Axis Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Debt Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 18, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Debt Index Fund Direct Growth Plan is an income-oriented debt index fund with a low-risk profile. Its NAV is ₹13.046 as of 17 Sep 2026, and its scheme AUM is ₹65 Cr. The fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.74%, 7.21% and 0% respectively, while the official risk category is Low Risk. Our view is that it fits conservative investors who want a short-duration style of debt exposure with visible benchmark-relative stability, though the longer history is still short.
The portfolio is built mainly around state development loans and treasury bills, which supports the low-volatility profile. That mix can make the fund more suitable for investors looking for steadier debt allocation than equity-linked strategies, but the long-term return record is limited because the scheme has been live since November 2022.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹13.046 as of 17 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹65 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% |
| Launch Date | 22 Nov 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹1,000 |
| Risk Category | Low Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Aditya Pagaria, Sachin Jain |
The fund is managed by Aditya Pagaria and Sachin Jain.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.43% | -3.66% |
| 3M | 1.33% | -3.71% |
| 1Y | 5.74% | -7.13% |
| 3Y | 7.21% | 5.82% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The short-term picture has been more stable for the fund than for the benchmark. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund stayed in positive territory while the benchmark was negative, which suggests a steadier debt-style pattern rather than the swings seen in the benchmark series.
The 1-year figure also shows that the fund handled the period better than the benchmark, which remained negative over the same horizon. That is useful for conservative investors because it points to resilience when the wider benchmark moved weakly.
At the 3-year mark, the fund is ahead of the benchmark on return, and the longer series indicates a gradual compounding pattern with some modest ups and downs rather than sharp drawdowns. The 5-year figure is not available, so we do not have a full long-cycle track record to judge how it behaves across a longer market span.
Overall, the recent pattern and the 3-year outcome both point to a scheme that has been more consistent than the benchmark across the periods available here. The trade-off is that the return profile is modest, which is typical for a low-risk debt index strategy focused on capital stability rather than aggressive growth.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Debt 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 Axis Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Debt Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Debt Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.74% | 7.21% | 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 trails the strongest 1-year peer figures in this list, but that comparison is not surprising because those peers sit in very different market segments. Within the available peer set, the fund’s 1-year return is well below the equity-oriented or sector-oriented products shown here, while its 3-year return is also lower than the higher-growth peers that have a longer track record available.
That said, the comparison tells a mixed story. The fund is not trying to compete on upside with those peers; its own profile is built around lower volatility and steadier debt exposure. So the more relevant question is whether the fund has protected capital reasonably well while delivering moderate return, and on that basis the recent and 3-year numbers look coherent.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 7.38% Rajasthan State Development Loans (14/09/2026) | Government Securities | 42.69% |
| 182 Days Tbill (MD 03/09/2026) | Treasury Bills | 15.23% |
| 7.17% Rajasthan State Development Loans (28/09/2026) | Government Securities | 7.63% |
| 7.19% Uttar Pradesh State Development Loans (28/09/2026) | Government Securities | 7.63% |
| 7.37% Maharashtra State Development Loans (14/09/2026) | Government Securities | 7.62% |
| 7.37% Tamilnadu State Development Loans (14/09/2026) | Government Securities | 7.62% |
| 8.72% Tamilnadu State Development Loans (19/09/2026) | Government Securities | 6.18% |
| Net Receivables / (Payables) | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 2.82% |
| 7.16% Maharashtra State Development Loans (28/09/2026) | Government Securities | 2.52% |
The largest holding is 7.38% Rajasthan State Development Loans (14/09/2026) at 42.69%, which is a very large single position for a debt fund. That means the fund may be meaningfully influenced by the pricing and maturity profile of this one security.
The weight then falls sharply to 15.23% in 182 Days Tbill (MD 03/09/2026), and the remaining positions sit in a tight band mostly between 2.52% and 7.63%. The drop from the first holding to the smallest disclosed holding is steep, which indicates that the portfolio is not evenly spread across the disclosed set.
With 9 disclosed holdings accounting for 99.94% of the portfolio, the structure is concentrated in a small number of state development loans and treasury bills. That concentration may support a clear low-risk profile, but it could also make the fund more sensitive to movements in a few large government-backed debt positions than a more diversified bond mix would be.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors with a conservative risk appetite who want debt exposure with a low-risk label and a portfolio dominated by government securities and treasury bills. The recent and 1-year returns have held up better than the benchmark, and the 3-year record is also ahead of the benchmark, which supports the case for stability rather than aggressive upside.
The main trade-off is that return potential appears modest, and the fund does not have a 5-year record yet. It is better suited to an investment horizon long enough to smooth out short-term moves, while still accepting that the payoff is likely to be steadier than fast-growing peer categories.
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 17 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Debt Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹13.046 as of 17 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 5.74%, its 3-year return is 7.21%, and its 5-year return is Data not available.
How has the fund behaved versus the benchmark?
It has done better than the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year and 3 years. The benchmark has been negative over the shorter horizons shown here, while the fund has stayed positive.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹1,000.
Who manages the fund?
The fund is managed by Aditya Pagaria and Sachin Jain.
What is the exit load and tax treatment?
There is no exit load. Units held for less than 1 year attract 20% short-term capital gains tax, while units held for more than 1 year attract 12.5% long-term capital gains tax.
Bottom line
This fund’s shorter-term numbers are steadier than the benchmark, and the 3-year return is also ahead of the benchmark, which matches its low-risk positioning. The peer comparison is less flattering on raw returns, but those peers are largely from different market segments, so the more useful read is that this scheme is built for stability rather than high upside. Its large government-security exposure and concentrated holding structure reinforce that profile. It is most relevant for conservative investors who want debt allocation with a simple, low-volatility portfolio.
Published on 18 September 2026 at 8:26 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.