LIC MF Liquid Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

LIC MF Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹5151.019 as of 03 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹16,809 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.52%, 6.96% and 6.32%, and the fund is tagged under Balanced Risk. In our view, this is a steady liquid fund rather than a return-chasing one, with short-tenure stability backed by a portfolio built around treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper.

The fund has delivered consistent compounding over multiple periods, but the benchmark comparison shows that the recent 1-year figure is only modestly ahead of NIFTY 50, while the 3-year and 5-year numbers remain close to the benchmark. That profile may suit investors who want liquidity-oriented debt exposure and can accept low but relatively stable growth expectations.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Rahul Singh and Aakash Dhulia.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Performance

The short-term pattern is fairly calm. Over 1M and 3M, the fund has moved in a narrow band, which is what we would expect from a liquid strategy, and that helps keep the return path controlled rather than dramatic.

What stands out is the 1-year comparison with the benchmark. The fund’s 6.52% sits far above the benchmark’s negative 4.4%, so the year has clearly favoured the fund on a relative basis. That said, the 3M gap is much smaller, which tells us the recent improvement has not been a straight line.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has stayed ahead of the benchmark, but only by a modest margin. The 3-year return of 6.96% versus 5.74% indicates a better medium-term compounding track, while the 5-year figures are almost aligned. Our view is that this is a fund for consistency first, with the recent stretch looking stronger than the longer-run spread over the index.

The time pattern also suggests limited drawdown-style drama. The trajectory looks steady enough for investors who prefer a liquid fund to preserve day-to-day stability, even if that means the return edge over the benchmark may not widen much in a normal market cycle.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the available return figures, the fund sits just behind several peers on 1-year performance, while its 3-year and 5-year numbers are also a little softer than the stronger peer readings. The gap is not large, so the story here is less about underperformance and more about a slightly calmer return profile than the leading peer cluster.

The short-term comparison and the longer-term comparison point in the same direction: the fund is competitive, but not the strongest among the available return figures. That makes the relative picture useful for investors who value steadiness in a liquid fund and are comfortable giving up a small amount of return versus some peers in exchange for that consistency.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The largest holding is 7.68%, which is meaningful but not dominating on its own. The gap from the largest holding to the tenth holding is 4.44 percentage points, so the top layer tapers fairly gradually rather than dropping off sharply after one or two names.

The displayed top 10 holdings account for approximately 43.7% of the portfolio, and the fund has 48 disclosed holding rows in total. That combination suggests a portfolio that is spread across a reasonably long tail, even though the visible names are still relevant enough to influence day-to-day return behaviour.

Because the portfolio is built around treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper, the holdings may help keep the fund aligned with a short-duration, liquidity-first approach. The mix does not look concentrated enough to depend heavily on a single security, but the top positions are large enough that they could still shape the fund’s short-term return path.

To see all holdings, visit the LIC MF Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund may suit investors who want a liquid allocation with a low-to-moderate volatility profile and are comfortable with return outcomes that usually stay close to money-market-style steadiness rather than sharp upside. The 1-year figure is stronger than the benchmark, while the 3-year and 5-year comparisons show a smaller but still positive edge.

The key trade-off is simple: you get liquidity-oriented exposure and relatively orderly performance, but you should not expect equity-like growth. It may work better for a short to medium holding horizon where capital stability and ease of exit matter more than chasing the highest return in the peer set.

Tax and exit load

Exit load applies on a very short holding period and then falls away quickly. The rule reads as 0.007% for Day 1, 0.0065% on Day 2, 0.0060% on Day 3, 0.0055% on Day 4, 0.0050% on Day 5, 0.0045% on Day 6, and nil on or after 7D; there is no exit load after the holding period.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of LIC MF Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹5151.019 as of 03 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 6.52% for 1 year, 6.96% for 3 years and 6.32% for 5 years.

How does it compare with the benchmark?
It is ahead of the benchmark across the displayed periods, with the clearest gap at 1 year. The 5-year difference is small, which points to a closer long-run track versus a more noticeable recent edge.

How does it compare with peer liquid funds?
Its 1-year return is slightly below several peers, and its 3-year and 5-year figures are also a bit softer where those figures are available. The differences are modest rather than wide.

What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹200.

Who manages the fund and what does the portfolio look like?
The fund is managed by Rahul Singh and Aakash Dhulia. The portfolio is led by treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper, with the largest disclosed holding at 7.68%.

Bottom line

LIC MF Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier recent run than its benchmark, while the longer 3-year and 5-year comparisons remain positive but not dramatically different. Against peers, the available return figures place it a touch behind the stronger cluster, which makes the story one of consistency rather than standout performance. The Balanced Risk label, the short-duration holdings mix and the 48 disclosed positions together point to a liquid fund built for stability-minded investors who want modest growth with controlled movement.

Published on 4 September 2026 at 10:01 AM IST