How much should a fee-only financial planner in India cost, and how do I know it's worth it?

Fee-only planners charge you directly, not through commissions on what they sell, so their advice is not tied to a product. In India you'll typically see a flat annual retainer or a one-time plan fee, and some charge by assets managed. What matters is not the sticker price but whether the fee is small next to the clarity you get: a real plan, an asset allocation you understand, and someone to talk you out of panic-selling. A rough test of worth is whether the advice pays for itself in taxes saved, mistakes avoided, and hours you get back. Ask for the fee in writing, ask how they are paid, and walk if the answer is vague. Fees, tax rules, and market returns all change, so treat any numbers as a starting point and confirm specifics with the planner and a CA.