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Best Mutual Funds To Invest in India For High Returns

Posted by : sachet | Fri Jan 02 2026

Best Mutual Funds To Invest in India For High Returns

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Investing in the best performing mutual funds has become one of the leading choice for investors seeking high returns and growing their wealth over time. A mutual fund enables investors to pool their money in different types of securities, such as equity, debt, and other financial instruments, to diversify their investments. A professional fund manager is hired to manage the portfolio and make investment decisions.

Many investors are continuously seeking the best-performing funds of all time to grow their wealth, but are confused by the many options available. That is why selecting the best performing mutual funds to invest in in 2026 is crucial: the market is in a continuous, evolving phase from volatility to stability, market uncertainty remains high, but India’s long-term story remains strong. 

Mutual funds have become a popular investment for those seeking the best-performing mutual funds for long-term wealth creation. Markets are becoming more powerful, and investors are becoming more rational, so it is essential for investors to know the top 10 best performing mutual funds in India. It helps investors select the best performing mutual funds in India that are consistently strong and align with their financial objectives. This article will help you guide the best performing mutual funds in India.

Why invest in mutual funds in 2026?

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Investing in mutual funds can be an attractive investment option for investors seeking long-term returns and wealth creation in a simplified manner. The Indian economy is in an upward phase, financial markets are becoming more powerful, and investors are becoming more rational in their investments. Mutual funds offer a smart investment option for both new and existing investors. Here are reasons to invest in the top-performing mutual funds for wealth creation in India.

  • Consistent Performance

One of the key reasons to invest in mutual funds is their consistent performance throughout. Mutual funds with consistent performance in India are not only reliable for short-term gains but also deliver consistent returns and are among the best-performing mutual funds of all time. Many of the funds on the list are categorised as the highest-returning mutual funds over the last 5 years, reflecting their effective functioning, strategic approach, and ability to handle market uncertainties efficiently.

  • High returns potential

Mutaal funds tend to yield higher long-term returns when invested appropriately. Equity mutual funds invest in large companies, helping investors grow their wealth over time. To invest in a mutual fund for 5 to 10 years, one can choose among the top mutual funds for wealth creation in India. Many of the funds on the list have been among the highest-returning mutual funds over the last 5 years, performing impressively due to emerging markets and the fund’s effective management. High returns are also associated with risk, so long-term investment and selecting the right fund are crucial for creating wealth.

  • Long-term wealth creation

Mutual funds are the best method for investing to create long-term wealth. By investing in mutual funds through SIP investment, you can take advantage of the power of compounding. Long-term mutual funds help save money for financial goals such as retirement and children’s education. While choosing the best mutual fund for long-term investment in India is crucial to growing your portfolio regularly, these funds are among the top mutual funds for wealth creation in India, making them a stable investment option for long-term investors.

  • Robust past performance

One of the primary reasons why investors choose mutual funds is their robust past performance. Funds that have continuously offered returns over the last 10 years are intended to be the best-performing mutual funds of all time. Many of these are also among the highest-return mutual funds in India in last 5 years, making them an ideal investment option for long-term investors. Investing in mutual funds with consistent performance in India offers stable returns and mitigates risk. Such funds provide a proven track record of success, helping investors generate long-term wealth.

  • Professional Fund Management

One of the key benefits of investing in mutual funds is professional fund management. Because they are experienced and have judgment, they make informed decisions for the investor’s portfolio. A fund manager helps investors invest in mutual funds that have performed well and have a track record of consistent performance in India. Professional fund management helps investors generate high returns while mitigating risk. By selecting funds with strong performance, such as the highest-return mutual funds in India over the last 5 years, among the top mutual funds for wealth creation in India, investors can achieve long-term wealth without regularly tracking the market.

Best Performing Mutual Funds to Invest in 2026: Category-Wise List

Best Performing Mutual Funds to Invest in 2026

Before investing in the best-performing mutual funds to invest in 2026, look at the category-wise list to help investors choose the best-performing mutual fund according to their profile. This category-wise list highlights broad market vision and expected trends in 2026.

  1. Best Large cap Mutual funds 

Large-cap mutual funds are equity funds that invest in the stocks of the top 100 by market capitalisation. These companies are among the biggest brands in our country, and many Indians consume their products daily. Investment in large-cap mutual funds is suitable for 5 years.

Scheme NameAUM3-year return5-year return
Nippon India Large Cap Fund₹50,312 Cr18.46%22.43
ICICI Prudential Large Cap Fund₹78,159.80 Cr18.23%19.36%
DSP Large Cap Fund₹6,933.59 Cr18.60%16.78%
HDFC Large Cap Fund₹40,617.55 Cr15.82%18.48%
Aditiya Birla Sun Life Large Cap Fund₹31,451 Cr15.65%17.09%
  1. Best Flexi Cap Mutual Funds 

Flexi-cap mutual funds include large, mid and small caps. These flexi-cap mutual funds help them capture growth across different sectors, yielding better returns. Flexi cap funds are well-suited for a 7-year.

