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UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 Lakh crore, the AMC is one of the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The AMC offers products across asset classes.   Let us talk about the flagship product – UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund  UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund  Investment objective The UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund seeks to generate long-term capital appreciation for investors by investing in equity and related securities of multi-cap companies that are involved in Banking and Financial Services activities.  Investment process   The UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund uses the tactical approach which takes a high risk and has the potential to deliver high returns.  Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 84% and sectorally major exposure is to banking and financial services that account for roughly 90% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 30th Nov 2022. Source: Value Research  Top 5 holdings Name Sector Weightage % ICICI Bank Financial Services 18.51 HDFC Bank Financial Services 18.32 Axis Bank Financial Services 9.80 State Bank of India Financial Services 9.55 HDFC Financial Services 6.16 Note: Data as of 30th Nov 2022. Source: Value Research  Performance since launch  If you had invested 10 lakhs on 1 Aug 2005, it would be now valued at Rs 83.88 lakhs.  Note: Performance of the fund, Date – August 01, 2005, to December 7, 2005. Source: moneycontrol  The UTI Banking & Financial Services Fund has given consistent returns with an annualized return of 13.03%.  Fund manager  The fund is ably managed by Amit Kumar Premchandani and Preethi RS. Amit has over 11 years of experience and has been managing the fund since June 2014. Preethi joined in May 2022 and is a new entrant in this fund management.  Who should invest?  Investors looking to  Own market leaders in Banking & Financial Services sector  Hold a concentrated portfolio  Why Invest?  It has a highly concentrated portfolio that invests in the ever-green sector of the economy.  Fundamentally strong financial services companies of all market-cap.  Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 5 years or more  A systematic investment Plan (SIP) is an ideal way to take exposure as it helps tackle market volatility. Conclusion  The fund has delivered good returns over the period. One should have a longer horizon before investing in the fund as it is a sectoral fund.  DisclaimerThis is not recommendation advice. All information in this blog is for educational purposes only. 

UTI is one of the pioneers of the Indian Mutual Fund Industry. With over Rs 2.4 Lakh crore, the AMC is one of the most trusted names in the mutual fund space. The AMF offers products across asset classes.   Let us talk about the flagship product – UTI Multi Asset Fund. What is UTI Multi Asset Fund? Investment objective The objective of the Scheme is to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in a diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related instruments. The fund also invests in debt and money market instruments with a view to generating regular income. The fund also invests in Gold ETFs. The portfolio allocation is managed dynamically. However, there is no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the Scheme would be achieved.  Investment process   The UTI Multi Asset Fund follows a top-down approach for large caps and bottoms up for mid & small caps. Stock selection is fundamentally driven. For debt selection, this fund focuses on credit & liquidity across the securities spectrum.   Portfolio composition  The portfolio holds the major exposure in large-cap stocks at 76% and sectoral major exposure is to financial services which account for roughly one-third of the portfolio. The top 5 sectors hold nearly 75% of the portfolio. Note: Data as of 30th Nov 2022. Source: UTI MF  Top 5 holdings Name Sector Weightage % Infosys Ltd. Information Technology 7.76 Reliance Industries Ltd. Conglomerate 6.93 ICICI Bank Ltd. Financial Services 6.68 HDFC Bank Ltd. Financial Services 5.88 Bharti Airtel Ltd. Telecommunications 5.10 Note: Data as of 30th Nov 2022. Source: UTI MF Performance over 13 years  If you would have invested 10,000 at the time of inception of the UTI Multi Asset Fund, it would be now valued at Rs. 45,117 whereas the benchmark (Nifty 500 TRI) would have fetched you Rs 1.89 Lakhs. Note: Performance of the fund since launch; Inception Date – Nov 19, 2008. Source: utimf.com  The fund has given consistent returns and has outperformed the benchmark over the period of 13 years by generating a CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) of 11.40%. Fund manager  The fund is ably managed by   Sharwan Kumar Goyal is Fund Manager and Head - Passive, Arbitrage, and Quant strategies at UTI AMC. He is a CFA Charter holder from CFA Institute, USA, and also holds a post-graduate degree in Management (MMS) from Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai. He has over 16 years of experience in Risk Management, Equity Research, Portfolio Analysis, and Fund Management at UTI AMC.  Sunil Patil is Executive Vice President & Fund Manager – Debt. He joined UTI AMC in October 1989. He has overall 28 years of experience in Primary Market Investment/ Dealing and Fund Management.  Who should invest?  Investors looking for  A multi-asset allocation route for portfolio diversification Investment Horizon  A long-term wealth creation vehicle.  Why invest?  Single route access to a diversified portfolio spreading across equity, debt & gold.  Potential to limit the portfolio downside risk during major market corrections.   Horizon  One should look at investing for a minimum of 3 years or more.  Investment through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may help in tackling the volatility of the broader equity market.  Conclusion  The UTI Multi Asset Fund is the oldest fund with a proven track record of 13 years and has delivered 11.40% CAGR consistently. This fund is suitable for those who can stay put longer for wealth their wealth creation and looking for allocation to multi assets. 

What is a mutual fund? Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors and invest them into equity, debt, other related instruments, and asset classes after thorough research and analysis. Each mutual fund portfolio is managed by a fund manager who has a great deal of experience in the industry. Their decisions are substantiated and are taken after following the thorough research done by the AMC's research analysts. As individual investors, we do not have enough time to perform such research to make a well-informed choice on “Where to invest to gain maximum returns?” or “Where to invest in the long-term?” We may also not have enough capital to make a diversified portfolio to sustain the blows of market fluctuations. Mutual funds provide a one-stop solution for both issues. Why should one invest in mutual funds? a) Money managed by experts The fund manager and his army of research analysts are experts in the field of investing. They make informed choices with respect to every penny and always aim to provide the promised objective to their pool of investors. b) Liquidity Redemption requests are handled with great ease in fund houses. The investor can also buy/sell his units in the secondary market (in an open-ended fund) for redemption (withdrawal) of the units. c) Diversification Despite having low ticket sizes for investment, an investor can receive returns that mimic or beat the market performance. He/she can own a portfolio that is diversified across market capitalization or across sectors or different companies to sustain the blows of volatility. d) Lower cost The funds charge a small % of the NAV or your gains from the fund as a management fee which is also known as the expense ratio. These are also regulated by SEBI and have an upper limit to ensure that the funds do not overcharge the investors. e) Fund switch options One can invest in a debt fund and have the plan to have a systematic transfer into equity or vice versa to match the risk appetite, financial goals, and other factors. f) Tax saving with equity linked savings scheme (ELSS) Mutual funds also allow you to save some part of your income and claim it for tax deduction under 80C. Rupee Cost Averaging: Investing in Mutual funds through SIPs averages the cost of purchase/unit. Regulation: Funds are highly regulated and are designed to ensure retail investor protection. Ways you can invest in mutual funds If you are a new investor, you will need to complete your Know Your Customer (KYC) compliances through distributors, online platforms, or mutual fund houses (KRA – KYC Registration Agencies) – SEBI registered intermediaries. This is a one-time mandated process by SEBI to prevent fraudulent transactions. 1. Through an agent An investor may contact an agent who would direct the investor to invest in different mutual funds based on risk appetite, investment horizon, goals, and other factors. There is no commission that is to be paid to the agent. The fee is paid by the fund house and is deducted from the expense ratio paid by the investor to the AMC. Login credentials are given by each fund house which enables the investor to receive real-time data on fund performance. 2. Asset Management Company (AMC) One can directly invest in the fund house through this route. However, the investor needs to perform some amount of research before choosing the fund and the fund house. He/she can walk into one of the fund houses for offline registration, post which, all the transactions can be performed online through their website. If an investor wants to invest in 5 different funds, each from a different fund house, he/she will have to visit 5 different offices. 3. Demat account The investor can directly invest in various funds of different AMCs, corporate bonds, government securities, ETFs, etc through one account. These can be managed from one single location – your Demat Account. However, one needs to pay an additional brokerage charge annually for maintaining the account in addition to the expense ratio (which is to be paid to the AMC). 4. Fintech investment platform These platforms are third-party mutual fund aggregators which aid the investor in investing the corpus after a detailed analysis of their risk profile, goals, investment horizons, and more and suggest the best funds to suit their requirements. They also offer the convenience of managing the investor’s portfolio through their user-friendly sites. Some of the popular firms are Groww, EduFund, Scripbox, FundsIndia, etc. 5. Stock exchanges One can invest through NSE or BSE, hence eliminating all the intermediaries/brokers. However, the investor needs to perform a thorough analysis before investing in any fund and ensure that the objectives of the fund match his/her financial goals, risk appetite, and other requirements. To go through this route, one needs to complete an online registration with NSE or BSE (a one-time process). 6. Registrar and Transfer Agents (RTAs) One needs to complete the application form and submit a bank draft or cheque at the branch office of the RTA post where one can visit any of the RTAs to start investing. Some of the popular RTAs are CAMS and Karvy. This route enables the investor to choose across multiple fund houses (instead of a single fund house – in the AMC route). 7. Mutual fund utilities It is a shared service platform that hosts all the fund houses (owned by several AMCs in the country) and is used for fund transactions. Investors can use this facility online or offline. 8. Investor service centers These are physical offices across the country belonging to RTAs or fund houses. They assist the investor with respect to all the steps in the investment journey – investment to redemption. FAQs What is a Mutual Fund? Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors and invest them into equity, debt, other related instruments, and asset classes after thorough research and analysis. Why Should One Invest In Mutual Funds? Mutual funds is the best way to enter the investment market. It helps you invest in multiple companies and the investment strategy is managed by experts. What are the ways to invest in mutual funds? There are many ways to invest in mutual funds: You can invest through an agent, directly with the AMC, through a Demat account, or through a third-party financial investment platform depending upon your goals and ambitions. Conclusion As an investor, you can use any of the above ways to invest in the mutual fund of your choice and enjoy the wealth generation that comes with compounding. You can start your investment journey by downloading the EduFund app and signing up. You can get started immediately and pay zero commissions.

