Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 31, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹69.08 as of 08 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹14,542 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 1.98%, 11.25% and 8.46%, respectively, and the fund sits in the High Risk category.
Our view is that the fund has delivered a mixed pattern: the medium-term track record is better than the most recent 1-year stretch, but the 5-year outcome still trails the benchmark. The portfolio is bank-heavy at the top, which may help explain why the fund can move differently from the broader market.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹69.08 as of 08 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹14,542 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.97% |
| Launch Date | 01 Jan 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | No exit load after holding period |
| Fund Managers | Dhaval Shah |
The fund is managed by Dhaval Shah.
Source data date: as of 08 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -2.7% | -3.86% |
| 3M | 3.75% | 1.69% |
| 1Y | 1.98% | -5.72% |
| 3Y | 11.25% | 6.3% |
| 5Y | 8.46% | 6.05% |
The recent picture is better than the benchmark on every horizon shown here, but it is still uneven. Over the last month the fund was negative, although the decline was milder than the index. Over three months the fund recovered faster than the benchmark, which suggests it has been able to participate in short-term rebounds when market conditions improved.
The more important contrast is between the 1-year result and the longer windows. The fund has moved back into positive territory over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, while the benchmark is still negative over 1 year and positive only over the longer periods. That means the fund has shown a better defensive-recovery balance than the index over the latest 12 months.
Even so, the 5-year return of 8.46% is not a standout outcome for an equity ELSS fund, especially when set against the 3-year figure of 11.25%. Our read is that the fund has had periods of stronger compounding, but the latest long-term number indicates that the path has not been smooth. The recent short-term bounce does not fully change that longer-term picture.
For investors, the key point is that this is not a one-directional trend story. The fund has shown enough recovery to stay ahead of the benchmark across all displayed periods, but the spread is more convincing in the medium term than over five years. That makes consistency an important part of the discussion here.
Source data date: as of 08 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver?
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 Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan | 1.98% | 11.25% | 8.46% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan | 16.61% | 22.64% | 17.76% |
| Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan | 15.44% | 14.57% | 15.7% |
| Sundaram LT Micro Cap Tax Adv Fund-Sr IV- Direct Growth Plan | 10.54% | 11.89% | 16.25% |
| JM ELSS-Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan | 10.28% | 16.29% | 14.85% |
| ITI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.23% | 17.25% | 13.5% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On a 1-year basis, the fund trails every peer listed here, which tells us the latest stretch has been relatively soft. The gap is smaller over 3 years and 5 years, but the fund still sits below the stronger peer return figures in both windows. That suggests the fund’s recent recovery has not yet translated into a peer-leading long-term profile.
The short-term and longer-term peer views are different in degree, not in direction. The fund improves from a weak 1-year result to a steadier 3-year and 5-year record, yet the peer set still shows much stronger compounding in several cases. Our interpretation is that this fund has become more respectable over longer horizons, but the comparison set has delivered a higher growth path overall.
Source data date: as of 08 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Bank | 7.75% |
| HDFC Bank Ltd. | Bank | 5.88% |
| Axis Bank Ltd. | Bank | 3.81% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | Crude Oil | 3.74% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 3.54% |
| Eternal Ltd. | Retailing | 3.17% |
| The Federal Bank Ltd. | Bank | 3.01% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.85% |
| Bharti Airtel Ltd. | Telecom | 2.69% |
| TREPS | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 2.67% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 39.11% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, ICICI Bank Ltd., stands at 7.75%, which is meaningful but not extreme for a diversified equity fund. The weight then steps down to 5.88% in HDFC Bank Ltd. and gradually eases through the rest of the list, so the top of the portfolio is led by a few large positions rather than a single dominating bet.
The gap from the first holding to the tenth is moderate, with the last holding in the displayed list at 2.67%. That pattern suggests the fund may still feel concentrated in its leading ideas, but not narrowly so. The fact that the top 10 names together make up 39.11% means a large part of the portfolio sits outside the displayed list, which points to a broader tail beyond the core holdings.
In our view, the tilt toward banks is the main visible characteristic here, since five of the ten largest holdings are in the banking sector. That concentration may make the portfolio more sensitive to banking cycle moves, while the presence of sectors such as crude oil, retailing, telecom and automobiles adds some diversification around the core bank exposure.
Source data date: as of 08 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who can tolerate High Risk and are comfortable with equity-style ups and downs. The recent 1-year result has been weak, but the 3-year and 5-year figures are better, so the fund looks more suitable for someone with a longer horizon who can wait through uneven stretches.
The main trade-off is between recovery potential and short-term inconsistency. The fund has outpaced the Nifty 50 benchmark across the displayed periods, yet its 5-year outcome is not especially strong for an ELSS fund and the peer comparison shows several stronger compounding profiles. Investors who value a bank-heavy equity mix and can stay invested through volatility may find it easier to fit this style than someone looking for smooth, steady returns.
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 after holding period.
Source data date: as of 08 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹69.08 as of 08 Sep 2026.
How have the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns looked?
The fund’s returns are 1.98% over 1 year, 11.25% over 3 years and 8.46% over 5 years.
How does the fund compare with the Nifty 50 benchmark?
The fund has been ahead of the benchmark across the displayed periods. The gap is most visible over 1 year, where the fund is positive and the benchmark is negative.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its 1-year return is lower than the peer funds listed here, and its 3-year and 5-year returns are also below the stronger peer figures. The peer set has delivered a higher growth path overall.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is the risk profile?
The fund is managed by Dhaval Shah and it carries a High Risk profile. The portfolio’s largest positions are led by banks, with ICICI Bank Ltd. at 7.75% and HDFC Bank Ltd. at 5.88%.
Bottom line
The fund’s latest 1-year performance is softer than its 3-year and 5-year track, so the short-term story is weaker than the longer view. It has still stayed ahead of the Nifty 50 benchmark across the displayed periods, but several peer funds have compounded faster. With a High Risk profile and a bank-led top portfolio, the fund may suit investors who want an equity ELSS allocation with clear sector tilts and who can accept uneven year-to-year movement.
Published on 9 September 2026 at 4:34 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.