NEED ADVICE: STOCKS or MF or SIP or FD

First look for options to get tax free returns that's most important.

PPF IS mandatory to reach 1.5 lakhs every year.

Subscribe for NPS.

Then look for Small finance Bank which give good returns, IDFC small Bank give 7 % on the funds which is parked on savings account as monthly credit. So park all your ideal funds in similar like bank.

The asset allocation should be 30% debt and 70% equity for agressive growth.

70% equity should be in below (30% in Large cap (index) , 50% in (Mid cap, flexi cap)and 20% in Small cap.

Add gold also in your portfolio as GoldBees.

• when do you need the invested money back ? like 1/2/3/5/10/20 years or at retirement etc..
• what is the purpose of investment ? like study/car/marriage etc..
• expected return.

You can invest in quant mf smallcap or midcap acc to your risk taking ability

Long story short: 

Go for Small finance Bank FD's at 9 to 9.25% rate for your mindset that will be better

So the elaboration (for those who wanna read the logic - and people who dont complain on my writing as too much essay lol)

Priority: I can't bear huge losses not do I expect high returns above 20%
Ans 1) : hmmm this is paradox: YOU ARE EXPECTING HIGH 20% is already too much

My expectations :- 8% to 20% anything in this range

Ans 2) : again this is ambitious:) but you are saying the alternative of being conservative in the next lines (above 10% and being conservative DONT GO HAND IN HAND)

I m very conservative as have no stamina to bear loss so suggest accordingly.

Ans 3) : You clearly mentioned conservative, so stick with FD is my opinion, so go for small finance FD with 5lakh max (because of insurance of DICGC) per SMALL FINANCE bank which will give you around 9% to 9.25% 

A bit of risk is everywhere thts understandle

Ans 4) : you can't tolerate risk so stop thinking this totally

One more suggestion needed is what is the best platform(app /yt channel/or anything else) to get a know how of investment journey ie investing and all

Ans 5) : Read lot of write ups and blogs and youtube, in the same order (DONT WATCH YOUTUBE FIRST just follow the order mentioned and then you are safe and good)  

One option you can think of is ELSS (mutual fund).

It has couple of benefits:
1. invested amount can be claimed under 80c for present year, so some tax relief, but ofcourse, only if you've 80c limit left.
2. Whatever be the interest/return, will also be fully tax free.
3. You can remain invested as long as you want, even after lock-in period over.

One challenge is that there is a 3 year lock-in. So if you're okay with this 3+ year timeframe, then go for it.

Market risks as always there but don't worry. Yes markets will fall, but mutual fund managers usually are able to manoeuvre well. Don't invest whole 10L here, but you can safely invest like maybe 3L or 4L here. It'll help you improve overall return rate.

For short term, you can do bonds investment as well.
Some platforms are offering 12-16% on A rated bonds right now

best app for Mutual funds? ... phone pe or paytm is also fine right?

following the thread.