SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 28, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹12.7208 as of 17 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹1,304 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 2.43%, 6.04% and 0% respectively, and the fund sits in the Medium Risk bucket.
Our view is that this looks like a conservative debt option with a steady but uneven return pattern. The portfolio is dominated by government securities, which may support stability, but recent performance has been softer than the 3-year trend and has not translated into a meaningful long-run compounding record.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹12.7208 as of 17 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,304 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.3% |
| Launch Date | 21 Dec 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Ardhendu Bhattacharya |
The fund is managed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -1.12% | -3.66% |
| 3M | 0.54% | -3.71% |
| 1Y | 2.43% | -7.13% |
| 3Y | 6.04% | 5.82% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The recent pattern has been mixed. The fund softened over the latest month, but the decline was smaller than the benchmark’s fall, which points to better downside control in that window.
Over three months and one year, the fund has stayed in positive territory while the benchmark has remained negative. That tells us the fund has been more resilient than the benchmark in the latest stretch, even though the 1-year return is still modest at 2.43%.
The 3-year return is stronger than the 1-year figure, which suggests the longer stretch has been more favourable than the recent year alone. That said, the series does not show a smooth compounding path; the movement has included phases of weakness and recovery rather than a straight climb.
We also note that the benchmark comparison changes the interpretation. The fund is ahead of the benchmark across the 1M, 3M and 1Y windows, while the 3Y gap is small. So the fund has held up better recently, but the longer-term edge is not especially wide.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD SBI Long 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 SBI Long Term? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.43% | 6.04% | Data not available |
| Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.06% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.86% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.18% | 6.5% | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.5% | 6.38% | 5.25% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
The fund trails the best 1-year peer return in this group, but it is close to the 1-year figure of ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. On the 3-year horizon, it sits below the stronger available peer figures from Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, which means its longer-term picture is respectable but not the strongest among peers with published data.
The short-term and longer-term peer comparisons do not tell the same story. Recent performance is steady enough, but several peers have delivered higher 1-year returns, while the 3-year comparison shows a narrower gap and a more competitive profile. That makes this fund look more balanced than standout in the peer set.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 7.71% CGL 2066 | Government Securities | 37.51% |
| 7.74% State Government of Tamil Nadu 2036 | Government Securities | 17.36% |
| 6.90% CGL 2065 | Government Securities | 13.22% |
| TREPS | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 12.07% |
| 7.43% CGL 2076 | Government Securities | 11.38% |
| 7.63% State Government of Gujarat 2037 | Government Securities | 6.13% |
| Net Receivable / Payable | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 1.7% |
| Corporate Debt Market Development Fund-A2 | Alternative Investment Fund | 0.63% |
The largest holding, 7.71% CGL 2066, accounts for 37.51% of the portfolio, so it is likely to have greater influence on the fund’s day-to-day movement than any other single position. The next few positions are still meaningful, but the weight drops quite quickly after the top two, with a further step-down by the time we reach the cash and liquidity buckets.
That pattern suggests a portfolio anchored heavily in sovereign debt, especially because government securities fill most of the disclosed holdings. The spread from the largest holding to the smaller positions is wide enough to show clear concentration at the top, even though the disclosed list itself contains eight holdings rather than a long tail.
Because the disclosed holdings together add up to 100%, the portfolio is largely explained by a small number of positions rather than by a broad scatter of minor bets. That can help with clarity and may support stability, but it also means returns may depend more on the behaviour of a few large debt exposures.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who are comfortable with Medium Risk and who want a debt-oriented allocation rather than an equity-led return path. The 1-year result is modest, the 3-year return is better, and the benchmark comparison shows the fund has recently held up more steadily than Nifty 50, which is helpful for investors who value lower volatility over aggressive upside.
The main trade-off is that the portfolio is concentrated in government securities, so stability may come at the cost of limited return acceleration. A longer horizon is more sensible here than a short holding period, because the fund’s return pattern has been uneven and the 5-year figure is not available. It may suit investors who want a conservative core holding and can accept periods where the return trend is flat or only slowly improving.
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 17 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹12.7208 as of 17 Sep 2026.
What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 2.43%, the 3-year return is 6.04%, and the 5-year return is Data not available.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has been ahead of the benchmark across 1 month, 3 months and 1 year. The 3-year gap is small, with the fund at 6.04% versus the benchmark at 5.82%.
How does it compare with peer funds?
Its 1-year return is below Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, and slightly below ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. On the 3-year horizon, it remains in the same general range as the available peer data, though some peers are higher.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier recent run than its benchmark, but the longer-term picture is still fairly moderate rather than exceptional. Peer comparisons tell a mixed story: the fund trails some peers on the 1-year measure, while the 3-year result is more competitive. The portfolio is dominated by government securities, which may support stability, but also keeps the return profile anchored to a relatively concentrated set of holdings.
Published on 18 September 2026 at 9:55 AM 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.