SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Direct Growth Plan Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 10, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan Direct Growth Plan has a current NAV of ₹131.6868 as of 09 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹148 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 10.09%, 11.79% and 10.89% respectively, and the scheme sits in the Medium Risk bucket. Our view is that this is a steadier solution-oriented option for investors who want equity-linked participation with a more measured profile than a pure high-growth fund.
The fund has stayed ahead of its benchmark over the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year periods, while its portfolio remains anchored by government securities and other debt-like exposures. That mix can support smoother movement than a more aggressive equity-heavy strategy, but the return pattern also shows that gains have been moderate rather than fast-moving.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹131.6868 as of 09 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹148 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% |
| Launch Date | 04 Jan 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Solution Oriented |
| Exit Load | 3% on or before 1Y, 2% after 1Y but on or before 2Y, 1% after 2Y but on or before 3Y, Nil after 3Y |
| Fund Managers | R. Srinivasan, Lokesh Mallya |
The fund is managed by R. Srinivasan and Lokesh Mallya.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.62% | -4.69% |
| 3M | 5.22% | 0.93% |
| 1Y | 10.09% | -7.16% |
| 3Y | 11.79% | 6% |
| 5Y | 10.89% | 5.87% |
The short-term picture is constructive. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund remained positive while the benchmark was weaker or only modestly positive, which suggests the scheme handled the recent stretch with more resilience than the index.
The 1-year number is more important because it captures a fuller cycle. At 10.09%, the fund has clearly outpaced the benchmark’s -7.16% over the same period, which points to a meaningful divergence in the recent year rather than a narrow outperformance in a single month.
Longer-term performance is still positive and fairly consistent. The 3-year return of 11.79% is above the benchmark’s 6%, while the 5-year return of 10.89% also stays ahead of the benchmark’s 5.87%. That tells us the fund has not relied only on a one-off recovery; it has maintained a steadier compounding path across both mid-term and longer-term windows.
The pattern across the return history is not explosive, but it is orderly. Our view is that the fund has delivered moderate gains with relatively controlled swings, and recent behaviour does not conflict with the broader 3-year and 5-year trend.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan?
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 SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan Direct Growth Plan | 10.09% | 11.79% | 10.89% |
| SBI Children’s Fund-Investment Plan Direct Growth Plan | 16.76% | 21.09% | 21.49% |
| LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.06% | 9.32% | 8.37% |
| Aditya Birla SL Bal Bhavishya Yojna Direct Growth Plan | 7.5% | 11.28% | 10.08% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.67% | Data not available | Data not available |
The fund’s 1-year return is below SBI Children’s Fund-Investment Plan Direct Growth Plan, but it is ahead of the other peers listed here on the same period. Over 3 years and 5 years, it trails SBI Children’s Fund-Investment Plan Direct Growth Plan, yet it stays above LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan and Aditya Birla SL Bal Bhavishya Yojna Direct Growth Plan on both horizons. Baroda BNP Paribas Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan has a 1-year figure only, so the longer-term comparison is limited there.
That mix tells a clear story. The current fund is not the most aggressive return profile in this group, but it has held a better long-term return base than several peers with available 3-year and 5-year figures. The shorter-term reading and the longer-term reading are aligned: this scheme looks steadier than the weaker peers, while still remaining behind the strongest peer on the table.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 6.68% CGL 2040 | Government Securities | 9.74% |
| 7.18% CGL 2033 | Government Securities | 6.87% |
| TREPS | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 5.05% |
| JSW Kalinga Steel Ltd. | Corporate Debt | 3.48% |
| 7.73% State Government of Tamil Nadu 2036 | Government Securities | 3.38% |
| REC Ltd. | Corporate Debt | 3.37% |
| 7.44% State Government of Rajasthan 2033 | Government Securities | 3.36% |
| LIC Housing Finance Ltd. | Corporate Debt | 3.36% |
| Lodha Developers Ltd. | Corporate Debt | 3.36% |
| 7.64% State Government of Rajasthan 2036 | Government Securities | 3.35% |
The largest single holding is 6.68% CGL 2040 at 9.74%, so it is large enough to matter, but not dominant on its own. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is gradual rather than steep, which suggests the portfolio is built around a set of fairly close-sized positions instead of one oversized bet.
The top 10 holdings together account for approximately 45.32% of the portfolio, and the scheme discloses 39 holdings overall. That combination points to meaningful spread across the rest of the book, even though government securities and corporate debt appear frequently among the largest positions.
Our view is that this structure may reduce dependence on any single issuer or security, while still leaving the largest positions influential. The concentration level is moderate: the displayed holdings are not extremely tight, but they are also not so diffuse that the top positions lose relevance.
To see all holdings, visit the SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who are comfortable with a medium-risk profile and can stay invested long enough for the return pattern to play out. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year numbers show a fairly steady compounding path rather than sharp bursts, which makes the scheme better suited to a patient horizon than to short-term churn.
The main trade-off is that the portfolio’s measured structure may help with stability, but it may also mean the fund does not chase the strongest upside seen in the more aggressive peer. Investors who want a balanced solution-oriented allocation and can accept moderate return levels in exchange for a steadier profile may find the fit more relevant than those looking for faster growth.
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: 3% on or before 1Y, 2% after 1Y but on or before 2Y, 1% after 2Y but on or before 3Y, Nil after 3Y.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹131.6868 as of 09 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 10.09%, the 3-year return is 11.79%, and the 5-year return is 10.89%.
How has the fund performed against its benchmark?
It has stayed ahead of the Nifty 50 across 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The widest gap is visible over 1 year, where the fund is positive while the benchmark is negative.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
It trails SBI Children’s Fund-Investment Plan Direct Growth Plan on 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns, but it is ahead of LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan and Aditya Birla SL Bal Bhavishya Yojna Direct Growth Plan on the same available horizons.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
Yes, the minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by R. Srinivasan and Lokesh Mallya. The exit load is 3% on or before 1Y, 2% after 1Y but on or before 2Y, 1% after 2Y but on or before 3Y, and nil after 3Y.
Bottom line
SBI Children’s Fund-Savings Plan Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier return pattern over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, and it has stayed ahead of its benchmark across the same periods. Compared with peers, it sits below the strongest return profile in the set but above several others on available longer-term figures. The risk is medium, and the portfolio leans meaningfully on government securities and debt-like exposures. That makes the scheme more suitable for investors who value measured progression and can keep a long enough horizon to let the structure work.
Published on 10 September 2026 at 12:10 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.