Gold has always been one of the most trusted assets for Indian households — whether in the form of jewellery, coins, or bars. But over the last few years, gold has evolved from a traditional store of value into an important financial asset class.
With gold prices trading near record highs in 2025 and 2026, investors are actively searching for safe, systematic and hassle-free ways to invest in gold — without the risks of physical storage or large lump-sum investments.

This is where Gold Mutual Funds have gained massive popularity. Let’s explore what are gold funds, how taxation works, the top-performing funds in India, and many more insights.
Gold mutual funds are open-ended mutual fund schemes that invest primarily in Gold Exchange Traded Fund (Gold ETFs). These ETFs, in turn, hold physical gold bullion of 99.5% purity, as per SEBI regulations.
When you invest in a gold mutual fund, your money is not kept in cash. The fund uses your investment to Buy Gold through Gold ETFs, which hold actual physical gold on behalf of investors.
So even though you don’t own gold coins or bars yourself, your investment value still moves exactly in line with gold prices. This structure allows investors to benefit from gold price movements without owning physical gold.
India has a strong emotional and cultural connection with gold, but modern investors are increasingly shifting from physical gold to financial gold due to the following advantages:
For retail investors, gold mutual funds are among the most cost-efficient ways to invest in gold.
Talk to our investment specialist
Unlike jewellery or coins, investors pay:
Returns purely depend on gold price movement.
Gold Mutual Funds are taxed as non-Equity Funds, meaning their tax rules differ from equity mutual funds:
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If redeemed within 36 months, gains are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): If held for more than 36 months, gains are taxed at a flat 20% with indexation benefit (updated as per the Finance Act, 2024).
This makes gold funds particularly attractive for long-term investors, as indexation significantly reduces tax liability compared to physical gold.Taxation on Gold Mutual Funds & Gold ETFs (Updated for 2026)
Gold mutual funds and gold ETFs are taxed differently based on their holding period and structure.
Gold ETFs (Listed)
Gold Mutual Funds (Fund of Fund)
These tax rules are applicable as per current capital gains provisions and may change in future budgets.
Fund Selection Methodology used to find 8 funds
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) SBI Gold Fund Growth ₹46.2807
↑ 1.34 ₹10,775 31.4 59.9 93.7 39 25 71.5 ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Growth ₹49.0192
↑ 1.39 ₹4,482 31.5 60 93.7 38.8 24.9 72 Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Growth ₹45.9007
↑ 1.20 ₹1,266 31.2 59.8 93.1 38.7 24.9 72 Axis Gold Fund Growth ₹46.0285
↑ 1.39 ₹2,167 31.6 59.8 92.5 38.7 25 69.8 IDBI Gold Fund Growth ₹40.9435
↑ 0.79 ₹623 31.4 58.7 92.7 38.6 24.8 79 Nippon India Gold Savings Fund Growth ₹60.5257
↑ 1.85 ₹5,301 31.1 59.7 93.3 38.6 24.8 71.2 HDFC Gold Fund Growth ₹47.2778
↑ 1.33 ₹8,501 31.3 59.8 93.5 38.6 24.8 71.3 Invesco India Gold Fund Growth ₹44.2686
↑ 1.47 ₹341 30.7 58.2 90.9 38.5 24.6 69.6 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 27 Jan 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 8 Funds showcased
Commentary SBI Gold Fund ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Axis Gold Fund IDBI Gold Fund Nippon India Gold Savings Fund HDFC Gold Fund Invesco India Gold Fund Point 1 Highest AUM (₹10,775 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹4,482 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹1,266 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹2,167 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹623 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹5,301 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹8,501 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹341 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (14 yrs). Established history (14+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (14+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (14+ yrs). Established history (14+ yrs). Established history (14+ yrs). Point 3 Rating: 2★ (upper mid). Rating: 1★ (lower mid). Top rated. Rating: 1★ (lower mid). Not Rated. Rating: 2★ (upper mid). Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 3★ (top quartile). Point 4 Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Point 5 5Y return: 25.04% (top quartile). 5Y return: 24.94% (upper mid). 5Y return: 24.89% (upper mid). 5Y return: 25.01% (top quartile). 5Y return: 24.77% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 24.82% (lower mid). 5Y return: 24.85% (lower mid). 5Y return: 24.57% (bottom quartile). Point 6 3Y return: 38.95% (top quartile). 3Y return: 38.84% (top quartile). 3Y return: 38.72% (upper mid). 3Y return: 38.69% (upper mid). 3Y return: 38.64% (lower mid). 3Y return: 38.63% (lower mid). 3Y return: 38.59% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 38.52% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 93.70% (top quartile). 1Y return: 93.70% (top quartile). 1Y return: 93.06% (lower mid). 1Y return: 92.55% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 92.72% (lower mid). 1Y return: 93.33% (upper mid). 1Y return: 93.48% (upper mid). 1Y return: 90.94% (bottom quartile). Point 8 1M return: 15.10% (top quartile). 1M return: 15.01% (upper mid). 1M return: 14.76% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 15.06% (upper mid). 1M return: 14.10% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 14.88% (lower mid). 1M return: 14.97% (lower mid). 1M return: 15.27% (top quartile). Point 9 Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Point 10 Sharpe: 4.38 (lower mid). Sharpe: 4.33 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 4.49 (top quartile). Sharpe: 4.36 (lower mid). Sharpe: 4.30 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 4.46 (top quartile). Sharpe: 4.39 (upper mid). Sharpe: 4.43 (upper mid). SBI Gold Fund
ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Axis Gold Fund
IDBI Gold Fund
Nippon India Gold Savings Fund
HDFC Gold Fund
Invesco India Gold Fund
All the funds mentioned above are ideal, we are giving you detailed analysis of 5 funds.