Scheme NameAUM (Cr)3 year 5 year
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap- Growth1,25,80020.64%20.76%
Bank of India Flexi Cap Fund- Growth2,26120.28%22.26%
JM Flexicap Fund-Growth6,080.3919.92%21.93%
ICICI Prudential Flexicap Fund- Growth19,620.8120.04%
  1. Best Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Mutual Funds 

Mid-cap and small-cap mutual funds yield higher returns. They are highly advantaged by rising consumption and the expansion of industries. They are advantageous and risky investments. Cap and small-cap mutual funds are considered the best mutual funds for the next 10 years.

SchemeAUM3 year5 year
Motilal Oswal Midcap- Growth₹37,500.8625.45%29.65%
Bandhan Small Cap Fund- Growth₹17,380.2931.41%29.69%
Quant Small Cap Fund- Growth₹30,504.3922.60%32.81%
HDFC Mid Cap₹92,168.8525.29%26.47%
  1. Best Debt Mutual Funds 

Debt Mutual Funds invest in fixed-income bonds and securities of the government and companies. These mutual funds are fixed-income securities, including corporate bonds, treasury bills, government securities, and money market securities. Debt funds are generally riskier than equities, which depend on a limited time frame for short-term goals (up to 18 months) and a long-term horizon of 36 months.

Scheme Name AUM(Cr)1 year3 year
ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund14,941.377.22%7.90%
Bandhan Dynamic Bond Fund2,654.473.68%6.54%
DSP credit risk Fund Direct growth₹208.6421.96%15.56%
HSBC Credit Risk Fund Direct- Growth₹523.4521.11%11.97%
  1. Best Hybrid Mutual Funds

Hybrid mutual funds combine equity and debt, which provides investors with stable and consistent returns. Hybrid funds are categorized as mutual funds with consistent performance in India. Equity funds offer growth, and debt funds are well-suited to market volatility. Because of this balanced strategy, many investors consider hybrid funds as the best-performing mutual funds for long-term investment in India. From a long-term perspective, hybrid funds also fall within the top mutual funds for wealth creation in India, particularly for risk-appetite investors.

SchemeAUM1 year3 year
ICICI Prudential Balanced Advantage ₹68,449.9413.39%13.38%
HDFC Balanced ₹1,06,493.5517.50%21.35%
Kotak Multi Asset₹9,429.1815.87%
Nippon India Multi-Asset Omni FoF Growth₹1,477.2213.71%19.53%
ICICI Prudential All Seasons Bond Fund₹48,071.318.68%23.66%

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Factors to consider before choosing the best-performing mutual funds 

Investors must follow a simple framework when evaluating mutual fund performance.  This helps simplify the decision-making process.

  1. Past Performance trends
  • Check three-year and five-year returns.
  • Look for performance during both up and down markets.
  • Avoid funds with inconsistent track records.
  1. Fund Manager Expertise
  • Study the manager’s experience and strategy.
  • Check how long they have managed the fund.
  • A stable strategy creates predictable outcomes.
  1. Risk Measures
  • Evaluate the Basics metrics like
  • Standard deviation
  • Sharpe ratio
  • Sortino ratio
  • Lower volatility and high-risk returns show better performance
  1. Expense Ratio
  • Lower expenses support long-term returns
  • Compare funds within the same category
  • Don’t invest in a fund only because of low cost
  1. Portfolio Quality
  • Active allocation of the sector
  • Lack of concentration
  • High-quality companies
  1. Investment time frame and objectives
  • Match your fund investment objectives
  • Use equity for long-term investment 
  • Use hybrid and debt or short-term investments

Best performing Mutual fund for the last 10 years?

Here is the list of the top 10 best-performing mutual funds for the last 10 years. Best suited for investors seeking the best mutual funds for long-term investment in India.

Fund NameAUM3-year CAGR10-year CAGRExpense Ratio
Nippon India Small Cap India 68,571.8521.23%19.89%1.39%
Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund 12,51415.2822.040.58
Quant Infrastruture Fund Growth3,187.5715.46%19.11%1.91%
Axis Small Cap Fund 26,76917.21%18.20%1.59%
Quant Small Cap 30,169.7119.86%19.03%1.58%
Axis Small Cap Fund26,769.0818.50%19.69%0.56%
HDFC Small Cap fund38,020.3119.83%17.99%1.54%
Invesco India Midcap Fund10,006.3026.30%18.551.72%
SBI Small Cap Fund36,272.0013,78%19.07%0.75%
Quant Flexi Cap Fund6,866.6616.47%20.11%0.66%

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Best performing Mutual Funds for the next 10 years?

