India's mutual fund industry experienced notable growth in fiscal year 2025, with assets under management (AUM) increasing by 23% to reach ₹65.7 trillion. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) also saw a rise, hitting 81 million, reflecting a trend of investors maintaining longer-term commitments. The number of unique mutual fund investors in India expanded by 20% year-over-year to 54 million, with a growing focus on mid and small-cap stocks. This surge in retail participation aligns with broader trends observed post-Covid, where domestic market investors in India increased significantly, with the National Stock Exchange reporting a 3.6-fold rise in unique investors from March 2020 to February 2025, totaling 112 million. Globally, mutual fund ownership is becoming more widespread, with over 127 million Americans holding mutual funds, indicating that stock market fluctuations increasingly affect middle-class wealth and potentially influence voting behavior. Despite recent market volatility, novice investors have outperformed seasoned professionals in the stock market, and historical data shows that the S&P 500 has experienced bullish returns in 21 of the past 23 years. However, analysis of U.S. stocks since 1926 reveals that nearly 59% have underperformed U.S. Treasury bills over their full histories, underscoring the challenges of stock picking over the long term.