Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹64.77 as of 15 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹3,307 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 27.67%, 21.4% and 20.49%, respectively, and the fund sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that it has delivered strong long-term compounding, but the shorter-horizon numbers show that the path has not been smooth.
With a small-cap mandate, a high-risk profile and a portfolio that is still meaningfully exposed to a limited set of holdings, this fund is better suited to investors who can accept sharp swings in the journey for the possibility of higher growth over time. The benchmark comparison also matters here: the fund has stayed ahead of the benchmark over every shown period, including the recent one.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹64.77 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹3,307 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% |
| Launch Date | 19 Dec 2018 |
| Min SIP | ₹1,000 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty Small Cap |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | Nil upto 10% of units and 1% for excess units on or before 1Y, Nil after 1Y |
| Fund Managers | Alok Singh, Nav Bhardwaj |
The fund is managed by Alok Singh and Nav Bhardwaj.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -0.98% | -2.29% |
| 3M | 8.53% | 3.01% |
| 1Y | 27.67% | 3.15% |
| 3Y | 21.4% | 13.52% |
| 5Y | 20.49% | 13.83% |
The recent picture is constructive but uneven. Over 1 month, the fund slipped 0.98% while the benchmark fell 2.29%, so it held up better in a weak patch even though it still ended lower. Over 3 months, the fund’s 8.53% return was comfortably ahead of the benchmark’s 3.01%, which suggests a more effective rebound in the latest quarter.
The longer trail is stronger. The 1-year return of 27.67% stands well above the benchmark’s 3.15%, and the 3-year and 5-year returns also stay ahead at 21.4% versus 13.52% and 20.49% versus 13.83%. That pattern tells us the fund has added value not just in a short burst, but across a wider cycle. Even so, the journey has clearly had stretches of drawdown and recovery, which is typical of a small-cap strategy and consistent with the high-risk label.
From an investor’s point of view, the main takeaway is that the fund has not relied on one lucky period. The longer-term return profile remains ahead of the benchmark, while recent swings show that the path can still be choppy. That combination usually suits investors who can remain patient through volatility rather than those seeking a smooth ride.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Bank of India Small Cap?
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 Bank of India Small Cap? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 28.42% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.67% | 21.4% | 20.49% |
| Motilal Oswal Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.97% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Union Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 19.13% | 16.51% | 16.73% |
| DSP Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 18.51% | 16.99% | 18.84% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the available 1-year figures, the fund is close to the strongest peer in this set and ahead of the others shown. Over 3 years and 5 years, it also compares well with the peers that have those figures available, which supports the case that its edge is not limited to the latest period.
The short-term picture and the longer-term picture are slightly different, though. The 1-year comparison is tight at the top, while the 3-year and 5-year numbers place this fund comfortably above the peers with available longer-horizon data. That tells us the recent run has been good, but the multi-year record is what makes the case more durable.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| TREPS | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 7.38% |
| SKY Gold and Diamonds Limited | Diamond & Jewellery | 3.01% |
| Quality Power Electrical Eqp Ltd | Domestic Equities | 2.45% |
| City Union Bank Limited | Bank | 2.37% |
| Sterlite Technologies Limited | Electricals | 2.21% |
| Balrampur Chini Mills Limited | Agri | 2.17% |
| Eid Parry India Limited | Agri | 2.09% |
| Computer Age Management Services Limited | Business Services | 2.02% |
| Wockhardt Limited | Healthcare | 1.99% |
| Arvind Limited | Textile | 1.85% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 27.54% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding is TREPS at 7.38%, which is a meaningful cash-and-equivalents position and may help the fund keep some flexibility. After that, weights step down quickly into the 3% to 2% range, so the ten disclosed positions are individually smaller and do not dominate the table on their own.
Because the top 10 disclosed holdings together make up 27.54% and the fund discloses 71 holdings in total, the rest of the portfolio appears spread across a much longer tail. That structure may reduce reliance on any single name, while still leaving enough room for the higher-conviction positions to matter. For a small-cap fund, that mix can support growth potential, but it can also mean that stock selection remains important.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is better aligned with investors who can tolerate High Risk and stay invested through periodic swings. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns suggest that the strategy has been able to recover and compound over time, but the path has not been smooth, which matters in small-cap investing.
It may suit a longer investment horizon, because the benchmark comparison shows the fund has added more value over multi-year periods than over just a few months. The main trade-off is clear: stronger growth potential has come with sharper fluctuations, so investors need patience and comfort with volatility rather than an expectation of steady month-to-month movement.
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: Nil upto 10% of units and 1% for excess units on or before 1Y, Nil after 1Y.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹64.77 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 27.67% over 1 year, 21.4% over 3 years and 20.49% over 5 years.
How has the fund performed versus the benchmark?
It has outperformed the benchmark across the shown periods. The benchmark returns are 3.15% over 1 year, 13.52% over 3 years and 13.83% over 5 years.
How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Its 1-year return is close to the strongest peer shown, and its 3-year and 5-year figures are ahead of the peers with those longer-horizon returns available.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
Yes, the minimum SIP amount is ₹1,000.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Alok Singh and Nav Bhardwaj. The exit load is nil up to 10% of units and 1% for excess units on or before 1 year, and nil after 1 year.
Bottom line
Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan has combined a strong longer-term record with a choppier shorter-term path. It has stayed ahead of the benchmark over 1-year, 3-year and 5-year periods, and it also compares well with the peer funds shown on the available return figures. The High Risk label is appropriate given the small-cap style, and the portfolio is spread across 71 holdings with the top positions still carrying meaningful but not overpowering weight.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 9:32 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.