Best ULIP Plans in India

For many Indian families, a ULIP is often the first place where insurance and investing meet. It usually begins with a simple thought. You want to secure your family’s future. But now the question is, which plan is right for you? This is where people incline towards ULIP plans. They are more transparent, flexible, and aligned with long-term goals than they once were.

In 2026, choosing the best ULIP plan in India is less about tax benefits and more about steady wealth creation with protection. When selected carefully, the best ULIP plans support life cover and market-linked growth, while helping you stay invested through changing market cycles.

So, let us explore the top 10 ULIP plans in India and understand the factors that impact the choice of the plans as well. But before that, let us know what ULIP plans are.

Understanding ULIP Plans

ULIP plans refer to the Unit Linked Insurance Plans. These are products that combine insurance and investment in one structure. When you invest in a ULIP, a part of your premium goes towards life insurance cover. But the rest of the amount that you have invested goes into the market-linked funds, such as equity, debt, or a mix of both.

What makes ULIP plans different is flexibility. You can switch between funds based on your goals and market conditions. Over time, ULIPs help you build wealth. This also helps in ensuring financial protection for your family. Also, when you stay invested in the ULIP plans for a longer duration, you are in a position to earn higher returns. 

Factors to Consider Before Investing in the Best ULIP

Choosing the best ULIP plan in India is not about ticking boxes. It is about understanding how the plan will support your goals over the years. A ULIP stays with you for a long time. Hence, it is the basic need to feel right from day one. When these factors align, best ULIP plans become easier to manage and stay invested in.

1. Premium Affordability

The premium should fit naturally into your budget. If the amount feels heavy today, it will feel worse later. A comfortable premium helps you stay consistent through market ups and downs.

2. Premium Payment Structure

Check whether the plan offers regular pay or limited pay options. Choose a structure that matches your income pattern, not just one that looks convenient on paper.

3. Investment Horizon

ULIPs are designed for long term goals. A horizon of 10 to 15 years allows the investment side of the plan to work through market cycles more effectively.

4. Fund Choices Available

Look at the range of funds offered. Equity, debt, and balanced funds give you the freedom to adjust risk as your priorities change.

5. Fund Switching Facility

Markets do not move in straight lines. A good ULIP allows easy fund switching so you can realign investments without disrupting the policy.

6. Riders and Additional Protection

Riders such as accidental death or critical illness can add value. Choose them only if they match your real needs and do not inflate costs unnecessarily.

7. Adequacy of Life Cover

The insurance cover should offer genuine protection. A ULIP works better when the life cover supports your family’s financial needs properly.

8. Lock-in Period and Liquidity

ULIPs have a five-year lock-in. Make sure your emergency funds are separate, so this investment remains untouched.

The best ULIP plans work quietly in the background. But this is all possible only when chosen with clarity, patience, and realistic expectations.

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Top 10 ULIP Plans in India 2026 

If you are planning to invest in the best ULIP plan with high returns, then here are the options that you should consider.

ULIP Plan	Min Entry Age	Max Entry Age	Indicative Minimum Annual Premium (Regular Pay)	Typical Policy Term / Tenure
HDFC Life Click 2 Wealth / Click 2 Invest	30 days	Up to 60 years	Around ₹12,000 PA or single premium from ~₹24,000	10–40 years; some options extend up to age 99
SBI Life eWealth Insurance	18 years	50 years	Around ₹10,000 per year	10–30 years depending on option
ICICI Prudential Signature	30 days – 18 years	Up to 60 years	~₹30,000 per year; whole-life variants around ₹60,000	10–40 years; whole-life up to age 99
Bajaj Allianz Goal Assure / Future Gain ULIPs	30 days to 6 years	60–65 years	Typically ₹25,000–₹30,000 per year	10–30 or 40 years depending on plan
Tata AIA Fortune Pro / Wealth ULIPs	30 days	60–65 years	Usually ₹24,000–₹30,000 PA	10–40 years; some plans run till age 100
Max Life Platinum Wealth / Online Savings ULIP	18 years	55–60 years	Around ₹24,000 per year	10–30 or 40 years based on premium term
Aditya Birla Sun Life Fortune Elite / Wealth Aspire	30 days / 18 years	60–65 years	Around ₹40,000 per year (HNI-focused plans)	10–40 or 50 years with multiple PPT options
Canara HSBC Life Invest 4G	0–18 years	Up to 65 years	Around ₹24,000 per year	5–30 years with flexible premium terms
PNB MetLife Mera Wealth	30 days	54–60 years	₹12,000 per year (online); premium variants higher	10–30 years depending on pay structure
LIC Endowment Plus and other LIC ULIPs	90 days / 7–8 years	50–60 years	Around ₹20,000 per year	Usually 10–20 or 25 years