The scheme seeks to provide returns that closely correspond to returns provided by SBI - ETF Gold (Previously known as SBI GETS). Research Highlights for SBI Gold Fund Below is the key information for SBI Gold Fund Returns up to 1 year are on ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund (the Scheme) is a fund of funds scheme with the primary objective to generate returns by investing in units of ICICI Prudential Gold Exchange Traded Fund (IPru Gold ETF).
However, there can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the Scheme will be realized. Research Highlights for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Returns up to 1 year are on An Open ended Fund of Funds Scheme with the investment objective to provide returns that tracks returns provided by Birla Sun Life Gold ETF (BSL Gold ETF). Research Highlights for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Returns up to 1 year are on To generate returns that closely correspond to returns generated by Axis Gold ETF. Research Highlights for Axis Gold Fund Below is the key information for Axis Gold Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The investment objective of the Scheme will be to generate returns that correspond closely to the returns generated by IDBI Gold Exchange Traded Fund (IDBI GOLD ETF). Research Highlights for IDBI Gold Fund Below is the key information for IDBI Gold Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. SBI Gold Fund
SBI Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 12 Sep 11 NAV (27 Jan 26) ₹46.2807 ↑ 1.34 (2.98 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹10,775 on 31 Dec 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.3 Sharpe Ratio 4.38 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 20 ₹10,000 31 Dec 21 ₹9,431 31 Dec 22 ₹10,624 31 Dec 23 ₹12,126 31 Dec 24 ₹14,507 31 Dec 25 ₹24,880 Returns for SBI Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Jan 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 15.1% 3 Month 31.4% 6 Month 59.9% 1 Year 93.7% 3 Year 39% 5 Year 25% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 11.2% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 71.5% 2023 19.6% 2022 14.1% 2021 12.6% 2020 -5.7% 2019 27.4% 2018 22.8% 2017 6.4% 2016 3.5% 2015 10% Fund Manager information for SBI Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Raviprakash Sharma 12 Sep 11 14.31 Yr. Data below for SBI Gold Fund as on 31 Dec 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.25% Other 98.75% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity SBI Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹10,805 Cr 951,342,785
↑ 86,762,195 Net Receivable / Payable
CBLO | -1% -₹125 Cr Treps
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹94 Cr 2. ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
Growth Launch Date 11 Oct 11 NAV (27 Jan 26) ₹49.0192 ↑ 1.39 (2.91 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹4,482 on 31 Dec 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.38 Sharpe Ratio 4.33 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-15 Months (2%),15 Months and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 20 ₹10,000 31 Dec 21 ₹9,461 31 Dec 22 ₹10,666 31 Dec 23 ₹12,108 31 Dec 24 ₹14,470 31 Dec 25 ₹24,881 Returns for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Jan 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 15% 3 Month 31.5% 6 Month 60% 1 Year 93.7% 3 Year 38.8% 5 Year 24.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 11.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 72% 2023 19.5% 2022 13.5% 2021 12.7% 2020 -5.4% 2019 26.6% 2018 22.7% 2017 7.4% 2016 0.8% 2015 8.9% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 27 Sep 12 13.27 Yr. Nishit Patel 29 Dec 20 5.01 Yr. Ashwini Bharucha 1 Nov 25 0.17 Yr. Venus Ahuja 1 Nov 25 0.17 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund as on 31 Dec 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.46% Other 98.54% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity ICICI Pru Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹4,479 Cr 391,858,244
↑ 23,365,770 Treps
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -2% ₹73 Cr Net Current Assets
Net Current Assets | -2% -₹70 Cr 3. Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 20 Mar 12 NAV (27 Jan 26) ₹45.9007 ↑ 1.20 (2.69 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,266 on 31 Dec 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.51 Sharpe Ratio 4.49 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 100 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-365 Days (1%),365 Days and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 20 ₹10,000 31 Dec 21 ₹9,496 31 Dec 22 ₹10,665 31 Dec 23 ₹12,209 31 Dec 24 ₹14,492 31 Dec 25 ₹24,925 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Jan 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 14.8% 3 Month 31.2% 6 Month 59.8% 1 Year 93.1% 3 Year 38.7% 5 Year 24.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 11.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 72% 2023 18.7% 2022 14.5% 2021 12.3% 2020 -5% 2019 26% 2018 21.3% 2017 6.8% 2016 1.6% 2015 11.5% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Priya Sridhar 31 Dec 24 1 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund as on 31 Dec 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.33% Other 98.67% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Aditya BSL Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹1,268 Cr 107,894,183
↑ 5,418,626 Net Receivables / (Payables)
Net Current Assets | -1% -₹10 Cr Clearing Corporation Of India Limited
