This document provides an overview of mutual funds including: - A mutual fund is a professionally managed collective investment that pools money from investors to invest in stocks, bonds, and other securities. - It discusses the history and structure of mutual funds in India and describes the different types including income, growth, balanced, and money market funds. - The benefits of mutual funds are discussed such as diversification, affordability, and professional management while risks include management risk and costs. - Steps for investing in mutual funds including identifying investment needs, choosing funds, and investing regularly are outlined.