Franklin India Technology Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Franklin India Technology Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹537.7586 as of 02 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹1,753 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -4.85%, 10.29% and 8.18%, and the fund sits in the High Risk category.

Our view is that this is a concentrated technology-oriented equity option that has still delivered a steadier longer-term profile than its weakest recent year suggests. The return pattern and portfolio mix point to a fund that can work only for investors who are comfortable with sharp swings and a long holding period.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by R. Janakiraman, Venkatesh Sanjeevi and Sandeep Manam.

Source data date: as of 02 Sep 2026

Performance

The recent picture is mixed. Over one month the fund fell less than the benchmark, which suggests some relative resilience in a weak stretch. Over three months, however, it moved ahead of the benchmark by a clear margin, so the near-term trend is better than the one-year number alone would imply.

The one-year return remains negative, but the gap versus the benchmark is small rather than severe. That matters because it tells us the fund has not been a dramatic laggard across the full year; it has mainly struggled to turn the recent recovery into a consistently positive 12-month outcome.

The three-year and five-year figures are more constructive. Both are ahead of the benchmark, and the longer history points to a pattern of uneven but positive compounding rather than a smooth upward run. That kind of profile is typical of a high-conviction sector fund: gains can build over time, but the path is choppy.

For investors, the key takeaway is that the recent soft patch is not fully representative of the longer track record. The fund has shown the ability to outperform the benchmark over medium and longer periods, but it has also had enough volatility to make patience essential.

Source data date: as of 02 Sep 2026

Peer comparison

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

The fund’s one-year return is far below the strongest peer figures shown here, but that gap narrows when we look at longer periods. Its 3-year and 5-year returns are more modest than the best available peer numbers, yet they remain positive and are supported by a history that is less explosive but also less dependent on one strong year.

The short-term comparison and the longer-term comparison tell different stories. In the near term, several peers have much stronger momentum, while this fund has been closer to flat to negative. Over three and five years, though, the fund still shows a coherent compounding record, so our view is that it behaves more like a steadier thematic allocation than a recent momentum leader.

Source data date: as of 02 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The largest holding, Bharti Airtel Ltd, carries a 21.8% weight, so it is likely to have a meaningful effect on the fund’s day-to-day movement. The next holding, Infosys Ltd, is also substantial at 13.46%, and together the top two positions already show that the portfolio is not broadly spread across many similar-sized names.

Weight falls away fairly quickly after the first few holdings. By the tenth position, the weight is down to 2.76%, which means the portfolio has a clear core-and-satellite shape rather than a flat distribution. That pattern can help the fund express a strong view, but it can also make performance more dependent on a small group of companies.

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 77.01% of the portfolio, and the fund discloses 24 holdings in total. That tells us the visible allocation is concentrated in a relatively small set of positions, with a longer tail remaining beyond the top 10. For investors, that concentration may amplify both the upside and the drawdown potential when the leading names move sharply.

To see all holdings, visit the Franklin India Technology Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 02 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who can handle High Risk and are willing to stay invested for several years. The one-year return is weak, but the three-year and five-year numbers are positive and better than the benchmark, so the fund makes more sense for someone who can tolerate a rough short-term path in exchange for longer-term upside.

The main trade-off is concentration. The portfolio leans heavily on a few large positions and on technology-linked names, so returns can move sharply when those holdings are out of favour. Investors who want a smoother journey or who need money in the near term may find that volatility uncomfortable.

Tax and exit load

Exit load: 1% if units are sold on or before 1 year. No exit load applies after 1 year.

Source data date: as of 02 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Franklin India Technology Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹537.7586 as of 02 Sep 2026.

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

The fund’s 1-year return is -4.85%, its 3-year return is 10.29%, and its 5-year return is 8.18%.

How does it compare with the benchmark?

It is ahead of the Nifty 50 over 3 years and 5 years, while the 1-year result is slightly below the benchmark. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund is also ahead of the benchmark.

How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?

Its 1-year return is well below the strongest peer figures shown here, while its 3-year and 5-year results are more modest than the best available peer numbers. Even so, its longer-term record remains positive and more stable than a one-year snapshot suggests.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.

What is the exit load and who manages the fund?

The exit load is 1% if units are sold on or before 1 year, and there is no exit load after 1 year. The fund is managed by R. Janakiraman, Venkatesh Sanjeevi and Sandeep Manam.

Bottom line

Franklin India Technology Fund Direct Growth Plan has a mixed recent record but a firmer longer-term shape, with 3-year and 5-year returns both ahead of the benchmark. The peer set shows stronger short-term momentum elsewhere, yet this fund still offers a coherent medium-term compounding pattern. Its High Risk label and concentrated portfolio mean the ride can be uneven, especially because one holding carries a very large weight. It suits investors who can tolerate volatility and who want a technology-heavy allocation with a longer horizon.

Published on 4 September 2026 at 11:38 AM IST