Are you a new college student and looking for a student internship? Well, congratulations! College life is a new adventure and a new journey. All the new experiences that come with college must be quite overwhelming, especially if you study abroad.  What electives should you take? Should you join a club or society? What kind of extracurriculars would be the best for your CV? And what about internships? How do you get an internship and what are they good for? Well, let us attempt to answer at least the last few questions for you. Internships are the first step to getting ready for the job market in a practical sense. Recruiters look for more than just a good degree and grades these days. They want practical experience. Interning helps you transform your education plan into a solid career plan.  What are student internships? College degrees tend to be quite academic and bookish in nature. Your classes will teach you everything you need to know about the theoretical side of things in your discipline. However, often, colleges fall short of teaching you more practical skills that are needed for working in the field. Even though many colleges, especially if you study abroad, offer training modules and projects, they may not always be enough. This is where internships come in. An internship is basically a temporary position offered by an employer to candidates who are currently studying. An internship is not the same as being employed by a company. Interns may get a stipend or travel allowance, but they don’t receive other benefits like health coverage, etc, offered to full-time employees.  The kind of work expected from interns varies from company to company and field to field. Generally, interns either assist on projects or undertake simple paperwork or other low-responsibility tasks. Why should you do student internships? 1. Hands-on experience Internships offer valuable, hands-on work experience for students who are yet to enter the job market. This is the training that colleges fall short in. Internships allow students to see how a company actually works and is run. It gives them the experience of working with a team or under a supervisor to finish or assist in various projects. 2. Strengthen your cv Recruiters often prefer students with multiple internships in their CVs. This is because if a student already has basic work training and experience, the employer has to spend less time and resources in training them.  3. Networking Internships also allow you to make connections and network with people who are already in the industry. These people can mentor you and offer you advice or even letters of recommendation. This can help you not only in your career but also in your future education plans if you want to study abroad. Moreover, if you perform well as an intern and are in the final year of your degree, you can even get a job offer from the company you are interning for based on your current performance.  4. Helps you determine a career path Internships can also offer you a taste of your potential career path. If you are a student working towards a business or commerce degree,. For example, if you do a marketing internship that you dislike, that tells you that marketing may not be for you. You can then focus on some other career path like sales or finance. How to get an internship? 1. Referrals Often you can leverage your existing network to get an internship. Ask your seniors, classmates, and peers where they interned or are interning and whether they could refer you. You could also ask for referrals from teachers or professors with industry experience or contacts. Your college placement cell or career counseling section can also help you find internships. Another way of finding referrals for internships is through family networks. 2. Recruitment websites Recruitment websites are some of the most common ways of finding an internship. You can simply enter your degree and other qualifications and skills on these websites to find internships that are best suited for your skillset. Sites like Internshala that are specific to internships can be helpful. LinkedIn can be used for both searching for internships as well as building your network and displaying your skills and work profile.  3. Social Media Oftentimes, companies will advertise internship opportunities on their social media pages. If there are certain companies or employers that you really want to work with, you should keep an eye on their social media as well as the careers page on their website for opportunities. You could also search appropriate hashtags on social media to find internships near you. For example, you could search #internship #delhi #finance for internships in the finance industry in Delhi. 4. Cold Emailing This is another way of finding internships that may not always work but show initiative and confidence that recruiters love. If there is a particular company that you want to work with, you could simply email their HR and ask if there are any opportunities available. Be personable and confident, list your skills and how you can be useful to the company as well as why you want to intern for them. Cold may not always work because companies may not always have opportunities available. But they do create an impression that could work favorably for you. Are internships only for college students? While internships are common for college students, this does not mean that high schoolers cannot undertake them. In fact, an internship can be very fruitful for your CV if you are planning to study abroad. Finding an internship can take a little bit more effort if you are a minor since most companies prefer students who are at least 18. However, with the right reference, it may be possible.  Internships are also a great way for you to spend your gap year if you want to take a break between school and college. You should also consider internships if you have graduated college but haven’t found a job yet. While an internship does not pay as well as a job, it can still offer you experience and add value to your CV. FAQs What are internships? An internship is basically a temporary position offered by an employer to candidates who are currently studying. An internship is not the same as being employed by a company. Interns may get a stipend or travel allowance, but they don’t receive other benefits like health coverage, etc, offered to full-time employees. How to get an internship? Some ways to find an internship are: Referrals Social media Recruitment websites Cold emailing Why should you do student internships? There are many benefits of taking internships: Networking Building hard and soft skills Communication skills Adds value to your CV Career development Conclusion Internships are a great way of building your CV when you have limited work experience. They teach you valuable real-world skills that you can leverage when you finally enter the job market. They can also help you build a good network and scout for jobs. In today's extremely competitive job market, internships prepare you for the rat race. If you want to succeed in your career, you should make the best of your student life and gather all the skills you can. Internships are the best way to do that! TALK TO AN EXPERT

Axis Asset Management Company Ltd., the formal name of Axis Mutual Fund, is the mutual fund investment wing of Axis Bank, the third-largest private bank in India. A 74.9% share of the AMC is held by Axis Bank, while the rest 24% is held by Schroder Singapore Holdings Private Limited. Axis Mutual Fund launched its first scheme in October 2009.  Since then, the Axis Mutual fund has grown strongly. And the fund house attributes its success to its three founding principles - long-term wealth creation, outside-in (customer) view and long-term relationship. Axis Mutual Fund’s vision is to responsibly manage money and risks to help people feel financially secure and confident of a brighter and wealthy future. They place a strong emphasis on risk management and planning. They encourage their investors and partners to take a holistic view that extends beyond simple investing surpluses to investing with an underlying dream, aspiration or goal. The fund house emphasises outside-in view and takes every single decision with the investor at heart. They believe in communicating in the investor’s language and creating wealth in the long term. The fund house has been playing a serious and credible role in investors' money baskets. The fund house encourages investors to build a long-term perspective of the mutual fund category. While leveraging the equity of the Axis brand, they aim at building relationships rather than being transactional. With a well-rounded product suite that consists of more than 40 schemes, they have over 60 lakh active investor accounts and are present in over 100 cities. The fund house has been around for nearly 11 years. The company is registered with SEBI, AMFI and other regulatory bodies. Axis Mutual Fund is the seventh-largest mutual fund house by asset size in India. The assets under management of the schemes of Axis Mutual Fund as of March 31, 2020, was INR 116,453.92 Cr and the average assets under management for the month ended March 31, 2020, were INR 1,20,468.82 Cr. The total number of investors’ folio count under the schemes of Axis Mutual Fund as of March 31, 2020, was 60,10,731. As of March 31, 2020, Axis Asset Management Company Ltd. managed 49 schemes of Axis Mutual Fund, which includes an open-ended equity-linked savings scheme with 3-year lock-in (ELSS); open-ended equity schemes; an open-ended index fund; an open-ended Hybrid scheme; open-ended liquid scheme;  open-ended overnight scheme, open-ended gilt scheme; open-ended debt schemes;  open-ended Exchange Traded Funds;   open-ended funds of fund scheme;  solution-oriented schemes;   close-ended equity scheme, and close-ended debt schemes. With an Average AUM* of over INR 1,76,008 Cr, Axis Mutual Fund has over 70 lakh active investor accounts, a presence in over 100 cities and 49 schemes including FOF. (March 31, 2020).  Important information about Axis Mutual Fund Name of the AMCAxis Asset Management Company LtdIncorporation Date13 January 2009SponsorsAxis Bank LimitedTrusteeAxis Mutual Fund Trustee LimitedTrustees' NameMr Bapi Munshi, Associate Director Mr Murray Coble, Associate Director Mr Radhakrishnan Nair, Independent Director Mrs Vijayalakshmi Rajaram Iyer,  Independent Director Mr G. Gopalakrishna, Independent Director Mr Uday M Chitale, Independent DirectorMD/CEOMr Chandresh Kumar NigamCOOGopal MenonCompliance OfficerMr Darshan KapadiaChief Business OfficerMr  Raghav N. IyengarRegistrar and Transfer agentKFin Technologies Private Limited, Selenium Building, Tower-B, Plot No 31 & 32 Financial District, Nanakramguda, Serilingampally,  Hyderabad, Rangareddi, Telangana, India - 500 032 Toll-Free No: 1800 425 4034/35 E-mail: AXISMF.customercare@kfintech.comToll-free Number 8108622211 / 1800221322Email Addresscustomerservice@axismf.comRegistered AddressAxis House, 1st Floor, C-2, Wadia International Centre, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, Mumbai - 400 025 www.axismf.com 10 top-performing Axis Mutual Fund Schemes 1. Axis Bluechip Fund (Category - Equity: Large Cap) This is an open-ended equity scheme predominantly investing in a large-cap stock. This scheme is suitable to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio predominantly consisting of equity and equity-related securities of Large Cap companies including derivatives. This scheme is suitable for those who are looking for long-term goals such as children's education & their future, retirement or any other long-term growth that needs a wealth creation plan. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Minimum WithdrawalINR 500Exit LoadIf redeemed/switched out within 12 months from the date of allotment,- For 10 % of investments: Nil; For remaining investments: 1%; If redeemed/switched - out after 12 months from the date of allotment: NIL (w.e.f. 25th September 2017)Return Since Inception: inception date January 5, 201012.78 % (Regular -Growth) 16.42% (Direct-Growth)NAVINR 37.73, (Regular-Growth) (April 20, 2021) INR 41.60, (Direct-Growth) (April 20, 2021)AUMINR 23,496.02 Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 2. Axis Midcap Fund (Category - Equity: Mid Cap) This is an open-ended equity scheme predominantly investing in Mid Cap stocks. This mid-cap mutual fund invests predominantly in mid-cap companies. Midcap companies have the potential to deliver superior returns due to the potential for faster earnings growth. But such companies are emerging companies and hence it is important to be vigilant about their business and growth prospects and hence carry risk. Investing in this fund allows you to complement your portfolio focusing on large-cap companies. This is suitable for those looking for long-term goals such as children's education & their future, retirement or any other long-term growth that needs a wealth creation plan. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit LoadIf redeemed/switched out within 12 months from the date of allotment,- For 10 % of investments: Nil; For remaining investments: 1%; If redeemed/switched - out after 12 months from the date of allotment: NIL (w.e.f. 25th September 2017)Return Since Inception (18 Feb 2011)18.19 % (Regular-Growth)19.62 % (Direct-Growth)NAVINR 37.73 (April 20, 2021)(Regular-Growth)INR 59.59(April 20, 2021)(Direct-Growth)AUMINR 9,757.42 Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 3. Axis Focused 25 Fund (Category - Equity: Focused) This is an open-ended equity scheme investing in a maximum of 25 stocks investing in large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies. The scheme invests in a concentrated portfolio of high-conviction ideas (up to 25). The focus is on companies that have the capability to sail through their business cycles without getting affected by short-term market volatility. This fund offers the benefit of higher exposure to the best ideas, and the portfolio is well-diversified across sectors to manage risk. This is suitable for investors who prefer to go for higher returns compared to other Equity funds. In this fund, the investor should be aware of the possibility of moderate to high losses in their investments even though the overall market is performing better. Key Information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit LoadIf redeemed/switched out within 12 months from the date of allotment,- For 10 % of investments: Nil; For remaining investments: 1%; If redeemed/switched - out after 12 months from the date of allotment: NIL Return Since Inception (01 Jan 2013)16.45 % (Regular-Growth)16.78 % (Direct-Growth)NAVINR 36.77 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 40.65 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 14,698.83Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 4. Axis Smallcap Fund (Category - Equity: Smallcap) This is an open-ended equity scheme predominantly investing in small-cap stocks. The fund uses a bottom-up approach to investing in small caps aimed at identifying long-term businesses. This fund is ideal for small-cap investors who can patiently invest and those willing to absorb short-term volatility. Suitable for Investors who look for an investment horizon of 5 years or more and looking for very high returns.  Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit LoadIf redeemed/switched out within 12 months from the date of allotment, - For 10 % of investments: Nil: For remaining investments: 1%. If redeemed/switched - out after 12 months from the date of allotment: NILReturn Since Inception (01 Jan 2013)16.45 % (Regular-Growth)16.78 % (Direct-Growth)NAVINR 43.78 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 47.96 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 4,165.40Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 5. Axis Long-Term Equity Fund (Category - Equity: ELSS) This is an open-ended equity-linked saving scheme with a statutory lock-in of 3 years and tax benefit. The fund has a 3-year lock-in which is one of the lowest amongst other tax-saving instruments.  The money is invested in equities and does not get perturbed by market ups and downs. Being an ELSS scheme, the scheme comes with dual advantages of building wealth and saving tax. This is suitable for investors who are looking to invest money for at least 3 years and want income tax savings besides expecting higher returns.  Key Information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,00      Minimum Additional Investment INR 5,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 5,00Entry LoadNil Exit LoadNilReturn Since Inception17.45% (Regular-Growth) (Date of Inception: 29 Dec 2009)19.95 % (Direct-Growth) (Date of Inception: 01 Jan 2013)NAVINR 59.51 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 65.02 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 27,216.23Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 6. Axis Triple Advantage Fund (Category - Hybrid: Multi-Asset Allocation) This is an open-ended scheme investing in equity, debt and gold. It is a 3-in-1 investment option or an asset allocation fund that helps you diversify your money across three asset categories - equity, debt and gold. It facilitates investing in gold, which is one of the most popular options amongst Indian investors. A single application is sufficient for investment in three asset classes. Key Information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit LoadIf redeemed/switched out within 12 months For 10% of investment: Nil. For remaining investment: 1%. If redeemed/switched out after 12 months from the date of allotment: Nil (w.e.f. 15th June 2015)Return Since Inception9.30 % (Regular-Growth) (Date of Inception: 23 Aug 2010)10.15 % (Direct-Growth) (Date of Inception: 01 Jan 2013)NAVINR 25.44 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 27.94 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 861.51Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 7. Axis Equity Saver Fund (Category - Hybrid: Equity Savings) This is an open-ended scheme investing in equity, arbitrage and debt. The fund follows a multi-asset strategy so that investors avoid over-investing in one asset class and thereby reducing the overall risk and volatility. This fund is ideal for people who want to have a balanced approach to portfolio management. As money is diversified across different asset classes, it reduces the impact of bad performance from a single asset class through performance from the other 2 asset classes. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit Load  If redeemed/switched out within 12 months from the date of allotment, - For 10% of investments: NIL. For remaining investment: 1%. If redeemed/switched - out after 12 months from the date of allotment: NIL (w.e.f. 20th Aug 2015)Return Since Inception7.72 % (Regular-Growth) (Date of Inception: 14 Aug 2015).9.02% (Direct-Growth) (Date of Inception: (14 Aug 2015)NAVINR 15.02 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 16.10 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 711.22Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 8. Axis Gold Fund (Category - Commodities: Gold) This is an open-ended fund of fund scheme investing in Axis Gold ETF. In this scheme, investors can invest in Gold ETF without the hassles of storage or concerns about quality. It's a low-cost holding and transparent pricing based on international gold price movements are done. One can invest in any amount subject to minimum investment requirements. One can invest in Gold through systematic investments in as little as Rs.1,000 and no Demat account is required. Key Information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% is payable if units are redeemed /switched out within one year from the date of allotmentReturn Since Inception3.90% (Regular-Growth) (Date of Inception: 20 Oct 2011).3.73 % (Direct-Growth) (Date of Inception: (01 Jan 2013)NAVINR 14.60 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 15.71 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 212.49Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 9. Axis Gilt Fund (Category - Debt: Guilt) This is an open-ended debt scheme investing in government securities across maturity. Axis Gilt Fund is an open-ended GILT (Government securities) fund which invests in a portfolio of government securities. Since securities are backed by sovereign guarantees, there is no default disk. This fund is suitable for an investment horizon of 3 years or more and for those looking for the safety of their investments. Key Information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1000Entry LoadNil Exit LoadNil w.e.f. 9th January 2013Return Since Inception7.56 % (Regular-Growth) (Date of Inception: 23 Jan 2012).7.88 % (Direct-Growth) (Date of Inception: (01 Jan 2013)NAVINR 19.82 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 20.67 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 177.79 Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) 10. Axis regular saver fund (Category - Hybrid: Conservative Hybrid) This is an open-ended hybrid scheme investing predominantly in debt instruments. This is a moderately high-risk fund suitable for an investment horizon of more than 2 years. The investment in this fund adds stability to your portfolio by investing primarily in fixed-income instruments. The fund offers potential for capital growth through limited exposure to equity instruments. Key Information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,00Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1000Entry LoadNil Exit LoadIf redeemed/switched out within 12 months from the date of allotment,- For 10% of investments: NIL - For remaining investment: 1%. If redeemed/switched - out after 12 months from the date of allotment: NILReturn Since Inception7.56 % (Regular-Growth) (Date of Inception: 16 Jul 2010).9.43 % (Direct-Growth) (Date of Inception: (04 Jan 2013)NAVINR 22.33 (April 20, 2021) (Regular-Growth)INR 24.71 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 223.12 Cr (As on Feb 28, 2021) How can you invest in Axis Mutual Fund via EduFund? Investing in Axis Mutual Fund via Edufund is a simple, four-step process.  