UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 11, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹24.024 as of 10 Sep 2026 and manages ₹1,508 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.27%, 7.46% and 7.72%, and it sits in the Balanced Risk category. Our view is that this is a steadier debt option for investors who can accept moderate risk in exchange for a return profile that has stayed close to the mid-7% range over longer periods, even though the recent 1-year number is softer than the 3-year and 5-year history.
The fund’s portfolio leans heavily on certificates of deposit, corporate debt and government securities, with a meaningful share in bank-linked paper and a moderate cash buffer. That mix supports a relatively balanced credit profile, but it also means returns may be more shaped by rate and spread movements than by high-growth upside.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹24.024 as of 10 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,508 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% |
| Launch Date | 03 Feb 2014 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Balanced Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Anurag Mittal |
The fund is managed by Anurag Mittal.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.57% | -4.06% |
| 3M | 2% | 1.37% |
| 1Y | 6.27% | -7.31% |
| 3Y | 7.46% | 6.07% |
| 5Y | 7.72% | 5.91% |
Short-term behaviour has been more stable than the benchmark. Over 1 month, the fund stayed positive while the benchmark was negative, and over 3 months the fund also stayed ahead on a simple return basis. That pattern suggests the portfolio has cushioned recent market swings better than the index used here, which is useful for investors who want a smoother debt allocation rather than a jagged path.
The 1-year return is lower than the 3-year and 5-year numbers, so the recent stretch has been weaker than the longer compounding history. Even so, the fund still clearly outpaced the benchmark over 1 year, which shows that the strategy has remained resilient relative to the listed reference over the same period.
The longer record is the more useful lens for this scheme. The 3-year and 5-year returns sit in a fairly tight band around 7.5% to 7.7%, which points to a consistent compounding pattern rather than a one-off jump. In our view, that steadiness matters more for a debt fund than trying to chase a sharp short-term burst.
The series pattern also suggests periods of mild drift rather than dramatic drawdowns, which is in line with a banking-and-PSU credit mix and a moderate-risk profile. Recent returns do not fully mirror the longer-term pace, but they do not break the broader pattern of controlled movement and gradual growth.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD UTI Banking & PSU Debt?
A fund’s past returns alone don’t tell you whether you should buy it today or continue holding it.
The right decision depends on factors such as your current allocation, purchase price, risk profile, investment horizon and the role this fund plays in your overall portfolio.
Already holding UTI Banking & PSU Debt? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRUSTMF Banking & PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan | 7.26% | 7.52% | 6.17% |
| Franklin India Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.69% | 7.58% | 6.45% |
| UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.27% | 7.46% | 7.72% |
| Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.03% | 7.21% | 6.25% |
| ICICI Pru Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6% | 7.38% | 6.7% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. The fund’s 1-year return trails the strongest peer in this group, but it is still ahead of some peers and remains comfortably positive. On the 3-year view, it sits in the middle of a tight cluster, while the 5-year number is the most notable part of the record and stands above the available peer figures.
That mix tells a split story: the recent year is respectable rather than standout, but the longer history is stronger than several peers on the available data. For investors comparing only return patterns, the fund looks more attractive on long-term compounding than on short-term leadership.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| CD – Canara Bank – 28/01/2027 | Certificate of Deposit | 7.42% |
| CD – Union Bank of India – 19/01/2027 | Certificate of Deposit | 6.46% |
| CD – ICICI Bank Ltd – 25/03/2027 | Certificate of Deposit | 4.79% |
| NCD Power Finance Corporation Ltd. | Corporate Debt | 4.32% |
| NCD Aditya Birla Housing Finance Ltd | Corporate Debt | 4.31% |
| Net Current Assets | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 3.88% |
| NCD Axis Bank Ltd. | Corporate Debt | 3.65% |
| NCD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development | Corporate Debt | 3.65% |
| 7.38% Gsec 20/06/2027 | Government Securities | 3.36% |
| 7.61% TN SDL Mat 15/02/27. | Government Securities | 3.34% |
The largest holding, CD – Canara Bank – 28/01/2027, is 7.42%, which is meaningful but not overwhelming for a debt portfolio. The next few positions step down gradually rather than collapsing sharply, so the fund does not appear to rely on a single large bet to drive results.
By the tenth holding, the weight is 3.34%, which is less than half of the largest position. That gap suggests the portfolio is spread across several issuers and instrument types, with certificates of deposit and corporate debt taking the lead and government securities adding another layer of diversification.
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 45.18% of the portfolio, and the scheme discloses 38 holdings in total. In our view, that points to a moderate concentration at the top with a longer tail below it, which may help balance return stability and issuer diversification without turning the portfolio into a highly dispersed basket.
To see all holdings, visit the UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who are comfortable with a Balanced Risk profile and want a debt allocation that has delivered steady longer-term compounding rather than dramatic short-term moves. The 3-year and 5-year returns are fairly close to each other, which makes the record look more consistent than cyclical, while the weaker 1-year number shows that returns can still cool in a less favourable stretch.
It can fit a medium- to longer-term horizon where the goal is preservation with reasonable growth from debt instruments, not equity-style upside. The trade-off is straightforward: you accept some credit and rate sensitivity in exchange for a portfolio that has historically stayed relatively disciplined and has compared well against the benchmark on the periods shown.
Tax and exit load
| Holding period | Tax rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Units held less than 1 year | 20% | Short-term capital gains tax |
| Units held more than 1 year | 12.5% | Long-term capital gains tax |
Exit load: No exit load.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹24.024 as of 10 Sep 2026.
What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 6.27% for 1 year, 7.46% for 3 years and 7.72% for 5 years.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outperformed the benchmark on all the displayed periods, including 6.27% versus -7.31% over 1 year and 7.72% versus 5.91% over 5 years.
How does it compare with peer funds on the available return data?
Its 1-year return is behind the strongest peer shown here, but its 5-year return is the strongest among the funds listed. The 3-year figure sits in a closely grouped middle range.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Anurag Mittal. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan has a longer-term record that looks stronger than its latest 1-year figure, so the short-term and multi-year pictures are not identical. It has also compared well with the benchmark across the displayed periods and shows a portfolio built around bank deposits, corporate debt and government securities. For investors who want a debt scheme with moderate risk and a steadier compounding profile, it can be a relevant choice for a disciplined allocation rather than a return-chasing one.
Published on 11 September 2026 at 1:12 PM IST
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RIA disclosure
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing. This review is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. (earlier known as Uniapps Global Research Pvt. Ltd.) under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639 for general informational purposes and is not personalized investment advice.