SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹12.8057 as of 27 Aug 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹1,424 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 4.7941%, 6.4917% and 0% respectively, and the scheme sits in the Medium Risk bucket.

Our view is that this is a debt scheme with a steady but not standout return profile, backed by a portfolio that is overwhelmingly in government securities and cash. The mix makes it more suitable for conservative investors who want relatively contained portfolio risk, while accepting that recent returns have been modest and have stayed close to, but not ahead of, the benchmark over longer periods.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya.

Source data date: as of 27 Aug 2026

Performance

The short-term picture is mixed. Over one month, the fund was slightly weaker than the benchmark, while over three months it moved ahead by a small margin. That tells us the recent path has been steady rather than dramatic, with some modest month-to-month drift but no sharp swing in either direction.

The one-year figure is more useful for judging the current run. At 4.79%, the fund has posted a positive return while the benchmark return in the same window is negative at -2.53%. That gap reflects a noticeably better recent outcome for the fund, even though the absolute return remains moderate.

The longer view is more restrained. The 3-year return of 6.49% sits a little below the benchmark’s 6.72%, so the fund has not clearly outpaced the reference index over that horizon. In our view, that combination of a decent 1-year showing and a slightly softer 3-year outcome points to a fund that has been resilient recently, but not consistently ahead across the full cycle.

The time pattern also supports that reading. The fund has spent long stretches moving in a narrow band, which is typical of a debt-oriented strategy with limited swings. For investors, that means the return story is less about sharp upside and more about controlled movement and gradual compounding.

Source data date: as of 27 Aug 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.

On the most recent one-year numbers, the fund trails Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, and it also sits below ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. That shows the latest pace has been respectable, but not the strongest among the available peer return figures.

The longer view is closer. The fund’s 3-year return is below ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, but still ahead of HDFC Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. Since some peers do not have 3-year or 5-year figures available, the comparison is more informative on the available periods than on a full-cycle basis. Overall, the peer set suggests that this fund’s recent improvement has not yet translated into a clear edge over the broader group.

Source data date: as of 27 Aug 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The market-cap mix is fully classified under other exposure at 100%, with no allocation shown to large-cap, mid-cap or small-cap buckets. That means the more useful way to read the portfolio is through its underlying instrument mix rather than a stock-style market-cap split.

The portfolio is dominated by government securities, and that is likely to have the greatest influence on how the scheme behaves. A weight of 89.81% in this bucket leaves little room for other exposures to shape returns in a meaningful way, while cash and cash equivalents add a smaller liquidity buffer.

The largest allocation is materially bigger than the rest, so the portfolio is not diversified across many separate sectors. That concentration may support stability, but it also means the fund’s movement will largely reflect the behaviour of sovereign debt holdings rather than a broad spread of credit or equity-like exposures.

In practical terms, this is a portfolio built around rate-sensitive fixed-income exposure with a modest cash cushion. For investors, that usually means fewer moving parts and a more straightforward return driver, but also less scope for aggressive upside from diversification.

Source data date: as of 27 Aug 2026

Who should invest

This fund is better suited to investors who are comfortable with moderate risk and prefer a debt-oriented exposure rather than a growth-heavy one. Its Medium Risk label, steady but modest 1-year and 3-year returns, and government-securities-heavy portfolio point to a scheme that may appeal to conservative allocators who still want some return potential above plain cash-like parking.

The most natural horizon is medium to longer term, because the 3-year return is more informative than the short 1-month or 3-month moves. The main trade-off is straightforward: the portfolio is relatively contained and anchored in sovereign exposure, but the return path has not shown a strong, persistent lead over the benchmark.

Tax and exit load

Exit load: No exit load.

Source data date: as of 27 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The NAV is ₹12.8057 as of 27 Aug 2026.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?

The 1-year return is 4.79%, the 3-year return is 6.49%, and the 5-year return is Data not available.

How does the fund compare with its benchmark?

Over 1 year, the fund has done better than the benchmark, while over 3 years it is slightly behind the benchmark. The 1-month figure is also a little softer than the benchmark, but the 3-month figure is a bit stronger.

What is the risk category and what does the portfolio look like?

The scheme is in the Medium Risk category. Its portfolio is dominated by government securities, with a smaller allocation to cash and cash equivalents.

Who manages the fund and is there an exit load?

The fund is managed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya. There is no exit load.

Bottom line

SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan looks like a conservative debt scheme whose recent performance has been better than its longer-term benchmark comparison, but not decisively ahead across the full 3-year window. The peer set tells a similar story: the fund’s latest one-year pace is respectable, yet several peers have stronger available 1-year or 3-year numbers. Its risk profile is moderate, and the portfolio is heavily anchored in government securities, which may keep the behaviour relatively contained. That makes it more suited to investors who value steadier debt exposure over aggressive return chasing.

Published on 28 August 2026 at 10:44 AM IST