Mutual Fund schemes, offer two plans- Regular and Direct. Most of the investors Investing in Mutual Funds usually prefer regular funds, but nevertheless, the interest for direct funds amongst new investors has let to increase in demand. The key Factor that differentiates between both these plans are expense ratio, the direct plan’s expense ratio is less as compared to that of a regular plan.
Direct plans are not separate schemes, but they are a variation of the regular plan with a lower expense ratio. So, an investor who wants to invest in a Mutual Fund can either opt for a regular plan or a direct plan. Ideally, an investor who can independently invest in Mutual Funds without seeking the help of an advisor can invest in direct plans.
Let’s learn more about direct fund investments, along with some of the best direct mutual funds to invest.

Direct funds are available through a limited number of channels. An investor can mainly invest through the fund house itself, a very few third party securities intermediaries, RTAs such as CAMS/Karvy, and authorized local representatives of the fund house. Mostly, in direct mutual fund investments, no arn (Application Reference Number) is quoted in the investor’s application. Therefore, the commission paid to the investors is very low or sometimes nil. This decreases the cost of customer acquisition for the AMC.
Other than the expense ratio, direct plans are also those where the fund house does not charge distributor expenses/transaction charges/trail fees. The Net Asset Value (NAV) of the mutual fund-direct plan can be higher compared to a regular mutual fund plan.
As the expense ratio of the direct plan is lower, it is said that the investors would get higher returns in comparison to regular plans. A return of about 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent would be higher, depending upon the fund house expense ratio. So, ideally, investors who want to increase their returns by way of reducing the expense ratio can invest in direct mutual fund plans.
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Here are some of the best direct mutual fund plans based, on- equity & hybrid 3 years returns, debt on 1 year returns, that you can consider while investing.
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) Franklin India Opportunities Fund - Direct Growth ₹286.901
↓ -0.32 ₹8,189 1.7 6 3.5 29.1 25.3 39.2 Franklin Build India Fund - Direct Growth ₹164.652
↓ -0.01 ₹3,088 2.3 2.7 -0.2 25.7 28.8 29.1 Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U S Opportunities Fund - Direct Growth ₹92.4493
↑ 0.18 ₹4,520 2.8 11.4 8.4 24.5 11.7 28.4 Franklin India Technology Fund - Direct Growth ₹596.367
↑ 1.71 ₹1,951 5.4 7.1 -1.4 22.8 18.3 29.8 Franklin India Prima Fund - Direct Growth ₹3,168.7
↑ 14.12 ₹12,770 3.5 3.5 1.3 21.9 21.4 32.9 Sundaram SMILE Fund - Direct Growth ₹288.73
↓ -1.79 ₹3,496 1.8 2.3 -1.3 20.3 25.1 20.4 Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct Growth ₹187.465
↓ -1.47 ₹13,790 -1.6 -4.2 -9.1 19.8 25.2 24.2 Edelweiss Economic Resurgence Fund - Direct Growth ₹46.065
↑ 0.28 ₹3,006 5.2 7.3 2.5 19.7 21.2 27.4 DSP Micro Cap Fund - Direct Growth ₹214.55
↓ -1.36 ₹16,868 -0.5 -0.8 -3.5 19.6 24.1 26.7 Franklin India Taxshield - Direct Growth ₹1,686.15
↑ 8.55 ₹6,788 4 2.7 0.9 17.9 20.6 23.4 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 5 Dec 25 Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased
Commentary Franklin India Opportunities Fund - Direct Franklin Build India Fund - Direct Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U S Opportunities Fund - Direct Franklin India Technology Fund - Direct Franklin India Prima Fund - Direct Sundaram SMILE Fund - Direct Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct Edelweiss Economic Resurgence Fund - Direct DSP Micro Cap Fund - Direct Franklin India Taxshield - Direct Point 1 Upper mid AUM (₹8,189 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹3,088 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹4,520 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,951 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹12,770 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,496 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹13,790 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹3,006 Cr). Highest AUM (₹16,868 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹6,788 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (12 yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (10+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Point 3 Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Point 4 Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: High. Risk profile: High. Risk profile: High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Risk profile: Moderately High. Point 5 5Y return: 25.34% (top quartile). 5Y return: 28.78% (top quartile). 5Y return: 11.75% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 18.34% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 21.39% (lower mid). 5Y return: 25.13% (upper mid). 5Y return: 25.19% (upper mid). 5Y return: 21.18% (lower mid). 5Y return: 24.13% (upper mid). 5Y return: 20.60% (bottom quartile). Point 6 3Y return: 29.11% (top quartile). 3Y return: 25.67% (top quartile). 3Y return: 24.48% (upper mid). 3Y return: 22.78% (upper mid). 3Y return: 21.90% (upper mid). 3Y return: 20.35% (lower mid). 3Y return: 19.80% (lower mid). 3Y return: 19.69% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 19.65% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 17.85% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 3.49% (top quartile). 1Y return: -0.17% (lower mid). 1Y return: 8.44% (top quartile). 1Y return: -1.43% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 1.25% (upper mid). 1Y return: -1.34% (lower mid). 1Y return: -9.09% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 2.54% (upper mid). 