Best Mutual Funds to Invest in India in October 2026
What are mutual funds?
A mutual fund pools money from many investors, and a fund manager invests it in shares, bonds or other assets. Each investor owns units of the fund, and the value of a unit, its net asset value (NAV), rises and falls with the value of what the fund holds.
SEBI groups funds into categories. Each category has its own rules about what a fund must hold, which tells you what kind of risk to expect. This page looks at ten equity-oriented categories.
- Categories covered
- 10
- Funds in these categories
- 313
- Average 1-year return
- 3.18%
- Average 3-year return
- 12.20%
Direct plans, as of 30 September 2026
Top mutual funds to invest in India in October 2026
These 10 funds come one from each of ten categories, so the list covers different kinds of funds. They are shown in no particular order, and their ranks are available only in the Blacklitt app. Each fund's category is shown under its name. Tap a fund to see its rank.
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | Expense ratio | Fund size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 HDFC Value FundValueRank: App exclusive | 5.54% | 15.02% | 0.86% | ₹8,266 Cr |
 Invesco India Focused FundFocusedRank: App exclusive | 4.49% | 19.96% | 0.49% | ₹6,454 Cr |
| Invesco India Largecap FundLarge CapRank: App exclusive | 1.44% | 12.94% | 0.66% | ₹2,021 Cr |
 Mahindra Manulife Multi Cap FundMulti CapRank: App exclusive | 12.29% | 16.31% | 0.44% | ₹7,662 Cr |
 ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap FundLarge & Mid CapRank: App exclusive | −0.55% | 13.98% | 0.67% | ₹33,592 Cr |
 Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid FundAggressive HybridRank: App exclusive | 6.20% | 13.66% | 0.47% | ₹2,610 Cr |
 Bank Of India Small Cap FundSmall CapRank: App exclusive | 30.87% | 21.78% | 0.41% | ₹3,307 Cr |
 Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap FundFlexi CapRank: App exclusive | 5.59% | 15.89% | 0.47% | ₹8,655 Cr |
 JM ELSS - Tax Saver FundELSS Tax SaverRank: App exclusive | 7.94% | 15.78% | 0.93% | ₹248 Cr |
 Edelweiss Mid Cap FundMid CapRank: App exclusive | 6.31% | 19.36% | 0.41% | ₹19,891 Cr |
Mutual funds returns calculator
See what an investment in one of these funds would have grown to. Choose a fund, a monthly SIP or a one-time lumpsum, an amount and a period.
Between ₹500 and ₹1,00,000.
- Invested
- Worth
- Total investment
- ₹6,00,000
- Profit
- ₹2,37,539
- Current value
- ₹8,37,539
This fund has generated an XIRR of 13.29% over the past 5 years.
See this fund in the appYear-by-year numbers
| Year | Invested | Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹1,20,000 | ₹1,22,406 |
| 2 | ₹2,40,000 | ₹2,83,304 |
| 3 | ₹3,60,000 | ₹5,74,267 |
| 4 | ₹4,80,000 | ₹6,77,507 |
| 5 | ₹6,00,000 | ₹8,37,539 |
Details of the funds on this list
Let's take a closer look at these funds.
HDFC Value Fund
- Fund Performance
- The HDFC Value Fund has given 15.02% annualised returns in the past three years and 13.19% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 5.54%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in HDFC Value Fund via lump sum is ₹100 and via SIP is ₹100.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of HDFC Value Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.86% a year, and the fund's size is ₹8,266 Cr.
Invesco India Focused Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Invesco India Focused Fund has given 19.96% annualised returns in the past three years and 14.61% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 4.49%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Invesco India Focused Fund via lump sum is ₹1,000 and via SIP is ₹100.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Invesco India Focused Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.49% a year, and the fund's size is ₹6,454 Cr.
Invesco India Largecap Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Invesco India Largecap Fund has given 12.94% annualised returns in the past three years and 10.61% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 1.44%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Invesco India Largecap Fund via lump sum is ₹1,000 and via SIP is ₹100.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Invesco India Largecap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.66% a year, and the fund's size is ₹2,021 Cr.
