Divya Delhi: By 2047, PwC expects India's mutual fund investor base to grow over 5 times from 4.5 crore to 26 crore unique individuals. This significant increase is expected as India moves toward Viksit Bharat, the paper said. The analysis noted mutual funds' growing importance in wealth building and financial inclusion, predicting increased market involvement and investor engagement in the future decades. The number of unique mutual fund investors is predicted to expand from 4.5 crore to 26 crore, with the average retail investor AUM hitting Rs 74 lakh, according to the research. The research also noted the country's low mutual fund reach. Over 25 crore individuals shop online and 2.8 crore go abroad, while just 5.33 crore invest in mutual funds as of January 2025. This revealed that many Indians have yet to consider mutual funds as an investment. The industry must switch from product-focused to investor-focused to realize this huge potential. Understanding different groups' financial goals and concerns and giving personalized solutions is required. The report also predicted a steady shift in mutual fund AUM from retail to institutional. The ratio is 64:36, but by 2047, it is predicted to become 70:30, following developed market patterns. Report: “The retail-institutional mix in mutual fund AUM is projected to shift gradually from 64:36 to 70:30 by 2047, mirroring developed markets. Maintaining market returns of 11% and growing mutual fund participation from 3% to 15% will facilitate this shift.Strategic orchestration, infrastructure resilience, and regulatory expertise are needed to modernize the mutual fund business, according to the analysis. These criteria will influence the industry's ability to scale, innovate, and make financial involvement accessible to all. A single institution is needed to coordinate efforts and balance investors, distributors, asset management firms  and regulators, according to the research. The mutual fund business is predicted to become more investor-friendly and broadly recognized as India moves toward its 2047 vision, boosting economic growth and wealth creation.