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

SBI Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹3534.6332 as of 10 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹3,869 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.5%, 7.24% and 6.12%, and the scheme is placed in the Medium Risk category.

Our view is that this is a debt fund suited to conservative investors who want banking-and-PSU-oriented exposure with moderate return stability rather than sharp swings. The recent return pattern is steadier over longer periods, while the portfolio is built around a handful of large positions that can influence outcomes.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹3,534.6332 as of 10 Sep 2026
AUM	₹3,869 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.39%
Launch Date	07 Jan 2013
Min SIP	₹500
Risk Category	Medium Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Debt
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Ardhendu Bhattacharya

The fund is managed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	0.1%	-4.06%
3M	1.74%	1.37%
1Y	5.5%	-7.31%
3Y	7.24%	6.07%
5Y	6.12%	5.91%

Short-term performance has been mixed but controlled. The 1-month return is only slightly positive, while the 3-month return is higher and comfortably ahead of the benchmark over the same period. That tells us the fund has not been chasing sharp moves; it has instead moved through the recent period with relatively measured changes.

The 1-year picture is more striking because the benchmark is negative while the fund remains positive at 5.5%. That contrast matters for investors who want a debt allocation that may cushion equity-style drawdowns. The fund’s recent path looks steadier than the benchmark’s, even though it still had small ups and downs along the way.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has delivered 7.24% and 6.12%, both above the benchmark’s 6.07% and 5.91% for the same horizons. Our view is that the longer-term record is broadly consistent and does not depend on a single strong stretch. The 3-year figure is better than the 5-year figure, so the pace has not been uniform, but the longer window still supports a stable compounding pattern.

For a debt fund, that combination of moderate return and benchmark resilience is useful. It suggests the scheme can participate in income-oriented opportunities while keeping the overall profile calmer than an equity-heavy allocation.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD SBI 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 SBI Banking and PSU Debt? Thinking of investing now?

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Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
SBI Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.5%	7.24%	6.12%
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 1-year measure, the fund trails several peers, while its 3-year and 5-year numbers stay close to the group and remain clearly competitive. That mix tells us the recent stretch has been softer than the stronger peer outcomes, but the longer record is more balanced.

For the longer horizon, the fund’s 3-year return is above some peers and below others, and its 5-year return sits in the middle of the visible set. The result is a peer story that is not dominated by one period. Short-term comparison looks less convincing than the longer-term one, but the scheme still holds up as a stable banking-and-PSU debt option rather than a standout short-term mover.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development	Corporate Debt	7.92%
Canara Bank	Certificate of Deposit	7.39%
6.94% CGL 2036	Government Securities	6.2%
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.	Corporate Debt	5.62%
Union Bank of India	Certificate of Deposit	5.61%
TREPS	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	5.27%
Small Industries Development Bank of India	Certificate of Deposit	4.89%
7.74% State Government of Tamil Nadu 2036	Government Securities	4.68%
ONGC Petro Additions Ltd.	Corporate Debt	4.53%
GAIL (India) Ltd.	Corporate Debt	4.52%

The largest holding is National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development at 7.92%, which is sizeable but not extreme for a debt portfolio built around banking and PSU names. The gap from the largest holding to the tenth holding is not dramatic, because the weights move from 7.92% to 4.52%, so the portfolio does not rely on a single outsized position to drive results.

At the same time, the first ten holdings together account for approximately 56.63% of the portfolio, so the displayed book is meaningfully concentrated even though it is not narrowly dependent on one security. With 30 holdings in total, the scheme may still benefit from a longer tail of smaller positions, but the visible core is clearly where much of the portfolio weight sits.

That structure can matter for return behaviour. A portfolio with several mid-sized banking, certificate-of-deposit and government-security positions may produce more predictable movement than a very concentrated credit book, while still leaving enough room for individual holdings to influence outcomes.

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

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This scheme suits investors with moderate risk tolerance who want debt exposure rather than equity-like swings. The Medium Risk label, along with a return pattern that has stayed positive over 1-, 3- and 5-year windows, points to a fund that may fit core fixed-income allocations.

A longer investment horizon is more useful here than a very short one, because the 3-year and 5-year outcomes are more informative than the recent month-to-month moves. The main trade-off is that returns are steadier than equity, but the payoff is also more modest than what growth-oriented assets can offer. Investors who want benchmark resilience and a banking-and-PSU credit mix may find that balance practical.

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.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

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

The current NAV is ₹3534.6332 as of 10 Sep 2026.

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

The 1-year return is 5.5%, the 3-year return is 7.24%, and the 5-year return is 6.12%.

How does the fund compare with its benchmark?

It is ahead of the benchmark across all the visible periods. The gap is especially clear over 1 year, where the fund remains positive while the benchmark is negative.

How does it compare with other banking and PSU debt funds?

Its 1-year return trails several peers, while its 3-year and 5-year returns remain broadly competitive. That makes the near-term picture softer than the longer-term one.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.

What is the exit load and who manages the fund?

There is no exit load. The fund is managed by Ardhendu Bhattacharya.

Bottom line

SBI Banking and PSU Debt Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a steadier longer-term pattern than its recent short-term numbers alone suggest. It has stayed ahead of the benchmark across the visible horizons, while the peer set shows a mixed picture in which the 1-year return is less compelling than the 3-year and 5-year record. The Medium Risk profile and the banking-and-PSU-heavy portfolio point to a conservative debt allocation with a meaningful core of larger holdings.

Published on 11 September 2026 at 10:01 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.