Axis Retirement Fund-Aggressive Direct Growth Plan Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis Retirement Fund-Aggressive Plan Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹19.84 as of 15 September 2026 and an AUM of ₹705 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 0.15%, 11.05% and 7.25%, respectively, and the scheme sits in the High Risk category.
Our view is that this fund fits investors who can accept a higher level of volatility in exchange for a multi-year equity-oriented retirement allocation. The recent 1-year outcome has been weak, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers are more constructive, and the portfolio still carries a meaningful allocation to government securities alongside large-cap equity names.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹19.84 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹705 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 1.06% |
| Launch Date | 20 Dec 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹1,000 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Solution Oriented |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Jayesh Sundar, Devang Shah, Hardik Shah, Krishnaa N |
The fund is managed by Jayesh Sundar, Devang Shah, Hardik Shah and Krishnaa N.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -3.88% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -0.2% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 0.15% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 11.05% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 7.25% | 5.58% |
The recent picture is mixed. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund stayed negative, but it still held up better than the benchmark in both periods. That suggests the portfolio has not been immune to market pressure, yet it has been somewhat less weak than the index in the near term.
The 1-year return is the main weak spot because it is only 0.15%, while the benchmark was negative by a wider margin. That tells us the fund protected capital better than the benchmark over the year, but it did not create much positive compounding for the investor. The short-term pattern is therefore more about relative resilience than absolute strength.
The longer view is more encouraging. The 3-year return of 11.05% is clearly ahead of the benchmark’s 5.59%, and the 5-year return of 7.25% also remains above the benchmark’s 5.58%. On that basis, the fund has created a better medium-term outcome than the index, even though the return path has not been smooth.
The series behaviour also points to periods of recovery after drawdowns, which is what we would expect from a higher-risk retirement-oriented equity strategy. Still, the near-term weakness means the fund’s recent behaviour is less supportive than its 3-year and 5-year track record.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Retirement Fund-Aggressive Plan?
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 Retirement Fund-Aggressive Plan? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Retirement Fund-Aggressive Plan Direct Growth Plan | 0.15% | 11.05% | 7.25% |
| Aditya Birla SL Retirement Fund-30 Direct Growth Plan | 11.24% | 14.92% | 11.8% |
| Tata Retirement Sav Fund – Prog Plan Direct Growth Plan | 7.73% | 12.85% | 11% |
| Tata Retirement Sav Fund – Mod Plan Direct Growth Plan | 7.39% | 12.13% | 10.87% |
| ICICI Pru Retirement Fund-Hybrid Aggressive Plan Direct Growth Plan | 5.77% | 16.4% | 14.68% |
| SBI Retirement Benefit Fund-Aggressive Hybrid Plan Direct Growth Plan | 5.21% | 9.02% | 11.33% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. The fund’s 1-year return is well below the strongest peer figures, but its 3-year and 5-year returns are less stretched versus the better long-term peer outcomes. That gives the comparison two different messages: the latest period has been disappointing, while the longer holding periods still show a competitive result versus several peers.
Among the peer set with available figures, the fund also trails the strongest 3-year and 5-year numbers by a noticeable margin. Even so, it is not outside the better long-term cluster, because its multi-year returns remain above some peer outcomes and above the benchmark. For investors, that split matters: the near term has been weak, but the longer-term path is still usable for a retirement portfolio that can tolerate swings.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 7.1% Government of India (08/04/2034) | Government Securities | 6.1% |
| Reliance Industries Limited | Crude Oil | 5.24% |
| ICICI Bank Limited | Bank | 5.11% |
| 6.79% Government of India (07/10/2034) | Government Securities | 4.93% |
| HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 4.4% |
| Clearing Corporation of India Ltd | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 3.71% |
| 7.25% Government of India (12/06/2063) | Government Securities | 3.36% |
| 7.18% Government of India (24/07/2037) | Government Securities | 2.87% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | Telecom | 2.66% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 2.57% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 40.95% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Axis Retirement Fund-Aggressive Plan Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding is the 7.1% Government of India security maturing on 08/04/2034 at 6.1%, followed by Reliance Industries at 5.24% and ICICI Bank at 5.11%. That gives the portfolio a clear anchor in one sovereign bond position, with several large equity and fixed-income positions supporting it.
The weight then eases down gradually rather than dropping sharply. By the tenth holding, the allocation is 2.57%, so the top end is meaningfully stronger than the rest of the visible list, but not dominated by one or two outsized positions alone.
With 40.95% of the portfolio in the top 10 holdings and 56 disclosed holdings in total, the fund appears to be moderately spread out while still leaving a noticeable share of assets in its largest names. That structure may allow the biggest positions to matter, but the longer tail could still soften concentration at the margin.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is suited to investors who can tolerate High Risk and who are comfortable with uneven short-term returns in pursuit of longer-horizon retirement compounding. The 1-year result has been flat, but the 3-year and 5-year figures are stronger and sit above the benchmark, which points to a strategy that may reward patience more than quick entry and exit.
The main trade-off is that the fund can lag badly over shorter windows even while still building value over longer periods. The portfolio mix also suggests that investors are accepting both equity volatility and some bond-like ballast, so the holding period should be long enough for the strategy to work through cycles.
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 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis Retirement Fund-Aggressive Plan Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹19.84 as of 15 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 0.15%, its 3-year return is 11.05% and its 5-year return is 7.25%.
How does the fund compare with the benchmark?
It has done better than the Nifty 50 over 3 years and 5 years, and it has also held up better over the 1-year period even though that period was weak for both.
How does it compare with other retirement funds on available return data?
Its recent 1-year return trails the stronger peer numbers, while its 3-year and 5-year figures are still competitive versus several peers. The comparison is mixed because the short-term result is softer than the longer-term record.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹1,000.
What is the risk level, and who manages the fund?
The fund is classified as High Risk and is managed by Jayesh Sundar, Devang Shah, Hardik Shah and Krishnaa N. It also has no exit load.
Bottom line
This fund’s recent performance is weaker than its longer-term record, but the 3-year and 5-year returns still sit above the benchmark, which makes the medium-term picture more useful than the last year alone. Compared with peers, the short-term return is soft, while the longer-term returns remain workable rather than weak. The portfolio is anchored by a large government security and several large-cap names, so the fund may suit investors who accept High Risk and want a retirement-oriented holding with some fixed-income support.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 2:05 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.