mar '26
947 Views
7 minute read
Stopping ULIP premiums before 3 years can lead to charges, lock-in restrictions, and limited access to funds. Learn what happens, the penalties involved, and the options to manage or revive your policy.
Read More
Ulip
How Does ULIP Partial Withdrawal Work? Key Rules & Limits
07 Mar '26
3908 Views
6 minute read
Not every ULIP policyholder knows the rules around partial withdrawals. A clear breakdown of how it works, withdrawal limits & tax impact in India today.
Read More
Ulip
What Returns Can You Expect From a ULIP in 10 Years?
07 Mar '26
893 Views
8 minute read
ULIPs can be powerful wealth-creation tools over a decade. Discover how much wealth you can realistically build in 10 years, based on returns, fund choices, and disciplined investing.
Read More
Ulip
Why You Should Not Surrender Your ULIP Policy Early?
07 Mar '26
890 Views
6 minute read
Surrendering a ULIP policy early can lead to losses and missed growth. Learn why staying invested is a smarter decision, with benefits like compounding and long-term wealth creation.
Read More
Ulip