Kotak Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Kotak Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹90.8616 as of 09 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹1,784 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.22%, 7.27% and 6.22%, respectively, and the fund sits in the Medium Risk bucket. Our view is that it has behaved more steadily over longer stretches than in the latest year, but its recent return still remains close to the benchmark and fits investors who want debt exposure with moderate volatility rather than very sharp swings.

The fund is not a high-conviction growth story; it is a medium-duration debt solution with a portfolio dominated by sovereign and high-quality fixed-income holdings. That mix can suit conservative investors who can stay invested long enough for income and price fluctuations to even out.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹90.8616 as of 09 Sep 2026
AUM	₹1,784 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.7%
Launch Date	01 Jan 2013
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	Medium Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Debt
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Abhishek Bisen

The fund is managed by Abhishek Bisen.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-0.49%	-4.69%
3M	2.01%	0.93%
1Y	5.22%	-7.16%
3Y	7.27%	6%
5Y	6.22%	5.87%

The short-term pattern is noticeably uneven, but the fund has still held up better than the benchmark over the latest month and year. The 1-month return is slightly negative, yet it is far less weak than the benchmark’s move over the same period, which suggests the portfolio has cushioned some of the recent pressure.

Over three months, the fund recovered to a positive return and moved ahead of the benchmark. That matters because the recent trend is not a straight line: the series shows alternating pockets of strength and softness rather than a smooth climb. For debt investors, that kind of movement is normal, but it still calls for patience.

Longer-term, the fund’s 3-year and 5-year returns are both ahead of the benchmark by a modest margin. Our view is that this makes the trailing numbers more reassuring than the latest month, because the longer holding periods capture the steadier compounding pattern that has developed over time.

In practical terms, the fund has not delivered explosive upside, but it has been more stable than the benchmark in recent stress and slightly better over fuller cycles. That is a useful combination for investors who value consistency over fast capital growth.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Kotak Medium to Long Term?

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
Kotak Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.22%	7.27%	6.22%
Franklin India Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.58%	Data not available	Data not available
ICICI Pru Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.36%	7.34%	6.4%
LIC MF Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.32%	7.42%	6.31%
SBI Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.23%	7.03%	6.26%

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. In the latest year, the fund sits close to the peer cluster, with Franklin India Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan marginally ahead on 1-year return and the others staying within a narrow band. The picture is a little stronger over 3 years and 5 years, where the fund stays competitive and remains ahead of SBI Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan on both measures while trailing LIC MF Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan slightly on those same horizons. The short-term and longer-term comparisons therefore tell a consistent story: the fund is steady, but not the most aggressive performer in the group.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
7.24% Central Government – 2055	Government Securities	16.39%
Triparty Repo	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	11.07%
6.48% Central Government – 2035	Government Securities	8.16%
6.8% National Housing Bank**	Corporate Debt	7.61%
Small Industries Development Bank of India**	Corporate Debt	5.58%
7.09% Central Government – 2054(^)	Government Securities	5.29%
Capital Infra Trust	Reits & Invits	4.51%
7.45% Bihar State Govt – 2034 – Bihar(^)	Government Securities	4.46%
6.9% Central Government – 2065	Government Securities	4.43%
7.52% Bihar State Govt – 2036 – Bihar	Government Securities	4.43%

The largest holding is 7.24% Central Government – 2055 at 16.39%, so it is likely to have greater influence on the portfolio than any other single position. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is meaningful, but not abrupt enough to suggest a pure one-name portfolio; the top ten still cover a mix of government securities, cash, corporate debt and a REITs/InvITs line.

The displayed holdings together account for 71.93% of the portfolio, and the fund discloses 25 holdings overall. That points to a portfolio that is fairly concentrated in a core set of positions, while still leaving room for a longer tail beyond the largest names. The weighting profile may help support steadier debt-style behaviour, because the biggest positions are mostly in sovereign and high-quality credit rather than in more cyclical assets.

To see all holdings, visit the Kotak Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who are comfortable with Medium Risk and want a debt-oriented holding with some movement in returns rather than a fixed, ultra-stable profile. The 3-year and 5-year numbers suggest that staying invested longer has been more rewarding than judging it by the latest month or quarter.

The benchmark comparison also matters: the fund has been better than the benchmark over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, which supports a patient horizon of at least a few years. The main trade-off is that the portfolio can still wobble in shorter periods, so investors need to accept some mark-to-market volatility in exchange for the possibility of steadier longer-term outcomes.

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

No exit load applies if units are sold anytime.

Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Kotak Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹90.8616 as of 09 Sep 2026.

What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.22%, 7.27% and 6.22%.

How has the fund compared with its benchmark?
It has stayed ahead of the benchmark over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, and it has also held up better in the latest month.

How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Its 1-year return is close to the peer group, while its 3-year and 5-year numbers remain competitive and slightly ahead of some peers such as SBI Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan.

Is there an exit load?
No exit load applies if units are sold anytime.

Who manages the fund?
Abhishek Bisen manages the fund.

Bottom line

Kotak Medium to Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan looks more convincing over longer periods than in the latest month, which is exactly what a debt-oriented investor would want to examine. Its returns have stayed ahead of the benchmark across the available 1-year, 3-year and 5-year windows, while peer comparison shows a broadly competitive but not standout pattern. The portfolio is anchored by government securities and other high-quality fixed-income positions, so the fund may appeal to investors who want moderate risk, patience and a portfolio built around relatively steady credit quality rather than aggressive upside.

Published on 10 September 2026 at 11:20 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.