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

Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹52.5095 as of 09 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹2,796 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -4.9%, 6.76% and 7.25%, respectively, and it sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that this is a plain index fund suitable for investors who want Nifty 50 exposure with low costs, but the recent 1-year weakness means patience matters.

The fund has tracked the benchmark closely over longer periods, with returns that are only modestly different from the index across 3 years and 5 years. The portfolio is concentrated in large, well-known names, so performance will largely reflect the direction of the Nifty 50 and the market leadership of banks, telecom, energy and infrastructure.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹52.5095 as of 09 Sep 2026
AUM	₹2,796 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.1%
Launch Date	01 Jan 2013
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	High Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Index Funds
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Abhishek Jain, Mayuresh Nagvekar

The fund is managed by Abhishek Jain and Mayuresh Nagvekar.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-4.66%	-4.69%
3M	1.49%	0.93%
1Y	-4.9%	-7.16%
3Y	6.76%	6%
5Y	7.25%	5.87%

The recent pattern is mixed rather than one-way. The 1-month figure is weak, but the fund still edges the benchmark over that stretch, which tells us it has not materially lagged the index in the latest drawdown. Over 3 months, the fund has done better than the benchmark, suggesting some short-term recovery.

Over 1 year, the picture remains negative for both the fund and the index, but the fund’s decline is smaller. That matters because an index fund can only add value in this setup by tracking efficiently and keeping the gap to the benchmark narrow; here, the gap has been favorable on the 1-year number. The broader 3-year and 5-year figures show a steadier compounding trend, with the fund ahead of the index in both periods.

Our view is that the longer run is more informative for a passive strategy. The 3-year and 5-year outcomes suggest the fund has generally mirrored the market with a modest edge, while the weaker 1-year figure reflects the same market stress that hit the benchmark. That combination is consistent with an index fund that is doing what it is meant to do, rather than one that is trying to behave defensively.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Bandhan 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 Bandhan Nifty 50 Index? Thinking of investing now?

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Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	-4.9%	6.76%	7.25%
ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	33.02%	30.03%	Data not available
Aditya Birla SL Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	32.69%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty India Defence Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	31.48%	Data not available	Data not available
Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	25.59%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan	24.6%	Data not available	Data not available

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

The current fund’s 1-year return is far below the headline 1-year figures of the thematic peers listed here, but that comparison is not apples to apples because those peers are very different strategies. Against the benchmark-style comparison inside this set, the fund’s own 3-year and 5-year returns are steadier and much closer to a market-tracking outcome. The short-term story is therefore weaker than the longer-term one, but the longer-term numbers still support the case that it has behaved like a conventional Nifty 50 tracker.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
HDFC Bank Limited	Bank	10.23%
ICICI Bank Limited	Bank	9.19%
Reliance Industries Limited	Crude Oil	7.89%
Bharti Airtel Limited	Telecom	5.36%
Larsen & Toubro Limited	Infrastructure	4.12%
State Bank of India	Bank	3.79%
Infosys Limited	IT	3.54%
Axis Bank Limited	Bank	3.15%
Bajaj Finance Limited	Finance	2.73%
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited	Automobile & Ancillaries	2.71%

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 52.71% of the portfolio.

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

The largest holding, HDFC Bank Limited, carries a 10.23% weight, so it is likely to have greater influence on day-to-day movement than any other single name in the visible list. The tenth holding still stands at 2.71%, which shows that weights taper down but remain meaningful across several large-cap stocks.

The drop from the first to the tenth holding is gradual rather than abrupt, which points to a portfolio that is diversified across a core set of large companies instead of being dominated by one or two positions. At the same time, the top 10 accounting for 52.71% across 49 disclosed holdings suggests a fairly concentrated structure in the leading names, with a longer tail of smaller positions filling out the rest.

This mix may help keep the fund anchored to broad market behavior, but it can also mean that a handful of banks and other large constituents may contribute more heavily to returns in any given period.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors with a higher risk tolerance who are comfortable with equity market swings and want exposure to the Nifty 50 through a passive strategy. The 1-year performance has been negative, while the 3-year and 5-year figures are positive, so the better fit is for someone who can stay invested through weaker stretches.

It works better for a longer horizon than for a short holding period, because the benchmark-linked nature of the strategy means results will largely follow the market cycle. The main trade-off is simple: low-cost index exposure and broad large-cap participation, but limited ability to defend against market drawdowns or outperform the benchmark by a wide margin.

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 09 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Bandhan Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹52.5095 as of 09 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -4.9%, 6.76% and 7.25%.

How does the fund compare with the Nifty 50 benchmark?
It has been slightly ahead of the Nifty 50 over 3 years and 5 years, with 6.76% versus 6% and 7.25% versus 5.87%. Over 1 year, it has declined less than the benchmark.

How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is far below the thematic peers shown here, but those funds are not direct substitutes for a Nifty 50 index fund. Within its own benchmark context, the longer-term numbers remain steady.

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 Abhishek Jain and Mayuresh Nagvekar. There is no exit load.

Bottom line

The fund’s recent 1-year performance is weaker, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers show a steadier picture that is more consistent with a benchmark-tracking Nifty 50 strategy. It compares reasonably well with the benchmark over longer periods, while the short-term stretch reflects the same market softness seen in the index. The portfolio is led by a relatively small set of large-cap names, especially banks, so investors should be comfortable with market-linked swings and a large-cap style that stays close to the index.

Published on 10 September 2026 at 10:08 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.