Another theme that emerged from our survey was just how recent the majority of women
investors are to the market. In the last 1–3 years, 37% of women have started investing—a promising shift in financial participation.
What’s Driving This New Wave?
The rise of user-friendly brokerage apps like Groww and Zerodha has made investing more accessible than ever. These platforms, with their modern interfaces and simplified processes, have lowered the barrier to entry for many first-timers. Coupled with the Indian markets delivering outstanding returns since 2020, it’s no surprise that more people are jumping in. The consistent performance has not only encouraged seasoned investors to stay in but has also brought in newcomers driven by optimism—or, let’s be honest, a healthy dose of FOMO—as they see others profiting from the rally.
But Here’s the Thing…
It’s exciting to see personal finance finally becoming a priority, but there’s a flip side to this enthusiasm. Some people are leaving stable jobs to day trade full-time without any real experience, fueled by the belief that the market only goes up. Many of these new retail investors have only experienced the highs of a bull market.
The harsh truth? Markets don’t move in one direction forever.
A correction—a drop of 10% or more—can happen anytime, triggered by a mix of economic, political, or global factors. It’s not a matter of if but when. This environment reminds me of the U.S. markets in 2021. The euphoric bull run ended abruptly in 2022, with a double dip leaving no safe haven as both stocks and bonds took a hit. It was a stark reminder that chasing trends without understanding risks can lead to painful lessons.
My Take
Investing is, at its core, a long-term game. While risk is a part of the journey—no risk, no reward—those risks need to be calculated. Don’t jump in blindly or let FOMO dictate your moves. Instead, take the time to find investment instruments that align with your financial goals. Doing so won’t make market dips painless, but they’ll hurt a little less—and you’ll be better positioned for the long run.
Written by Shambhavi Gupta
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