ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹21.7574 as of 16 September 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹253 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -0.25%, 18.38% and 0%, and the fund carries a High Risk label. In our view, it suits investors who want focused exposure to the auto theme and can accept pronounced swings in returns.
The fund has posted a strong 3-year showing, but the recent 1-year number is softer and the 5-year figure is not meaningful because the scheme is still relatively new. The portfolio is concentrated in automobile and ancillaries names, so the outcome will largely depend on the sector cycle and stock-level movement within that theme.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹21.7574 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹253 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.4% |
| Launch Date | 11 Oct 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹1,000 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Nishit Patel, Ashwini Shinde, Venus Ahuja |
The fund is managed by Nishit Patel, Ashwini Shinde and Venus Ahuja.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -7.84% | -4.41% |
| 3M | 1.2% | -3.6% |
| 1Y | -0.25% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 18.38% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The recent picture is uneven. Over one month, the fund fell more than the benchmark, so near-term volatility has remained visible. The 3-month return is more constructive because the fund turned positive while the benchmark stayed negative, which suggests a partial recovery in the latest quarter.
The 1-year number is still weak in absolute terms, but it is far less negative than the benchmark. That tells us the fund has cushioned the broader market decline better over the last year, even though the return itself is not strong.
The clearer strength appears over 3 years, where the fund has compounded well above the benchmark. That longer horizon matters here because an index fund tied to a sector theme can move in sharp cycles. The time pattern in the fund’s trajectory also shows stretches of recovery after drawdowns rather than a smooth climb, which is consistent with a high-risk thematic allocation.
Because the scheme launched in 2022, the 5-year figure is not available in a meaningful way for comparison. For investors, the key takeaway is that the fund has shown better medium-term compounding than the benchmark, but the latest month and year remind us that the path can remain choppy.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD ICICI Pru Nifty Auto 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 ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -0.25% | 18.38% | 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.
On recent numbers, this fund trails the stronger 1-year peer returns by a wide margin. The 3-year record is more competitive, and it is in the same general area as the pharma peer on that horizon, but it still sits below the best longer-run result in this group.
What the comparison also shows is that the fund’s short-term story differs from its medium-term one. The last year has been soft, while the 3-year period has been much more resilient. That split tells us the fund may appeal more to investors who are willing to look through near-term swings in exchange for a thematic recovery profile over time.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 22.8% |
| Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 13.75% |
| Bajaj Auto Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 10.45% |
| Eicher Motors Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 8.53% |
| TVS Motor Company Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 7.93% |
| Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 5.87% |
| Hero Motocorp Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 5.5% |
| Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 5.02% |
| Bharat Forge Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 4.36% |
| Ashok Leyland Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 3.91% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 88.12% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., stands at 22.8%, so it is likely to have greater influence on the fund than any other single position. The gap from the first holding to the tenth is still substantial, which tells us the portfolio is not evenly spread across names.
The first ten holdings together make up 88.12% of the disclosed portfolio, and the fund discloses 15 holdings in total. That means the visible structure is fairly concentrated at the top, with a longer tail outside the largest positions. In our view, this concentration may help the fund capture a strong move in the auto cycle, but it could also amplify moves when the theme cools.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is better suited to investors who can tolerate high short-term swings and are comfortable with a focused sector exposure. The 3-year track record suggests the fund can compound well over time, but the 1-year and 1-month numbers show that the path can be uneven.
A longer horizon is important here because the portfolio is concentrated in automobile and ancillaries names, which can move differently from the broader market. Investors who prefer steadier outcomes or broad market diversification may find the trade-off too narrow, while those who want sector-led upside potential may accept the volatility if they stay patient.
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 |
No exit load.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The NAV is ₹21.7574 as of 16 September 2026.
How has the fund performed over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years?
Its returns are -0.25% over 1 year, 18.38% over 3 years and 0% over 5 years. The 5-year figure is not meaningful for a scheme launched in 2022.
How does the fund compare with Nifty 50?
The fund has done better than Nifty 50 over 3 years and has also been less negative over 1 year. Over 1 month, though, it has fallen more than the benchmark.
How does it compare with peer funds on recent returns?
Its 1-year return is weaker than the peer funds listed here, while its 3-year return is more competitive and broadly in line with some longer-horizon peers where data is available.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹1,000.
What is the risk profile, and who manages the fund?
It is marked High Risk. The fund is managed by Nishit Patel, Ashwini Shinde and Venus Ahuja, and it has no exit load.
Bottom line
ICICI Pru Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a mixed short-term picture but a stronger 3-year record, so the recent softness does not fully match its medium-term compounding. Against the peers listed here, its 1-year return is clearly weaker, while its 3-year result is more respectable. The fund carries a High Risk label and is heavily tilted toward automobile and ancillaries stocks, so it is best viewed as a focused thematic allocation rather than a broad core holding.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 4:54 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.