HDFC BSE 500 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 18, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
HDFC BSE 500 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹15.324 as of 17 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹326 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -2.96%, 8.47% and 0%, and the scheme is in the High Risk category.
Our view is that this is a diversified index fund for investors who can accept market-linked swings and want a broad equity exposure rather than an active management approach. The recent return profile has been uneven, and the portfolio is led by large financial, energy, telecom and infrastructure names.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹15.324 as of 17 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹326 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.3% |
| Launch Date | 21 Apr 2023 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Arun Agarwal, Nandita Menezes |
The fund is managed by Arun Agarwal and Nandita Menezes.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -3.54% | -3.66% |
| 3M | -1.96% | -3.71% |
| 1Y | -2.96% | -7.13% |
| 3Y | 8.47% | 5.82% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The recent pattern is softer in absolute terms, but it has still held up better than the benchmark over the shorter windows shown here. The 1-month and 3-month figures are negative, which tells us the fund has been under pressure in the near term, but the losses have been narrower than those of the benchmark.
The 1-year figure remains negative for both the fund and the benchmark, yet the fund has fallen less. That matters because it shows the index fund has not mirrored every move in the benchmark with perfect symmetry, but it has still tracked the broad direction of market weakness.
The 3-year return is the clearest sign of recovery. At 8.47%, the fund has moved back into positive territory and is ahead of the benchmark’s 5.82% over the same period. Our view is that this longer stretch is more useful than the short windows because it captures the fund’s ability to compound after weaker phases.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD HDFC BSE 500 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 HDFC BSE 500 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC BSE 500 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -2.96% | 8.47% | 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 |
Among the peer set shown here, the fund’s 1-year return is much weaker than the more specialised index funds, which have benefited from sector-focused moves. Even so, its 3-year return is better than the benchmark and sits ahead of some longer-horizon peer figures that are available, such as the pharma index fund’s 3-year result.
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. The key contrast is between short-term softness and a more constructive 3-year pattern. That makes the fund look steadier than some peers in the benchmark-relative sense, but not as strong as the sector-led products that have posted sharply higher recent gains.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC Bank Ltd.£ | Bank | 5.47% |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Bank | 5.26% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | Crude Oil | 4.40% |
| Bharti Airtel Ltd. | Telecom | 2.82% |
| Larsen and Toubro Ltd. | Infrastructure | 2.38% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 2.23% |
| Infosys Limited | IT | 1.99% |
| Axis Bank Ltd. | Bank | 1.86% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | Bank | 1.56% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 1.50% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 29.47% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the HDFC BSE 500 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, HDFC Bank Ltd.£, stands at 5.47%, so no single position dominates the fund on its own. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is fairly measured, with several banking names still appearing among the top positions, which suggests the portfolio is shaped by a few large financials rather than by one outsized stake.
Because the top 10 add up to 29.47% across 39 disclosed holdings, the fund appears to spread risk across a fairly long tail beyond the headline positions. That broader base may help limit the influence of any single stock, while the top holdings can still have a noticeable effect on short-term moves.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and can stay invested long enough for market cycles to matter. The 1-year figure is weak, but the 3-year return is positive and better than the benchmark, which points to a fund that can recover when markets improve.
Our view is that it fits a longer horizon better than a short trading mindset, especially for investors who want broad market exposure through an index strategy. The trade-off is simple: you accept full equity volatility in exchange for diversified participation in the market rather than a fund that tries to outperform through active stock selection.
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 HDFC BSE 500 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The NAV is ₹15.324 as of 17 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is -2.96%, the 3-year return is 8.47% and the 5-year return is 0%.
How has the fund performed against its benchmark?
It has done better than the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year and 3 years. The 3-year return of 8.47% is above the benchmark’s 5.82%.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its recent return is weaker than the more specialised peer funds listed here, many of which have posted strong 1-year gains. Over 3 years, it is ahead of the benchmark and ahead of some peers where 3-year figures are available.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
Yes. The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
What should investors know about risk, holdings and exit load?
The scheme is tagged High Risk, and the portfolio is led by large banking names such as HDFC Bank Ltd.£ and ICICI Bank Ltd. The fund also has no exit load.
Bottom line
The fund’s short-term performance has been weaker, but the 3-year figure is positive and stronger than the benchmark, so the recent dip does not fully match the longer-term pattern. Against the peer set shown here, it lags the sector-focused funds on recent returns, yet its diversified index structure gives it a different profile. The portfolio is led by large financials and other major Indian companies, and the High Risk label means it will suit investors who can tolerate equity volatility and stay invested for a longer horizon.
Published on 18 September 2026 at 1:02 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.