Now that you know the top 10 ULIP plans in India, let us explore them in a bit of detail here.

1. HDFC Life Click 2 Wealth / Click 2 Invest

This plan suits investors who want the best ULIP plan with higher return potential but still want control. It offers multiple equity and debt funds, which help you adjust risk as goals change. The low entry premium makes it accessible early in life. Over long periods, it works well for disciplined wealth creation rather than short-term gains.

Pros: Flexible equity–debt fund choices, low entry premium, good for long-term wealth creation with insurance cover.

Cons: Market-linked volatility, initial ULIP charges, not suitable for short-term goals.

2. SBI Life eWealth Insurance

SBI Life eWealth is often chosen by investors who prefer simplicity and stability. It is not positioned as an aggressive product, but as a steady best ULIP plan in India for long-term planning. The lower minimum premium helps salaried investors stay consistent. It fits goals like retirement or building a safe long-term corpus.

Pros: Simple structure, stable investment approach, lower minimum premium, suitable for long-term goals like retirement, includes life cover.

Cons: Limited aggressive growth potential, fewer high-risk fund options, returns may lag in strong bull markets.

3. ICICI Prudential Signature

This plan is designed for investors aiming for scale. It suits those comfortable with market ups and downs and looking for a best ULIP plan with high returns over time. The whole-life option makes it relevant for legacy planning. It works best when you can commit higher premiums and stay invested for decades.

Pros: High long-term return potential, suitable for aggressive investors, whole-life option supports legacy planning, wide fund choices with flexibility.

Cons: Requires higher premium commitment, market-linked volatility, not ideal for conservative or short-term investors.

4. Bajaj Allianz Goal Assure / Future Gain ULIPs

These ULIPs are built around goal-based investing. They appeal to investors who want structure without micromanaging funds. The plans balance equity exposure with downside control, making them suitable for long term goals like children’s education. For many, this feels like a practical best ULIP choice rather than a high-risk bet.

Pros: Goal-based structure reduces the need for active fund management, balanced equity exposure with downside control, suitable for long-term goals like children’s education, loyalty additions for long-term investors, includes life cover.

Cons: Market-linked returns can fluctuate, multiple ULIP charges may impact early returns, 5-year lock-in limits liquidity, not suitable for short-term or very aggressive return seekers.

5. Tata AIA Fortune Pro / Wealth ULIPs

Tata AIA ULIPs are known for strong equity-oriented fund options. They suit investors seeking a best ULIP plan with higher return focus, especially over long horizons. The flexibility in policy terms and fund choices helps match evolving goals. These plans work well if you are comfortable reviewing and adjusting investments occasionally.

Pros: Equity-focused funds with strong long-term return potential, flexible fund and policy options, suitable for active investors.

Cons: Market volatility, ULIP charges impact early returns, not suited for short-term or conservative investors.

6. Max Life Platinum Wealth / Online Savings ULIP

Max Life ULIPs appeal to investors who want clarity and long term discipline. They are often used for retirement or wealth accumulation goals rather than aggressive growth. While returns depend on fund choice, the structure supports consistency. This makes it a reliable best ULIP plan in India for conservative to moderate investors.

