Axis CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Sep 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Axis CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Sep 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹12.9462 as of 28 Aug 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹36 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.9887%, 7.4791% and 0% respectively, and the scheme sits in the Balanced Risk category.

Our view is that this is a short-duration gilt-and-SDL index fund suited to investors who can accept moderate risk in exchange for a relatively contained portfolio profile. The return pattern has been steady over the medium term, but it has not matched the benchmark’s longer history, so the fund looks more suitable as a conservative debt allocation than as a high-growth holding.

Quick facts

Item	Details
NAV	₹12.9462
AUM	₹36 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.15%
Launch Date	27 Feb 2023
Min SIP	₹1,000
Risk Category	Balanced Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Index Funds
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Aditya Pagaria; Sachin Jain

The fund is managed by Aditya Pagaria and Sachin Jain.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	0.45%	-0.85%
3M	1.89%	3.39%
1Y	5.99%	-2.29%
3Y	7.48%	6.40%
5Y	Data not available	Data not available

Recent performance has been mixed, but the fund has stayed positive across the shorter windows. The 1-month return is modestly positive and better than the benchmark’s decline, while the 3-month return is positive but trails the benchmark’s stronger rebound over that stretch. That tells us the fund has not moved in a straight line, yet it has remained comparatively controlled.

The 1-year return is the clearest strength in the current period. It is positive while the benchmark’s 1-year return is negative, which points to a more resilient short-horizon outcome for the fund. For investors watching only the past year, that contrast matters more than the quieter 1-month picture.

Over 3 years, the fund continues to compound at a measured pace, with 7.48% against the benchmark’s 6.40%. That gap is not large, but it does show that the fund has kept up reasonably well over a longer stretch. The 5-year figure is not available because the scheme has not been in market long enough for a meaningful 5-year track record.

Overall, the pattern is steadier than exciting. The fund has not delivered sharp swings, and the short-term numbers suggest a more defensive path than the benchmark at some points, but its longer window still leaves room for improvement if an investor is comparing it with broader market returns.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Axis CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Sep 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
Axis CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Sep 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.9887%	7.4791%	Data not available
ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	35.235%	31.2535%	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	32.3519%	Data not available	Data not available
Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	32.0816%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	31.9037%	Data not available	Data not available
Aditya Birla SL Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	31.8928%	Data not available	Data not available

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.

The fund’s 1-year return is far below the strongest peer return figures shown here, so the recent comparison is not especially compelling on short-horizon performance. At the same time, the 3-year return is available and positive, which gives the fund a more balanced longer-window picture than the 1-year spread alone suggests.

Among the peers with available 3-year numbers, the current fund’s 3-year return is well below the higher-growth peer with a longer history, but that is also a different category mix and not a like-for-like comparison. Within the available set, the main takeaway is that this fund’s return profile is much more restrained on the recent side while still showing stable medium-term compounding.

The short-term and longer-term comparison tell slightly different stories. Recent peer figures are much higher, but the current fund’s 3-year result is still positive and more even than the short-window gap might imply. That makes the scheme look more suitable for investors who value steadier debt-style participation than for those chasing strong recent momentum.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Market-cap bucket	Allocation
Large cap	0%
Mid cap	0%
Small cap	0%
Other	100%

Sector	Portfolio share	Key holdings
Government Securities	95.51%	7.38% Government of India (20/06/2027) — 48.81%; 7.33% Maharashtra State Development Loans (13/09/2027) — 28.59%
Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	4.49%	Net Receivables / (Payables) — 2.34%; Clearing Corporation of India Ltd — 2.15%

The portfolio is almost entirely in government securities, and that makes the scheme’s structure easy to read. With 95.51% in Government Securities and just 4.49% in cash and cash equivalents plus net assets, the fund is built around sovereign and state-linked debt exposure rather than equity-like diversification.

The largest sector is materially larger than the rest of the portfolio. Government Securities dominates the mix, while the residual cash and net assets bucket stays small, so the scheme’s behaviour is likely to be shaped mainly by movements in the government bond side of the market. Within that bucket, the 7.38% Government of India security and the 7.33% Maharashtra SDL are the two most visible holdings in the table.

Because the portfolio is concentrated in one sector, that sector may have the greatest influence on performance, even though the holdings themselves are within a bond-oriented index structure. The lack of any large-, mid- or small-cap equity exposure also means this fund should behave differently from equity funds when markets turn volatile.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who are comfortable with moderate risk and want a debt-oriented allocation rather than an equity-driven growth story. The Balanced Risk label is consistent with the portfolio, which is concentrated in government securities and cash-like assets rather than shares, so the main trade-off is accepting limited upside in exchange for a more contained structure.

The return pattern also points to a scheme that works better with a medium-term mindset. The 1-year and 3-year numbers are positive, but the 5-year track record is not available, so this is not a fund for investors who want a long, uninterrupted history. It may appeal to those who want relatively steady participation in bond-linked returns and can accept that the benchmark relationship is not uniformly strong across every period.

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 Axis CRISIL IBX 50:50 Gilt Plus SDL Sep 2027 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹12.9462 as of 28 Aug 2026.

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

The fund’s 1-year return is 5.9887%, the 3-year return is 7.4791%, and the 5-year return is not available because the scheme does not have a meaningful 5-year record yet.

How has the fund performed versus its benchmark?

The fund has outperformed the benchmark over 1 year, with 5.99% versus -2.29%. Over 3 years, it has also stayed ahead, with 7.48% compared with 6.40%.

How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?

Its 1-year return is well below the highest peer return figures shown, while its 3-year return remains positive and steady. The comparison points to a more restrained return profile than the faster-moving peer examples.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹1,000.

What are the risk profile, portfolio mix and fund managers?

The scheme is in the Balanced Risk category. Its portfolio is heavily tilted toward Government Securities, and it is managed by Aditya Pagaria and Sachin Jain.

Bottom line

The fund’s recent performance is steadier than flashy: the 1-year and 3-year returns are positive, while the benchmark comparison is better over both of those windows than the longer-horizon history available here. Against the listed peers, the recent return profile is more subdued, but the portfolio is also far more concentrated in government securities than in growth-oriented assets. That makes it better suited to investors looking for a debt-focused, moderate-risk allocation with a clear and simple structure.

Published on 31 August 2026 at 5:31 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.