Franklin India Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 4, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Franklin India Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹3,131.2327 as of 17 September 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹13,052 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -0.68%, 14.63% and 12.95%, and the scheme is in the High Risk bucket.
Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can stay patient through sharper swings. The long-term numbers are respectable, but the recent 1-year result has been weak and sits below the benchmark, so the near-term picture is less supportive than the 3-year and 5-year trend.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹3,131.2327 as of 17 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹13,052 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.94% |
| Launch Date | 01 Jan 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty Mid Cap |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | No exit load after holding period |
| Fund Managers | R. Janakiraman, Akhil Kalluri, Sandeep Manam |
The fund is managed by R. Janakiraman, Akhil Kalluri and Sandeep Manam.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.24% | -3.41% |
| 3M | 0.54% | -1.42% |
| 1Y | -0.68% | 4.86% |
| 3Y | 14.63% | 14.23% |
| 5Y | 12.95% | 14.71% |
The short-term picture has been uneven. Over 1 month, the fund fell more than the benchmark, but over 3 months it moved back into positive territory while the benchmark was still negative. That tells us the recent path has been choppy rather than smooth.
The 1-year return is the main weak spot because the fund ended slightly negative while the benchmark stayed in positive territory. That means the fund has lagged the market over the latest year even though it protected some ground in the shorter 3-month window.
The medium-term record is sturdier. Over 3 years, the fund is slightly ahead of the benchmark, which suggests the strategy has kept pace with the category’s mid-cap recovery over that stretch. Over 5 years, however, it trails the benchmark, so the longer compounding path has not fully matched the index.
Read together, the pattern points to a fund that can recover after soft spells but may not always keep up with a stronger benchmark run. The recent weakness matters because it breaks from the steadier 3-year showing, and it keeps the 5-year picture below the index on a cumulative basis.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Franklin India Mid 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 Franklin India Mid Cap? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin India Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | -0.68% | 14.63% | 12.95% |
| HSBC Midcap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 15.97% | 22.92% | 18.06% |
| WOC Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 11.1% | 21% | Data not available |
| Helios Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 10.06% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ITI Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.51% | 19.17% | 15.91% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.4% | 16.15% | 14.79% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
The recent 1-year number is clearly softer than the leading peer returns shown here, while the 3-year figure is more competitive and the 5-year result sits in the middle of the available peer set. That mix suggests the fund has not kept pace in the latest year, but its mid-cycle record is closer to the stronger names than the weakest ones. The short-term and longer-term comparison therefore tell different stories: the latest year looks weak, while the 3-year history is more balanced.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Call, Cash & Other Assets | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 3.97% |
| Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd | Diamond & Jewellery | 2.9% |
| Biocon Ltd | Healthcare | 2.56% |
| Federal Bank Ltd | Bank | 2.5% |
| IDFC First Bank Ltd | Bank | 2.43% |
| PB Fintech Ltd | IT | 2.4% |
| Coforge Ltd | IT | 2.17% |
| Apl Apollo Tubes Ltd | Iron & Steel | 2.04% |
| Prestige Estates Projects Ltd | Realty | 2.04% |
| Ashok Leyland Ltd | Automobile & Ancillaries | 1.96% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 24.97% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Franklin India Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest disclosed position is only 3.97%, so no single stock dominates the portfolio. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is modest rather than abrupt, moving from 3.97% to 1.96%, which points to a fairly even spread among the largest names. That kind of profile may reduce reliance on any one stock, but it can also mean the portfolio’s returns depend on several holdings working together.
Even with 76 disclosed holdings, the top 10 together account for about 24.97% of the portfolio, so the remaining exposure is spread across a long tail. Our view is that this creates a blend of concentration in the bigger positions and diversification across many smaller ones. The presence of cash and cash equivalents among the largest holdings may also leave some room for flexibility.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who can tolerate High Risk and stay invested long enough to ride through uneven mid-cap cycles. The 3-year return is constructive, but the 1-year result is weak and the 5-year figure trails the benchmark, so the experience may be uncomfortable if the holding period is short.
It is better suited to a medium-to-long horizon than to a brief allocation. Investors who want mid-cap exposure with a broad, multi-stock portfolio may find it relevant, but they need to accept the trade-off of higher price swings and the possibility that recent periods can look worse than the longer trend.
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 17 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Franklin India Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹3,131.2327 as of 17 September 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 -0.68%, 14.63% and 12.95%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has lagged the benchmark over 1 year and 5 years, but it is slightly ahead over 3 years. That makes the recent picture weaker than the middle-term one.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is lower than the peer examples shown here, while the 3-year and 5-year figures are more mixed. The longer numbers are not the strongest in the group, but they are also not the weakest among the available peer figures.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
What is the risk level and who manages the fund?
The fund is classified as High Risk. It is managed by R. Janakiraman, Akhil Kalluri and Sandeep Manam.
Bottom line
Franklin India Mid Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan has a mixed profile: the 1-year outcome is weak, the 3-year return is steadier, and the 5-year result still trails the benchmark. Against peer examples, the latest year looks softer, while the mid-term record is more competitive. The portfolio is spread across many holdings, with the largest positions staying relatively small. That combination may appeal to investors who want mid-cap exposure and can handle higher volatility over a longer horizon.
Published on 18 September 2026 at 3:02 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.