Child ULIPs: What They Are, How They Work, and If They’re Right for Your Family

When you think about securing your child’s future, Child ULIPs, a type of insurance-linked investment plan designed specifically for children’s long-term financial goals. Also known as child insurance plans, they bundle life coverage with market-linked savings, promising to build a corpus for education, marriage, or other milestones. But here’s the thing—most parents don’t realize how much of their money actually goes into fees, not growth. Unlike pure savings accounts or fixed deposits, Child ULIPs lock in your money for years, and the returns depend on how the fund performs. They’re not magic. They’re just one tool, and whether they work for you depends on what you’re trying to achieve.

Child ULIPs are often sold as a one-stop solution: insurance + investment + education fund. But they’re not the only option. ULIP investment, a product that links premiums to equity or debt market performance, is also used by adults for retirement or wealth building. The difference with Child ULIPs? The policy term usually runs until the child turns 18, 21, or even 25, and the plan includes a waiver benefit—if something happens to the parent, premiums stop but coverage continues. That’s useful, but it’s not free. The charges—mortality cost, fund management fees, administration charges—can eat up 20-30% of your premium in the first five years. Compare that to a simple term insurance plan plus a separate SIP in a mutual fund. You might end up with more money, more control, and lower costs.

Some families use Child ULIPs because they’re simple to understand: pay monthly, watch the value grow, get a payout when the child is older. But simplicity doesn’t mean efficiency. If you’re looking for pure growth, index funds or PPF might do better. If you need insurance, a term plan is cheaper and clearer. Child ULIPs make sense only if you want both under one roof, hate managing multiple accounts, and are okay with lower returns for the sake of convenience. They’re not bad. They’re just not always the best. And if you’re being told they’re the only way to save for college, that’s not true.

What you’ll find below are real breakdowns of how these plans actually perform, what hidden costs you might be missing, and how to compare them with other options. You’ll see how much a typical Child ULIP costs over 15 years, what returns families actually get after fees, and whether the insurance part is worth the price. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just facts from real plans and real families in India.

Section 80C and Children’s Plans in India: SSY vs Child ULIPs vs PPF
Section 80C and Children’s Plans in India: SSY vs Child ULIPs vs PPF

Compare SSY, PPF, and Child ULIPs under Section 80C to find the best tax-saving investment for your child's future in India. Learn which option offers higher returns, lower risk, and true financial security.