LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹59.9203 as of 04 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹110 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 9.47%, 17.85% and 12.01% respectively, and the fund is tagged High Risk. Our view is that this is a market-linked index option suited to investors who can accept sharp swings in pursuit of diversified equity exposure across the Nifty Next 50 universe.

The fund has held up better over 3 years and 5 years than the benchmark shown here, while the latest 1-year result is still comfortably positive. That mix points to a scheme that may suit investors with a long horizon who want passive equity exposure and are comfortable with periodic drawdowns.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Nikhil Kapoor and Sasikant Aravamuthan.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Performance

The recent picture is mixed but not weak. Over 1 month, the fund fell less than the benchmark, which suggests a slightly better downside profile in a soft patch. Over 3 months, it recovered more strongly than the benchmark and turned in a clear positive return while the benchmark also improved, but by a smaller amount.

The 1-year number is the cleanest evidence of relative strength: the fund stayed positive while the benchmark was negative. That tells us the strategy has managed to keep pace through a more difficult stretch for the reference index used here. It also suggests that the fund is not simply drifting with short-term market noise.

Longer-term, the gap remains meaningful. The 3-year return of 17.85% and 5-year return of 12.01% both stand above the benchmark’s 5.88% and 6.29% over the same periods. In our view, that pattern points to steadier compounding over full cycles rather than only isolated bursts of outperformance.

The time pattern also looks choppy rather than linear, which is normal for an equity index fund tied to a more volatile part of the market. The important point is that the 3-year and 5-year readings still sit comfortably ahead of the benchmark even after short-term swings.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the 1-year figure, the fund trails the faster-moving thematic peers listed here, which is not surprising given that those schemes sit in narrower market areas. Over 3 years, the fund’s 17.85% is below ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan but ahead of the available benchmark-style context for several peers whose longer history is not available. The 5-year return of 12.01% looks solid and more balanced than the short-term peer numbers, so the short-term and longer-term stories are not the same.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The largest holding, Divi’S Laboratories Ltd., carries a 4.04% weight, so no single position dominates the portfolio. The weight then steps down gradually through the top 10, with the tenth holding at 2.56%; that is a fairly narrow spread, which may help the fund avoid overdependence on one stock while still letting the bigger names matter.

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 32.8% of the portfolio, and the portfolio discloses 50 holdings in total. That combination suggests the fund is spread across a reasonably broad tail, even though the displayed leading positions still have enough weight to influence returns. In our view, this is a diversified index structure rather than a tightly concentrated basket, but the top positions may still drive a noticeable share of short-term movement.

To see all holdings, visit the LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who can accept High Risk and want equity exposure with a long holding period. The 1-year return has been positive, but the deeper signal comes from the 3-year and 5-year numbers, which show better compounding than the benchmark while still allowing for visible swings along the way.

The main trade-off is between volatility and participation in broader market growth. Investors who are comfortable with that trade-off, and who want a passive fund tied to a stock basket with a meaningful tail of holdings, may find the structure aligned with a multi-year horizon rather than a short-term parking option.

Tax and exit load

No exit load after holding period.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹59.9203 as of 04 Sep 2026.

How has LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan performed over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years?
Its returns are 9.47% over 1 year, 17.85% over 3 years and 12.01% over 5 years.

How does LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan compare with its benchmark?
It has outperformed the benchmark shown here across 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The benchmark return is -4.43% over 1 year, 5.88% over 3 years and 6.29% over 5 years.

How does it compare with the peer funds listed here on 1-year return?
It trails the faster-moving thematic and overseas index peers shown here on 1-year return, but those funds are not direct substitutes because their market exposure is different.

Is there a minimum SIP amount for this fund?
The minimum SIP amount is not stated here, so we do not list one.

What are the tax, exit load and risk features of this fund?
Units held for less than 1 year attract 20% short-term capital gains tax, while units held for more than 1 year attract 12.5% long-term capital gains tax. There is no exit load after the holding period, and the fund is tagged High Risk. The fund is managed by Nikhil Kapoor and Sasikant Aravamuthan.

Bottom line

LIC MF Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a mixed short-term profile but a stronger medium- to long-term record than the benchmark shown here. The peer set listed here shows much faster 1-year numbers in some thematic funds, yet the fund’s 3-year and 5-year returns look steadier and more balanced. With a High Risk tag and a portfolio spread across 50 holdings, it may suit investors who want passive equity exposure and can stay invested through volatility.

Published on 5 September 2026 at 5:20 PM IST