Step 1 - Download the EduFund App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and create an online account. Step 2 -  Select a Scheme - Browse a wide range of Axis Mutual Fund schemes and choose the right scheme suiting your financial goals. You may invest in a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) or a lump sum. The inbuilt recommendation engine suggests the best scheme for your financial objectives. Step 3 - View and Track Your Transaction(s) - The amount you have invested will reflect in your EduFund account within four working days. You can track the Axis Mutual Fund NAV, account balance, statement, and other information in the app. On the other hand, you can purchase, redeem, or switch Axis Mutual Fund units. Step 4 - Speak With a Mutual Fund Counsellor - You can connect with a mutual fund consultant to share your goals and get personalised advice.  EduFund uses top-class authentication and encryption technologies to ensure bank-like secured transactions and safeguard your investments.   The best-performing Fund Managers at Axis Mutual Fund The fund manager plays an important role in driving value and generating growth of the investors’ money. The following are the 10 best-performing fund managers in Axis AMC whose funds have consistently churned out the best returns.  1. Mr Jinesh Gopani - Head - Equity Jinesh Gopani is the Head of Equity at Axis AMC. He joined Axis AMC in 2009 as an Equity Fund Manager and worked his way to become the Head of Equity in 2016. He currently manages the flagship Axis Long Term Equity Fund amongst other funds. Prior to Axis AMC, Jinesh was associated with Birla Sunlife AMC as a Portfolio Manager, where he was responsible for alternative assets across the growth, value and dividend basket. He was associated with this company from June 2008 to October 2009. He was also associated with Voyager India Capital as a Sr. Research Analyst responsible for the BFSI & Infrastructure sector and held a sectorial portfolio manager role for investments. He was with Voyager India Capital from February 2006 to May 2008. He is an M.M.S. in Finance from Mumbai University. He has a total experience of 19 years in the capital markets, of which eight years are in equity fund management. He manages 2 all schemes (Feb28,2021). 2. Mr Shreyash Devalkar - Senior Fund Manager - Equity Shreyash Devalkar is the Senior Fund Manager at Axis AMC. He joined the AMC in 2016 and took over the responsibility of managing important funds like Bluechip Fund, and Midcap Fund, followed by Multicap Fund in 2017. Prior to this, he was associated with BNP Paribas AMC as a Fund Manager for more than five years. He has also worked as a Research Analyst at IDFC Asset Management Company (July 2008 to Jan 2011) and IDFC Securities (Sept 2005 to July 2008). He is a bachelor's in Chemical Engineering & Master's in Management Studies. He has over 17 years of experience in capital markets. He manages two all schemes (Feb28,2021). 3. Mr Anupam Tiwari - Fund Manager - Equity Anupam Tiwari is an Equity Fund Manager at Axis AMC. He joined Axis AMC in September 2016. Prior to that, he worked with Reliance Life Insurance & Principal PNB Asset Management as a Fund Manager. He started his career as an Equity Analyst with Reliance Capital AMC in 2005. A Chartered Accountant, he has over 17 years of experience in capital markets. He  manages 3 allschemes (Feb28,2021). 4. Mr Ashish Naik- Fund Manager – Equity Ashish Naik is an Equity Fund Manager at Axis AMC. He joined Axis AMC as an Equity Research Analyst in 2009, and later in June 2016, he was elevated to the post of Fund Manager. Prior to this, Ashish was associated with Goldman Sachs India Securities as a Business Analyst. He is an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur and B.E. from Mumbai University. He is a certified CFA charter holder (2011 -12) and FRM (2007-08). He has over 13 years of experience, out of which over eight years of experience are as an Equity Analyst. He covers sectors like Autos & Logistics, Cement & Building Materials, Metal, Metal Products & Mining, Agro Inputs & Chemicals, Textiles & Other Commodities at Axis Mutual Fund. He manages 8 all schemes (Feb28,2021). 5. Mr Viresh Joshi - Chief Trader & Fund Manager - Equity Viresh has been associated with Axis Since 2009 and is the head trader for equity funds in addition to being a fund manager. He has been an active participant in round table events at major forums like FIX and TradeTech on Dealing & Trading, representing domestic buy-side investors across equity, equity derivatives and ETFs. Viresh holds an MBA in Finance and has over 20 years of experience in the capital markets in India and overseas. He has worked with companies like BNP Paribas Securities & ICICI Securities in the past. 6. Mr Hitesh Das - Research Analyst - Equity Hitesh has his Bachelor's in Technology, Master's in Technology, and Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Lucknow. He has over 9 years of experience in financial markets. His previous experience includes Barclays and Credit Suisse Securities India. He covers Sectors like Capital Goods, Engineering & Construction, and Information Technology at Axis Mutual Fund. He manages seven schemes (Feb28,2021). 7. Mr R. Sivakumar - Head - Fixed Income Sivakumar is the Head – Of fixed Income at Axis AMC. Siva has over two decades of experience in the Indian asset management industry working across asset classes and functions. He joined Axis in 2009, and he was part of the startup team there. He looked after the products and portfolio management services and was responsible for leading the launch of Axis' signature & award-winning hybrid funds. In September 2010, he was promoted to Head - Fixed Income. He is responsible for the overall investment strategy, performance and risk management across fixed-income investments. Prior to Axis AMC, Siva was associated with Fortis Investments (formerly ABN AMRO AMC), where he held multiple positions chiefly as a Fund Manager - Fixed Income. He also led products, and in 2009, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer, becoming the youngest person in the asset management industry in that role. Siva has also worked with Sundaram AMC as Fund Manager – Fixed Income and with Zurich India AMC as Research Analyst. He is an engineer from IIT Madras and a PGDM from IIM Ahmadabad. Siva manages 12 all schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 8. Mr Devang Shah - Deputy Head - Fixed Income Devang Shah is the Deputy Head - Fixed Income at Axis AMC. His core responsibilities include managing top quartile performance for all funds, along with managing the client relationship. Devang joined Axis AMC in October 2012 as a Fund Manager and was promoted to Deputy Head in June 2018. He has been actively involved in the ideation, sourcing and investment strategy for fixed-income funds. Prior to this, Devang was working with ICICI Prudential AMC as a Fund Manager from April 2008 till October 2012. His primary responsibilities include analysing domestic fixed-income markets, providing views on the interest rate, credit environment & domestic monetary aggregates; managing portfolio and trading in Debt & Money Market Instruments; analysing various credit structures (LAS, ABS Pools, LAP) and credit exposures for the fund house. He is a Bachelor of Commerce & Chartered Accountant. He has over 14 years of experience, out of which 5 years are in Axis AMC. He has also worked with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Deutsche AMC & ICICI Prudential AMC. He manages 13 all schemes as of Feb 28, 2021. 9. Mr Aditya Pagaria - Fund Manager - Fixed Income Mr Pagaria is a Bachelor's in Management Studies and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Institute Of Technology And Management, SK Somaiya College. Prior to joining Axis AMC, he was associated with ICICI Prudential AMC (Nov 2011-Jul 2016) as Fund Manager - Fixed Income Operations. He has over 13 years of experience and  manages 6 all schemes (Feb 28, 2021) 10. Mr Dhaval Patel - Asst. Fund Manager - Fixed Income Prior to joining Axis Mutual Fund, Patel worked with Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. He is an  MBA (Finance) and B.E (Electronics & Communication). He has over 15 years of experience. He has two all schemes as on Feb 28, 2021. Why should you Invest in Axis Mutual Fund?  Axis Mutual Fund is the seventh largest mutual fund house by asset size in India.  Different fund houses have different investment approaches. Axis Mutual Fund house is doing well because of its strategy, and today, Axis funds are quite impressive. They have been taking fundamental views by focusing on high-quality companies irrespective of situations. And one of the fund houses that have been able to deliver outstanding returns consistently over the last few years is Axis Mutual Fund. What is impressive about the strategy of Axis funds is that they have stuck to their respective strategies through thick and thin, and this had provided them with notable performance. With Axis Mutual Fund, investors can choose from 12 Equity schemes, 13 Debt, 6 Hybrid and 8 other Schemes. Whatever your investment objective, you can get an Axis Mutual Fund scheme to fulfil your financial goals. The experienced fund managers at Axis Mutual Fund simplify stock market or secondary market investments easily for you. Select EduFund for Investing in Axis Mutual Fund EduFund makes the process of investing in Axis Mutual Fund convenient. EduFund's experienced consultants give you customised solutions for all your financial goals. You can start investing from a lowly INR 5,000 and grow your capital comfortably. With EduFund, you get the following benefits: Customized Research-Based Financial Plan -  EduFund's scientific fund tracker screens over 1 lakh data points and 400 financial scenarios to recommend you the best mutual funds.  Customer-Friendly Counsellors Help You Create a Financial Plan - EduFund's counsellors are trained to handle all kinds of queries from customers. They spend as much time with you as you need and resolve all your issues to help you create a robust financial plan. Invest Less, Earn More - Not only the best Indian mutual funds, but EduFund also offers you the facility to invest in US Dollar ETFs and international mutual funds. Use Free Tools - EduFund offers various free tools for its customers, including College Savings Calculator, SIP calculator, etc.  No Technical Expertise Required - You do not need to be an expert in finance to understand which mutual fund is the best for you. EduFund does it for you. Value-Added Benefits - You may get value-added benefits like no commission, free advisory, and nil-hidden charges. Secure Transactions - EduFund is RIA-registered and uses top-class 128-SSL security to enable safe transactions. Special Support for Children's Education - EduFund has a dedicated team of experts who help you fulfil your children's educational goals.  FAQs Which is the best Axis Mutual Fund? Top-rated mutual funds: Axis Bluechip Fund (Category – Equity: Large Cap) Axis Midcap Fund (Category – Equity: Mid Cap) Axis Focused 25 Fund (Category – Equity: Focused) Axis Smallcap Fund (Category – Equity: Smallcap) Axis Long-Term Equity Fund (Category – Equity: ELSS) Is SIP better than FD? A systematic investment plan (SIP) is a mode of investment in mutual funds. SIP, in most cases, gives the investors higher returns than FD. FD is unlikely to give inflation-beating returns, which an SIP may give the investor.    Is SIP tax-free?   SIP can help you save on tax. It can be one of the investment vehicles that give you high returns while helping you claim tax deductions.   Is SIP high-risk?   SIP is a considerably safer investment vehicle, but it also depends on which funds you invest. SIPs can have some risks attached to them, and it’s always best to talk to financial experts before choosing a fund.  TALK TO AN EXPERT

Are you shopping for mutual funds and are confused by a plethora of options that exist in the market? In that case, it is always advisable to take a step back and answer the following questions that will aid the screening and selection process to find the funds you need and steer your investment journey in the right direction. 1. How to find the right match between my financial goals and the fund? Self-reflection becomes paramount in this case. One needs to analyze and understand their financial goals/aims/objectives, risk appetite, and the time horizon that they would want to stay invested in the fund. The investment objectives typically fall into 3 categories, namely – Growth, Capital Preservation, and Income generation. These are also determined by the life stage of the investor coupled with other factors. Being clear with the investment objective becomes important as there are no investment vehicles that satisfy or balance all the objectives of all the categories together. For example, an investor whose objective is growth would be open to investing in small-cap funds which have high volatility and offer high returns. Whereas an investor who is investing for capital preservation would not be comfortable with this fund due to its range of volatility or market fluctuations. 2. What are my expected returns over a period of time? Past performance is not an indicator of the future performance of a fund. However, an average return provided by the fund over a period of 5 and 10 years gives the investor a broader perspective of the fund’s performance during the course of the market cycles - factoring in the fund’s stability. It also aids in comparison across various options that are in the market. The performance in a market upturn should be analyzed in conjunction with the performance of the fund in a market downturn, assessing its capability to minimize the losses in that period. Any fund that has beaten the benchmark over a period of time must be considered a potential fund for investment. However, the investment objectives and sectors that the fund is invested in, are also some of the factors that are to be considered. 3. What is my cost/expense? This is determined by the expense ratio, which is the fee charged by the mutual fund to manage your assets on your behalf to provide you with the desired returns. This could also include commission and distribution in the case of a regular plan. When there is a buy/sell in the assets of the portfolio of the fund – also called churning, the investors bear the brokerage fee. It has been observed through research and simple mathematical calculations that a fund with a smaller expense ratio is bound to provide a higher return over a long period of time – where these seemingly minute differences add up to a large difference in your portfolio. For example, let's say that a sum of Rs 50,000 was invested initially. After 30 years, one can observe that the fund with the least expense ratio amounted to the largest corpus, whereas the fund with an expense ratio of 1.5% amounted to a corpus that was approximately 2.5 lakhs less than its highest peer. Hence, it’s always advisable to compare the expense ratio across the funds before making your choice. 4. Does the fund offer any tax benefits? One can invest in Equity Linked Saving Schemes (ELSS) that fall under the category of funds that can be claimed for tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961, where one can save up to Rs 1.5 lakhs per year. ELSS invests the pool of money from the investors into equity and equity-related instruments. However, there is a lock-in period of 3 years in the case of these funds. 5. What is the time period/time horizon that I should stay invested in the fund? The choice of the fund also depends on the time horizon that you plan to stay invested in with the fund. If you need liquidity in the next 2-3 years, you could invest in a debt fund for this short-term goal. However, if the fund is for retirement planning or to fund the educational expenses of your child – long-term goals, you could invest in equity funds that beat inflation and provide high returns. 6. What is the composition of the fund? (What does it consist of?) Once the self-reflection is completed and when you have clarity on your objectives, risk appetite, and time horizon, you would want to dig deeper into the composition of the fund. This is an important exercise as the investment strategy of the fund may sometimes not align with your desired objective. For example, if an investor had narrowed down his investment objective to capital preservation, there are n number (n being a large number) of equity funds that are invested into large-cap companies which would align with the risk appetite of the investor (low-risk, stable return). Despite being under the same umbrella, the fund houses could have different strategies and specific choices of sectors or specific stocks for their large-cap funds one of the funds could be investing predominantly in pharma or Infrastructure or could be following a weighted average pattern of the index. This allocation amounts to differences in the returns provided by each of the funds. As an investor, it becomes important to look under the hood and ensure that the funds' objectives align with your personal self. 7. Who is managing the fund? Once you have narrowed down the funds, another factor to consider would be to check who would be managing your fund. Mutual funds are considered instruments that have an active investment strategy, i.e., the fund manager makes decisions on where and how much to invest. The fund performance is hence linked to its manager. Despite the management of funds being process-oriented, it is always beneficial to check the track record of the fund manager. Though past performance is not an indicator of future returns, a strong track record establishes a sense of comfort and trust in the minds of the investor instead of one that has a stellar performance for 2 years and underperforms in the next few years. FAQs What are the 5 questions to ask before investing in mutual funds? What is the fund's goal? How risky is the fund? How has the fund performed? Who manages the fund? What are the benefits of opting for the fund? What should we see before buying a mutual fund? It is important to check the investment allocation and diversification before buying a mutual fund. Whether it's an equity-based fund or hybrid, who is the fund manager, its past performance, and how much is the expense ratio? It is important to study all the factors before buying any fund. What are 4 things to consider before you invest? The 4 things to consider before investing are: What are your long-term and short-term goals? What is your investment horizon? What is your risk appetite? Which is the best investment strategy for your future goals? Conclusion The investor of today is drowning in the ocean of choices with the sheer volume of the funds available in the market. Selecting a fund becomes a herculean task in these times. However, an investor should spend time on the above questions, and evaluate and analyze the options available according to his/her investment objective, and risk profile. Understanding these nuances and making a pros vs. cons chart for each of the options aids in sailing smoothly over the tides of the market.

