Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹21.7084 as of 15 September 2026 and an AUM of ₹2,100 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -3.5%, 8.01% and 7.76%, and the scheme sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that it fits investors who want broad Nifty 100 exposure through a low-cost index structure and can stay patient through short-term swings.
The portfolio is led by large financials, energy and telecom names, so the fund may move closely with the broader equity market while remaining sensitive to large-cap leadership. The long-term return pattern is steadier than the recent one-year outcome, which makes it better suited to a longer holding period than a short tactical allocation.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹21.7084 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹2,100 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.21% |
| Launch Date | 18 Oct 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Nandik Mallik, Rohit Gautam |
The fund is managed by Nandik Mallik and Rohit Gautam.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.95% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -2.9% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | -3.5% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 8.01% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 7.76% | 5.58% |
Recent performance has been weak in absolute terms, with both the 1-month and 3-month numbers still negative. Even so, the fund has held up a little better than the benchmark over those shorter windows, which suggests the index fund has not simply mirrored every move in the index over the latest stretch.
The 1-year figure is also negative, but it is meaningfully better than the benchmark’s deeper decline. That tells us the fund’s recent drawdown has been less severe than the benchmark’s, even though the direction for both has remained under pressure.
The longer view is more constructive. Three-year and five-year returns are both positive, and they stay ahead of the benchmark over the same periods. That gap matters because it shows the fund has converted a difficult recent spell into a better long-term outcome than the benchmark it tracks here, even if the last 12 months have not been rewarding.
Overall, the pattern is one of short-term softness against a firmer multi-year base. For an index strategy, that is an important distinction: the fund has not shown defensive behaviour in a rising or falling market in a way that removes volatility, but its longer-run compounding has been stronger than the benchmark’s.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Nifty 100 Index?
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 Axis Nifty 100 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -3.5% | 8.01% | 7.76% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 32.61% | 29.92% | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.91% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.71% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.15% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 18.11% | 18.92% | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
The current fund’s 1-year return is far below the more specialised peer funds listed here, but the comparison is not apples-to-apples because those peers follow different themes. On the available 3-year and 5-year numbers, the fund is more muted than some of the theme-led peers that have stronger recent momentum, yet it still shows a positive multi-year path. The short-term picture and the longer-term picture therefore tell different stories: recent weakness is visible, but the longer horizon remains constructive.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Want to know more? Log in to Univest for more mutual fund insights.
Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 8.01% |
| ICICI Bank Limited | Bank | 7.68% |
| Reliance Industries Limited | Crude Oil | 6.36% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | Telecom | 4.06% |
| Larsen & Toubro Limited | Infrastructure | 3.49% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 3.23% |
| Infosys Limited | IT | 2.93% |
| Axis Bank Limited | Bank | 2.75% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | Bank | 2.28% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.16% |
The largest holding, HDFC Bank Limited, carries an 8.01% weight, which is meaningful but not extreme for a diversified large-cap index fund. The gap from the first holding to the tenth is moderate rather than abrupt, moving from 8.01% to 2.16%; that suggests the portfolio spreads influence across several large names instead of relying on a single stock.
The top ten holdings together account for approximately 42.95% of the portfolio, while the disclosed holding count stands at 55. That combination points to a fairly balanced structure: the largest positions may matter more in day-to-day movement, but the longer tail of holdings should still contribute to diversification across the index universe.
Because the fund is built around large, liquid companies, the visible basket may behave more like a broad market core than a concentrated thematic product. The weight distribution suggests the portfolio could remain sensitive to banking and other heavyweight sectors, yet the spread across 55 holdings may soften the effect of any one position.
To see all holdings, visit the Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who can accept High Risk exposure and want a long holding period rather than a short-term outcome. The 1-year number is negative, while the 3-year and 5-year figures are positive, so the profile is more appropriate for investors who can tolerate a weak patch without changing course too quickly.
The main trade-off is straightforward: you get broad large-cap equity participation with a low expense ratio, but you still have to live with equity-style drawdowns and periods when returns trail the broader market. Investors who prefer stability over market-linked swings may find the ride uncomfortable, while those building a core equity allocation may see the long-term pattern as the more relevant one.
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 |
The scheme has no exit load.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The NAV is ₹21.7084 as of 15 September 2026.
What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The returns are -3.5% for 1 year, 8.01% for 3 years and 7.76% for 5 years.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outpaced the benchmark over 3 years and 5 years, while also holding up better than the benchmark over the 1-year period. The shorter windows remain negative for both.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its 1-year return is well below the theme-led peers listed here, but the comparison is not directly like-for-like because the peer set follows different strategies. On the available longer-term figures, the fund has a positive multi-year track record.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
The fund allows SIP investment, but no minimum SIP amount is stated here.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Nandik Mallik and Rohit Gautam. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a clear split between recent softness and longer-term resilience. The last year has been negative, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers remain positive and ahead of the benchmark, which makes the multi-year view more constructive than the near-term one. The portfolio is anchored in large financials and other heavyweight businesses, so it should suit investors who want broad large-cap exposure and can stay invested through market swings.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 1:45 PM IST
Explore mutual funds with Univest
Review mutual fund data, compare performance and explore fund insights on Univest.
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.