1Y return: -3.45% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 0.93% (upper mid). Point 8 Alpha: 1.95 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: -12.39 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 4.22 (top quartile). Alpha: -2.18 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 3.18 (top quartile). Alpha: -3.09 (bottom quartile). Alpha: -0.30 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: -1.18 (lower mid). Point 9 Sharpe: 0.14 (top quartile). Sharpe: -0.05 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.74 (top quartile). Sharpe: -0.15 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: -0.04 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.06 (lower mid). Sharpe: -0.36 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.00 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.13 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: -0.07 (lower mid). Point 10 Information ratio: 1.97 (top quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: -1.67 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 1.62 (top quartile). Information ratio: -0.24 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: -0.22 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: -0.10 (lower mid). Information ratio: 1.12 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.94 (upper mid). Franklin India Opportunities Fund - Direct
Franklin Build India Fund - Direct
Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U S Opportunities Fund - Direct
Franklin India Technology Fund - Direct
Franklin India Prima Fund - Direct
Sundaram SMILE Fund - Direct
Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Economic Resurgence Fund - Direct
DSP Micro Cap Fund - Direct
Franklin India Taxshield - Direct
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A - Direct Growth ₹111.272
↑ 0.10 ₹1,290 1.9 3.1 9.6 8.3 6.6 8.2 Axis Corporate Debt Opportunities Fund - Direct Growth ₹18.6679
↑ 0.02 ₹9,872 2 2.9 8.8 8.4 6.8 8.7 HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund - Short Term Plan - Direct Growth ₹52.5844
↑ 0.02 ₹15,549 1.9 3.3 8.3 8.2 6.8 8.5 Reliance Dynamic Bond Fund - Direct Growth ₹41.0758
↑ 0.12 ₹4,288 2.2 1.6 8.1 8.2 6.2 9.4 UTI Short Term Income Fund - Direct Growth ₹34.7529
↑ 0.04 ₹3,381 1.8 2.8 8 8.1 7.5 8.4 UTI Treasury Advantage Fund - Direct Growth ₹3,712.73
↑ 1.46 ₹2,814 1.7 3.3 7.8 7.6 7.2 7.8 Franklin India Savings Plus Fund Retail Option - Direct Growth ₹53.3498
↑ 0.02 ₹4,440 1.5 3.1 7.7 7.6 6.2 7.8 UTI Money Market Fund - Direct Growth ₹3,212.85
↑ 1.26 ₹20,352 1.6 3.2 7.7 7.7 6.3 7.8 Edelweiss Bond Fund - Direct Growth ₹32.2523
↑ 0.01 ₹1,664 1.6 3.1 7.6 7.5 6 7.7 Franklin India Treasury Management Account - Regular Plan - Direct Growth ₹4,064.01
↑ 1.21 ₹3,236 1.5 3 6.7 7.1 5.8 7.5 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 5 Dec 25 Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased
Commentary Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A - Direct Axis Corporate Debt Opportunities Fund - Direct HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund - Short Term Plan - Direct Reliance Dynamic Bond Fund - Direct UTI Short Term Income Fund - Direct UTI Treasury Advantage Fund - Direct Franklin India Savings Plus Fund Retail Option - Direct UTI Money Market Fund - Direct Edelweiss Bond Fund - Direct Franklin India Treasury Management Account - Regular Plan - Direct Point 1 Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,290 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹9,872 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹15,549 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹4,288 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,381 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹2,814 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹4,440 Cr). Highest AUM (₹20,352 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,664 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,236 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (12 yrs). Established history (8+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Point 3 Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Point 4 Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Low. Point 5 1Y return: 9.56% (top quartile). 1Y return: 8.82% (top quartile). 1Y return: 8.30% (upper mid). 1Y return: 8.08% (upper mid). 1Y return: 8.03% (upper mid). 1Y return: 7.76% (lower mid). 1Y return: 7.69% (lower mid). 1Y return: 7.66% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 7.58% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 6.74% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 0.48% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.57% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.58% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.58% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.54% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.56% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.53% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.54% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.55% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.48% (bottom quartile). Point 7 Sharpe: 1.55 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.69 (lower mid). Sharpe: 2.16 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.70 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.54 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 2.65 (upper mid). Sharpe: 2.98 (upper mid). Sharpe: 3.08 (top quartile). Sharpe: 2.86 (upper mid). Sharpe: 3.61 (top quartile). Point 8 Information ratio: 0.00 (top quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (top quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Point 9 Yield to maturity (debt): 6.92% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.82% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.99% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.79% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.77% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.80% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.19% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.26% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.27% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.04% (bottom quartile). Point 10 Modified duration: 2.08 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 3.14 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 1.69 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 3.86 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.49 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 0.92 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 0.38 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 0.40 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 0.52 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 0.17 yrs (top quartile). Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A - Direct
