Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹40.1178 as of 15 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹1,299 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 3.87%, 13.49% and 14.01%, and it is tagged High Risk. Our view is that this is a small-cap index fund suited to investors who can tolerate sharp swings and want a route that has still produced better long-term compounding than its benchmark.
The fund is likely to suit a longer horizon more than a short trading-style holding. The portfolio is spread across 62 holdings, but the largest positions can still influence outcomes, so the ride may stay uneven even when the medium-term return trend improves.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹40.1178 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,299 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.33% |
| Launch Date | 06 Sep 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | 1% on or before 15D, Nil after 15D |
| Fund Managers | Swapnil P Mayekar, Dishant Mehta, Rakesh Shetty |
The fund is managed by Swapnil P Mayekar, Dishant Mehta and Rakesh Shetty.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -2.27% | -4.81% |
| 3M | 3.22% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 3.87% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 13.49% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 14.01% | 5.58% |
Recent performance has been choppy but not weak in relative terms. Over the last month, the fund was negative, yet it fell less than the benchmark. Over three months, it turned positive while the benchmark stayed negative, which shows the fund has recently been steadier than the index reference used here.
The 1-year figure is also modest in absolute terms, but it still stands above the benchmark’s negative reading. That matters because the fund has not simply risen in a strong market; it has held up better through a difficult year for the benchmark.
The bigger picture is more constructive. The 3-year and 5-year returns are both in the mid-teens, while the benchmark is in the mid-single digits over those same windows. That gap suggests the fund’s longer compounding profile has been clearly stronger than the benchmark’s, even though the most recent stretch has not been smooth.
In our view, this creates a familiar small-cap pattern: short-term volatility with a more favorable long-run return track record. Investors focusing only on the latest month could miss that the fund has still compounded ahead of the benchmark over the medium and longer term.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 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 Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.87% | 13.49% | 14.01% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 32.61% | 29.92% | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.91% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.71% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.15% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 18.11% | 18.92% | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
Among the available peer return figures, the fund’s 1-year return is far lower than the faster-moving sector or thematic funds in this set. That does not make the fund weak on its own; it simply reflects that a broad small-cap index can trail sharper themes during strong market phases.
On longer horizons, the comparison looks more balanced. The fund’s 3-year and 5-year numbers are solid in absolute terms, but the available peer figures show that some focused index funds have run faster over periods where data is available. So the short-term comparison favours the peers with stronger recent momentum, while the longer-term view still leaves this fund with a credible compounding record for a diversified small-cap sleeve.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Sona BLW Precision Forgings Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 1.65% |
| Ather Energy Limited | Domestic Equities | 1.49% |
| Karur Vysya Bank Limited | Bank | 1.48% |
| Navin Fluorine International Limited | Chemicals | 1.44% |
| Welspun Corp Limited | Iron & Steel | 1.42% |
| Piramal Finance Limited | Finance | 1.25% |
| Delhivery Limited | Logistics | 1.15% |
| HFCL Limited | Telecom | 1.15% |
| Central Depository Services (India) Limited | Business Services | 1.13% |
| RBL Bank Limited | Bank | 1.06% |
The largest holding is Sona BLW Precision Forgings Limited at 1.65%, which is not large enough on its own to dominate the portfolio, but it is still likely to matter because the fund holds many smaller positions around it. The gap from the first holding to the tenth is only 0.59 percentage point, so the displayed holdings are fairly tightly clustered rather than sharply top-heavy.
That said, the combined weight of the top 10 holdings is 13.22%, which leaves a long tail of other positions across the remaining disclosed holdings. With 62 holdings in total, the fund may spread company-specific impact across a wide base even though the visible top positions remain fairly close in weight.
Our view is that this kind of structure may reduce reliance on any single name, but it does not remove small-cap volatility. The names in the top holdings are also spread across autos, banking, chemicals, logistics, telecom and other areas, so the portfolio could behave differently from a broad large-cap index even before market swings are considered.
To see all holdings, visit the Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who can handle High Risk exposure and are comfortable with short-term volatility in exchange for the chance of stronger long-term compounding. The 1-year return is modest, but the 3-year and 5-year returns are clearly better and sit above the benchmark, which suggests patience matters here.
It is more suitable for a multi-year horizon than for anyone who may need the money soon. The main trade-off is that small-cap moves can be uneven in the short run, even when the longer-term path is healthier than the benchmark. Investors who want a steadier ride may find that difficult to accept, while those who can tolerate swings may find the return pattern more usable.
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: 1% if units are sold on or before 15 days; no exit load after the holding period.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹40.1178 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 3.87%, its 3-year return is 13.49% and its 5-year return is 14.01%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has outperformed the benchmark across every reported period in the table. The gap is especially wide over 3 years and 5 years, where the benchmark return is much lower.
How does it compare with the available peer funds on 1-year returns?
Its 1-year return is lower than the other peer return figures shown here. Several peers have stronger short-term numbers, although some longer-horizon figures are unavailable for those funds.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
What is the exit load and who manages the fund?
The exit load is 1% if units are sold on or before 15 days, and nil after the holding period. The fund is managed by Swapnil P Mayekar, Dishant Mehta and Rakesh Shetty.
Bottom line
This fund’s recent performance has been uneven, but its 3-year and 5-year records are much stronger and sit above the benchmark. Against the available peer figures, it looks less striking on the latest 1-year number, yet its longer-term compounding remains credible for a small-cap index strategy. The High Risk tag matches the portfolio’s role: a diversified but still volatile equity sleeve with 62 holdings and no single oversized position. It suits investors who can stay invested through swings and care more about multi-year participation than smooth short-term returns.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 1:40 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.