Navi Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Navi Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹16.789 as of 16 September 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹1,330 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 2.51%, 15.62% and 0%, and it carries a High Risk label. Our view is that the fund can suit investors who want exposure to the next layer of large Indian companies and can handle sharp short-term swings, but the recent performance has been uneven relative to the longer 3-year trend.
The fund’s direct-growth structure keeps costs low at 0.16%, and the portfolio is spread across 50 holdings, led by individual positions that can matter meaningfully at the top. That mix may appeal to investors who are comfortable with equity volatility and want a passive allocation that can move differently from the broad large-cap market.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹16.789 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,330 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% |
| Launch Date | 19 Jan 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Ashutosh Shirwaikar |
The fund is managed by Ashutosh Shirwaikar.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -5.49% | -4.41% |
| 3M | -2.33% | -3.6% |
| 1Y | 2.51% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 15.62% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
Recent returns show a weak short-term patch. Over 1 month, the fund declined more than the benchmark, which suggests the portfolio remained sensitive to market swings even in a relatively short window. The 3-month figure is less poor than the benchmark’s, but it still points to a choppy phase rather than a clean recovery.
The clearer picture comes from the 1-year and 3-year numbers. The fund is ahead of the benchmark over both horizons, and the gap is especially visible over 1 year because the benchmark is still negative while the fund is positive. That tells us the fund has captured more of the rebound in the last year than the benchmark has.
Even so, the current 1-month and 3-month readings are softer than the 3-year outcome, so recent behaviour is not as strong as the longer trend. For an index fund, that kind of uneven path is not unusual when the underlying segment is more volatile than the broad large-cap market.
The time pattern also suggests that the fund has not moved in a straight line. There were periods of recovery, but they were interrupted by noticeable drawdowns, which is consistent with a higher-beta equity slice rather than a defensive allocation.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Navi Nifty Next 50 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 Navi Nifty Next 50 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navi Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.51% | 15.62% | 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. The fund’s 1-year return trails the stronger peer figures shown here, while its 3-year return is also below the better long-run numbers in the peer set. That said, the comparison is not one-sided: some peers have only 1-year figures available, so the longer-horizon picture is thinner for parts of the group. The main takeaway is that the fund has produced a respectable longer-run outcome, but the available peer numbers show that other index-style strategies have done better over the same windows.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Divi’S Laboratories Limited | Healthcare | 4.74% |
| TVS Motor Company Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 4.01% |
| Tata Motors Limited | Domestic Equities | 3.87% |
| Hindustan Aeronautics Limited | Capital Goods | 3.59% |
| Adani Power Limited | Power | 3.23% |
| Cholamandalam Invest & Finance Co Ltd | Finance | 3.16% |
| Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.97% |
| Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited | Healthcare | 2.93% |
| Cummins India Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.71% |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited | Crude Oil | 2.59% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 33.8% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Navi Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, Divi’S Laboratories Limited, stands at 4.74%, which is meaningful but not extreme for a 50-stock index portfolio. The fall from the first holding to the tenth is fairly gradual, ending at 2.59%, so the visible positions are spread across several mid-sized weights rather than dominated by one outsized bet.
That said, the top 10 still represent about 33.8% of the portfolio, so the largest names could have a noticeable influence on short-term movement. With 50 disclosed holdings in total, the remaining positions likely create a longer tail that can soften single-stock dependence, but the top layer remains important enough to watch.
Overall, the structure looks moderately concentrated at the top and more diversified further down the list. For investors, that means the fund may still track broad market direction closely, but individual holdings can contribute materially when those companies move sharply.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and who can stay invested through volatile phases. The 1-year result is positive, but the 1-month and 3-month numbers show that short-term swings can be sharp, so a longer horizon matters more than timing the entry.
Our view is that it fits better as part of a growth-oriented allocation than as a core stability holding. The main trade-off is accepting higher volatility in exchange for access to companies beyond the main large-cap basket, while still using a low-cost index structure.
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 16 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Navi Nifty Next 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹16.789 as of 16 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 2.51%, the 3-year return is 15.62%, and the 5-year return is Data not available.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has beaten the benchmark over 1 year and 3 years. The benchmark return is -7.76% over 1 year and 5.74% over 3 years.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is lower than several peer figures shown here, while its 3-year return is also below the stronger long-run peer numbers that are available. The peer set also has gaps in longer-horizon data, so the comparison is partly mixed across time periods.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
What is the fund’s risk profile and who manages it?
The fund is marked High Risk, and the current manager is Ashutosh Shirwaikar. It also has no exit load.
Bottom line
The fund’s recent picture is weaker than its 3-year outcome, but the longer trend still shows a positive return profile versus the benchmark. Available peer figures suggest that other index-style funds have delivered stronger returns over the same windows, so this fund looks more moderate than standout on performance alone. Its low expense ratio and 50-stock structure may appeal to investors who want a systematic equity allocation, but the High Risk label means short-term volatility remains part of the ride.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 1:00 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.