Have you always heard Fin Gods in your circle saying it is next to impossible to time the market? Have they also told you that “Buy Low, Sell High” is the mantra that you should follow when you are investing in equities? Well, you have a way to bypass this myth and build a large piggy bank for yourself despite the fluctuations in the market. All you need to do is have some financial discipline and make sure that you invest a fixed amount on the same day every month without breaking the chain. Rupee cost averaging As the name suggests, you are averaging your costs and buying the mutual fund units accordingly. For instance, when the onion prices are hiked up to Rs 80/Kg, you cut down on your onion consumption and limit yourself to say 1 kg/month. But when the prices are on the lower end, you would want to feast on various onion delicacies like pakodas, spicy sabzis and garnish every dish with onions. Similarly, you would want to buy lesser units of mutual funds when the prices are high and more when the prices are low (since the markets are high/low, the underlying securities or stocks would be high/low ? Increased/decreased price of the mutual fund units invested in them). As an investor, however, I would give into the market euphoria and buy when the markets are high and sell the units when the market has taken a downturn (in the hope to limit my losses). As one can see in the above table, the average price that was in the market was Rs 52.14 and when one had invested in a SIP, the average price at which the units were purchased was Rs 44.93. Averaging gives you the advantage of riding along with the market. A SIP could be considered one of the best strategies in market up as well as downturns. Invested lump sum in April itself7000Price/Unit50Number of Units140Investment value in March - 21*2800Alternatively, if invested in SIP as followsSIP Investment Value in March -21*            4,818.15  Consider, an investor who invested in the market by deploying a lumpsum amount. For example, in the following case, the investor buys the units in the month of March 20 (consider that the investor attempted to time the bottom, and the market was going down before the investment). Market Downturn AmountPrice/UnitNumber of unitsFeb-2050050                  10.00 Mar-2050046                  10.87 Apr-2050045                  11.11 May-2050042                  11.90 Jun-2050040                  12.50 Jul-2050035                  14.29 Aug-2050032                  15.63 Sep-2050029                  17.24 Oct-2050025                  20.00 Nov-2050024                  20.83 Dec-2050022                  22.73 Jan-2150021                  23.81 Feb-2150020                  25.00 Mar-2150020                  25.00 Total7000                 240.91  FAQs What is Rupee Cost Averaging? In the rupee cost averaging approach, an investor keeps investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals irrespective of market behavior. What is rupee cost averaging for example? The rupee cost averaging approach allows an investor to buy more when the market is down and less when the market is high. For instance, when the onion prices are hiked up to Rs 80/Kg, you cut down on your onion consumption and limit yourself to say 1 kg/month. But when the prices are on the lower end, you would want to feast on various onion delicacies like pakodas, spicy sabzis and garnish every dish with onions. What is the benefit of cost averaging? Cost averaging is the way to spread out your investments over a period of time. It allows you to invest your money in equal portions, at regular intervals, regardless of the ups and downs in the market. You can get started on your investment journey with a SIP on the EduFund platform. You have all the top mutual funds in the country to choose from and a corpus to be made.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund is a joint venture between two well-known brands- Aditya Birla Group from India and Sun Life Financial from Canada. The strategic joint venture blends the rich experience of Aditya Birla Group in the Indian market and the vast global experience of Sun Life to bring some of the best mutual funds and wealth creation opportunities for customers. The fund was set up in 1994 and has played an important role in expanding the penetration of mutual funds in India. Apart from offering mutual funds, it also offers pension funds, real estate investments, wealth management, and portfolio management services. Based on the domestic average AUM, Aditya Birla Sun Life is considered one of the largest fund houses in the country. As of March 31st, 2020, the total fund size of the AMC has reached a whopping ₹247521 crore. Known for its impressive and diversified product suite, strong performance, well-defined investment strategies, and simplified processes, the fund has grown its investor portfolio count to almost 7 million. The Aditya Birla fund house deals in 4 main fund classes- Equity Funds Debt Funds Income Funds  ELSS Funds Having completed more than 20 years in its journey, all these funds have a good credit rating and offer excellent wealth creation solutions to their customers. Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund Name of the AMCAditya Birla Sun Life Mutual FundFund Setup DateDec-23-1994Date of IncorporationSep-05-1994SponsorAditya Birla Capital Ltd. / Sun Life (India) AMC Investments Inc.TrusteeAditya Birla Sun Life Trustee Private LimitedChairmanMr Kumar Mangalam BirlaCEO / MDMr. A. BalasubramanianCompliance OfficerMs. Hemanti WadhwaInvestor Service OfficerMs. Keerti GuptaAssets ManagedRs. 214591.96 crores (as of Jun-30-2020) AuditorsMessrs Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP - For Asset Management Company / S. R. Batliboi & Company - For Mutual FundRegistrarsComputer Age Management Services Pvt. LtdAddressOne India Bulls Centre, Tower 1, 17th Flr, Jupiter Mill, 841, S.B. Marg, Elphinstone Rd. Mum - 400 013Fax Nos.022-43568110/8111E-mailcare.mutualfunds@adityabirlacapital.comSource - AMFI 10 top-performing Aditya Birla SunLife Mutual Fund Schemes Leveraging the extensive knowledge and deep understanding of Aditya Birla Group along with the global experience of Sun Life, Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund has displayed consistent performance and become a credible name in the industry.  With over 140 MF schemes across categories, the fund caters to all kinds of investors, regardless of their financial goals, risk appetite, and investment time horizon. Here we are listing ten top-performing Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Funds across various fund categories. 1. Aditya Birla Sun Life Digital India Fund (Category-Equity: sectoral) It is an open-ended growth scheme launched on 15 Jan 2099 with the key objective of long-term growth of capital. The fund has a portfolio with a target allocation of 100% equity, with a focus on investing mainly in technology and technology-dependent companies, software, telecom, media, hardware, peripherals and components, and other technology-enabled companies. The fund has a NAV of  ₹98.8 (as of 28 Apr 21). Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days (1%) and above(NIL). Return Since InceptionCAGR/Annualized return of 11.4% since its launch. Absolute return for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 59%,  9.6%, and  15.6% respectively. Assets ₹ 1,148 crores (As of 31 Mar 21) Expense Ratio2.6.% (as of 31st March 2021) 2. Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund (category- Gold) An Open-ended fund of-funds scheme, with a NAV of ₹14.5162 (as of 28 Apr 21), it has an investment objective to offer returns that track returns provided by Birla Sun Life Gold ETF (BSL Gold ETF).  This Gold fund by ABSL mutual fund was launched on 20 Mar 12 and comes under the moderately high-risk category.  Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days (1%) and above(NIL)Return Since InceptionCAGR/Annualized return of 4.2% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 26, 21.3 and 6.8% respectivelyAssets₹212 crores (as of 31 Mar 21)Expense Ratio0.48% (as of 31st March 2021) 3. Aditya Birla Sun Life Index Fund (Category-Index fund) An open-ended index-linked growth scheme, the fund has a NAV of ₹146.259 (as of 21 Apr 21). The objective of the fund is to generate returns that are aligned with the performance of Nifty subject to tracking errors. The fund was launched on 18 Sep 02 and cones under the moderately high-risk category  Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for above Return Since Inception CAGR/Annualized return of 15.5% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019  and 2018 was 15.2, 12.4 and 3.2% respectivelyAssets₹239 crores (as of 31 Mar 21) Expense Ratio0.64% (as of 31st March 2021) 4. Aditya Birla Sun Life Focused Equity Fund (Category-Equity-Focused) It is an open-ended growth scheme with a NAV of ₹76.7779 (as of 28 Apr 21). Launched on 24 Oct 05, the fund has the objective to offer medium to long-term capital appreciation, by investing mainly in a diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities of top 100 companies (based on market cap). Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP Investment1000Minimum Withdrawal1000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for above Return Since Inception CAGR/Annualized return of 14% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 16%, 11.3% and -4.1% respectivelyAssets₹4610 Crore (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio2.04% (as of 31st Mach, 2021) 5. Aditya Birla Sun Life Equity Fund (Category-Equity - Multi-Cap) An Open-ended growth scheme with a NAV of ₹964.83 (as of 28 Apr 21), the fund has an objective of long-term capital growth through a portfolio with a target allocation of 90% equity and 10% debt and money market securities. It was launched on 27 Aug 98 and is placed under the moderately high-risk category Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,00Minimum Withdrawal-Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for above Return Since Inception CAGR/Annualized return of 22.3% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 16.5, 8.1 and-4.1% respectively, Assets₹13,026 Crores (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio1.89% (as of 31st March 2021) 6. Aditya Birla Sun Life International Equity Fund - Plan A(Category-Equity-Global) Open-ended diversified equity with a NAV of ₹30.002 (as of 28 Apr 21), the fund has an objective to generate long-term capital growth, by investing mainly in a diversified portfolio of equity and equity-related securities in the international markets. The fund was launched on 31 Oct 07 and is placed under the high-risk category. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for above Return Since Inception CAGR/Annualized return of 8.5%  Return for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was 13.2, 24.7 and 4.1% respectivelyAssets₹110 Crores (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio2.53% (as of 31st March 2021) 7. Aditya Birla Sun Life India GenNext Fund (Category-Equity-Sectoral) With a NAV of ₹111.99 (as of 28 Apr 21), this one-ended growth scheme has the objective to focus on capital growth by investing in equity/equity-related instruments of companies that are likely to benefit from the rising consumption patterns in India (fuelled by disposable incomes of Generation Next). The fund was launched on 5 Aug 05 and is placed under the high-risk category. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for aboveReturn Since Inception CAGR/Annualized return of 16.6% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 14.6, 14.6 -1.6% respectivelyAssets₹1,937 Crores (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio2.49% (as of 31st March 2021) 8. Aditya Birla Sun Life Balanced Advantage Fund (Category-Hybrid - Dynamic Allocation) The key objective of the scheme with a NAV of ₹66.46 (as of 28 Apr 21) is to generate long-term capital growth and income distribution relatively lower. The fund invests primarily in a dynamically balanced portfolio of equity & equity-linked investments and fixed-income securities. It was launched on 25 Apr 00 and is placed under the moderately high-risk category. