PGIM India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
PGIM India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹16.13 as of 15 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹738 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -3.59%, 6.19% and 7.09% respectively, and it sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can tolerate swings and want a hybrid allocation that has been able to participate in medium-term recovery, even though the latest year has been weak.
The benchmark remains relevant here because the fund has outpaced it over 3 years and 5 years, but the most recent 1-year period has been softer. That mix suggests the fund can work better for patient investors who can absorb short-term volatility rather than those looking for steady near-term gains.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹16.13 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹738 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% |
| Launch Date | 04 Feb 2021 |
| Min SIP | ₹1,000 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Hybrid |
| Exit Load | 0.50% on or before 90D, Nil after 90D |
| Fund Managers | Utsav Mehta, Anandha Padmanabhan Anjeneyan, Vinay Paharia, Puneet Pal |
The fund is managed by Utsav Mehta, Anandha Padmanabhan Anjeneyan, Vinay Paharia, and Puneet Pal.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.05% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -1.47% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | -3.59% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 6.19% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 7.09% | 5.58% |
In the short term, the fund has still been negative, which tells us the recent path has been uneven rather than smooth. Even so, the 1-month and 3-month numbers are better than the benchmark, so the fund has held up somewhat better than the market reference during a weak patch.
The 1-year figure is also less negative than the benchmark, which matters because it shows the fund lost less ground over a full year. That said, a negative 1-year return still means recent investors have not had an easy run, and the fund has not yet shown a clean rebound in the latest stretch.
The longer picture is more constructive. Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has beaten the benchmark, which suggests the structure has been able to add value over a complete cycle even after periods of drawdown. Our reading is that the recent softness does not erase the better medium-term record, but it does remind investors that the journey can be volatile.
The time pattern also points to intermittent recoveries rather than a straight upward climb. That kind of behaviour is consistent with a hybrid strategy that may cushion some market moves but can still deliver uneven periods, especially when the market backdrop changes quickly.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD PGIM India Balanced Advantage?
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 PGIM India Balanced Advantage? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGIM India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan | -3.59% | 6.19% | 7.09% |
| Unifi Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.55% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.17% | 10.96% | 9.97% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.39% | 10.99% | 10.59% |
| 360 ONE Balanced Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.03% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Edelweiss Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.79% | 9.86% | 9.09% |
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 below the available peer set, while its 3-year and 5-year figures are more restrained than the stronger long-term peer numbers shown here. That creates a mixed picture: the fund has not matched the best recent peer momentum, but it has still delivered a firmer long-term outcome than its own latest year suggests. For us, the gap between short-term weakness and longer-term steadiness is the key comparison point.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Bank | 5.99% |
| HDFC Bank Ltd. | Bank | 4.99% |
| Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 4.16% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | Crude Oil | 4.03% |
| Bharti Airtel Ltd. | Telecom | 3.05% |
| 7.18% Government of India | Government Securities | 2.49% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 2.45% |
| 6.79% Government of India | Government Securities | 2.15% |
| Infosys Ltd. | IT | 1.98% |
| Muthoot Finance Ltd. ** | Commercial Paper | 1.95% |
The largest disclosed holding is ICICI Bank Ltd. at 5.99%, which is meaningful but not dominant on its own. The tenth holding is only 1.95%, so the weights taper down fairly steadily from the top position to the bottom of the disclosed list.
The top 10 holdings together account for approximately 33.24% of the portfolio, which suggests the fund spreads risk across a wider set of positions beyond the headline names. Because 76 holdings are disclosed and more are held beyond the table, the portfolio may be built to balance a few core ideas with a longer tail of smaller positions. That structure could reduce reliance on any single stock, although the larger bank positions still look likely to influence outcomes more than the smaller holdings.
To see all holdings, visit the PGIM India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who can handle High Risk exposure and do not mind a patchy short-term ride. The 1-year return has been weak, but the 3-year and 5-year record is more stable and better than the benchmark, so the fund may appeal more to patient investors than to those focused on immediate consistency.
The main trade-off is that the portfolio can still fall in difficult periods even though it aims to balance assets within a hybrid structure. Investors who want a longer horizon, are comfortable with equity-linked volatility and value the possibility of steadier medium-term compounding may find the profile more relevant than someone looking for low-volatility capital protection.
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: 0.50% if units are sold on or before 90 days; nil after 90 days.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of PGIM India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹16.13 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are -3.59% for 1 year, 6.19% for 3 years and 7.09% for 5 years.
How has it performed against the benchmark?
It has been ahead of the benchmark over 3 years and 5 years, while the 1-year figure is also less negative than the benchmark’s. The short-term path has still been weak, so the improvement is more visible in the longer view.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is below the available peer numbers shown here, but its 3-year and 5-year record is more moderate rather than outright weak. That makes the comparison mixed: recent momentum trails several peers, while the longer view remains workable.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹1,000.
Who manages the fund and what kind of risk does it carry?
The fund is managed by Utsav Mehta, Anandha Padmanabhan Anjeneyan, Vinay Paharia and Puneet Pal. It carries a High Risk label and has an exit load of 0.50% on or before 90 days, with no exit load after 90 days.
Bottom line
PGIM India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan has a weaker recent year but a more credible 3-year and 5-year record, and that contrast is central to our view. It has outpaced the benchmark over longer periods, yet the latest stretch shows that it can still be uneven. The portfolio is spread across 76 disclosed holdings, so no single position dominates the story. For investors who can accept High Risk exposure and prefer a patient, longer-horizon holding, the fund looks more relevant than it does for short-term stability seekers.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 5:59 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.