Should I pick a direct plan or a regular plan mutual fund?

A direct plan and a regular plan hold the exact same portfolio. The difference is that a regular plan pays a distributor commission out of your money every year, baked into a higher expense ratio, while a direct plan does not. Over a long horizon that small annual gap compounds into a meaningful amount, because it comes off your returns every single year. If you are comfortable choosing and buying the fund yourself (through the fund house or a direct platform), the direct plan is usually the cheaper default. If you genuinely rely on an advisor for guidance, paying for that is fair, but know what you are paying and whether it is worth it. Expense ratios and platform features change over time, so compare current numbers on a fund research site, and confirm any tax treatment with a CA or a qualified advisor.