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,00Minimum Withdrawal-Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for aboveReturn Since InceptionReturn for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 15.4, 8.1 and 0.7% respectivelyAssets₹3,181 Crores (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio2.06% (as of 31st March 2021) 9. Aditya Birla Sun Life Financial Planning FOF Aggressive Plan (Category-Others-Funds of the fund) The Scheme with a NAV of ₹29.5771 (as of 28 Apr 21), primarily aims to generate returns by investing in mutual fund schemes selected as per the BSLAMC process and the risk-return profile of investors. There are 3 plans under the scheme, each of which has a strategic asset allocation based on satisfying the needs of a specific risk-return profile of investors. The fund was launched on 9 May 11 and is placed under the moderately high-risk category. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load1% for 0-365 Days and NIL for aboveReturn Since Inception CAGR/Annualized return of 11.5% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 19.2, 6.9 and-2.6% respectivelyAssets₹146 Crores (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio1.33% (as of 31st March 2021) 10. Aditya Birla Sun Life Government Securities Find (Category-Debt-Government Bond) An open-ended government securities scheme with a NAV of  ₹63.6537 (as of 28 Apr 21) has the objective to generate income and capital appreciation by investing exclusively in Government Securities. It was launched on 12 Oct 99 and is placed under the moderate risk category. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum Additional InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1,000Minimum WithdrawalINR 1,000Exit Load0.5% for 0-90 Days (0.5%), and NIL above 90 Days Return Since Inception (16th July 2019:CAGR/Annualized return of 9% since its launch. Return for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was 12.1, 11 and 6.9% respectivelyAssets  ₹518 crores (as of 31st March 2021)Expense Ratio1.18% (as of 31st March 2021) How can you invest in Aditya Birla SunLife Mutual via EduFund? Investing in ABSLAMC is quite simple and quick with EduFund, for both seasoned and first-time investors. All you need to do is visit EduFund to pick from a diverse list of chosen funds that are specially designed, keeping in mind the varied risk profile and investment objectives of investors. At EduFund, you can be assured of a quick and hassle-free process of selecting any product from ABSLAMC, The process requires just one KYC formality that will take not more than 5 minutes of your time. Here is the stepwise procedure for investing with EduFund- Step 1: Select the fund(s) of your choice and the amount you want to invest every month. Step 2: Provide all your details. Step 3: Make the payment, and you are done. Other important details - KYC verification through EduFund is a simple process. You can either verify by: i. Using an OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number  Or ii. By uploading photos/scan copies of the required documents ID Proofs You need to submit a Xerox copy of your PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License or any other central government-approved documents Residential proofs For residential proof, you need to submit the same ID proof (except PAN) if the address on it is your current residential address. Other documents that you can use include a rental/lease agreement, utility bill, and ration card. In case your permanent address and correspondence address are different, you need to submit proof for both. Leading fund managers at Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund ABSLAMC has a powerful mix of experience and expertise in their fund managers who have the qualification and acumen to identify opportunities and the ability to maneuver investor portfolios and help them achieve optimal returns. Here are the top 5 fund managers at ABSLAMC- 1. Mr. Mahesh Patil - Co-Chief Investment Officer Mr. Patil is the Co-Chief Investment Officer (Equity) at ABSL fund. He holds an Engineering degree from VJTI in Mumbai and an MBA in Finance from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute in Mumbai. Apart from this, he is also a charter holder from ICFAI in Hyderabad.   With an extensive industry experience 27 years, he joined Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund in 2005 and was later promoted to Co-Chief Investment Officer (Equity) in 2008. Heading a team of 20 expert analysts and fund managers, Mr. Patil and his team manage funds to manage a massive amount of 92,000 Crores in the equity market both in the form of Birla Sun Life One Time Investment and  Birla Sun Life SIP. Being an Equity expert, Mr. Patil manages various top-rated equity funds, including Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Focused Equity Fund, and Pure Value Fund. 2. Mr. Maneesh Dangi - Co-Chief Investment Officer Managing various fixed Income-related funds, Mr. Dangi has rich experience and expertise in handling Debt Funds, Corporate Bonds, PSU Debt Funds, and much more.  He heads a big team of more than 20 analysts and fund managers with expertise in handling a portfolio of more than 1.6 lakh Crores both in the form of Birla Sun Life SIP and Birla Sun Life One Time Investment. Among the key funds managed by Mr. Dangi include Aditya Birla Sun Life Short-term Opportunity Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Banking, PSU Debt Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond, and Aditya Birla Sun Life Credit Risk Fund. 3. Mr. Ajay Garg - Sr Fund Manager An electronics engineer from Bangalore University and an MBA in Finance from Mumbai University, Mr. Garg also holds a degree from Hartmann College Class of 1987. Before joining the ABSL fund, he had been working with the American Express bank and other stockbroking firms. Want the extensive experience of more than twenty-five years of managing equity-oriented funds for Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, Mr. Garg is an expert in equity. 4. Mr. Anil Shah - Sr Fund  Manager As a senior fund manager with Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, Mr. Shah brings with him more than three decades of rich professional experience in Indian equity markets. Before joining ABSLAMC in 2012, he was a part of RBS Equities (India) Limited for around 15 years. Mr. Shah is a qualified CA and cost accountant by qualification and executes and regularly reviews various investment strategies for equity portfolios. 5. Mr. Kaustabh Gupta - Sr Fund Manager A senior fund manager with Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC), Mr. Gupta brings with him 15+ years of extensive investment experience. He has previously worked in areas such as treasury finance and liquidity management in various capacities. Me. Gupta is a chartered accountant and CFA (Level 2) by qualification. Before joining ABSLAMC in 2009, he worked with ICICI Bank for 5 years in the Asset Liability Management team. Why should you invest in Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund? Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund works with the mission of maximizing investors’ wealth and becoming a leader in the integrated financial services business. The AMC follows a long-term, fundamental approach to investments to identify companies with strong fundamentals and excellent growth prospects to be able to offer profitable and sophisticated investment schemes to the investors. The key focus of ABSL fund's financial planning department is to prioritize clients’ requirements and create niche solutions leading to desired results. With expertise in screening, while dealing with clients, the team at ABSL fund connects with clients directly and evaluates their financial status, investment goals, tenure, and source of income to build up a tailored financial plan using the deliberated process of financial planning. ABSLAMC consistently review the performance of the schemes to analyze their returns’ potential 8n various market scenarios regularly. Further, the team at ABSL continuously measures the risk factors of the schemes to bring out the plans that best suit the investors' risk appetite. Apart from this, the key benefits of ABSL funds schemes include- ABSL saving solutions benefits Helps you save money Offer available liquidity Much better & tax-efficient return  compared to FD and saving accounts  The key commitment of ABSLAMC is to enhance mutual fund penetration in India. As of May 2019, there are more than 83.2 million mutual fund folios in India, aggregating over 25.43 trillion and Aditya Birla Sun Life mutual fund has played a key role in it.  Select EduFund for investing in Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund EduFund makes the process of investing in Aditya Birla mutual funds convenient. EduFund's experienced consultants give you customized solutions for all your financial goals. You can start investing from a lowly INR 5,000 and grow your capital comfortably. With EduFund, you get the following benefits: Customized Research -  EduFund's scientific fund tracker screens over 1 lakh data points and 400 financial scenarios to recommend you the best mutual funds.  Invest Less, Earn More - EduFund also offers you the option to invest in US Dollar ETFs and international mutual funds. Customer-Friendly Counsellors -EduFund has professionally trained counselors to handle all your queries and resolve issues to help you create a robust financial plan. No Technical Expertise Required - With EduFund, you do not need to finance experience to understand which mutual fund is the best for you. EduFund does it for you. Secure Transactions - EduFund is RIA-registered and es the best 128-SSL security to enable safe and secure transactions. Use Free Tools - EduFund offers multiple free tools for its customers, including College Savings Calculator, SIP calculator, and more Value-Added Benefits - offer value-added benefits like no commission, free advisory, and nil hidden charges. FAQs Which is the best mutual fund in Aditya Birla Sun Life? Aditya Birla Sun Life Digital India Fund (Category-Equity: sectoral)   Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund (category- Gold)   Aditya Birla Sun Life Index Fund (Category-Index fund)   Aditya Birla Sun Life Focused Equity Fund (Category-Equity-Focused)   Aditya Birla Sun Life Equity Fund (Category-Equity – Multi-Cap)   Is Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund good? Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund is a joint venture between two well-known brands- Aditya Birla Group from India and Sun Life Financial from Canada. Based on the domestic average AUM, Aditya Birla Sun Life is considered one of the largest fund houses in the country. The Aditya Birla fund house deals in 4 main fund classes-   Equity Funds   Debt Funds   Income Funds    ELSS Funds   Having completed more than 20 years in its journey, all these funds have a good credit rating and offer excellent wealth creation solutions to their customers. Please get in touch with a financial expert before you consider investing in the fund.   Is Aditya Birla good for SIP?   Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund works to maximize investors' wealth and become a leader in the integrated financial services business. With expertise in screening, while dealing with clients, the team at ABSL fund connects with clients directly and evaluates their financial status, investment goals, tenure, and source of income to build up a tailored financial plan using the deliberated process of financial planning.   ABSLAMC consistently reviews the schemes' performance to analyze their returns' potential 8n various market scenarios regularly. Further, the team at ABSL continuously measures the risk factors of the schemes to bring out the plans that best suit the investors' risk appetite.   Apart from this, the key benefits of ABSL funds schemes include -   ABSL saving solutions benefits   Helps you save money   Offer available liquidity   Much better & tax-efficient returns compared to FD and saving accounts    Please get in touch with a financial expert before you consider investing in the fund Can I close SIP after 1 year? It is not advisable to withdraw your investment prematurely when you have a financial goal that you are working towards. If you are still sure about withdrawing the SIP amount, you can do it with the help of the agent if you have invested via a mutual fund distributor.   

