UTI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 21, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
UTI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹12.2913 as of 18 Sep 2026 and assets of ₹89 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 2.33%, 5.52% and 0% respectively, and it is tagged as Medium Risk. In our view, the fund has shown a mixed pattern: modest short-term gains, a steadier 3-year outcome, and a portfolio that is heavily anchored in government securities.
That mix makes it more relevant for conservative investors who want debt exposure with a clearly visible sovereign-bond tilt, while still accepting that recent performance has been uneven. The benchmark is Nifty 50, and the fund has not tracked a strong equity-style rally, which is consistent with its debt profile and portfolio structure.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹12.2913 as of 18 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹89 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.63% |
| Launch Date | 17 Mar 2023 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Pankaj Pathak |
The fund is managed by Pankaj Pathak.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -0.82% | -3.73% |
| 3M | 0.14% | -3.14% |
| 1Y | 2.33% | -5.31% |
| 3Y | 5.52% | 6.3% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
Recent performance has been steady rather than dramatic. The 1-month return was slightly negative, but it still held up better than the benchmark in the same window. Over 3 months, the fund recovered to a small positive return while the benchmark stayed negative, which tells us the fund has been more stable in the latest stretch than the comparison index.
The 1-year figure is more telling. The fund delivered 2.33% while the benchmark was down 5.31%, so the debt strategy has clearly behaved differently from the benchmark’s weaker year. That divergence matters because it shows the fund is not trying to mimic the benchmark’s short-term swings; it is following its own income-and-duration pattern.
Over 3 years, the story becomes tighter. The fund’s 5.52% return is below the benchmark’s 6.3%, so longer-horizon compounding has been respectable but not ahead of the benchmark. The 5-year field is not available for this scheme, so we do not treat it as a long-history comparison point. Taken together, the recent numbers look better than the longer-run relative result, which is useful for investors who care more about consistency than high upside.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD UTI 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 UTI Long Term? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.33% | 5.52% | Data not available |
| Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.13% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.55% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.35% | 6.59% | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.68% | 6.46% | 5.27% |
| Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.6% | 5.73% | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the latest 1-year comparison, the fund trails several peers that have posted higher numbers, though it is still positive while the benchmark has been negative. The 3-year comparison is more balanced: the fund is below Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, but still in the same broad return range as Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan.
The shorter-term comparison and the longer-term comparison are not identical. In the latest year, the fund has lagged the stronger peer returns, but over 3 years it remains reasonably close to the peer pack that has available data. That suggests the fund’s recent behavior has been calmer than the benchmark, yet its medium-term compounding has not clearly separated it from the better peer outcomes.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Want to know more? Log in to Univest for more mutual fund insights.
Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 6.90% Gsec Mat – 15/04/2065 | Government Securities | 50.76% |
| 7.24% Gsec Mat- 18/08/2055 | Government Securities | 21.53% |
| Net Current Assets | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 15.45% |
| 7.09% GS Mat – 05/08/2054 | Government Securities | 10.56% |
| 7.23% Gsec Mat- 15/04/2039 | Government Securities | 1.13% |
The largest holding, 6.90% Gsec Mat – 15/04/2065, carries a 50.76% weight, so it is likely to have the greatest influence on the portfolio’s day-to-day behaviour. The second and third positions are also meaningful, but the drop from the first holding to the fifth is steep, with the smallest disclosed holding at only 1.13%.
That pattern tells us the portfolio is concentrated in a small set of very large positions rather than spread across many evenly sized holdings. With 99.43% of the disclosed portfolio represented by just five holdings, and no additional holdings listed, the structure is highly focused. Because most of the weight sits in government securities and net current assets, the fund may behave more like a concentrated sovereign-debt portfolio than a broadly diversified credit book.
This concentration could support a clearer interest-rate profile, but it also means the largest government-security position is likely to matter a lot when yields move. The limited number of disclosed holdings reinforces that view, since each position has a visible role rather than being diluted across a long tail.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is more suitable for investors who are comfortable with Medium Risk and want a debt-oriented allocation rather than an equity-led return profile. The 1-year and 3-year numbers suggest moderate performance, with the latest year stronger than the benchmark but the 3-year result still behind it.
The main trade-off is between relative stability and the possibility of stronger upside elsewhere. The portfolio’s heavy tilt to government securities may appeal to investors seeking a more defined interest-rate exposure, but they should be prepared for returns that can look modest when compared with more aggressive return-seeking funds. A medium-term horizon is more sensible here than a short tactical view.
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 18 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of UTI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹12.2913 as of 18 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 2.33%, its 3-year return is 5.52%, and its 5-year return is Data not available.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has done better than the benchmark over 1 year and over the latest 1-month and 3-month periods, but it trails the benchmark over 3 years.
How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Its latest 1-year return is below Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. Over 3 years, it is below Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, but close to Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan.
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 Pankaj Pathak. The exit load is no exit load.
Bottom line
UTI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a steadier recent profile than its benchmark, but its 3-year result does not lead the benchmark and its 5-year figure is not available. Relative to peers, the latest year is weaker than several available comparisons, while the 3-year result sits in the same general range as some peers with comparable data. The fund’s Medium Risk label and concentrated government-securities tilt make it more suited to investors who value a defined debt profile and can live with moderate return expectations.
Published on 21 September 2026 at 11:20 AM IST
Explore mutual funds with Univest
Review mutual fund data, compare performance and explore fund insights on Univest.
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.