Do SIP investments in mutual funds offer assured returns?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

mutual funds through SIPs with monthly collections surging past the Rs 16,000 crore mark. However, there are still many myths surrounding this mode of investment into risk assets.
Do sips offer guaranteed returns? Often illustrations for SIPs show past returns for tenures of 5-10 years, where returns could range between 10% and 20% annualised based on the type of equity fund chosen. However, this does not mean that these returns are guaranteed. Money managers point out that SIPs are merely a mode of investing in mutual funds, where a fixed amount is invested on a particular date every month. About 90% of the SIPs go into equity-oriented mutual funds in which case the money is deployed in the stock markets, which carry a degree of risk and volatility. Since returns from stocks are not guaranteed, consequently returns from SIPs are not guaranteed either.
Can sips be done only in equity funds and are they meant only for retail investors? A SIP can be done in any mutual fund scheme — be it equity, debt, gold or an international fund. While a minimum SIP amount in most cases is Rs 500 per month or Rs 1,000 a month, there is generally no upper limit and it can be done even by rich investors. It is a method of investing in mutual funds and imparts discipline while investing; so it can be used by all investors.

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Can the date and amount of an sip be changed after it is started? can one add a lump sum a mount? SIPs give investors a lot of flexibility. Investors can stop, alter the SIP amount, add a new SIP if there is a rise in income or change the tenure of the SIP and there is no penalty for the same. If you wish to make a