Axis Corporate Debt Opportunities Fund - Direct
HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund - Short Term Plan - Direct
Reliance Dynamic Bond Fund - Direct
UTI Short Term Income Fund - Direct
UTI Treasury Advantage Fund - Direct
Franklin India Savings Plus Fund Retail Option - Direct
UTI Money Market Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Bond Fund - Direct
Franklin India Treasury Management Account - Regular Plan - Direct
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) UTI Wealth Builder Fund - Direct Growth ₹88.3289
↑ 0.50 ₹6,376 6.5 8.6 10.9 20.7 16.7 21.9 JM Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹138.568
↓ -0.32 ₹816 1.3 2.6 -3.1 19.4 19.3 29.3 Edelweiss Prudent Advantage Fund - Direct Growth ₹74.87
↑ 0.23 ₹3,317 2.7 3.6 6 17.8 19.3 22.2 UTI Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹450.717
↑ 1.59 ₹6,596 5.1 4.6 4.4 16.6 18.5 20.5 BNP Paribas Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹32.7112
↑ 0.07 ₹1,256 3.4 3.1 2.7 15.2 16.5 21.2 Axis Dynamic Equity Fund - Direct Growth ₹24.21
↑ 0.05 ₹3,721 4.3 4.4 5.9 15.1 13.6 19 Franklin India Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹316.551
↑ 1.01 ₹2,355 3.1 2.8 3.5 14.8 16 18.9 Edelweiss Equity Savings Advantage Fund - Direct Growth ₹28.7453
↑ 0.03 ₹1,028 2.2 4.9 9.1 11.9 11.4 14.5 UTI SPREAD Fund - Direct Growth ₹38.2903
↑ 0.01 ₹10,106 1.6 3.2 7 7.8 6.4 8.3 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 5 Dec 25 Research Highlights & Commentary of 9 Funds showcased
Commentary UTI Wealth Builder Fund - Direct JM Balanced Fund - Direct Edelweiss Prudent Advantage Fund - Direct UTI Balanced Fund - Direct BNP Paribas Balanced Fund - Direct Axis Dynamic Equity Fund - Direct Franklin India Balanced Fund - Direct Edelweiss Equity Savings Advantage Fund - Direct UTI SPREAD Fund - Direct Point 1 Upper mid AUM (₹6,376 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹816 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,317 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹6,596 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,256 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹3,721 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹2,355 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,028 Cr). Highest AUM (₹10,106 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (12 yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (8+ yrs). Established history (8+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Established history (11+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Point 3 Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. Not Rated. 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. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Point 5 5Y return: 16.67% (upper mid). 5Y return: 19.30% (top quartile). 5Y return: 19.28% (top quartile). 5Y return: 18.54% (upper mid). 5Y return: 16.52% (lower mid). 5Y return: 13.58% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 15.98% (lower mid). 5Y return: 11.40% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 6.41% (bottom quartile). Point 6 3Y return: 20.75% (top quartile). 3Y return: 19.44% (top quartile). 3Y return: 17.78% (upper mid). 3Y return: 16.64% (upper mid). 3Y return: 15.21% (lower mid). 3Y return: 15.12% (lower mid). 3Y return: 14.78% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 11.92% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 7.77% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 10.87% (top quartile). 1Y return: -3.11% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 5.99% (upper mid). 1Y return: 4.37% (lower mid). 1Y return: 2.72% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 5.91% (lower mid). 1Y return: 3.55% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 9.07% (top quartile). 1Y return: 7.01% (upper mid). Point 8 1M return: 2.85% (top quartile). 1M return: -1.51% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -0.03% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 1.90% (top quartile). 1M return: 1.09% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.92% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.35% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.09% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.52% (lower mid). Point 9 Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile). Alpha: -6.13 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 1.45 (top quartile). Alpha: -2.20 (bottom quartile). Alpha: -2.64 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: -0.44 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Point 10 Sharpe: 0.38 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.40 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.22 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.13 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: -0.16 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.14 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.04 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.92 (top quartile). Sharpe: 2.25 (top quartile). UTI Wealth Builder Fund - Direct
JM Balanced Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Prudent Advantage Fund - Direct
UTI Balanced Fund - Direct
BNP Paribas Balanced Fund - Direct
Axis Dynamic Equity Fund - Direct
Franklin India Balanced Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Equity Savings Advantage Fund - Direct
UTI SPREAD Fund - Direct