Best 3-year investment options to boost your income

Grow your wealth in 3 years with the best investment plans offering high returns. Explore fixed deposits, liquid funds, Saving accounts and other secure options.
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3 mins
09-July-2025

Locking up your funds is never a good idea. It is because the purchasing power of your money declines over time. Even if you are setting aside funds for use during emergencies, invest them in a safe investment with high return in India. It will help multiply the money and will yield inflation-beating returns.

A 3-year timeline is the most looked at to measure the long-term returns. While the recommended period for measuring actual returns is usually 5 years, people decide their investments based on a 3-year return history.

Also, it is easier to plan for a 3-year horizon and try to find best investment plan with higher returns. Whether it is your child’s education or plan to renovate your house, a 3-year horizon seems more plausible than a longer one.

Benefits of 3 years Investment Plans

Making sound investments can help you grow your savings quickly. Here is a look at some of the best benefits of having robust investment plan for 3 years.

  • Get a better understanding of what your net financial net worth is, and how you can improve it further
  • Manage your income effectively by diverting it at the suitable sources
  • Prioritising your expenses and checking your assets while discarding your liabilities
  • Fund your requirements and evade debts
  • Increased preparedness for emergencies and unforeseen circumstances
  • Increased self-dependency as your financial goals are well aligned with your personal goals

An ideal financial blueprint is one that not only defines goals but also gives you means of achieving them. It even takes into consideration your circumstances, as well as your risk appetite.

An investment plan should break your financial aspirations and necessities into time-bound goals. Your investment allocation should be done so that as and when you are close to your financial goal, the money is available through one of your investments.

6. Fixed maturity plans (FMPs)

Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) are close-ended debt mutual funds with a predefined maturity period, typically extending up to five years. These funds invest in debt or money market instruments that align with the same maturity timeline. For instance, if an FMP has a tenure of three years, it will invest in securities set to mature at the end of those three years.

FMPs tend to gain popularity towards the end of the financial year due to their potential tax benefits. However, they come with certain drawbacks—most notably, limited liquidity, as investors cannot redeem units before maturity.

7. Treasury bills

The government raises funds by issuing treasury bills and government bonds. Treasury bills are short-term instruments with maturities of 91, 182, or 364 days, while government bonds have a longer tenure ranging from 5 to 10 years.

Treasury bills are issued at a discount and redeemed at face value upon maturity, allowing investors to earn returns from the price difference. While they offer attractive returns, one limitation is that investments must be made in multiples of Rs. 25,000 when purchasing directly from the government.

8. Gold

There are 3 ways you can invest in gold:

Physical form: It is mandatory for you to have a PAN Card.
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs): Gold ETFs are mutual funds where each unit represents 1g of gold, either in its physical or electronic form.
Sovereign gold bonds: These offer a high-interest rate without the risk and hassle that comes with purchasing physical gold. These bonds do not attract tax after you redeem them.

After the 2008 financial crisis, gold prices increased twice in three years and have risen to almost three and a half times since then. This is because after the world’s economy collapsed, investors began to take protection in gold. In addition, through diversification, gold helps to keep your portfolio intact.

Tax implications on short-term investment plans in India

When you are planning your investments and finances, it is imperative to consider the impact of taxation on your capital too. For example, deposits are subject to TDS if the interest income on your FD exceeds Rs. 50,000 in a financial year (Rs. 1,00,000 for senior citizens) for banks, and Rs. 10,000 for NBFCs. The profits you make from mutual funds are also governed by different tax regulations.

Mostly, all kinds of debt mutual funds attract short-term capital gains tax and long-term capital gains tax. All these taxes have an impact on the returns your investment is gathering, so be mindful of the taxation aspect as well.

However, often investors tend to compromise on returns to offset tax. If you were to choose to invest in Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit, you could earn high returns that offer higher savings compared to tax-saving instruments. Thus, it is essential to make an intelligent choice that offers higher savings on your deposits.

Pro Tip

Create wealth and meet your financial goals with a ULIP investment plan, start investing from Rs. 3,000/month.

Conclusion

When it comes to short- to medium-term financial planning, a 3-year investment horizon strikes the perfect balance between flexibility and growth. Whether you’re aiming to fund your child’s education, renovate your home, or simply build a cushion against emergencies, the right investment can help you achieve your goals without locking away your money for too long.

Which investment is best for 3 years?

For a 3-year investment horizon, fixed deposits, liquid funds, and short-term debt funds are considered reliable options. They offer stable returns with relatively low risk. If you're comfortable with moderate risk and seeking tax benefits, Equity Linked Saving Schemes (ELSS) can also be a good option due to their 3-year lock-in period and equity exposure.

What is a good 3-year return on investment?

A good 3-year return depends on the type of investment and market conditions. For low-risk options like fixed deposits, returns typically range between 6%–7.5% annually. Moderate- to high-risk instruments like ELSS or short-term debt funds may offer 8%–12% annual returns, but with some market-linked volatility. Always align expected returns with your financial goals and risk appetite

Disclaimer

Bajaj Finance Ltd. (BFL) is merely a distributor of third-party products from Assistance Services providers such as CPP Assistance Services Pvt Ltd, Bajaj Finserv Health Ltd. (BFHL), AWP Assistance India Pvt. Ltd. (Allianz), Doc Online Health India Pvt Ltd. etc. Issuance of the product is at sole discretion of Assistance Company or Services provider. The product and services or benefits assured under the product shall be governed by respective partner’s product T&Cs and BFL does not hold any responsibility for the issuance, quality, serviceability, maintenance, and any claims post sale. Your purchase of an assistance product is purely on a voluntary basis after your exercise of an independent due diligence on the suitability, viability of any product. For more details on terms and conditions, inclusions and exclusions please read the product sales brochure carefully before purchase or subscription. All product information such as membership fees, benefits, exclusions, value added services, etc. are authentic and solely based on the information received from the respective value-added service provider or Assistance company.

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