Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 10, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹52.5095 as of 09 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹2,796 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -4.9%, 6.76% and 7.25%, respectively, and it sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that this is a plain index fund suitable for investors who want Nifty 50 exposure with low costs, but the recent 1-year weakness means patience matters.
The fund has tracked the benchmark closely over longer periods, with returns that are only modestly different from the index across 3 years and 5 years. The portfolio is concentrated in large, well-known names, so performance will largely reflect the direction of the Nifty 50 and the market leadership of banks, telecom, energy and infrastructure.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹52.5095 as of 09 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹2,796 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.1% |
| Launch Date | 01 Jan 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Abhishek Jain, Mayuresh Nagvekar |
The fund is managed by Abhishek Jain and Mayuresh Nagvekar.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.66% | -4.69% |
| 3M | 1.49% | 0.93% |
| 1Y | -4.9% | -7.16% |
| 3Y | 6.76% | 6% |
| 5Y | 7.25% | 5.87% |
The recent pattern is mixed rather than one-way. The 1-month figure is weak, but the fund still edges the benchmark over that stretch, which tells us it has not materially lagged the index in the latest drawdown. Over 3 months, the fund has done better than the benchmark, suggesting some short-term recovery.
Over 1 year, the picture remains negative for both the fund and the index, but the fund’s decline is smaller. That matters because an index fund can only add value in this setup by tracking efficiently and keeping the gap to the benchmark narrow; here, the gap has been favorable on the 1-year number. The broader 3-year and 5-year figures show a steadier compounding trend, with the fund ahead of the index in both periods.
Our view is that the longer run is more informative for a passive strategy. The 3-year and 5-year outcomes suggest the fund has generally mirrored the market with a modest edge, while the weaker 1-year figure reflects the same market stress that hit the benchmark. That combination is consistent with an index fund that is doing what it is meant to do, rather than one that is trying to behave defensively.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Bandhan Nifty 50 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 Bandhan Nifty 50 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -4.9% | 6.76% | 7.25% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 33.02% | 30.03% | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 32.69% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 31.48% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.59% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 24.6% | Data not available | 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 headline 1-year figures of the thematic peers listed here, but that comparison is not apples to apples because those peers are very different strategies. Against the benchmark-style comparison inside this set, the fund’s own 3-year and 5-year returns are steadier and much closer to a market-tracking outcome. The short-term story is therefore weaker than the longer-term one, but the longer-term numbers still support the case that it has behaved like a conventional Nifty 50 tracker.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 10.23% |
| ICICI Bank Limited | Bank | 9.19% |
| Reliance Industries Limited | Crude Oil | 7.89% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | Telecom | 5.36% |
| Larsen & Toubro Limited | Infrastructure | 4.12% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 3.79% |
| Infosys Limited | IT | 3.54% |
| Axis Bank Limited | Bank | 3.15% |
| Bajaj Finance Limited | Finance | 2.73% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.71% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 52.71% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, HDFC Bank Limited, carries a 10.23% weight, so it is likely to have greater influence on day-to-day movement than any other single name in the visible list. The tenth holding still stands at 2.71%, which shows that weights taper down but remain meaningful across several large-cap stocks.
The drop from the first to the tenth holding is gradual rather than abrupt, which points to a portfolio that is diversified across a core set of large companies instead of being dominated by one or two positions. At the same time, the top 10 accounting for 52.71% across 49 disclosed holdings suggests a fairly concentrated structure in the leading names, with a longer tail of smaller positions filling out the rest.
This mix may help keep the fund anchored to broad market behavior, but it can also mean that a handful of banks and other large constituents may contribute more heavily to returns in any given period.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors with a higher risk tolerance who are comfortable with equity market swings and want exposure to the Nifty 50 through a passive strategy. The 1-year performance has been negative, while the 3-year and 5-year figures are positive, so the better fit is for someone who can stay invested through weaker stretches.
It works better for a longer horizon than for a short holding period, because the benchmark-linked nature of the strategy means results will largely follow the market cycle. The main trade-off is simple: low-cost index exposure and broad large-cap participation, but limited ability to defend against market drawdowns or outperform the benchmark by a wide margin.
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 09 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹52.5095 as of 09 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -4.9%, 6.76% and 7.25%.
How does the fund compare with the Nifty 50 benchmark?
It has been slightly ahead of the Nifty 50 over 3 years and 5 years, with 6.76% versus 6% and 7.25% versus 5.87%. Over 1 year, it has declined less than the benchmark.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is far below the thematic peers shown here, but those funds are not direct substitutes for a Nifty 50 index fund. Within its own benchmark context, the longer-term numbers remain steady.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Abhishek Jain and Mayuresh Nagvekar. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
The fund’s recent 1-year performance is weaker, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers show a steadier picture that is more consistent with a benchmark-tracking Nifty 50 strategy. It compares reasonably well with the benchmark over longer periods, while the short-term stretch reflects the same market softness seen in the index. The portfolio is led by a relatively small set of large-cap names, especially banks, so investors should be comfortable with market-linked swings and a large-cap style that stays close to the index.
Published on 10 September 2026 at 10:08 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.