Pros: Clear structure with long-term discipline, suitable for retirement and wealth accumulation, reliable for conservative to moderate investors.

Cons: Lower aggressive growth potential, market-linked returns can still fluctuate, ULIP charges may reduce early returns.

7. Aditya Birla Sun Life Fortune Elite / Wealth Aspire

These ULIPs are positioned for higher premium investors. They suit those looking for the best ULIP plan with high returns through active equity exposure. The multiple premium payment options help in planning cash flows. It works best when you already have basics covered and want ULIPs as a wealth-building layer.

Pros: High equity exposure for long-term returns, flexible premium payment options, suitable as a wealth-building add-on.

Cons: Market volatility, higher premium commitment, ULIP charges affect early returns.

8. Canara HSBC Life Invest 4G

Invest 4G is often chosen by first-time ULIP investors who want flexibility without complexity. The wide choice of policy terms and premium options makes it adaptable. It may not be the most aggressive, but it serves as a balanced best ULIP option for long-term goals like savings and family security.

Pros: Flexible policy terms and premium options, easy for first-time ULIP investors, balanced approach for long-term savings and family security.

Cons: Limited aggressive growth potential, market-linked returns can vary, ULIP charges may reduce early gains.

9. PNB MetLife Mera Wealth

This plan works well for investors starting with smaller premiums. It is suitable if you want to explore ULIPs without heavy commitment initially. Over time, with consistent premiums, it can support steady growth. Many see it as a practical best ULIP plan in India for disciplined, goal-based investing.

Pros: Suitable for investors starting with smaller premiums, supports disciplined goal-based investing, steady growth with consistent contributions.

Cons: Moderate return potential, market-linked volatility, ULIP charges may affect early returns.

10. LIC Endowment Plus and Other LIC ULIPs

LIC ULIPs attract investors who value trust and familiarity. These plans are generally conservative in nature and focus more on stability than aggressive returns. While not positioned as the best ULIP plan with higher return, they suit long-term investors who prioritise safety, discipline, and the LIC brand comfort.

Pros: Trusted brand with focus on stability, suitable for long-term conservative investors, disciplined savings with life cover.

Cons: Lower return potential compared to aggressive ULIPs, market-linked returns still apply, may lag high-growth options.

Read Also: ELSS Funds: 3 Years Lock-In Worth It?

Who Should Invest in ULIP Plans

ULIP plans are designed for specific types of investors. So, if you are selecting the best ULIP plan in India, check these points before you plan to invest:

1. Long-Term Goal-Based Investors

ULIPs are suitable for people investing for retirement, children’s education, or wealth creation over 10 to 15 years. The best ULIP plans perform better when given time.

2. Investors Looking for Protection With Growth

If you want life insurance along with market-linked returns, ULIPs offer a combined approach. This makes them a practical best ULIP option for integrated planning.

3. Disciplined Investors

ULIPs suit those who can pay premiums regularly. They prefer to stay invested during market volatility. Discipline plays a key role in making ULIPs effective.

4. Investors Comfortable With Market Risk

ULIPs invest in equity and debt funds. Hence, they are suitable for investors who understand market ups and downs and aim for long-term growth.

5. First-Time Long-Term Investors

For beginners seeking structure and guidance, the best ULIP plan in India can help build investment discipline while offering insurance cover.

Read Also: Top 10 Tax Saving Instruments in India

Conclusion

A ULIP is not a quick-win product. It is meant for people who think in years, not months. When you choose the best ULIP plan in India, you are committing to an investment plan for a long duration. This needs discipline and patience. And if you can have that, then ULIP is the plan for you.

If you want help comparing options without sales pressure, Pocketful helps you understand features clearly and shortlist the best ULIP based on real needs, not brochures.

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