The best insurance policies can protect your child's financial future and provide flexible payouts at set intervals, enabling them to realize their dreams and achieve life milestones. The best child plan for education and marriage is based on a number of factors such as your long-term and short-term goals for your child, their educational dreams, and preferences. Benefits of child plan A child plan policy can not only secure your child's future but also provide the following extra benefits: 1. Benefit Guarantee Unlike some other forms of investments, a child insurance program gives a secured child education plan. A premium exclusion benefit is a common built-in reward found in many education programs. Whether or whether the parent is still living at the time of maturity, this benefit provides to pay a maturity benefit. Thus, you can protect your child's future by choosing a kid's life insurance policy.  2. Dual Benefit A dual plan is the greatest child education insurance option (investment-cum-insurance plan). The creation of a financial foundation, particularly for children, is one aspect, and peace of mind is the other. This user-friendly designed calculator can help you calculate your investments. The link for this calculator is here.  Five of India's best child insurance programs for 2022  Despite the numerous insurance plans on the market, how can you know which one is the best for your child in India? Here, we've included information on a few of the top child insurance policies to guide you in making the best choice.  HDFC Life Youngster Super Premium Plan  Are you trying to find your child the greatest insurance? This is the greatest kid's policy available for both insurance coverage and investing choices. This unit-linked plan may be utilized throughout your child's life, including during their further education years, their marriage, etc. Some benefits include  The ability to modify the plan to meet the specific needs of your child.  The policy used to pay 100% of the upcoming premiums in the event of the life assured's death.  If the parent passes away while the term policy is in effect, 50% of the premiums are levied as annual income.  The "Save-n-Gain" payment is preferred by the parents.  There are four investing funds offered. Ten, fifteen, and twenty years are the lengths of the policy tenure periods.  INVEST NOW ICICI Pro Smart Kid Solution This is a unit-linked plan that offers comprehensive protection to your child for a better future.   Choose an investment strategy as per your child’s evolving requirements.  This plan offers each- protection to your child. Your child will get a lump sum quantum in case of an unfortunate incident during the policy term.  This plan offers two ultra-expensive payment options (regular pay and single pay).  The benefits of fidelity addition and wealth boosters are offered under this plan.  The range of policy period is between 10- 25 times. INVEST NOW LIC New Children Money Back Plan  Your best option may be the LIC New Children Money Back plan because it covers all of the needs of developing children, such as their education and wedding.   The maturity benefit under this plan is equal to the amount assured plus any relevant bonuses.  This plan provides a longevity reward (equal to 20 percent) of the respondents of the base sum assured) after the insured individual reaches a particular age.  LIC offers discounts for paying a large rate.  Under this policy, you may obtain a loan.  The candidate will get a death benefit under this plan.  INVEST NOW Bharti AXA Life Child Advantage Plan Let us just examine some of the components of this proposal.  Depending on the requirements and demands of your child, this non-linked plan offers two payment choices (money return and endowment).  The benefit of a built-in premium waiver is included in the plan.  You can select the insurance term for this plan.  Section 80C of the Income Tax Act applies to the tax benefit.  For this plan, the minimum and maximum ages for enrollment are both 18 years. INVEST NOW Birla Sun Life Vision Star Plan This program offers guaranteed reimbursements to help you pay for your child's education and protect their future even if you are not around. Several traits include  Both death and maturity benefits are included with this plan.  At the time of maturity, the accumulated incentives will be paid.  After five years of the policy's term, regular payouts.  By selecting different additional riders, you can extend your coverage.  After 2 years, if you quit paying your premium, the policy will still be in effect, albeit on a lower Paid-Up basis.  INVEST NOW Conclusion Examine the terms and requirements of each policy before making an investment decision, then pick the best insurance coverage for kids. Make a good investment strategy after that to make sure your child is as secure as possible. Consult an expert advisor to get the right plan TALK TO AN EXPERT

ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd is a leading asset management company (AMC) in India focused on bridging the gap between savings & investments and creating long-term wealth for investors through a range of simple and relevant investment solutions. The AMC is a joint venture between ICICI Bank, a well-known and trusted name in financial services in India, and Prudential Pie, one of the UK's largest players in the financial services sectors. Throughout these years of the joint venture, the company has forged a position of pre-eminence in the Indian Mutual Fund industry. The AMC manages significant Assets under Management (AUM) in the mutual fund segment. The AMC also caters to Portfolio Management Services for investors, spread across the country, along with International Advisory Mandates for clients across international markets in asset classes like Debt, Equity, and Real Estate. The AMC has witnessed substantial growth from two locations and six employees at the inception of the joint venture in 1998 to a current strength of 1926 employees with a reach across over 300 locations reaching out to an investor base of 6.2 million investors (as of September 30, 2020). The company's growth momentum has been exponential, and it has always focused on increasing accessibility for its investors. Driven by an entirely investor-centric approach, the organization today is a suitable mix of investment expertise, resource bandwidth, and process orientation. The AMC endeavors to simplify its investor's journey to meet their financial goals and give a good investor experience through innovation, consistency, and sustained risk-adjusted performance. The AMC has two decades of rich experience in fund management and still going strong. Over 62 lakh investors have trusted their finances with them. The Asset Under Management is INR 4,05,220.91  Cr as of March 31, 2021, and it has over 68 mutual fund schemes offering an array of investment opportunities. Some of the well-known equity schemes from its stable are ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund, ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund, ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund, etc., and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund also offers some good debt funds. Some of the prominent debt schemes are ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund, ICICI Prudential Debt Management Fund, ICICI Prudential Credit Risk Fund, etc., ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund, ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund, ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund are prominent names in hybrid schemes category. The percentage of schemes beating the benchmark across its various categories for a one-year time period collectively is approx. 72% as of February 28, 2021. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has a large team of good fund managers. The fund house’s growth momentum has been exponential and is driven by an entirely investor-centric approach. The AMC endeavors to simplify its investors’ journey to accomplish their financial goals and provide a high-quality investor experience through innovation, consistency, and sustained risk-adjusted performance. Important information about ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Name of the AMCICICI Prudential Asset Management Company LtdIncorporation Date22 June 1993SponsorsPrudential Plc and ICICI Bank Ltd.TrusteeICICI Prudential Trust Ltd.Trustees' Name1. Mr. P.H.Ravikumar, 2. Mr. Jyotin Mehta, 3. Mr. R. Ranganakulu Jagarlamudi, 4. Mr. Pramod Rao, 5. Mr. Lakshmi Kumar Mylavarapu  MD/CEOMr. Nimesh ShahCIOMr. Sankaran NarenCompliance OfficerMr. Rakesh ShettyChief Investment OfficerMr. Sankaran NarenRegistrar and Transfer agentComputer Age Management Services (P) Limited (CAMS) Unit: ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, Spencer Plaza, Phase II,S49A, 172, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.India   Contact Person: S V Karthick Babu Contact Number: 1800-419-2267 (Toll-free anywhere in India)044 66073600 (Chargeable)   Email: ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund @ CAMSToll-free Number 1800-200-6666 1800-222-999Email Addressenquiry@icicipruamc.comRegistered AddressICICI Prudential Mutual Fund 1201-1212, Narian Manzil, 23, Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi NCR - 110001 10 top-performing ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Schemes ICICI Prudential Technology Fund (Category- Equity: Thematic/Sectoral) ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund (Category- Equity: Large Cap) ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Fund (Category- Equity: Growth) ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund (Tax Saving) (Category- Equity: ELSS) ICICI Prudential Sensex Index Fund (Category- Equity: Growth) ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund (Category- Equity: Growth) ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund (Category- Equity: Multi-Cap) ICICI Prudential Banking And Financial Services Fund (Category- Equity:Direct Growth) ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund (Category- Equity: Long Duration) ICICI Prudential MidCap Fund (Category- Equity: Multi-Cap) 1. ICICI Prudential Technology Fund (Category- Equity: Thematic/Sectoral) This is ideal to generate capital appreciation by creating a portfolio that is invested in equity and equity-related securities of technology and technology-dependent companies.  Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5,000      Minimum Additional Investment INR 1,000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1000Entry LoadNil Exit LoadIf units purchased or switched in from another scheme of the fund are redeemed or switched out within 15 days from the date of allotment 1% of the applicable NAV.Return Since Inception11.96 (Growth) (Date of Inception: March 3, 2000).NAVINR 109.04 (April 20, 2021) (Growth)AUMINR 1817.80 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 2. ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund (Category- Equity: Large Cap) ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund, an open-ended equity scheme, invests predominantly in large-cap stocks. The scheme provides growth and stability to your portfolio as it invests in blue chip stocks, which are market leaders in their industry. The stocks are well-diversified across sectors. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 100      Minimum Additional Investment INR 100Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 100Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% of NAV for 365 Days. After one year NilReturn Since Inception13.64 % (Growth) (Date of Inception: May 23, 2008).NAVINR 52.15 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 26467.80Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 3. ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Fund (Category- Equity: Growth) This is an open-ended equity scheme, investing in a maximum of 30 stocks.  across market capitalization. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5000    Minimum Additional Investment INR 5000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 100Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% of NAV for 365 Days. After one year NilReturn Since Inception12.04% (Growth) (Date of Inception: May 28, 2009).NAVINR 38.92 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 1216.87 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 4. ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund (Tax Saving) (Category- Equity: ELSS) This is an equity-linked saving scheme (ELSS), that comes with tax benefits as per section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The fund aims at generating long-term capital growth and invests primarily in equity & equity-related securities of companies. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 500    Minimum Additional Investment INR 500Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 100Entry LoadNil Exit LoadNilReturn Since Inception19.43% (Growth) (Date of Inception: August 19, 1999).NAVINR  471.58 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 8310.40 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 5. ICICI Prudential Sensex Index Fund (Direct: Growth) The important benefit of investing in this fund is that you gain exposure to equities of top-performing stocks across all sectors. Investing in this fund is a better way of diversifying your portfolio. However, as this fund invests only in stocks, the fund may have a direct impact on the market conditions. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 100    Minimum Additional Investment INR 100Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 100Entry LoadNil Exit LoadNilReturn Since Inception11.99% (Growth) (Date of Inception: Sep 21, 2017).NAVINR  15.11 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 248.40 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 6. ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund (Category- Equity: Growth) This is an equity mutual fund that invests in value stocks. It is an open-ended scheme, it invests in stocks that are undervalued and are expected to perform well in the coming days. As this scheme invests in value stocks, you may get a high sale price, and the gains can be big when the market is doing well. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 1000    Minimum Additional Investment INR 500Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% of NAV for 365 Days. After one year NilReturn Since Inception19.39% (Growth) (Date of Inception: August 16, 2004).NAVINR  192.77 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 17798.55 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 7. ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund (Category- Equity: Multi-Cap) This is a scheme that aims at capital appreciation by investing assets in equity and equity-related instruments across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks from a wide range of industries. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5000    Minimum Additional Investment INR 1000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% of NAV for 365 Days. After one year NilReturn Since Inception14.28 % (Growth) (Date of Inception: Oct1, 1994).NAVINR  349.72 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 5890.42 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 8. ICICI Prudential Banking And Financial Services Fund (Category- Equity: Growth) This is an open-ended equity mutual fund that invests predominantly in the stocks of companies operating in the financial sector. The returns from this mutual fund scheme are comparatively stabler than other mutual fund plans. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5000    Minimum Additional Investment INR 1000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 500Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% for 15 DaysReturn Since Inception16.33% (Growth) (Date of Inception: Aug 22, 2008).NAVINR  69.24 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 3865.10 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 9. ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund (Category- Equity: Long Duration) This is an open-ended equity scheme, that aims to generate a long-term capital growth scheme that predominantly invests in equity and equity-related securities of large-cap and mid-cap companies. This is suitable for conservative investors expecting high returns with medium-term goals, such as wealth creation through SIPs. