Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹13.311 as of 28 August 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹3,286 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.99%, 7.35% and 0%, and the fund sits in the Low Risk category. In our view, this is a conservative index fund for investors who want relatively steady behaviour, but the return profile has been modest rather than standout.

The portfolio is overwhelmingly in government securities, which supports the low-risk profile but also limits diversification across sectors. The fund is more suited to investors who value stability and a defined maturity-linked structure over higher return potential.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹13.311
AUM	₹3,286 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.21%
Launch Date	28 Jan 2022
Min SIP	₹500
Risk Category	Low Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Index Funds
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Bhupesh Bameta; Harshil Suvarnkar

The fund is managed by Bhupesh Bameta and Harshil Suvarnkar.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	0.39%	-0.85%
3M	1.49%	3.39%
1Y	5.99%	-2.29%
3Y	7.35%	6.40%
5Y	Data not available	Data not available

Recent performance has been uneven, but the fund has still stayed positive over the short windows that are available. The 1-month return is small but positive, while the 3-month return is also positive even though the benchmark has been stronger over that same stretch. That tells us the fund has not simply moved in lockstep with the benchmark over every short period.

The 1-year number is the clearest strength in the current record. The fund has delivered a positive 1-year return while the benchmark return is negative over the same horizon, which points to a better outcome through a difficult stretch for the benchmark. That said, the 3-year return is more modest and only slightly ahead of the benchmark, so the fund’s advantage has not been large or consistent across every horizon.

The long-dated pattern suggests a slow and relatively contained compounding path rather than sharp upside. The 3-year progression is gradual, which fits the fund’s low-risk profile and government-security-heavy structure. For investors, that means the fund may be better understood as a steadier debt-oriented holding than as a return-chasing index strategy.

Overall, our view is that the fund’s recent behaviour is more resilient than exciting. It has handled the last year better than the benchmark, but the longer view still points to measured gains rather than strong compounding.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 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.

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Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.99%	7.35%	Data not available
ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	35.24%	31.25%	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	32.35%	Data not available	Data not available
Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	32.08%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	31.90%	Data not available	Data not available
Aditya Birla SL Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	31.89%	Data not available	Data not available

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the return figures available here, the fund trails several peers on 1-year numbers, while its 3-year result is far more restrained than the faster-moving equity-themed funds in the table. The short-term comparison and the longer-term picture do not tell the same story: the fund has been steadier, but that steadiness has also meant materially lower return potential than the more growth-oriented peers.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Market-cap distribution

Segment	Allocation
Large Cap	0%
Mid Cap	0%
Small Cap	0%
Other / Government securities and cash	100%

Sector	Weight	Holdings
Government Securities	97%	STATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES (09/11/2026) — 19.74% STATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES (29/03/2027) — 9.49%
Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	3%	NET RECEIVABLES / (PAYABLES) — 1.47% CLEARING CORPORATION OF INDIA LIMITED — 1.07%

The portfolio has no equity-style market-cap exposure, and that makes the structure very different from a typical diversified equity fund. With 100% classified as other exposure and the visible sector mix concentrated in government securities and cash-like assets, the fund is built around fixed-income stability rather than broad market participation.

Government securities at 97% are materially larger than the 3% cash and net assets bucket, so the portfolio is clearly dominated by sovereign-style interest-rate exposure. Within that structure, the two listed state government securities are the only visible individual holdings of note, and they may carry the greatest influence on the fund’s behaviour because of their size and central role in the portfolio.

This allocation profile can help explain the subdued but steady return pattern. It may limit upside in strong risk-on phases, but it could also keep the fund’s day-to-day behaviour relatively contained compared with equity-oriented strategies.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits conservative investors who are comfortable with low-risk fixed-income style exposure and want a defined, government-security-led portfolio. The low-risk label and the lack of equity market-cap exposure make it more appropriate for investors who value steadiness over aggressive return potential.

A longer investment horizon is helpful because the 3-year result is modest and the fund’s return pattern has been gradual rather than fast. The main trade-off is straightforward: you are likely accepting lower return ambition in exchange for a more contained risk profile and a portfolio that is largely anchored in government securities.

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 28 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Aditya Birla SL Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹13.311 as of 28 August 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?

The fund’s 1-year return is 5.99%, its 3-year return is 7.35%, 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 slightly better over 3 years. Over 3 months, the benchmark has been stronger.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.

What is the risk category and what does the portfolio look like?

The fund is in the Low Risk category. Its portfolio is concentrated in government securities, with 97% in that bucket and 3% in cash and cash equivalents plus net assets.

Who manages the fund and is there an exit load?

The fund is managed by Bhupesh Bameta and Harshil Suvarnkar. There is no exit load.

Bottom line

This fund’s recent numbers look steadier than its longer view suggests, with the 1-year return stronger than the benchmark but the 3-year result still fairly modest. Compared with the peer set on available return data, it sits well below the faster-moving equity-themed funds, which shows that its low-risk structure comes with clear return restraint. The portfolio is heavily concentrated in government securities, so this is a conservative, fixed-income style choice rather than a broad market play.

Published on 31 August 2026 at 5:09 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.