LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹38.8453 as of 10 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹16 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 7.46%, 9.3% and 8.35% respectively, and the fund is tagged as High Risk.

Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can stay patient through swings and want a children-oriented equity solution with a sizeable allocation to government securities, cash and selected equities. The return profile is steady rather than explosive, so the fund may suit a longer horizon where consistency matters more than chasing near-term jumps.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹38.8453 as of 10 Sep 2026
AUM	₹16 Cr
Expense Ratio	1.63%
Launch Date	01 Jan 2013
Min SIP	₹200
Risk Category	High Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Solution Oriented
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Siddharth Panjwani, Pratik Shroff

The fund is managed by Siddharth Panjwani and Pratik Shroff.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-1.66%	-4.06%
3M	9.04%	1.37%
1Y	7.46%	-7.31%
3Y	9.3%	6.07%
5Y	8.35%	5.91%

The recent picture is mixed but better than the benchmark over every period shown. The one-month return is still negative, yet it has held up better than the benchmark over the same stretch. Over three months, the fund recovered sharply and moved well ahead of the benchmark, which tells us that shorter-term volatility has not stopped it from participating in rebounds.

The broader pattern is more useful for long-horizon investors. The 1-year return is positive while the benchmark is negative, and the 3-year and 5-year returns both stay ahead of the benchmark. That suggests the fund has protected its relative position across both weak and stronger market phases rather than relying on one brief rally. The 3-year trend also looks more stable than the 1-year path, which saw a noticeable drawdown before recovering.

For us, the main takeaway is that this is not a straight-line compounder. It has had periods of softness, but the longer horizon shows a more dependable relative pattern versus the NIFTY 50. Investors who expect smooth monthly performance may find the swings uncomfortable, while those focused on multi-year compounding may see the current profile as more meaningful.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD LIC MF Children’s?

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
SBI Children's Fund-Investment Plan Direct Growth Plan	15.74%	20.9%	21.22%
SBI Children's Fund-Savings Plan Direct Growth Plan	10.08%	11.77%	10.88%
LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.46%	9.3%	8.35%
Aditya Birla SL Bal Bhavishya Yojna Direct Growth Plan	6.55%	11.18%	9.97%
Baroda BNP Paribas Children's Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.09%	Data not available	Data not available

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

On recent returns, this fund trails the stronger peer numbers shown here, especially the SBI children’s options that post materially higher 1-year outcomes. Its 3-year and 5-year returns also sit below the better peer figures, so the comparison favours peers on both short and longer horizons where data is available.

At the same time, the peer set does not tell only one story. The gap is narrower against some peer funds over 3 years and 5 years than it is over 1 year, which suggests the competitive picture changes across time frames. That makes the fund look more modest on relative return strength, but not without a history of staying in the same broad range as some other children-focused options.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
7.38% Government of India	Government Securities	9.35%
TREPS	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	8.52%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.	Healthcare	4.82%
Bajaj Auto Ltd.	Automobile & Ancillaries	3.68%
Endurance Technologies Ltd.	Automobile & Ancillaries	3.49%
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.	Healthcare	3.23%
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.	Automobile & Ancillaries	3.19%
Cummins India Ltd.	Automobile & Ancillaries	3.18%
Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd.	Finance	3.1%
Lumax Auto Technologies Ltd.	Automobile & Ancillaries	3.09%

The largest holding, 7.38% Government of India, is the biggest single position at 9.35%. From there, weights step down gradually, with the tenth holding still close to 3.09%. That shape tells us the portfolio is not dominated by one equity bet alone; instead, it spreads meaningful weight across government securities, cash and a cluster of equities.

The top ten holdings together account for approximately 45.65% of the portfolio, and the fund has 37 disclosed holding rows. That combination suggests a mix of concentration and breadth: the largest names matter, but there is also a longer tail of holdings that may help reduce dependence on any one position.

Our reading is that the portfolio may have a moderating influence on day-to-day swings compared with a pure high-beta equity sleeve, even though the scheme still carries a High Risk tag. The presence of cash equivalents and government securities alongside healthcare, automobile and finance names points to a more balanced construction than an all-equity growth fund.

To see all holdings, visit the LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund may suit investors who can handle High Risk and stay invested for several years rather than months. The return pattern shows positive longer-term numbers, but it also shows some short-term softness, so patience matters.

The main trade-off is that the fund has outpaced the benchmark on the time frames shown, yet it has not done so with strong short-term smoothness. Investors who want a children-oriented solution with equity participation and some portfolio cushioning may find that balance useful, while investors seeking low volatility or quick gains may not.

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 LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹38.8453 as of 10 Sep 2026.

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

The 1-year return is 7.46%, the 3-year return is 9.3% and the 5-year return is 8.35%.

How has the fund performed versus the benchmark?

It has been ahead of the NIFTY 50 across the periods shown. The benchmark is negative over 1 year and modest over 3 years and 5 years, while the fund stays positive throughout.

How does it compare with peer children’s funds?

Its recent returns are below the stronger peer figures shown here, especially the SBI children’s options. The longer-term figures also trail the better peer numbers available in this group.

Is there an exit load?

No. Units can be sold anytime without an exit load.

Who manages the fund?

The fund is managed by Siddharth Panjwani and Pratik Shroff.

Bottom line

LIC MF Children’s Fund Direct Growth Plan looks like a higher-risk solution with a steadier long-term profile than its short-term moves might suggest. It has stayed ahead of the benchmark across the return periods shown, but it trails some peer children’s funds on both recent and longer horizons. The portfolio mixes government securities, cash and equity names, which may help soften the ride without removing risk. In our view, it fits investors who want a multi-year children-focused allocation and can accept uneven shorter-term performance.

Published on 11 September 2026 at 10:15 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.