Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹27.1625 as of 10 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹12,013 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.03%, 7.21% and 6.25% respectively, and the fund sits in the Balanced Risk category.

Our view is that this is a fairly steady debt option rather than a high-velocity return story. The fund has held up better than the benchmark over 1 year and 3 years, while the 5-year outcome is still modest, so it looks best suited to investors who want credit-oriented debt exposure with a measured return profile.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹27.1625 as of 10 Sep 2026
AUM	₹12,013 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.36%
Launch Date	07 Mar 2013
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	Balanced Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Debt
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Suyash Choudhary, Gautam Kaul

The fund is managed by Suyash Choudhary and Gautam Kaul.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	0.17%	-4.06%
3M	1.78%	1.37%
1Y	6.03%	-7.31%
3Y	7.21%	6.07%
5Y	6.25%	5.91%

The recent pattern is stronger than the benchmark over the 1-month and 1-year windows, even though the 3-month gap is smaller. That matters because the benchmark has been negative over 1 year and 1 month, while the fund stayed positive, which suggests the portfolio has been more resilient through a difficult stretch for the index.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund remains ahead of the benchmark, but the margin is not large. The 3-year return of 7.21% versus 6.07% for the benchmark shows a modest edge, and the 5-year spread is similarly narrow. Our read is that this is a fund that has preserved a stable compounding path rather than delivering a sharp outperformance burst.

The time pattern also looks uneven rather than perfectly smooth. The fund’s shorter windows are positive, but the trajectory includes periods of weakness and recovery, which is typical for a debt scheme holding bank CDs, corporate debt and cash-like instruments. For investors, that means the fund may suit a return objective that values steadiness over dramatic jumps.

Overall, the current phase is better than the benchmark’s own recent behaviour, and that is a useful sign for defensive allocation. Still, the medium- and long-term numbers do not point to a major gap in quality versus the benchmark; they point to a controlled edge.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt?

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 Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt? Thinking of investing now?

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Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
TRUSTMF Banking & PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.26%	7.52%	6.17%
Franklin India Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.69%	7.58%	6.45%
UTI Banking & PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.27%	7.46%	7.72%
Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.03%	7.21%	6.25%
ICICI Pru Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan	6%	7.38%	6.7%

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

On the latest 1-year figure, the fund trails the strongest peer numbers but stays close to the pack, which keeps the comparison competitive rather than wide apart. The more interesting point is that its 3-year return remains respectable, though it is below a couple of peers that have posted slightly better medium-term compounding.

The 5-year comparison is mixed. One peer is ahead by a clear margin, while others are closer, so the fund does not stand out on long-run returns the way it does in shorter stretches versus the benchmark. That split tells us the recent picture and the longer picture are not identical: the fund has been steadier than the benchmark, but peers have at times converted that same style into slightly better multi-year outcomes.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
Triparty Repo TRP_010926	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	10.61%
Canara Bank	Certificate of Deposit	4.64%
Axis Bank Limited **	Certificate of Deposit	4.47%
Small Industries Dev Bank of India **	Certificate of Deposit	3.94%
7.7% HDFC Bank Limited **	Corporate Debt	3.29%
8.24% Power Grid Corporation of India Limited **	Corporate Debt	3.15%
7.37% Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited **	Corporate Debt	2.95%
Bank of Baroda **	Certificate of Deposit	2.87%
Axis Bank Limited	Certificate of Deposit	2.83%
Net Current Assets	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	2.75%

The largest disclosed holding is Triparty Repo TRP_010926 at 10.61%, which is meaningful but not dominating. After that, weights step down fairly quickly into the 4% to 3% range, so the fund does not appear to rely on one very large line for most of its exposure.

By the tenth line, the weight has eased to 2.75%, which shows a gradual spread across several positions rather than a tight cluster around the top name. That profile may help reduce the impact of any single security on the overall portfolio, although the higher weights in bank CDs and corporate debt still mean credit selection can matter.

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 41.5% of the portfolio, and there are 48 disclosed holdings in total. Our read is that the fund is moderately spread out with a clear lead set of positions, so influence is shared across a reasonably long tail instead of being concentrated in only a handful of holdings.

To see all holdings, visit the Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who are comfortable with debt-market fluctuations and want a steadier return profile than an equity strategy. The Balanced Risk label fits a portfolio that has delivered mid-single-digit to low-single-digit monthly movement rather than aggressive capital swings.

The three return windows point to a fund that can hold up reasonably well over time, especially when the benchmark is weak, but without promising standout long-term excess return. The main trade-off is that you are accepting a credit-and-rate-sensitive debt portfolio in exchange for comparatively stable compounding and a history of staying ahead of the benchmark in the periods shown.

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 10 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹27.1625 as of 10 Sep 2026.

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

The 1-year return is 6.03%, the 3-year return is 7.21%, and the 5-year return is 6.25%.

How does the fund compare with its benchmark?

The fund has outpaced the benchmark across 1 month, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, while the 3-month gap is smaller. The benchmark itself has been weaker over the 1-year and 1-month windows.

How does it compare with peer funds on returns?

Its recent return is close to the middle of the peer group shown, but several peers have delivered higher 1-year, 3-year or 5-year figures. The comparison is mixed rather than one-sided.

Is there a minimum SIP amount?

Yes. The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.

What should investors know about risk, portfolio and exit load?

The fund is tagged as Balanced Risk and is managed by Suyash Choudhary and Gautam Kaul. The portfolio leans on bank CDs, corporate debt and cash-like holdings, and there is no exit load.

Bottom line

Bandhan Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan looks steadier over short and medium windows than the benchmark, but its longer-run edge is modest rather than dramatic. Peer comparison is mixed: the fund is competitive on recent returns, though some peers have managed better 3-year and 5-year outcomes. The portfolio is led by bank CDs, corporate debt and cash-like positions, which supports a measured, credit-sensitive debt profile for investors who prefer stability over aggressive upside.

Published on 11 September 2026 at 10:29 AM 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.