Union Retirement Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Union Retirement Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹16.96 as of 16 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹216 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 2.11%, 11.86% and Data not available, while the scheme sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can handle sharp swings and want a retirement-oriented equity allocation, but the recent stretch has been weaker than its longer-term pace.
The fund’s benchmark is Nifty 50, and the current return pattern shows that the recent year has lagged the stronger 3-year outcome. That makes the scheme more suitable for patient investors with a long horizon who are comfortable with uneven short-term performance and a portfolio that is still meaningfully tilted toward financials and select cyclicals.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹16.96 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹216 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 1.13% |
| Launch Date | 22 Sep 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Solution Oriented |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Pratik Dharmshi, Pratit Vajani |
The fund is managed by Pratik Dharmshi and Pratit Vajani.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.67% | -4.41% |
| 3M | -0.88% | -3.60% |
| 1Y | 2.11% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 11.86% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The recent picture is mixed. Over 1 month, the fund fell 4.67%, which was slightly worse than the benchmark’s 4.41% decline, so the latest phase has not been comfortable. Over 3 months, however, it was down only 0.88% while the benchmark lost 3.60%, which suggests the portfolio handled the quarter better than the index even though returns remained negative.
The 1-year number is more meaningful for the current cycle. The fund returned 2.11% while the benchmark declined 7.76%, so it clearly held up better over that horizon. That is an important difference, because it shows the scheme has not simply tracked the benchmark’s weakness during the last year.
The longer 3-year record is also stronger than the benchmark, with 11.86% versus 5.74%. That gap supports the view that the fund has compounded reasonably well across a full market cycle, even though the short-term line has been volatile. The available 1-year and 3-year paths do not point to a smooth ride, but they do suggest that the fund has recovered better than the benchmark when conditions improved.
There is no 5-year trailing figure because the scheme is still relatively young. For that reason, we place more weight on the 1-year and 3-year outcomes, and on the fact that the recent dip has come after a stronger medium-term run rather than in place of it.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Union Retirement?
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 Union Retirement? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Retirement Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.11% | 11.86% | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Retirement Fund-30 Direct Growth Plan | 11.24% | 14.92% | 11.80% |
| ICICI Pru Retirement Fund-Hybrid Cons Plan Direct Growth Plan | 5.05% | 9.54% | 8.61% |
| ICICI Pru Retirement Fund-Hybrid Aggressive Plan Direct Growth Plan | 4.94% | 16.38% | 14.58% |
| ICICI Pru Retirement Fund-Pure Equity Plan Direct Growth Plan | 4.90% | 18.59% | 18.74% |
| Tata Retirement Sav Fund – Prog Plan Direct Growth Plan | 4.45% | 12.25% | 10.26% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On recent performance, the fund’s 1-year return trails the strongest peer figures in this group, while its 3-year return sits above one peer and below the higher-returning retirement funds. That creates a split picture: the latest year has been comparatively soft, but the medium-term record is still respectable. For investors comparing only available return data, the fund looks less compelling on the near-term number than the better-performing peers, yet not weak on the 3-year measure.
The peer set also shows that the longer horizon can tell a different story from the latest year. Some peers combine higher 1-year and 3-year returns, while others are closer to the fund’s 3-year pace. That makes the comparison less about a single stretch and more about whether an investor values steadier medium-term compounding or stronger short-term momentum.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Bank | 6.05% |
| HDFC Bank Ltd. | Bank | 4.59% |
| Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. | Finance | 2.83% |
| Solar Industries India Ltd. | Chemicals | 2.46% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | Crude Oil | 2.16% |
| Eternal Ltd. | Retailing | 2.12% |
| S.J.S. Enterprises Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.07% |
| Navin Fluorine International Ltd. | Chemicals | 2.01% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 2.01% |
| Axis Bank Ltd. | Bank | 1.92% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 28.22% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Union Retirement Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, ICICI Bank Ltd., is 6.05%, so no single position dominates the visible basket. The drop from the largest to the tenth holding is fairly controlled, ending at 1.92%, which suggests the portfolio may spread influence across several names rather than leaning on one or two very large bets.
That said, the visible holdings still show a clear tilt toward financials, especially banks, with four bank names in the top 10. The displayed positions together account for 28.22% of the portfolio, while the scheme discloses 75 holdings in total. That combination points to a broad underlying book with a meaningful core in a handful of names, which may help balance diversification with conviction in the largest positions.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk exposure and can stay invested through uneven periods. The 1-year return is modest, but the 3-year record is stronger and beats the benchmark, so the key trade-off is accepting short-term volatility in exchange for the possibility of better medium-term compounding.
It appears more appropriate for a long investment horizon than for anyone looking for steady, low-drift outcomes. The portfolio’s visible tilt toward banks and a few cyclical names means returns may move around more than a conservative investor would like, yet that same positioning can support stronger upside when market conditions are favourable.
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 Union Retirement Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹16.96 as of 16 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
Its 1-year return is 2.11% and its 3-year return is 11.86%. The 5-year return is Data not available.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outpaced Nifty 50 over 1 year and 3 years. The benchmark returned -7.76% over 1 year and 5.74% over 3 years, while the fund returned 2.11% and 11.86%.
How does it compare with peer retirement funds?
Its latest 1-year return is below several peer figures, while its 3-year return is mid-range within the listed peer set. The short-term and longer-term comparison do not tell the same story.
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 Pratik Dharmshi and Pratit Vajani. The exit load is nil, so there is no exit load on redemption.
Bottom line
Union Retirement Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a clear contrast between its recent and medium-term record: the latest year has been subdued, but the 3-year return is stronger and ahead of the benchmark. Against peers, the fund looks less impressive on the newest 1-year number, yet its 3-year outcome remains relevant for investors who focus on a longer cycle. The portfolio is not dominated by one holding, but it does lean meaningfully toward banks, which can add both opportunity and volatility.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 4:48 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.