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5000    Minimum Additional Investment INR 1000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1000Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% for 15 DaysReturn Since Inception17.59% (Growth) (Date of Inception: July 9, 1998).NAVINR  403.08 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 3752.71 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) 10. ICICI Prudential MidCap Fund (Category- Equity: Direct Plan-Growth):   This fund provides investors with returns in the form of capital appreciation. This mutual fund scheme invests majorly in midcap stocks. The portfolio is a diversified one, as it invests in stocks across all sectors. Key information Minimum InvestmentINR 5000    Minimum Additional Investment INR 1000Minimum SIP InvestmentINR 1000Entry LoadNil Exit Load1% for 365 DaysReturn Since Inception15.49 % (Growth) (Date of Inception: Oct 28, 2004).NAVINR  124.18 (April 20, 2021) (Direct-Growth)AUMINR 2338.33 Cr (As on March 31, 2021) How can you invest in ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Via EduFund? Investing in ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund via Edufund is a simple, four-step process.  Step 1: Download the EduFund App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and create an online account. Step 2:  Select a Scheme - Browse a wide range of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund schemes and choose the right scheme suiting your financial goals. You may invest in a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) or a lump sum. The inbuilt recommendation engine suggests the best scheme for your financial objectives. Step 3: View and Track Your Transaction(s) - The amount you have invested will reflect in your EduFund account within four working days. You can track the ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund NAV, account balance, statement, and other information in the app. Alternatively, you can purchase, redeem, or switch ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund units. Step 4: Speak With a Mutual Fund Counsellor - You can connect with a mutual fund consultant to share your goals and get personalized advice.  EduFund uses top-class authentication and encryption technologies to ensure bank-like secured transactions and safeguard your investments.   9 best-performing fund managers at ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Fund managers play a significant role in driving value and generating growth. The following are some of the best-performing fund managers in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company whose funds have consistently churned out the best returns.  1. Mr. Sankaran Naren S Naren joined ICICI Prudential AMC in October 2004. As ED & CIO, Naren oversees the entire investment function across the mutual fund and International advisor business. He is instrumental in the overall investment strategy development and execution. He has a rich experience of around 31 years in almost all spectrum of the financial services industry ranging from investment banking, fund management, equity research, and stockbroking operations. His qualifications include a B Tech degree from IIT Chennai and MBA (Finance) from IIM Kolkata. 2. Mr. Rahul Goswami Rahul has re-joined ICICI Prudential AMC now as CIO of Fixed Income. He has been earlier associated with the AMC for the period July 2004 to October 2009 as Co-Head-Fixed Income. In his earlier stint, he was responsible for managing 8 debt funds with prime responsibility on Govt. Bonds and Corporate Bonds trading involved monitoring factors like key economic developments, market liquidity, and Forex movement. He has an overall experience of over 24 years. In his previous role with Standard Chartered bank, he was a Senior Rates Trader & Head of the Primary Dealership Desk. Rahul currently manages 8 funds at ICICI Prudential, i.e. ICICI Prudential Liquid Plan, ICICI Prudential Flexible Income Plan, ICICI Prudential Floating Rate Fund, ICICI Prudential Banking & PSU Debt Fund, ICICI Prudential Medium Term Plan, ICICI Prudential Gilt Fund(All Options). ICICI Prudential Multiple Yield Fund and ICICI Prudential Capital Protection Oriented Fund. Rahul holds a bachelor's degree in Science and an MBA from Bhopal University. Besides Standard Chartered Bank, he has worked with various other organizations like Franklin Templeton, UTI Bank, SMIFS Securities, Khandwala Finance Ltd, and RR Financial Consultants. With over 20 years of experience, he handles an AUM of INR 1,64,265 Cr and 73 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 3. Mr. Rohan Maru Rohan joined ICICI Prudential AMC in November 2012. As a fund manager, he handles ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund and ICICI Prudential Liquid ETF, along with co-managing ICICI Prudential Liquid Fund, ICICI Prudential Savings Fund, ICICI Prudential Overnight Fund, and ICICI Prudential Global Stable Equity Fund. He also manages the Indian debt portion in ICICI Prudential US Bluechip Equity Fund. Previously, he was a Dealer – Corporate Bonds of the fund house. With an experience of over 10 years, he was associated with Kotak Mutual Funds and Integreon Managed Solutions. He holds a Master of Commerce from Mumbai University and a PGDBA from MET Mumbai. With over 8 years of experience, he manages an AUM of INR 1,09,378 Cr and 34 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 4. Mr. Rajat Chandak He manages/co-manages several flagship funds, including ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund, ICICI Prudential Value Fund (Series 4 & 11), ICICI Prudential Bharat Consumption Fund (Series 4), ICICI Prudential Long-Term Wealth Enhancement Fund, ICICI Prudential R.I.G.H.T. Fund, ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund, and ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage Fund. He started his career with ICICI Prudential AMC and has been with the AMC ever since. He carries an overall work experience of more than 10 years. He completed B.Com from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in 2005 and an MBA in Finance from the Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) in 2008. With over eight years of experience, he has an AUM of  INR 63,689 Cr under his management and 17 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 5. Mr. Kayzad Eghlim Mr. Eghlim has over 29 years of experience and is a B.Com (H) and M-Com. Prior to joining ICICI Prudential AMC, he worked with IDFC Investment Advisors Ltd., Prime Securities, and Canara Robeco Mutual Fund. He manages an AUM of INR 13,439 Cr and 20 schemes. 6. Mr. Vaibhav Dusad Mr. Dusad has done B. Tech, M.Tech, and MBA. Prior to joining ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd, he worked with Morgan Stanley, HSBC Global Banking and Markets, CRISIL, Zinnov Management Consulting, and Citibank Singapore. He manages an AUM of INR 27,445 Cr and 7 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 7. Mr. Mittul Kalawadia As a fund manager, Mittal currently manages multiple funds at ICICI Prudential AMC. Prior to being a fund manager, he was a research analyst for multiple key sectors. He started his career with ICICI Prudential AMC and has garnered an overall work experience of 11 years. His core competency lies in portfolio management and security analysis. By qualification, he is a Chartered Accountant. With over 10 years of experience, he manages an AUM of INR 17,546 Cr and 11 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 8. Mr. Prakash Gaurav Goel Mr. Goel is a Chartered Accountant & a Bachelor of Commerce Prior to joining ICICI Prudential Mutual fund, he worked with IREVNA Research & Hindustan Unilever. He manages an AUM of INR 6,624 Cr and 9 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). 9. Ms. Priyanka Khandelwal Ms. Khandelwal is a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. She has been working with ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Since October 2014. She manages an AUM of INR 1,074 Cr and 100 schemes (Feb 28, 2021). Why should you invest in ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund?  ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd. is one of India’s premier fund houses, boasting over 30 lakhs of clientele. The fund house handles considerable Assets under Management (AUM) across diverse asset classes like equities, debt instruments, and sectorial funds, to name a few. Following a totally customer-centric tactic, they flaunt a blend of expertise and resourcefulness, giving investors innovative, consistent, and optimum returns against market risks. This way, it gives customers a way to strike a balance between investments and savings. Their sponsors include ICICI Bank, Prudential Plc, Prudential Corporation Asia, Eastspring Investments, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company, among others. Select Edufund for investing in ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund EduFund makes the process of investing in ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund convenient. EduFund's experienced consultants give you customized solutions for all your financial goals. You can start investing from as low as INR 5,000 and grow your capital comfortably. With EduFund, you get the following benefits: Customized Research-Based Financial Plan - EduFund's scientific fund tracker screens over 1 lakh data points and 400 financial scenarios to recommend you the best mutual funds.  Customer-Friendly Counsellors Help You Create a Financial Plan - EduFund's counselors are trained to handle all kinds of queries from customers. They spend as much time with you as you need and resolve all your issues to help you create a robust financial plan. Invest Less, Earn More - Not only the best Indian mutual funds, but EduFund also offers you the facility to invest in US Dollar ETFs and international mutual funds. Use Free Tools - EduFund offers various free tools for its customers, including College Savings Calculator, SIP calculator, etc.  No Technical Expertise Required - You do not need to be an expert in finance to understand which mutual fund is the best for you. EduFund does it for you. Value-Added Benefits - You may get value-added benefits like no commission, free advisory, and nil-hidden charges. Secure Transactions - EduFund is RIA-registered and uses top-class 128-SSL security to enable safe transactions. Special Support for Children's Education - EduFund has a dedicated team of experts who help you fulfill your children's educational goals.  FAQs What is the best ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund?   Top-rated ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund:   ICICI Prudential Technology Fund (Category- Equity: Thematic/Sectoral)   ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund (Category- Equity: Large Cap)   ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Fund (Category- Equity: Growth)   ICICI Prudential Long Term Equity Fund (Tax Saving) (Category- Equity: ELSS)   ICICI Prudential Sensex Index Fund (Category- Equity: Growth)   Which is better SIP or Lumpsum? SIPs usually perform better during volatile markets, while lumpsum investments are best suited in ELSS, where they draw higher returns when the market is steady. Which MF is better than FD? Mutual funds usually generate greater returns than FDs since they invest in equities. Though the risk is greater while investing in mutual funds, it can give you inflation-beating returns, which may not be the case with FD returns. Is it good to buy ICICI Prudential mutual fund?   ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd is a leading asset management company (AMC) in India focused on bridging the gap between savings & investments and creating long-term wealth for investors through a range of simple and relevant investment solutions. The AMC manages significant Assets under Management (AUM) in the mutual fund segment. The company’s growth momentum has been exponential, and it has always focused on increasing accessibility for its investors. The fund house’s growth momentum has been exponential and is driven by an entirely investor-centric approach. Please get in touch with a financial expert before considering investing in the fund.   TALK TO AN EXPERT

What if we told you that you could be a crorepati without going to KBC or without winning a lottery? Would you want to follow that mantra and build a huge corpus for yourself? The Mantra is called *drum roll* the 15 x 15 x 15 rule of investing! It means that, if one follows a diligent financial discipline of investing Rs 15,000 for 15 years in a mutual fund that offers returns of 15% - one would be building a huge corpus that would be greater than Rs 1 Cr. Upon investing Rs 27 lakhs, one creates a wealth of over Rs 73 lakhs! SIP - 15 x 15 x 15Amount15000Expected Return15%Number of years15At the end of the time period – Maturity Invested Amount          27,00,000 Wealth Created          73,27,601 Final Amount        1,00,27,601  If one continues this financial discipline and continues to invest for another 10 years the corpus would build to Rs 4.86 Cr i.e., 4X times in another 10 years. If you want to maintain this for another 15 years i.e., the entire period of investing would be 30 years – the corpus would be over Rs 10.38 Cr which is 10X times what one would have obtained for being invested for 15 years. Compounding has a magical effect on our investments by growing our small contributions into a large sum. Hence, it is always advisable to start the magic early – because “Kal kare so aaj kar aur Aaj kare so ab” applies even to your portfolio of investments. Consider that you would like your child to study in a reputed Ivy league school or a grand college in the States (US). The current tuition and fee for a Public 4-year program are $10,560, which is Rs 7.65 lakhs after the $/Rs conversion rate (1 $ = Rs 72.59). However, this is for a resident of the state. For Indian students or out-of-state students, the fees would be $23,890/year – for 4 years it would be $95,560 which is Rs 69 lakhs. The tuition and fees have increased by 16% over the period of 2011-21 (inflation-adjusted). This implies that after 20 years the fees would rocket to over Rs 1 Cr. Hence, one would have to take this factor of “educational inflation” into consideration when one is saving for their little one’s education. Similar to all investments, it is always better to start as early as possible to reap the benefits of compounding. If your child is to pursue his/her higher education after 15 years, you could follow the 15-cube mantra (15*15*15) to fund the dreams of your little one.  Education Expenses Today          70,00,000 Education Inflation (over 10 years) 16%Number of years20Expected Education expenses (future)          94,19,200 Monthly saving required                                                                    6,697 Expected return rate15%Time Period20 There could be cases where you have a higher time frame for your child. For example: If your child is 2 years old, and would fly off to pursue his or her education after 20 years, the amount that you should be saving to fund his/her education effortlessly would be as shown in the table. Hence as a parent, you would have to save Rs 7000/month to fund your child’s education. The easy way to do this is by downloading the EduFund app and getting started on your investment journey to fulfill your child's dreams. FAQs What is the 15 * 15 * 15 Rule in Mutual Funds? It means that, if one follows a diligent financial discipline of investing Rs 15,000 for 15 years in a mutual fund that offers returns of 15% - one would be building a huge corpus that would be greater than Rs 1 Cr. Upon investing Rs 27 lakhs, one creates a wealth of over Rs 73 lakhs! What is the average return in SIP for 15 years? SIPs in mutual funds can generate an average return of 15 to 18% over the duration of 15 years. However, this return can change according to market changes. Which SIP gives the highest return in 5 years? Axis Bluechip Fund Monthly SIP Plan ICICI Prudential Bluechip FundSBI Bluechip FundMirae Asset Large Cap FundSBI Multicap Fund Is mutual funds taxable after 10 years? Yes, you need to pay the applicable taxes only when you redeem the units or sell the scheme. However, your total income for the financial year in question includes your dividend income from mutual fund schemes.

