LIC MF Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
LIC MF Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹1460.8611 as of 15 September 2026 and an AUM of ₹677 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.74%, 7.22% and 6.29%, and the scheme sits in the Balanced Risk category. Our view is that it suits investors who want steady debt-oriented compounding with a relatively stable pattern rather than sharp market-linked swings.
The fund has kept its return path broadly orderly over longer periods, and its portfolio is built around short-duration credit and money-market style exposures rather than equity-style volatility. That combination can appeal to investors looking for moderate return potential with disciplined risk, while still accepting that debt returns can move around as rates and credit conditions change.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹1,460.8611 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹677 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% |
| Launch Date | 27 Nov 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹200 |
| Risk Category | Balanced Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Rahul Singh, Pratik Shroff |
The fund is managed by Rahul Singh and Pratik Shroff.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.51% | -4.81% |
| 3M | 1.83% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 6.74% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 7.22% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 6.29% | 5.58% |
The recent pattern is constructive. Over 1M and 3M, the fund has held up with positive returns while the benchmark stayed negative, which points to a much steadier short-term trajectory. That matters for debt investors because it suggests the fund has been less dependent on market direction in the most recent stretches.
Over 1 year, the fund’s 6.74% return is clearly ahead of the benchmark’s -8.27%, so the medium-term picture is stronger than the benchmark comparison alone would suggest. The 1-year path also shows some unevenness, which is normal for a credit-sensitive debt scheme, but the end result remains positive and meaningful.
The longer view is also consistent. The 3-year return of 7.22% and 5-year return of 6.29% both sit above the benchmark’s corresponding figures, which indicates that the scheme has delivered better compounding than the benchmark across both medium and long windows. We also see that the 3-year outcome is stronger than the 5-year outcome, so the recent multi-year stretch has been somewhat better than the full five-year average.
Overall, the fund’s behaviour looks more stable than the benchmark across all the visible periods, and the recent edge has not come at the cost of a weak long-run profile. That combination makes the return profile easier to read for investors who prefer consistency over aggressive upside.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD LIC MF Ultra Short Term?
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 LIC MF Ultra Short Term? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIC MF Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.74% | 7.22% | 6.29% |
| Nippon India Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 7.02% | 7.58% | 6.97% |
| Axis Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.86% | 7.46% | 6.76% |
| Invesco India Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.8% | 7.34% | 6.6% |
| DSP Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.8% | 7.44% | 6.65% |
| UTI Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.74% | 7.34% | 7.18% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On recent returns, the fund trails the strongest peer figures by a modest margin, though it stays close to the peer cluster rather than drifting away from it. The 3-year and 5-year comparisons are similar: the fund remains competitive, but a few peers have delivered somewhat higher compounding over the same windows. That said, the short-term and longer-term views do not tell exactly the same story, because the fund has remained steady while still giving up some return ground to the better-performing peer outcomes.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Export Import Bank of India ** # | Certificate of Deposit | 6.56% |
| HDFC Bank Ltd. # | Certificate of Deposit | 6.54% |
| Axis Bank Ltd. ** # | Certificate of Deposit | 6.51% |
| National BK for Agriculture & Rural Dev. ** # | Certificate of Deposit | 6.46% |
| TREPS | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 5.81% |
| Indian Bank ** # | Certificate of Deposit | 5.65% |
| Bank of Baroda ** # | Certificate of Deposit | 5.08% |
| ICICI Securities Ltd. ** | Commercial Paper | 5.01% |
| 7.4% State Government of Madhya Pradesh | Government Securities | 3.79% |
| 8.03% Mindspace Business Parks Reit ** | Corporate Debt | 3.75% |
The largest disclosed holding is Export Import Bank of India ** # at 6.56%, and the tenth holding still stands at 3.75%, so the visible allocation does not fall away sharply after the first few positions. That pattern suggests a relatively even spread among the disclosed names, rather than a portfolio dominated by one or two oversized bets.
The top 10 holdings together account for approximately 55.16% of the portfolio, and the scheme discloses 26 holdings in total. That balance suggests the remaining positions may still matter, but the listed core is already meaningful enough to influence returns and short-term stability. Because much of the visible allocation sits in certificate of deposit exposure, the portfolio may be more sensitive to short-duration credit conditions than an equity fund would be, while still remaining within a debt framework.
For investors, the key point is that the fund’s top positions are diversified across issuers and instruments, but not so widely spread that the disclosed core loses importance. The portfolio structure could support a steadier return profile if credit conditions remain stable, though it can also mean that the fund’s results depend on a relatively concentrated set of debt positions.
To see all holdings, visit the LIC MF Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who are comfortable with debt-fund risk and want a return profile that has held up better than the benchmark across 1M, 3M, 1Y, 3Y and 5Y windows. The Balanced Risk label and the debt category point to a need for moderate risk tolerance, not an equity-style appetite for large swings.
A medium to longer investment horizon is more appropriate than a very short holding period, because the return pattern is more useful when viewed over several years rather than over a few days. Investors who value steadier compounding and can accept some credit- and rate-linked movement may find the scheme more relevant than those looking for pure capital protection.
The main trade-off is straightforward: the fund has shown better return consistency than the benchmark and a competitive multi-year profile, but it is still a debt scheme, so the upside potential is more restrained than in higher-risk assets. Its portfolio mix may help stability, but it also means returns are likely to remain tied to short-duration fixed-income conditions.
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 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of LIC MF Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹1460.8611 as of 15 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
Its 1-year return is 6.74%, its 3-year return is 7.22% and its 5-year return is 6.29%.
How has the fund performed against the benchmark?
It has been ahead of the benchmark across 1M, 3M, 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The benchmark’s 1-year figure is negative, while the fund has stayed positive over the same period.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its recent and longer-term returns are competitive, but several peers have posted somewhat higher 1-year, 3-year and 5-year figures. The fund remains close to the peer group rather than separating clearly from it.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹200.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Rahul Singh and Pratik Shroff. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
LIC MF Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier return path over time than its benchmark, with the recent and long-term numbers both staying positive. Its peer comparison is more balanced: the fund remains competitive, but a few peers have delivered slightly stronger returns across the visible windows. The portfolio is led by short-duration fixed-income positions, and the disclosed holdings are spread across multiple issuers rather than concentrated in a single large bet. That makes it relevant for investors who want a debt-oriented scheme with moderate risk and a multi-year horizon.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 2:04 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.