A goal without a number is a wish. Enter what your goal costs today — the planner inflates it to the year you need it, then works backwards to the monthly SIP that gets you there.
FDs, liquid funds, or ultra-short debt funds. The job is not losing the money, not growing it. Equity can and does fall 30% in a bad year.
A mix — e.g. 40–60% equity, rest in debt — with a plan to shift toward debt as the goal approaches. Hybrid/balanced-advantage funds do this automatically.
History strongly favours mostly-equity portfolios over 7+ year horizons. Start aggressive, then glide toward safety in the final 2–3 years — don't let a last-minute crash decide your goal's fate.