'SIPs are meaningless without our Armed Forces': Fund manager urges Indians to contribute to India govt's National Defence Fund amid Operation Sindoor

Gurmeet Chadha, managing partner and chief investment officer at wealth advisory firm Compcircle, is known for advocating structured and disciplined approach to investing, particularly Systematic Investment Plans or SIPs in stocks and mutual funds. Now, Chadha had urged a new kind of SIP—one that doesn’t involve stocks, mutual funds, or returns. Instead, it’s a contribution to the National Defence Fund (NDF), a powerful gesture reflecting his belief that personal wealth means little without national security. His call comes amid escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.

National Defence Fund

Established in 1962, the National Defence Fund was created to receive voluntary donations from individuals and institutions. It was set up to support the welfare of members of the Armed Forces, including paramilitary personnel and their dependents. What makes the NDF distinct is that it does not receive any funding from the government’s central budget. It runs entirely on the goodwill and generosity of citizens and corporations who choose to contribute. Donations made to the NDF are eligible for full tax exemption under Section 80(G) of the Income Tax Act, making it a financially efficient way to give back to the nation.

Contributions can be made online via multiple platforms including ndf.gov.in, pmindia.gov.in, and the State Bank of India’s portal.


Among the most impactful programs run through the NDF is the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS). This initiative aims to support higher education for the children and widows of personnel from the Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces, State Police, and Railway Protection Force.

Operation Sindoor

During the National Quality Conclave held in New Delhi on May 8, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the effectiveness of Operation Sindoor, attributing its success to the high standards of training and equipment within the Indian Armed Forces. The operation, which targeted and destroyed nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), resulted in the elimination of several terrorists.

The Defence Minister highlighted the operation’s precise execution, which was carried out with minimal collateral damage and no harm to innocent civilians—a reflection of the military's professionalism and advanced capabilities. He also underlined the broader message of the operation: that maintaining high-quality systems and equipment is essential to securing national interests and ensuring operational success on the ground.

Chadha’s Investment Philosophy

Gurmeet Chadha’s journey as an investor has been shaped by both successes and missed chances. One of his early career moves—leaving HDFC Bank for a modest pay hike—cost him the opportunity to vest Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) that could have been worth crores today, given the meteoric rise in HDFC stock over the years.

Rather than dwell on the loss, Chadha embraced a disciplined investing approach. Over the last decade, he has maintained multiple SIPs across mutual funds and direct equities, several of which have now completed ten full years. His focus is not on market timing but on consistent accumulation, even during periods of downturn or volatility. His strategy is simple: identify quality companies, define quantity targets, and invest regularly.