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 Selection Methodology used to find 10 funds
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2025 (%) Franklin Build India Fund - Direct Growth ₹165.127
↑ 6.24 ₹3,174 1 1.1 16.1 27.4 24.5 4.8 Franklin India Opportunities Fund - Direct Growth ₹255.861
↑ 0.26 ₹8,428 -12 -10.3 7.5 25.4 19.1 4.4 Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U S Opportunities Fund - Direct Growth ₹88.3715
↑ 0.19 ₹4,462 -4.5 -3.6 31.7 21 9.6 12.4 Franklin India Prima Fund - Direct Growth ₹2,898.94
↑ 107.65 ₹12,328 -7.7 -5.2 7.4 21 15.9 2.4 Sundaram SMILE Fund - Direct Growth ₹278.642
↑ 12.43 ₹3,306 -3.6 -3.5 15.3 20.6 19.3 1.5 DSP Micro Cap Fund - Direct Growth ₹210.496
↑ 7.18 ₹16,886 -7.4 -4.8 15.6 19.2 19 -1.9 Edelweiss Economic Resurgence Fund - Direct Growth ₹43.412
↑ 1.66 ₹3,203 -6.1 -2.3 12.4 19.1 16.3 7 Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct Growth ₹179.881
↑ 6.55 ₹12,934 -3.9 -5.2 7.8 18.4 19.2 -7.6 IDBI Small Cap Fund - Direct Growth ₹31.7588
↑ 1.04 ₹606 -2.4 -7.2 5.3 18.1 18.3 -12.1 Franklin India Prima Plus - Direct Growth ₹1,741.6
↑ 64.45 ₹19,598 -6 -3.9 6.7 17.7 15.8 4.1 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 8 Apr 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased
Commentary Franklin Build India Fund - Direct Franklin India Opportunities Fund - Direct Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U S Opportunities Fund - Direct Franklin India Prima Fund - Direct Sundaram SMILE Fund - Direct DSP Micro Cap Fund - Direct Edelweiss Economic Resurgence Fund - Direct Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct IDBI Small Cap Fund - Direct Franklin India Prima Plus - Direct Point 1 Bottom quartile AUM (₹3,174 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹8,428 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹4,462 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹12,328 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,306 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹16,886 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹3,203 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹12,934 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹606 Cr). Highest AUM (₹19,598 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (13 yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (11+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (8+ yrs). Established history (13+ 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: High. Risk profile: Moderately 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. Risk profile: Moderately High. Point 5 5Y return: 24.48% (top quartile). 5Y return: 19.08% (upper mid). 5Y return: 9.63% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 15.94% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 19.28% (top quartile). 5Y return: 18.98% (upper mid). 5Y return: 16.29% (lower mid). 5Y return: 19.20% (upper mid). 5Y return: 18.35% (lower mid). 5Y return: 15.84% (bottom quartile). Point 6 3Y return: 27.35% (top quartile). 3Y return: 25.43% (top quartile). 3Y return: 21.05% (upper mid). 3Y return: 21.03% (upper mid). 3Y return: 20.55% (upper mid). 3Y return: 19.24% (lower mid). 3Y return: 19.09% (lower mid). 3Y return: 18.45% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 18.06% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 17.72% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 16.13% (top quartile). 1Y return: 7.54% (lower mid). 1Y return: 31.69% (top quartile). 1Y return: 7.35% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 15.32% (upper mid). 1Y return: 15.57% (upper mid). 1Y return: 12.45% (upper mid). 1Y return: 7.80% (lower mid). 1Y return: 5.32% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 6.66% (bottom quartile). Point 8 Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 4.76 (top quartile). Alpha: -8.26 (bottom quartile). Alpha: -5.33 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 7.17 (top quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 3.73 (upper mid). Alpha: -0.01 (lower mid). Alpha: -0.53 (lower mid). Alpha: -1.42 (bottom quartile). Point 9 Sharpe: 1.59 (top quartile). Sharpe: 1.46 (top quartile). Sharpe: 0.23 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.84 (lower mid). Sharpe: 1.09 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.95 (upper mid). Sharpe: 1.36 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.54 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.51 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.86 (lower mid). Point 10 Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 1.70 (top quartile). Information ratio: -1.42 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: -0.51 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: -0.10 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 1.22 (top quartile). Information ratio: -0.41 (lower mid). Information ratio: -0.51 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 0.81 (upper mid). Franklin Build India Fund - Direct
Franklin India Opportunities Fund - Direct
Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U S Opportunities Fund - Direct