Mahindra Manulife Multi Cap Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Mahindra Manulife Multi Cap Fund has given 16.31% annualised returns in the past three years and 15.17% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 12.29%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Mahindra Manulife Multi Cap Fund via lump sum is ₹1,000 and via SIP is ₹500.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Mahindra Manulife Multi Cap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.44% a year, and the fund's size is ₹7,662 Cr.
ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund
- Fund Performance
- The ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund has given 13.98% annualised returns in the past three years and 14.08% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned −0.55%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund via lump sum is ₹500 and via SIP is ₹100.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.67% a year, and the fund's size is ₹33,592 Cr.
Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund has given 13.66% annualised returns in the past three years and 11.22% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 6.20%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund via lump sum is ₹1,000 and via SIP is ₹100.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.47% a year, and the fund's size is ₹2,610 Cr.
Bank Of India Small Cap Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Bank Of India Small Cap Fund has given 21.78% annualised returns in the past three years and 20.17% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 30.87%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Bank Of India Small Cap Fund via lump sum is ₹5,000 and via SIP is ₹1,000.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Bank Of India Small Cap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.41% a year, and the fund's size is ₹3,307 Cr.
Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund has given 15.89% annualised returns in the past three years. In the past year it has returned 5.59%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund via lump sum is ₹500 and via SIP is ₹500.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Bajaj Finserv Flexi Cap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.47% a year, and the fund's size is ₹8,655 Cr.
JM ELSS - Tax Saver Fund
- Fund Performance
- The JM ELSS - Tax Saver Fund has given 15.78% annualised returns in the past three years and 13.45% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 7.94%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in JM ELSS - Tax Saver Fund via lump sum is ₹500 and via SIP is ₹500.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of JM ELSS - Tax Saver Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.93% a year, and the fund's size is ₹248 Cr.
Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund
- Fund Performance
- The Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund has given 19.36% annualised returns in the past three years and 17.45% in the last five years. In the past year it has returned 6.31%.
- Minimum Investment Amount
- The minimum amount required to invest in Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund via lump sum is ₹100 and via SIP is ₹100.
- Expense Ratio and Fund Size
- The direct plan of Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.41% a year, and the fund's size is ₹19,891 Cr.
The ten fund categories on this page
Each category has its own rules under SEBI's framework. These are the minimums that set them apart.
- Large cap: at least 80% in the 100 largest companies.
- Large & mid cap: at least 35% in large cap companies and at least 35% in mid cap companies.
- Flexi cap: at least 65% in equity, with no minimum for any company size.
- Multi cap: at least 75% in equity, with at least 25% each in large, mid and small cap companies.
- Mid cap: at least 65% in companies ranked 101st to 250th.
- Small cap: at least 65% in companies ranked 251st and below.
- ELSS: at least 80% in equity, with a three-year lock-in and, in the old tax regime, a tax deduction.
- Focused: at least 80% in equity, held in at most 30 stocks.
- Value: at least 80% in equity, following a value investment strategy.
- Aggressive hybrid: between 65% and 80% in equity and between 20% and 35% in debt.
How to choose a mutual fund
Start with your goal and how long you can stay invested. Money you need within a few years should not be in equity funds, which can fall sharply and take years to recover.
Choose a category that matches how much risk you can accept. Funds that invest in larger companies are usually steadier than those that invest in smaller ones, and funds that spread across company sizes leave the choice to the manager.
Compare costs. A direct plan has a lower expense ratio than the regular plan of the same fund, and the difference adds up over the years.
Look at a fund's record over several years and against other funds in its category, not only the last year.
Do not buy a fund only because it topped a recent list. Past returns do not guarantee future ones.
Who should invest in mutual funds?
Whether mutual funds fit you depends on how their benefits and their risks sit with your goals, your time horizon and your comfort with falls.
