Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Why Investors Stop SIPs During Severe Market Crashes
A SIP means investing a fixed amount of money every month.
The plan is to continue investing even when share prices fall.
This sounds easy, but falling markets can make people very afraid.
They may see their savings become smaller and worry that they will lose even more.
News, messages, and conversations with other worried investors can increase that fear.
People may also need money for jobs, health problems, or other emergencies.
Because of this, some investors stop their SIPs even though regular investing is the plan.
The article says staying calm during a crash is emotionally difficult, and downturns may only look like good buying opportunities later.
The article says SIP investing is intellectually simple but emotionally difficult during market downturns.
During the 2008-09 crisis, broader indices fell 60-65%, while equity mutual-fund flows shifted from net inflows of ₹12,700 crore in January 2008 to net outflows of ₹2,100 crore in December 2009.
The Sensex fell nearly 60% in less than 10 months during the 2008 crisis, and nearly 40% in two months during the pandemic crash.
Fear can be intensified by financial losses, concerns about jobs or emergencies, social media, news coverage, and market notifications.
The article argues that continuing SIPs during downturns requires emotional resilience because buying at the time rarely feels like an opportunity.
- Who
- Investors, including SIP participants, and Ripsy Bondia, assistant professor at IMI Delhi.
- What
- The article examines why investors often stop systematic investment plans during sharp market declines despite advice to remain invested.
- When
- During the 2008-09 financial crisis, the pandemic crash, and a more recent period of near-zero market returns over two years.
- Where
- In Indian financial markets, including the Sensex and Dalal Street.
- Why
- Fear of further losses, job insecurity, medical emergencies, needing money during a downturn, and pressure from news and social networks can make continuing SIPs emotionally difficult.
- 2008-09 market decline
- Broader indices fell 60-65% during the financial crisis.
- 2008 mutual-fund flows
- Equity mutual-fund flows moved from net inflows of ₹12,700 crore in January 2008 to net outflows of ₹2,100 crore in December 2009.
- Recent equity inflows
- Monthly equity mutual-fund inflows fell nearly 30%, from ₹40,600 crore in June 2024 to ₹29,000 crore in June 2026.
- 2008 Sensex fall
- The Sensex fell nearly 60% in less than 10 months.
- Pandemic crash
- The Sensex fell nearly 40% in about two months.
- SIP principle
- Invest a fixed amount every month regardless of market conditions and remain invested for the long term.