What are Debt Funds? Debt Mutual funds invest in fixed-income securities such as corporate bonds, government securities, money market instruments, etc. These funds are also known as income funds or bond funds. The difference between the purchase price and the selling price of the securities adds to the NAV of the fund. If the fund bought security for Rs 1000 and had to sell it in extreme market conditions at Rs 900 by making a loss, it would result in the depreciation of the NAV. How do debt funds make money? Debt funds earn through capital appreciation and interest income from fixed-income securities. Consider that a debt fund receives 10% interest per annum; this is divided by 365 and is added to the NAV every day. A debt fund’s NAV hence depends upon the interest rate and the credit rating of its portfolio. If the credit rating of one of the securities that a fund is invested into goes down (due to default), the NAV of the fund also depreciates. The interest rate regime also has an effect on the NAV of the fund. For example, if a fund ABC holds security that offers 8% interest. If the RBI announces a decrease in the interest rates, then any new security would adhere to these new regulations and offer a lower interest rate. This would drive up the demand for pre-existing securities which were offering a higher rate (similar to our security which offered a rate of 8%). Consequently, the price of these bonds/securities would increase, leading to an increase in the NAV of the fund. Types of Debt Funds In the following paragraphs, we aim to provide 2 top-performing funds in each of the debt fund categories and also aim to provide insights on which category would be ideal for you. 1. Liquid & Money Market Funds These funds invest in money market securities with a maturity lower than 91 days. They are considered to be a good alternative to savings accounts and fixed deposits as they offer higher returns and are tax-friendly (when compared to traditional instruments). They have a reasonable level of safety of the invested principal, coupled with liquidity. They typically do not have exit loads. Investor If you have surplus cash or a sudden influx of money – sale of real estate property, bonus, or something similar, instead of parking it in a savings account and earning a meager 4% return, you could consider Liquid funds as an alternative. These are also suitable for risk-averse investors and for investors looking for stable returns and liquidity. Scheme Name1-year ReturnAUMProsConsQuant Liquid Fund4.85%Rs 174.84 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category average.The age of the fund is greater than 3 years.A high expense ratio of 0.62% (could potentially dent your earnings). AUM is less than Rs 1000 Cr, where investors need to keep an eye on the expense ratio as the fees for the operation of the fund are collected from a small base of investors.IDBI Liquid Fund Rs 1114.21 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category average.The age of the fund is greater than 3 years.The expense ratio is on the lower end – 0.13%.AUM is slightly higher than Rs 1000 Cr, where investors need to keep an eye on the expense ratio as the fees for the operation of the fund are collected from a small base of investors. 2. Gilt Funds Gilt funds invest in Government securities of State and Central governments with different bond tenures (or varying maturities) such as 1-year, 3-year, 10-year, etc. Government bonds are considered to be risk-free and have a zero probability of default (Credit risk is zero). However, these funds are subject to interest rate risk i.e., the portfolio’s worth appreciates or depreciates depending on the interest rate regime in the economy. Investor These are suitable for a risk-averse investor. They are beneficial in a falling interest rate environment as these funds would have underlying securities which would carry a high coupon. Scheme Name1-year ReturnAUMProsConsICICI Prudential Gilt FundExpense Ratio: 0.61%Min SIP Amount:Rs 100011.12%Rs 4,086.85CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageExit Load is ZeroNoneDSP Government Securities FundExpense Ratio: 0.54%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50010.36%Rs 444.52 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageExit Load is ZeroNoneEdelweiss Government Securities FundExpense Ratio: 0.41%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50012.07%Rs 88.68 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageExit Load is ZeroAUM is slightly higher than Rs 100 Cr, where investors need to keep an eye on the expense ratio as the fees for the operation of the fund is collected from a small base of investors. 3. Short-Term Funds Funds that invest in securities that have a maturity of 1-3 years with high liquidity. The fund invests in corporate bonds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and government securities with medium and long-term maturities. They are prone to a lower interest rate risk when compared to medium and long-term funds. This aids the funds to sail through adverse market conditions. Investor They are ideal for risk-averse investors who aim to receive higher post-tax interest or returns (when compared to FDs). When the investment horizon is greater than 1 year. Scheme Name1-year ReturnAUMProsConsAditya Birla Sun Life Short-Term FundExpense Ratio: 0.39%Min SIP Amount: Rs 10012.00%Rs 7,001.71 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category average.Exit Load is ZeroThe expense ratio is on the lower endNoneICICI Prudential Short-Term Fund Expense Ratio: 0.44% Min SIP Amount: Rs 10010.92%Rs 22,254.84 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageExit Load is ZeroThe expense ratio is on the lower endThe AUM of the fund is greater than Rs 20,000 Cr. After crossing this benchmark, the returns of the fund tend to be stagnated or experience a downturn 4. Medium-Term Funds Funds that invest in securities that have a medium-term maturity of 3-4 years. SEBI mandates that these funds invest in securities that have a Macaulay duration of 3-4 years. They earn higher post-tax returns when compared to a 5-year bank FD. One can also choose to opt for monthly income plans if one wishes to receive a periodic income from their investments. Investor They are ideal for risk-averse investors who aim to receive higher post-tax interest or returns (when compared to FDs). They are also ideal for the diversification of risk. They are less volatile when compared to equity funds and are also less prone to interest rate risk when compared to long-term funds.  Scheme Name1-year ReturnAUMProsConsSBI Magnum Medium Duration FundExpense Ratio: 0.68%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50010.88%Rs 8,505.15 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageNoneICICI Prudential Medium Term Bond FundExpense Ratio: 0.73%Min SIP Amount: Rs 100011.12% Rs 6,437.31 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageNone 5. Dynamic Bond Funds Funds are actively managed or employ a dynamic investment/asset allocation strategy by reducing the average portfolio duration (or maturity) in increasing interest rate environments and increasing the duration in a falling interest rate regime. These funds hence provide an option to the investor to earn from the interest rate fluctuations. Investor They are suitable for investors who would like to stay invested for the long term without worrying about the interest rate movements affecting their wealth creation.   Scheme Name1-year ReturnAUMProsConsAxis Dynamic BondExpense Ratio: 0.25%Min SIP Amount: Rs 100010.88%Rs 8,505.15 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageExit Load is zeroThe expense ratio is on the lower endNoneKotak Dynamic Bond FundExpense Ratio: 0.47%Min SIP Amount: Rs 100011.12% Rs 6,437.31 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year return than the category averageExit Load is zeroThe expense ratio is on the lower endNone 6. Credit risk funds These funds allocate 65% of their total assets for the purchase of lower-rated securities (lower than AA- credit rating) and offer higher returns to their investors. The credit risk is higher for these funds. The interest rate risk is comparatively lower as these funds invest in securities with low maturities. The funds also gain from capital appreciation if the underlying security is upgraded to a higher credit rating. Investors These are only suitable for investors who are willing to take a higher risk. This is due to the lower credit securities as a part of the portfolio which have a higher probability of default. Scheme Name1-year ReturnAUMProsConsICICI Prudential Credit Risk FundExpense Ratio: 0.90%Min SIP Amount: Rs 100010.01%Rs 7,209.19 CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageNoneHDFC Credit Risk Debt FundExpense Ratio: 1.06%Min SIP Amount: Rs 50011.25% Rs 7,315.34CrHave higher 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year returns than the category averageThe expense ratio is on the higher end FAQs What are debt funds? A debt fund is a mutual fund that invests in fixed-income instruments such as treasury bills, commercial paper, government bonds, corporate bonds/debentures, money market instruments, etc. What are the benefits of debt funds? High Liquidity Investment Horizon Higher Returns Tax Efficiency Flexibility Who should invest in debt funds? Debt funds are for investors looking for a passive and regular income. These are ideal for risk-averse investors who prefer Is it good to invest in debt funds? Yes, debt funds are a great investment option for investors. These offer higher returns over a long investment horizon and are tax-efficient as well. Which are the best debt funds to invest in now? Here are the best debt funds to invest in:Aditya Birla Sun Life Low Duration FundNippon India Money Market FundICICI Prudential Ultra Short-Term FundAxis Ultra Short-Term Fund How Do Debt Funds Make Money? Debt funds earn through capital appreciation and interest income from fixed-income securities. Consider that a debt fund receives 10% interest per annum; this is divided by 365 and is added to the NAV every day. A debt fund’s NAV hence depends upon the interest rate and the credit rating of its portfolio. If the credit rating of one of the securities that a fund is invested into goes down (due to default), the NAV of the fund also depreciates. You can start your research as well as investments on the EduFund app!

Most of our parents and grandparents have invested their hard-earned money into trusted FDs, and PPFs and relied on gold for wealth creation. That was a good option a long time ago, but today, that's a way to lose wealth than make wealth. A bank deposit earns 6% per annum. The interest earned on the principal is taxed according to the tax bracket. If the tax bracket of the individual is 20%, the net interest earned is 6%*(1-20%) = 4.8%. The current inflation ranging from 4% to 6%, erodes the wealth that is created by the bank deposit. Hence, in the current economic scenario, these instruments are not sufficient for beating inflation and creating wealth with reasonable returns over the years. Debt as an investment vehicle has always been trusted as there is a fixed promised return and a guaranteed principal payment, giving a sense of comfort to the investor. The debt market is a platform that enables the purchase and sale of loans in exchange for a rate of interest and periodic payments of the coupon. These markets are lesser risky than their equity counterparts, and hence also have lower returns when compared to equity instruments. In the following article, we explore various facets of this financial instrument.  What is a Debt Mutual Fund? A debt fund is a mutual fund that invests in fixed-income instruments such as treasury bills, commercial paper, government bonds, corporate bonds/debentures, money market instruments, etc. All the instruments that the fund invests in have a maturity and a fixed coupon or interest rate payment that the buyer/investor can rely on – hence have the name - fixed-income instruments. These funds are also known as bond funds or fixed-income funds. As the returns are pre-decided, they are not affected by market fluctuations when the instruments are held until maturity. Hence, these funds are low-risk options for an investor. Every debt security is assigned a credit rating which indicates the risk/probability of default, based on which the fund managers take a decision to either include or exclude them in their portfolios. If a paper or debt security has a high credit rating, it implies a low probability of default i.e., the borrower has a high propensity to pay back the principal and interest. Fund managers sometimes also choose a lower-quality debt to earn higher returns by taking a calculated risk. A debt fund with a higher amount of high-quality debt is more stable and less prone to market fluctuations however, earns a lower return. The fund manager also has the flexibility to choose long-term or short-term debt based on the existing yield curve or interest rate regime in the economy.  Types of Debt Funds Debt funds are classified based on the maturity period as follows - Liquid Fund: This fund invests in money market instruments that have a maturity of fewer than 91 days (3 months). The returns earned by these funds are greater than the savings accounts. These are considered one of the best alternatives for liquid and short-term investing. Gilt Fund: These invest over 80% of the assets into Government securities over a range of maturities (10 years, 5 years, etc). These funds are credit risk-free (as one is lending to the Government of India, which cannot default on its payments), however, are highly vulnerable to interest rate risk. Dynamic Bond Fund: These invest in debt securities with a range of maturities, adjusting for the interest rate regime or yield curve prevailing in the economy. These funds are ideal for investors seeking moderate risk with an investment horizon of 3-5 years. Money Market Fund: The fund invests in debt securities with a maturity of less than 1 year. These are sought after by investors looking for short-term investment options in low-risk vehicles. Corporate Bond Fund: This fund invests over 80% of the assets in corporate bonds with the highest credit rating (implying a low risk of default). These are suitable for investors seeking low risk and provide exposure to corporate bonds which provide higher returns than the G-secs. Banking and PSU Fund: The fund invests over 80% of its assets in Banks and PSU bonds. Credit Risk Fund: These funds are mandated to invest over 65% of their assets in bonds with a credit risk rating below AA+. They aim to generate a return higher than the funds invested in G-secs and other high credit-rating debt securities, by taking on more risk in their portfolios. However, these funds only thrive in a credit conducive environment where the economy is booming. These funds are very volatile and are suitable for investors seeking moderate-high risk. Floater Fund: These funds invest over 65% of their assets in bonds with a floating interest rate. One should consider investing in floater funds when there is a rise in interest rates in the economy to reap the maximum benefits. Short-term floater funds typically invest in Government securities with a tenure of less than one year. Longer-term floater funds invest in corporate bonds, debentures, and government bonds. Flexibility in tenure makes it an attractive investment to all investors in the market. Despite these funds providing higher returns (lower than equity funds), they are heavily reliant on market conditions, implying uncertainty in the prediction of returns that can be expected from these funds. Investors looking to make gains from the interest rate fluctuations, dilute the interest rate risk factor in their portfolio, or have their wealth unaffected by the volatile market fluctuations prefer to invest in these funds. Overnight Fund: These invest in securities with a maturity of 1 day. Due to the extremely small-time horizon, the interest rate and credit risk are almost negligible (SEBI also mandates these funds to invest in low-risk debt securities). The returns earned from these funds are also lower ranging from 3-5%. These funds do not charge exit loads even when the units are redeemed in a day, which was the primary reason for their popularity among investors. What is Macaulay's duration? This financial jargon indicates how many years it would effectively take for the bond to repay back to the investor with its periodic cash flows. It can also be considered as the time at which the investor’s investment reached a breakeven. It is also used as an indicator for the interest rate sensitivity of the bond, the higher the duration, the higher the sensitivity. The following table indicates the type of bonds that the funds would invest in depending on their fund type. FUND TYPEMacaulay DurationUltra-Short Duration Funds3-6 monthsLow Duration Fund6-12 monthsShort Duration Fund1-3 yearsMedium Duration Fund3-4 yearsMedium – Long Duration Fund4-7 yearsLong Duration Fund>7 years What type of Investor should invest in Debt Funds? Debt funds are considered ideal for risk-averse investors who aim to generate a regular income out of their investments. The funds diversify across various securities and ensure a stable return to their investors. If an investor has been saving in bank deposits for their stability, then he/she could prefer debt mutual funds and earn similar or higher returns in a tax-efficient manner. The funds are available for short-term (3-12 months) and medium-term investors (3-5 years). As an investor, if you are looking for a more liquid investment, you could prefer a short-term fund over a savings account and earn 7-9%. Monthly Income Plans (MIPs) also provide an option for the investor to receive a monthly payout, similar to FDs. Risks in debt funds We are not suggesting that debt funds are risk-free. That tag only belongs to the Government of India (Sovereign Debt). The underlying risks that one must consider while investing in debt funds are as follows - Liquidity Risk: In an economic downturn, the fund house could receive an umpteen number of redemption requests from the pool of investors. There is a possibility that the fund may not have enough cash and cannot sell/reverse their positions due to the economic conditions to oblige to all the requests. This risk is known as liquidity risk. Interest Rate Risk: When the interest rates increase, the NAV of the fund falls. In case of the interest rate decline, the value of bonds in the portfolio increases, due to their higher pre-decided coupon rates. This also pushes the NAV of the debt funds in an upward direction. Hence, the NAV of the fund is prone to interest-rate fluctuations in the economy. Credit Risk: The probability of default, i.e., the event when the borrower does not pay the principal and interest.  Expense Ratio: It is the fees paid to the fund house for managing your money. One should also consider this expense while investing in a debt fund. These funds earn lower returns than their equity counterparts. If the expense ratio is high, it could dent future returns/earnings. Hence, it is always advisable to stay invested for a longer duration and to choose funds with a lower expense ratio. Benefits of debt funds High Liquidity: Debt funds are typically considered alternatives to fixed deposits. Along with providing recurring returns, debt funds (especially liquid funds and overnight funds) have high liquidity where investors can redeem their investments in the shortest time frame. Investment Horizon: There are umpteen options available for any type of investment horizon that is preferred by the investor – a large number of options to choose from and hence make a portfolio customized for yourself. Higher Returns: The debt funds provide a higher return than the typical FDs, and savings accounts. Tax Efficiency: The interest rate earnings are taxed every year in the case of FDs. However, in the case of debt mutual funds, the investor reaps the benefits of indexation after a holding period of 3 years. Flexibility: The funds also provide an option to transfer the units to equity schemes if the investor is ready to take on additional risk for higher returns. Such options or alternatives are absent in the traditional route of FDs and bank deposits. FAQs What are debt funds? A debt fund is a mutual fund that invests in fixed-income instruments such as treasury bills, commercial paper, government bonds, corporate bonds/debentures, money market instruments, etc. What are the benefits of debt funds? High Liquidity Investment Horizon Higher Returns Tax Efficiency Flexibility Is it good to invest in debt funds? Yes, debt funds are a great investment option for investors. These offer higher returns over a long investment horizon and are tax-efficient as well. Is a debt fund better than an FD? Both are great investment options. FDs are more secure and offer fixed stable returns. A debt mutual fund offers high returns and has a risk factor involved.