Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan is an index fund with a NAV of ₹14.1309 as of 16 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹1,031 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -7.12%, 5.79% and 0%. The fund is in the High Risk category, so our view is that it fits investors who want broad market exposure and can tolerate sharp near-term swings rather than investors looking for steady short-term gains.

Because the fund tracks Nifty 50 closely, the key question is not whether it can consistently beat the market, but whether the investor is comfortable with market-like movement and a relatively low-cost structure. The current portfolio is concentrated in a handful of large names, which is typical for a Nifty 50 strategy and means the fund will move closely with the index and its largest constituents.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹14.1309 as of 16 Sep 2026
AUM	₹1,031 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.1%
Launch Date	03 Dec 2021
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	High Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Index Funds
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Nandik Mallik, Rohit Gautam

The fund is managed by Nandik Mallik and Rohit Gautam.

Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-4.39%	-4.41%
3M	-3.1%	-3.6%
1Y	-7.12%	-7.76%
3Y	5.79%	5.74%
5Y	Data not available	Data not available

The short-term pattern has been weak, with both the fund and the benchmark showing negative 1-month, 3-month and 1-year returns. Even so, the fund has stayed close to the benchmark at every point, which is what we expect from an index strategy. The 1-year gap is small, and the fund has slightly outpaced the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months and 1 year.

The 3-year figure is more useful for judging how the fund has behaved through a fuller cycle. At 5.79%, the fund is almost in line with the benchmark’s 5.74%, which tells us the tracking has remained tight over time. That consistency matters more here than trying to read too much into the weaker recent stretch, because an index fund is designed to stay anchored to its benchmark rather than to reinvent the return path.

The 5-year return is not available because the scheme was launched on 03 Dec 2021, so the fund does not yet have a full five-year history. That makes the 3-year number the better long-term reference point for now. Our read is that the fund has behaved like a conventional Nifty 50 tracker: close to the index, with returns shaped more by the benchmark cycle than by active stock selection.

Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Nifty 50 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.

Already holding Axis Nifty 50 Index? Thinking of investing now?

Get your portfolio analysed for FREE by SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (RIA) through Univest MF Premium

Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	-7.12%	5.79%	Data not available
ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	29.31%	30.01%	Data not available
Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	21.45%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	21.13%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	20.68%	Data not available	Data not available
ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	17.57%	18.84%	Data not available

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

The current fund has lagged the stronger 1-year results shown by the peer set, especially the double-digit gains available in the peer list. Its 3-year return is far closer to the more measured peer outcome seen in ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan, but still well below the stronger multi-year numbers shown by ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan. The short-term comparison and the longer-term comparison therefore tell different stories: the fund looks weak versus several peers over 1 year, while its 3-year result remains consistent with a benchmark-style tracker rather than an aggressive return seeker.

Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
HDFC BANK LIMITED	Bank	9.85%
ICICI BANK LIMITED	Bank	9.45%
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED	Crude Oil	7.83%
BHARTI AIRTEL LIMITED	Telecom	5%
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED	Infrastructure	4.3%
STATE BANK OF INDIA	Bank	3.98%
INFOSYS LIMITED	IT	3.61%
AXIS BANK LIMITED	Bank	3.39%
KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK LIMITED	Bank	2.8%
MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED	Automobile & Ancillaries	2.66%

The largest holding is HDFC BANK LIMITED at 9.85%, so it is large enough to matter, but not so large that it dominates the whole scheme on its own. The weight then steps down fairly gradually, with the tenth holding still at 2.66%, which suggests the fund does not rely on just one or two positions for most of its movement.

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 52.87% of the portfolio, and the fund discloses 49 holdings in total. That combination points to a meaningful core-satellite structure: a relatively heavy core in the biggest Nifty names, followed by a longer tail of smaller positions. In our view, that setup may keep the fund closely tied to the index while still leaving several holdings with smaller but real influence.

To see all holdings, visit the Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors with high risk tolerance and a medium-to-long investment horizon who want Nifty 50 exposure without trying to outguess the market. The recent 1-year weakness shows that even a simple index fund can go through a rough patch, while the 3-year figure shows that the longer arc has been steadier and close to the benchmark.

The main trade-off is that you get market participation and low-cost index tracking, but not a cushion against equity drawdowns. The peer comparison also shows that stronger short-term gains have been available elsewhere, so the appeal here is more about disciplined large-cap exposure than about chasing the highest recent return.

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 Axis Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹14.1309 as of 16 Sep 2026.

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

The fund’s 1-year return is -7.12%, the 3-year return is 5.79%, and the 5-year return is 0% by the available history shown here.

How does this fund compare with the Nifty 50 benchmark?

The fund has stayed very close to the Nifty 50 across the periods shown. It slightly outperformed the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year and 3 years.

How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?

Its 1-year return is weaker than the stronger peer results shown, while its 3-year return is much more modest than the best long-term peer figure in the table. The comparison points to a fund that behaves like a market tracker rather than a standout short-term return generator.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.

Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?

The fund is managed by Nandik Mallik and Rohit Gautam. The exit load is nil, so no exit charge applies.

Published on 17 September 2026 at 12:47 PM IST

Explore mutual funds with Univest

Review mutual fund data, compare performance and explore fund insights on Univest.

Explore 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.