Franklin India Prima Fund - Direct
Sundaram SMILE Fund - Direct
DSP Micro Cap Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Economic Resurgence Fund - Direct
Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund - Direct
IDBI Small Cap Fund - Direct
Franklin India Prima Plus - Direct
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2025 (%) Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A - Direct Growth ₹112.94
↑ 0.45 ₹1,350 1.2 2.5 8.1 8 6.7 9.7 HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund - Short Term Plan - Direct Growth ₹53.3578
↑ 0.11 ₹16,766 1.2 2.5 6.7 7.9 6.8 8.1 Franklin India Savings Plus Fund Retail Option - Direct Growth ₹54.4046
↑ 0.08 ₹4,352 1.5 2.9 6.7 7.5 6.4 7.6 UTI Money Market Fund - Direct Growth ₹3,275.26
↑ 4.55 ₹20,320 1.5 2.9 6.6 7.5 6.4 7.6 Edelweiss Bond Fund - Direct Growth ₹32.8894
↑ 0.05 ₹3,027 1.5 3 6.6 7.3 6.2 7.6 UTI Treasury Advantage Fund - Direct Growth ₹3,775.77
↑ 6.09 ₹2,990 1.3 2.7 6.6 7.3 7.4 7.7 Edelweiss Liquid Fund - Direct Growth ₹3,571.82
↑ 1.30 ₹10,631 1.7 3.2 6.4 7.1 6.1 6.6 Mahindra Liquid Fund - Direct Growth ₹1,800
↑ 0.67 ₹1,145 1.7 3.2 6.4 7.1 6.1 6.6 UTI Liquid Cash Plan - Direct Growth ₹4,530.71
↑ 1.47 ₹27,263 1.7 3.2 6.3 7 6.1 6.6 Franklin India Treasury Management Account - Regular Plan - Direct Growth ₹4,152.72
↑ 1.29 ₹3,318 1.6 3.1 6.3 7 6.1 6.7 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 8 Apr 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased
Commentary Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A - Direct HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund - Short Term Plan - Direct Franklin India Savings Plus Fund Retail Option - Direct UTI Money Market Fund - Direct Edelweiss Bond Fund - Direct UTI Treasury Advantage Fund - Direct Edelweiss Liquid Fund - Direct Mahindra Liquid Fund - Direct UTI Liquid Cash Plan - Direct Franklin India Treasury Management Account - Regular Plan - Direct Point 1 Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,350 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹16,766 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹4,352 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹20,320 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,027 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹2,990 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹10,631 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,145 Cr). Highest AUM (₹27,263 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,318 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (13 yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (9+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ 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: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Low. Risk profile: Low. Risk profile: Low. Risk profile: Low. Point 5 1Y return: 8.08% (top quartile). 1Y return: 6.72% (top quartile). 1Y return: 6.66% (upper mid). 1Y return: 6.64% (upper mid). 1Y return: 6.62% (upper mid). 1Y return: 6.56% (lower mid). 1Y return: 6.36% (lower mid). 1Y return: 6.35% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 6.35% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 6.33% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 0.10% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.18% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.55% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.56% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.56% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.40% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.70% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.68% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.71% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.67% (upper mid). Point 7 Sharpe: 1.61 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.79 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 2.76 (upper mid). Sharpe: 2.62 (lower mid). Sharpe: 2.57 (lower mid). Sharpe: 2.22 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 3.54 (top quartile). Sharpe: 3.45 (upper mid). Sharpe: 3.45 (upper mid). Sharpe: 3.70 (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): 7.43% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.06% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.40% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.03% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.51% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.85% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.04% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.49% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.03% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.30% (lower mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 2.93 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 1.79 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 0.53 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 0.58 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 0.44 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 0.77 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 0.10 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 0.12 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 0.09 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 0.15 yrs (upper mid). Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A - Direct
HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund - Short Term Plan - Direct
Franklin India Savings Plus Fund Retail Option - Direct
UTI Money Market Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Bond Fund - Direct
UTI Treasury Advantage Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Liquid Fund - Direct
Mahindra Liquid Fund - Direct
UTI Liquid Cash Plan - Direct
Franklin India Treasury Management Account - Regular Plan - Direct
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2025 (%) UTI Wealth Builder Fund - Direct Growth ₹85.6474
↑ 2.43 ₹6,944 -3.1 1.3 13.7 19.6 14.8 12.4 JM Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹130.111
↑ 4.39 ₹735 -5 -6.1 3.9 18 15 -1.6 Edelweiss Prudent Advantage Fund - Direct Growth ₹72.38
↑ 2.05 ₹3,546 -3.3 -1.9 9 17.1 15.9 7.6 UTI Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹429.75
↑ 11.15 ₹6,663 -4.2 -0.9 7.9 15.9 14.5 7.1 Axis Dynamic Equity Fund - Direct Growth ₹23.49
↑ 0.56 ₹3,799 -2.8 0.2 7.1 15 11.7 8.2 BNP Paribas Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹31.2489
↑ 0.83 ₹1,250 -3.8 -1.8 8.3 14.8 13 5.3 Franklin India Balanced Fund - Direct Growth ₹300.582
↑ 8.88 ₹2,350 -4.3 -3 5.7 14.3 12.4 4.7 Edelweiss Equity Savings Advantage Fund - Direct Growth ₹28.8103
↑ 0.34 ₹1,270 -0.3 1.4 9.1 12.1 10.2 9 UTI SPREAD Fund - Direct Growth ₹39.15
↑ 0.00 ₹11,070 1.6 3.3 6.6 7.6 6.6 7.1 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 8 Apr 26 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 Axis Dynamic Equity Fund - Direct BNP Paribas Balanced Fund - Direct Franklin India Balanced Fund - Direct Edelweiss Equity Savings Advantage Fund - Direct UTI SPREAD Fund - Direct Point 1 Top quartile AUM (₹6,944 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹735 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹3,546 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹6,663 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹3,799 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,250 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹2,350 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,270 Cr). Highest AUM (₹11,070 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (13 yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (8+ yrs). Established history (9+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (11+ yrs). Established history (13+ 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: 14.80% (upper mid). 5Y return: 14.98% (top quartile). 5Y return: 15.94% (top quartile). 5Y return: 14.47% (upper mid). 5Y return: 11.67% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 13.02% (lower mid). 5Y return: 12.41% (lower mid). 5Y return: 10.21% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 6.57% (bottom quartile). Point 6 3Y return: 19.56% (top quartile). 3Y return: 17.99% (top quartile). 3Y return: 17.10% (upper mid). 3Y return: 15.85% (upper mid). 3Y return: 14.96% (lower mid). 3Y return: 14.78% (lower mid). 3Y return: 14.33% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 12.08% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 7.60% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 13.74% (top quartile). 1Y return: 3.93% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 8.97% (upper mid). 1Y return: 7.85% (lower mid). 1Y return: 7.06% (lower mid). 1Y return: 8.30% (upper mid). 1Y return: 5.70% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 9.13% (top quartile). 1Y return: 6.64% (bottom quartile). Point 8 1M return: -1.42% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -0.69% (upper mid). 1M return: -0.73% (lower mid). 1M return: -0.99% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -0.55% (upper mid). 1M return: -1.26% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -0.87% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.20% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.49% (top quartile). Point 9 Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: -4.71 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 0.63 (top quartile). Alpha: 0.06 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.52 (top quartile). Alpha: -1.57 (bottom quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Point 10 Sharpe: 2.05 (top quartile). Sharpe: 0.37 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.06 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.99 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.00 (lower mid). Sharpe: 1.03 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.77 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.99 (upper mid). Sharpe: 3.15 (top quartile). UTI Wealth Builder Fund - Direct
JM Balanced Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Prudent Advantage Fund - Direct
UTI Balanced Fund - Direct
Axis Dynamic Equity Fund - Direct
BNP Paribas Balanced Fund - Direct
Franklin India Balanced Fund - Direct
Edelweiss Equity Savings Advantage Fund - Direct
UTI SPREAD Fund - Direct