Only 18% of investors in India rely on finance television channels for investment knowledge, according to the third edition of Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund’s (MOMF) Passive Survey 2025, reports 24brussels.

The survey, conducted between August and September 2025, gathered insights from over 3,000 investors and 120 distributors, including mutual fund distributors, registered investment advisers (RIAs), and wealth managers across India. Findings indicate that this trend represents a structural shift, with investors increasingly favoring specialized and credible financial portals over quick, social media-driven content.

According to the report, 52% of investors turn to financial websites and online news platforms for information, while 38% rely on newspapers and newsletters. Approximately 29% use social media for finance-related updates, underscoring a notable decline in reliance on television channels for financial information.

The survey also highlighted the continued preference for Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) as a disciplined wealth creation strategy. Investors are now actively combining SIPs with lump sum investments, leading to a distribution of 57% for SIPs plus lump sums, followed by 26% for standalone SIPs and 17% for lump sum investments alone.

Interest in smart beta strategies is on the rise, with 61% of passive fund investors exploring factor-based funds. The report emphasized that while fund performance remains a crucial consideration, investors are also increasingly interested in defensive factors, indicating a balanced investment approach.

Passive funds are emerging as a mainstream investment choice in India. The survey revealed that 76% of mutual fund investors are aware of Index Funds or ETFs in 2025, with 68% having invested in at least one passive fund, up from 61% in 2023. The Assets Under Management (AUM) in the passive sector reached Rs 12.2 lakh crore, marking a 6.4-fold increase over six years, reflecting a 36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from Rs 1.91 lakh crore in 2019. In just over two years since March 2023, AUM has surged 1.7 times, demonstrating a 26% CAGR and highlighting the rapid adoption of passive investing in India.