UTI BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
UTI BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹15.5989 as of 16 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹452 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -8.66%, 6.23% and 0% respectively, and the fund is tagged High Risk. Our view is that this is a low-volatility strategy in structure, but the recent return pattern has been uneven, so the fund fits investors who can accept equity risk in exchange for a steadier portfolio design rather than strong short-term momentum.
The scheme tracks the NIFTY 50 and has an expense ratio of 0.43%. The combination of a concentrated large-cap style portfolio and a subdued 1-year outcome means it looks more suitable for investors with a long horizon who care about process and diversification within equities, not for those looking for fast gains.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹15.5989 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹452 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% |
| Launch Date | 03 Mar 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Sharwan Kumar Goyal, Ayush Jain, Lokesh Kulthia |
The fund is managed by Sharwan Kumar Goyal, Ayush Jain and Lokesh Kulthia.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -5.37% | -4.41% |
| 3M | -4.2% | -3.6% |
| 1Y | -8.66% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 6.23% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | 0% | Data not available |
Recent performance has been weak across the 1-month, 3-month and 1-year windows, and the fund has trailed the benchmark in each of those periods. That tells us the low-volatility approach has still faced pressure in the latest market phase, rather than behaving like a defensive shelter.
The longer 3-year record is better, with a positive return and a small edge over the benchmark. That is an important contrast: the fund has been able to compound modestly over a multi-year stretch even though the latest year has not been supportive. For an index strategy, that gap between short-term weakness and mid-term resilience matters more than a single annual number.
The 5-year figure is shown as 0% because the scheme began in March 2022, so there is no full five-year history yet. In our view, investors should read the available history as a three-year story with a difficult recent patch, not as a mature five-year track record.
The monthly and quarterly paths also point to a choppy pattern rather than a smooth climb. That is consistent with an equity index fund that aims to reduce volatility, but it also shows that reduced volatility does not mean a straight-line return experience.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD UTI BSE Low Volatility 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 UTI BSE Low Volatility Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTI BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -8.66% | 6.23% | 0% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 29.31% | 30.01% | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.45% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.13% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.68% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 17.57% | 18.84% | 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 below every peer in the table, while its 3-year return is modestly ahead of the benchmark but still far below the stronger peer numbers shown for other strategies. That means the short-term picture is clearly softer than the peer set, and the mid-term picture is more restrained than the faster-growing peers.
Where this fund stands out is not in return level but in the style it is trying to deliver. The gap between the short-term weakness and the less-dramatic 3-year result suggests a steadier, lower-variance design, but the peer comparison also shows that this has not translated into competitive trailing performance over the recent year.
For investors, the key distinction is that the longer-term comparison is more meaningful than the latest year alone. The peer set makes the recent underperformance obvious, yet the 3-year number still shows that the strategy has stayed positive over a fuller cycle.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Eq – Pidilite Industries Ltd. | Chemicals | 4.7% |
| Eq – ICICI Bank Ltd | Bank | 4.29% |
| Eq – Nestle India Ltd. | FMCG | 3.99% |
| Eq – Titan Company Ltd. | Diamond & Jewellery | 3.91% |
| Eq – Grasim Industries Ltd. | Diversified | 3.82% |
| Eq – Apollo Hospitals Enterprise LT | Healthcare | 3.76% |
| Eq – Marico Ltd | FMCG | 3.74% |
| Eq – HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 3.65% |
| Eq – Ultratech Cement Ltd. | Construction Materials | 3.53% |
| Eq – Asian Paints (India) Ltd. | Chemicals | 3.52% |
The largest holding, Pidilite Industries Ltd., is 4.7%, which is meaningful but not dominant. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is also fairly controlled, moving from 4.7% to 3.52%, so the visible book does not look heavily tilted toward a single name.
The top 10 holdings together account for approximately 38.91% of the portfolio, and the disclosed holding count is 30. That combination suggests a portfolio that is spread across multiple positions rather than being defined by a small handful of stocks alone, while still leaving enough weight in the leading names for them to matter.
Because the fund’s biggest positions are mainly in large, established companies across banking, consumer goods, healthcare, chemicals and infrastructure-related names, the portfolio may contribute to a comparatively steadier equity mix. Even so, the fund remains an equity index strategy, so the market risk of those holdings still matters.
To see all holdings, visit the UTI BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who can handle High Risk equity exposure but want a portfolio shaped around lower-volatility constituents rather than aggressive growth themes. The 1-year weakness means it is not built for short holding periods, while the 3-year positive return and benchmark-tracking structure make a longer horizon more relevant.
Our view is that it fits patient investors who accept that returns may lag sharper-moving equity funds in strong rallies. The trade-off is straightforward: you get an index-based large-cap style portfolio with diversification across established names, but you also give up the chance of standout upside that higher-octane strategies may capture.
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 16 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of UTI BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹15.5989 as of 16 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is -8.66%, the 3-year return is 6.23% and the 5-year return is 0%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has trailed the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months and 1 year, but it is slightly ahead of the benchmark over 3 years. The 5-year figure is not a full track record because the scheme launched in March 2022.
How do the peer returns compare with this fund?
The peer set shows much stronger 1-year numbers in every listed case, while this fund’s 3-year return is modest rather than aggressive. That makes the recent performance gap clear, even though the longer record is still positive.
Is there a minimum SIP for this fund?
No minimum SIP is shown here.
The scheme does allow SIP investing.
What are the fund’s risk, portfolio and exit-load characteristics?
The fund is tagged High Risk and its portfolio is built around 30 disclosed holdings, with the top 10 accounting for 38.91% of the portfolio. It has no exit load, and the fund managers are Sharwan Kumar Goyal, Ayush Jain and Lokesh Kulthia.
Bottom line
UTI BSE Low Volatility Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a much weaker recent return profile than its 3-year record, so the latest year should not be read in isolation. It also trails the listed peers on 1-year performance, while its 3-year result is steadier but not outstanding. The portfolio is spread across 30 disclosed holdings, with no single name dominating. For investors who want a large-cap, low-volatility style equity allocation and can stay invested for the long term, that mix may still be worth understanding.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 2:23 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.