HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 18, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹12.8815 as of 17 September 2026 and an AUM of ₹177 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.71%, 7.16% and 0%, and the scheme sits in the Low Risk category. In our view, this is a fund for investors who are comfortable with a relatively steady but modest return profile tied to state development loans and cash-like balances, rather than for those seeking equity-style growth.
The benchmark has been weak over the recent periods shown, while the fund has held up better than the benchmark across 1M, 3M, 1Y and 3Y. That said, the longer runway is still measured, so the appeal is more about defensive income-oriented exposure and capital preservation than strong return momentum.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹12.8815 as of 17 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹177 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.2% |
| Launch Date | 24 Feb 2023 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | Low Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Anupam Joshi, Sankalp Baid |
The fund is managed by Anupam Joshi and Sankalp Baid.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.43% | -3.66% |
| 3M | 1.32% | -3.71% |
| 1Y | 5.71% | -7.13% |
| 3Y | 7.16% | 5.82% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
Recent behaviour has been steadier than the benchmark. Over 1M and 3M, the fund stayed positive while the benchmark remained negative, which points to better short-term resilience. The 1Y figure also stays in positive territory even though the benchmark is still negative, so the fund has navigated the recent period more comfortably than the reference index.
The longer picture is more modest. The 3Y return of 7.16% is ahead of the benchmark’s 5.82%, which tells us the fund has preserved a small edge over a multi-year stretch rather than building a large return gap. That is consistent with a conservative debt-oriented profile where the goal is stability first and upside second.
The time pattern also suggests limited volatility rather than a strong trend break. Returns have been positive, but the pace of compounding has been restrained, and the benchmark comparison does not point to a high-growth story. For investors, that usually means the fund can play a defensive role, but it is unlikely to be the main engine of portfolio growth.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 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 HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.71% | 7.16% | Data not available |
| 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 fund’s 1-year return is well below the stronger peer figures listed here, but its 3-year return stays ahead of the peer entry that has a comparable multi-year number. That mix suggests the fund has been more restrained on the upside than equity-linked index peers over the latest year, while still maintaining a workable longer-horizon outcome for its category.
The comparison also shows that not every peer provides a full 3-year history, so the short-term and longer-term story are not identical. Where multi-year figures are available, the fund looks more measured than high-beta peer categories, which is consistent with its lower-risk structure. In other words, the current fund is not trying to match the sharper return profile of those equity-oriented peers.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 7.37% Maharashtra SDL – Mat 140926^ | Government Securities | 23.41% |
| 7.15% Madhya Pradesh Mat 131026^ | Government Securities | 14.11% |
| 7.37% Tamil Nadu SDL Mat 140926^ | Government Securities | 13.54% |
| TREPS – Tri-Party Repo | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 11.59% |
| 8.72% Tamil Nadu SDL Mat 190926^ | Government Securities | 10.24% |
| 7.14% Karnataka SDL – Mat 131026^ | Government Securities | 9.15% |
| 7.15% Maharashtra SDL – Mat 131026^ | Government Securities | 8.47% |
| Net Current Assets | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 2.88% |
| 7.16% Up SDL Mat 131026^ | Government Securities | 2.82% |
| 7.16% Maharashtra SDL – Mat 280926^ | Government Securities | 2.6% |
The largest holding is 7.37% Maharashtra SDL – Mat 140926^ at 23.41%, so one security has a clearly outsized role in the portfolio. After that, the weights step down fairly quickly into the mid-teens and then single digits, which suggests the portfolio is built around a few dominant sovereign-linked positions rather than a flat distribution.
By the tenth holding, the weight has fallen to 2.6%, so the difference from the top position is steep. That kind of drop-off may reduce reliance on the tail holdings, while making the top names more likely to influence day-to-day portfolio behaviour. The mix of government securities and cash-like positions also fits the fund’s lower-volatility profile.
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 98.81% of the portfolio, and the fund discloses 11 holdings in total. That means the visible allocation is highly concentrated in a small set of positions, even though the tail is not entirely absent. For investors, this concentration may be acceptable in a short-maturity debt-style strategy, but it does mean the larger positions matter more than the longer list of smaller ones.
To see all holdings, visit the HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who want a low-risk allocation with a preference for stability over strong capital appreciation. The return pattern is steady but modest, and the benchmark comparison shows that it has held up better than the benchmark in the recent short term while still staying in a measured multi-year range.
The main trade-off is that the portfolio may preserve capital better than many equity-linked alternatives, but it is unlikely to deliver the kind of growth an investor would expect from higher-risk funds. A longer horizon can help smooth the experience, but even then the return profile remains conservative. In our view, it is more suitable for investors looking for a defensive debt-oriented sleeve than for those seeking high upside.
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 |
No exit load applies if units are sold anytime.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹12.8815 as of 17 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 5.71%, its 3-year return is 7.16%, and its 5-year return is 0%.
How has the fund done against the benchmark?
It has stayed ahead of the benchmark across 1M, 3M, 1Y and 3Y. The benchmark figures are negative in the shorter windows shown, while the fund remains positive in those same periods.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is lower than the stronger equity-oriented peers shown, but its 3-year return is ahead of the peer entry with a comparable multi-year figure. The comparison is not identical across every peer because some longer-period figures are not available.
Is there a minimum SIP requirement?
Yes. The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Anupam Joshi and Sankalp Baid. No exit load applies if units are sold anytime.
Bottom line
This fund has shown a steadier short-term profile than its benchmark and a modest multi-year return pattern, so the recent picture is better than the longer-term growth story. Compared with the peer funds shown here, its returns are much more restrained on the latest 1-year number, while the available 3-year figure still looks workable for a low-risk debt-style strategy.
Its portfolio is heavily concentrated in a few government securities and cash-like positions, which supports the defensive character of the scheme. That makes it more suitable for investors who prioritise stability and lower volatility over aggressive return chasing.
Published on 18 September 2026 at 12:02 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.