Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 31, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan is an index fund with a current NAV of ₹18.3974 as of 16 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹534 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -1.03%, 10.23% and 10.65%, and it sits in the High Risk bucket. Our view is that it has done better over 3 years and 5 years than in the latest year, so it may suit investors who want benchmark-linked exposure but can accept shorter-term swings.
The fund’s equal-weight structure makes its return pattern worth reading with a longer horizon. The trailing numbers show a sharper recent pullback than the medium- and long-term trend, so it looks more appropriate for investors who can stay invested through periods when the market path is uneven.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹18.3974 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹534 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.4% |
| Launch Date | 08 Jun 2021 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Mehul Dama, Priya Sridhar |
The fund is managed by Mehul Dama and Priya Sridhar.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.63% | -4.41% |
| 3M | -2.52% | -3.6% |
| 1Y | -1.03% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 10.23% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | 10.65% | 5.67% |
Recent performance has been mixed. Over 1 month, the fund fell a little more than the benchmark, while over 3 months it held up better than the benchmark. That tells us the short-term path has been choppy rather than one-directional, which is typical of an equal-weight strategy when market leadership shifts across stocks.
Over 1 year, the fund’s return stayed close to flat at -1.03%, but it was still far better than the benchmark’s -7.76%. That relative gap matters more than the absolute number because it shows the fund preserved value better than the benchmark during a weak year for the index.
The medium-term picture is stronger. At 10.23% over 3 years and 10.65% over 5 years, the fund has held a steady compounding path, and both figures are well ahead of the benchmark returns of 5.74% and 5.67%. Our read is that the recent softness does not break the longer trend, but it does remind investors that the fund can move around more than a plain market-cap-weighted index in the shorter run.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight 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 Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -1.03% | 10.23% | 10.65% |
| 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 far below the strongest peer 1-year numbers listed here, but its longer-horizon returns are more constructive than several peers with missing medium-term figures. That creates a split picture: the latest year looks weak, while the 3-year and 5-year record still points to steadier compounding.
Compared with peers that have available 3-year data, the fund’s 10.23% is below ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan and ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan, but it remains comfortably above the benchmark-style return pattern in the main performance section. The peer set therefore suggests that the fund is not the standout on short-term momentum, yet it continues to look respectable on medium- to long-term growth.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal Ltd. | Retailing | 2.53% |
| Bajaj Auto Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.46% |
| HCL Technologies Ltd. | IT | 2.33% |
| Titan Company Ltd. | Diamond & Jewellery | 2.33% |
| Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. | IT | 2.25% |
| Bajaj Finserv Ltd. | Finance | 2.24% |
| Tech Mahindra Ltd. | IT | 2.2% |
| Shriram Finance Ltd. | Finance | 2.15% |
| Nestle India Ltd. | FMCG | 2.14% |
| Grasim Industries Ltd. | Diversified | 2.13% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 22.76% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, Eternal Ltd., carries a 2.53% weight, so no single stock dominates the visible list. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is modest rather than steep, with the tenth holding at 2.13%, which points to a fairly even spread across the top names.
At 22.76% across the top 10 holdings, the visible portfolio is not tightly concentrated in just a few positions. At the same time, the fund discloses 50 holdings overall, so the remaining positions likely create a longer tail that can also matter. Our view is that this structure may reduce dependence on any one stock, while still leaving the fund sensitive to broad swings across large Indian equities.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors with a higher risk tolerance who want index-style equity exposure and can stay invested for at least 3 to 5 years. The High Risk label matters here because the recent 1-year return was weak even though the 3-year and 5-year records remained positive.
The main trade-off is simple: you get diversified participation across 50 stocks with an equal-weight approach, but you also accept that short-term results can move around more than the longer-term trend suggests. Compared with the benchmark, the fund has shown better medium-term resilience, yet the latest year shows that that edge is not guaranteed in every market phase.
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 Aditya Birla SL Nifty 50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹18.3974 as of 16 Sep 2026.
What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The returns are -1.03% over 1 year, 10.23% over 3 years and 10.65% over 5 years.
How has the fund performed against its benchmark?
It has been ahead of the benchmark over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The benchmark returns are -7.76%, 5.74% and 5.67% for the same periods.
How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Its 1-year return is below several peers in the table, but its 3-year return of 10.23% is still meaningful on a medium-term basis. The comparison looks stronger over longer horizons than over the latest year.
Does the fund have a minimum SIP amount?
No minimum SIP amount is stated here, so it is not listed in the facts section.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Mehul Dama and Priya Sridhar. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
This fund’s latest-year performance is weaker than its 3-year and 5-year track record, so the recent dip does not line up neatly with the medium-term trend. Against the benchmark, it has done better over the longer windows, while the peer table shows a mixed picture on shorter-term momentum. The High Risk label, equal-weight structure and broad 50-stock spread make it better suited to investors who can tolerate swings and focus on multi-year outcomes rather than near-term consistency.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 10:20 AM 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.