Here is the list of the top 10 best-performing mutual funds for the next 10 years.

Scheme AUM (in ₹)3 Years CAGR (in%)10 Years CAGR (in%)Expense Ratio
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund1,25,79922.8219.510.63
Quant Flexi Cap Fund30,169.7121.6817.490.77
JM Flexi Cap Fund6,015.3221.7517.340.58
Motiwal Oswal Large and Midcap Fund38,002.6826.3022.750.74
Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund13,285.4817.3423.490.48
ICICI Prudential Large & Midcap Fund10,89,372.8328.6118.600.87
Quant Small Cap Fund30,169.7121.6817.490.77
Nippon India Small Cap Fund2,512.1146.8137.290.27
Bandhan Small Cap Fund17,380.2931.2732.050.47
ICICI Prudential 8,160.4726.0731.411.00

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Risks involved in the best-performing mutual funds

  • Market Volatility Risk: Typically, equity-based funds invest in the shares of companies that are listed on stock exchanges. The value of such funds is based on the company’s performance, which is often affected by prevailing microeconomic factors.     
  • Volatility Risks: Selecting a diversified portfolio comprising funds and schemes with low to moderate risk will help mitigate market volatility, and investing in high-credit-rated securities with a track record of paying substantial and timely interest.  
  • Concentration Risk: Instead of investing in a single asset class or investment sector, investors can allocate their money across diverse asset classes and sectors, which is beneficial for investors seeking the best-performing mutual funds. 
  • Inflation Risk: It is the risk of losing one’s purchasing power, primarily due to rising inflation. Typically, investors are exposed to this risk when the rate of return on their investments fails to keep pace with rising inflation. 
  • Currency Risk: This risk concerns the fear that a decline in the exchange rate will reduce investment returns. To elaborate, it is believed that when the value of foreign currency-denominated funds increases, it will result in a decrease in foreign currency. 
  • Rebalancing risk: Mutual fund investments are frequently rebalanced by fund managers and closely monitored. However, regular reinvestments often carry the risk of missing growth opportunities.     

How does Univest help you choose the right mutual fund?

How does Univest help you choose the right mutual fund
  • Univest offers expert recommendations to help you choose the best investment based on your financial needs.
  • You can easily sync your current mutual fund investments to get a complete view of your portfolio with a one-stop solution app.
  • Set your short-term and long-term goals, and Univest aligns its recommendations with them. 
  • Univest offers unique recommendations to individuals based on their goals, risk tolerance, and existing holdings.
  • Get research analyst suggestions to maintain your portfolio and maximise long-term wealth.

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Conclusion

Investing in Mutual Funds is a popular way to achieve financial prosperity. However, aligning investment decisions with your financial goals, risk tolerance and investment horizon is crucial. Our comprehensive guide to top-performing mutual funds across various categories helps you find funds that align with your financial goals. Whether you are targeting long-term capital growth or seeking to invest money for short-term financial goals, a curated list includes the best mutual funds based on performance, consistency, and risk management. Each mutual fund is backed by our reliable Fund Ratings, ensuring clarity and transparency. Our data is regularly updated, so many investors have access to the most current information. 

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FAQs

Which is the highest-performing mutual fund in India?

    Ans. Here is the list of the best-performing mutual funds

    Quant Small Cap Fund Direct-Growth₹274.56 Invest-1.48%
    Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth Plan-Bonus Option Bonus₹186.80 Invest5.01%
    Bandhan Small Cap Fund Direct-Growth₹51.05 Invest8.20%
    Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund Direct-Growth ₹122.54-11.11%

    What SIP is 100% safe?

      Ans. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) invest in mutual funds, which are subject to market risks. No investment is 100% safe because the value of market-linked investments can fluctuate. JM Flexicap Fund gave an 80% return in a year. Both PPF and SSY offer tax exemptions under the EEE category, ensuring that your investments are tax-exempt. 

      What is the golden rule of mutual funds?

      Ans. Investors should diversify across asset classes, such as equities, fixed income, and alternative investments, to achieve the desired returns with reduced risk. It is also important to note here that one should include assets with low correlation in the overall portfolio. 

      Which Mutual Fund is best for a one-time investment?

      Ans. Quant Small Cap Fund. Try this equity fund if you are looking for strong growth, as it has offered remarkable returns over the years, along with the Nippon India Small Cap Fund, Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Fund, and Quant Multi Asset Fund. 

      How do I choose the right mutual fund?

      Ans. There are step-by-step guides to help you choose the investable Mutual Fund Scheme, such as defining your Financial goals, assessing your risk tolerance, considering your investment horizon, evaluating fund performance, analysing fund costs, reviewing fund manager expertise, and, lastly, understanding tax implications. 

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