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹8 Cr 4. Axis Gold Fund
Axis Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 20 Oct 11 NAV (27 Jan 26) ₹46.0285 ↑ 1.39 (3.10 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹2,167 on 31 Dec 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.5 Sharpe Ratio 4.36 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 20 ₹10,000 31 Dec 21 ₹9,530 31 Dec 22 ₹10,720 31 Dec 23 ₹12,290 31 Dec 24 ₹14,647 31 Dec 25 ₹24,866 Returns for Axis Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Jan 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 15.1% 3 Month 31.6% 6 Month 59.8% 1 Year 92.5% 3 Year 38.7% 5 Year 25% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 11.3% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 69.8% 2023 19.2% 2022 14.7% 2021 12.5% 2020 -4.7% 2019 26.9% 2018 23.1% 2017 8.3% 2016 0.7% 2015 10.7% Fund Manager information for Axis Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Aditya Pagaria 9 Nov 21 4.15 Yr. Pratik Tibrewal 1 Feb 25 0.91 Yr. Data below for Axis Gold Fund as on 31 Dec 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.48% Other 98.52% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Axis Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹2,168 Cr 195,829,138
↑ 10,476,454 Net Receivables / (Payables)
CBLO | -1% -₹13 Cr Clearing Corporation Of India Ltd
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹12 Cr 5. IDBI Gold Fund
IDBI Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 14 Aug 12 NAV (27 Jan 26) ₹40.9435 ↑ 0.79 (1.98 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹623 on 31 Dec 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC IDBI Asset Management Limited Rating Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.64 Sharpe Ratio 4.3 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-12 Months (1%),12 Months and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 20 ₹10,000 31 Dec 21 ₹9,603 31 Dec 22 ₹10,753 31 Dec 23 ₹12,340 31 Dec 24 ₹14,642 31 Dec 25 ₹26,206 Returns for IDBI Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Jan 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 14.1% 3 Month 31.4% 6 Month 58.7% 1 Year 92.7% 3 Year 38.6% 5 Year 24.8% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 11% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 79% 2023 18.7% 2022 14.8% 2021 12% 2020 -4% 2019 24.2% 2018 21.6% 2017 5.8% 2016 1.4% 2015 8.3% Fund Manager information for IDBI Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Sumit Bhatnagar 1 Jun 24 1.59 Yr. Data below for IDBI Gold Fund as on 31 Dec 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 2.77% Other 97.23% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity LIC MF Gold ETF
- | -99% ₹617 Cr 493,852
↑ 35,100 Treps
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -2% ₹13 Cr Net Receivables / (Payables)
Net Current Assets | -1% -₹7 Cr
In 2025 and 2026, gold prices in India have remained close to all-time highs, supported by:
While Investing a lump sum at peak levels carries short-term risk, gold mutual funds offer a more disciplined approach through Systematic Investment plan (SIPs). SIP investing helps:
This makes gold mutual funds one of the most practical investment options even when gold prices are elevated.
Gold maintains purchasing power when inflation rises, unlike cash or fixed deposits that lose value.
Gold funds can be redeemed quickly through Mutual Fund Houses, making them far more liquid than jewellery or coins.
Gold prices move differently from stocks and Bonds. In times of equity market stress, gold often provides stability, making it a risk-balancing tool in portfolios.
Gold has held value for centuries. While returns may not always be explosive, they are steady, making it a safe-haven asset during crises (e.g., COVID-19, 2008 Global Financial Crisis).
| Basis | Gold Mutual Fund | Gold ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Demat account | Not required | Required |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 SIP | Market price |
| Expense ratio | Slightly higher | Lower |
| Ease of investing | Very easy | Moderate |
| Suitable for | Beginners | Experienced investors |
Gold mutual funds are ideal for:
They are not meant for overnight profits, but for long-term portfolio balance.
Despite being considered safe, investors must understand:
Gold works best as portfolio insurance, not as a growth engine.
Open Free Investment Account for Lifetime at Fincash.com.
Complete your Registration and KYC Process
Upload Documents (PAN, Aadhaar, etc.). And, You are Ready to Invest!
Gold mutual funds are one of the most effective ways for Indians to invest in gold without storage hassles or large capital requirements. With SIPs starting from ₹100, professional management, and long-term inflation-hedging benefits, they’re a must-have in a diversified portfolio. With global uncertainty and rising inflation, allocating a portion of your wealth to gold funds can provide safety, stability, and steady returns.
A: Compare 3-year CAGR, expense ratio, fund manager reputation, and AUM size before investing.
A: Yes — because they are liquid, cost-efficient, and transparent. No making charges or purity concerns.
A: Financial planners recommend 5–15% of portfolio allocation to gold.
A: They carry market risks, but as a long-term hedge, they are safer and more stable than many other asset classes.
Really a useful knowledge. for investment decision.espically for gold and global fund investments.
Very informative.
Which gold investment fund will be good for me pls suggest for 1- 1.3 years