Benefits of mutual funds
- A professional fund manager picks and monitors the investments.
- Diversification across many companies in one fund.
- You can start with a small amount, through a SIP or a lumpsum.
- A wide choice of categories for different goals and levels of risk.
- Funds are regulated by SEBI and publish their holdings and costs.
Risks of mutual funds
- Market risk. Equity funds can fall sharply in a downturn and can take years to recover.
- Returns are not guaranteed, and a fund that did well in the past may not do so again.
- Costs reduce what you keep, and they differ between funds.
- Choosing a category that does not match your goal or your time horizon can leave you with swings you did not expect.
In short, mutual funds make it easy to invest in the market, but they do not remove market risk. They suit investors who know what they are investing for, how long they can stay invested and how much of a fall they can accept.
Who mutual funds may suit
- Investors with goals more than a few years away, because the time gives equity funds a chance to recover from falls.
- Investors who want professional management and diversification without choosing shares themselves.
- Investors who will invest regularly and can stay invested through falls.
Who should be careful
- Investors who need the money within a few years, because a fall close to the time they need it may not have time to recover.
- Investors who expect guaranteed returns. Equity funds can lose money.
- Investors who would be uncomfortable seeing their investment fall by a large amount.
Taxation on these funds
The funds on this page are equity-oriented funds: each category must keep at least 65% of its assets in equity under SEBI's rules, and most hold at least 65% in listed Indian shares, which is what makes them equity funds for tax. Your gains are taxed as capital gains, depending on how long you hold the units.
- Short-term capital gains (STCG): if you sell within 12 months, the gain is taxed at 20%.
- Long-term capital gains (LTCG): if you sell after more than 12 months, gains up to ₹1.25 lakh in a financial year are tax-free. Gains above that are taxed at 12.5%.
The ₹1.25 lakh limit applies to all your equity fund and share sales in the year together, not to each fund. Each SIP instalment has its own purchase date, so when you sell, the older instalments are treated as sold first.
Tax rules can change, so check the current rules or ask a tax adviser before you sell.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mutual fund?
A mutual fund pools money from many investors, and a fund manager invests it in shares, bonds or other assets. You own units of the fund, and their value rises and falls with the value of its holdings.
Which is the best mutual fund to invest in?
There is no single best fund for everyone. The list above shows 10 funds in no particular order. To see their ranks, open the Blacklitt app.
How many mutual funds should I invest in?
There is no fixed number. What matters is that your funds match your goals and time horizon and that you understand what each one holds. Owning several funds that hold the same shares adds little diversification.
Should I choose a direct plan or a regular plan?
A direct plan has a lower expense ratio than the regular plan of the same fund, because it does not pay a distributor. The portfolio and the fund manager are the same, so the difference is cost.
Is a SIP or a lumpsum better?
A SIP spreads your purchases across many months, so you do not put everything in at one price. This can smooth out the effect of a volatile market. A lumpsum invests everything at once. Neither is always better, and the returns calculator above lets you compare how each would have turned out for a fund in the past.
Are mutual funds safe?
Mutual funds are not risk free. Their value goes up and down with the market, and equity funds can fall sharply. SEBI regulates them and funds publish their holdings and costs, but that does not protect you from losses.
How are these mutual funds taxed?
They are taxed as equity funds: 20% on gains from units sold within 12 months, and 12.5% on gains above ₹1.25 lakh in a financial year from units sold after 12 months.
How was this list made?
It takes one fund from each of ten categories: large cap, large & mid cap, flexi cap, multi cap, mid cap, small cap, ELSS, focused, value and aggressive hybrid. The funds are shown in no particular order, their ranks are in the Blacklitt app, and the list is rebuilt every month.
Disclaimer
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.
The funds on this page are shown for information and education, with figures as of 30 September 2026. Past performance does not indicate future returns. This is not personalised investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any fund, so check that a fund suits your own goals, time horizon and risk appetite, or speak to an adviser, before you invest.
Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.
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