Best Gold Mutual Funds in India 2026 – Returns, SIP & Tax

Updated on April 13, 2026 , 263834 views

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.

What Are Gold Mutual Funds?

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.

Why Gold Funds Are Gaining Popularity?

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:

SIP investment starts from as low as ₹100
No storage or locker costs
No purity or making-charge concerns
No Demat account required
Easy liquidity through fund houses
Transparent pricing linked to daily gold rates
Suitable for long-term Portfolio diversification

For retail investors, gold mutual funds are among the most cost-efficient ways to invest in gold.

Ready to Invest?
Talk to our investment specialist

How Do Gold Mutual Funds Work?

The fund house collects money from investors
The corpus is invested in Gold ETFs
gold ETF prices track domestic gold prices
NAV of the gold fund moves in line with gold prices

Unlike jewellery or coins, investors pay:

No making charges
No storage fees
No resale deductions

Returns purely depend on gold price movement.

Taxation on Gold Mutual Funds

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)
- If held for 12 months or less, gains are taxed as short-term capital gains at the investor’s income tax slab rate.
- If held for more than 12 months, gains are taxed as long-term capital gains at 12.5%, without indexation benefit.
Gold Mutual Funds (Fund of Fund)
- If held for 24 months or less, gains are treated as short-term capital gains and taxed as per slab rate.
- If held for more than 24 months, gains are taxed as long-term capital gains at 12.5%, without indexation.

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

Sub-category: Gold
AUM Range: 25 to 100000 Cr
Sorted On : 3-year return (high to low)
Tags: fcpro
No Of Funds: 8

Top Performing Gold Funds to Invest in India (2026)

Fund	NAV	Net Assets (Cr)	3 MO (%)	6 MO (%)	1 YR (%)	3 YR (%)	5 YR (%)	2025 (%)
SBI Gold Fund Growth	₹44.213 ↑ 0.58	₹15,700	6.1	19	61.4	34.1	25	71.5
ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Growth	₹46.7285 ↑ 0.56	₹6,535	6.1	19	61.2	34	24.9	72
Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Growth	₹43.8705 ↑ 0.59	₹1,782	6.4	18.4	60.7	33.7	24.8	72
HDFC Gold Fund Growth	₹45.0377 ↑ 0.55	₹11,766	5.8	18.6	60.4	33.7	24.8	71.3
Axis Gold Fund Growth	₹43.9357 ↑ 0.69	₹2,998	5.6	18.6	60.7	33.7	24.8	69.8
Kotak Gold Fund Growth	₹57.9507 ↑ 0.84	₹6,866	6.6	19.2	61	33.6	24.6	70.4
Nippon India Gold Savings Fund Growth	₹57.5597 ↑ 0.60	₹7,223	5.8	18.5	60.4	33.5	24.7	71.2
Invesco India Gold Fund Growth	₹42.3719 ↑ 0.80	₹486	6.4	19.5	58.9	33.2	24.7	69.6
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 15 Apr 26

Research Highlights & Commentary of 8 Funds showcased

Commentary	SBI Gold Fund	ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund	Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund	HDFC Gold Fund	Axis Gold Fund	Kotak Gold Fund	Nippon India Gold Savings Fund	Invesco India Gold Fund
Point 1	Highest AUM (₹15,700 Cr).	Lower mid AUM (₹6,535 Cr).	Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,782 Cr).	Top quartile AUM (₹11,766 Cr).	Lower mid AUM (₹2,998 Cr).	Upper mid AUM (₹6,866 Cr).	Upper mid AUM (₹7,223 Cr).	Bottom quartile AUM (₹486 Cr).
Point 2	Established history (14+ yrs).	Established history (14+ yrs).	Established history (14+ yrs).	Established history (14+ yrs).	Established history (14+ yrs).	Oldest track record among peers (15 yrs).	Established history (15+ yrs).	Established history (14+ yrs).
Point 3	Rating: 2★ (upper mid).	Rating: 1★ (lower mid).	Top rated.	Rating: 1★ (lower mid).	Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).	Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).	Rating: 2★ (upper mid).	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: 25.02% (top quartile).	5Y return: 24.89% (top quartile).	5Y return: 24.84% (upper mid).	5Y return: 24.81% (lower mid).	5Y return: 24.85% (upper mid).	5Y return: 24.60% (bottom quartile).	5Y return: 24.69% (lower mid).	5Y return: 24.67% (bottom quartile).
Point 6	3Y return: 34.09% (top quartile).	3Y return: 33.98% (top quartile).	3Y return: 33.75% (upper mid).	3Y return: 33.68% (upper mid).	3Y return: 33.67% (lower mid).	3Y return: 33.60% (lower mid).	3Y return: 33.54% (bottom quartile).	3Y return: 33.20% (bottom quartile).
Point 7	1Y return: 61.43% (top quartile).	1Y return: 61.24% (top quartile).	1Y return: 60.71% (upper mid).	1Y return: 60.43% (lower mid).	1Y return: 60.68% (lower mid).	1Y return: 60.96% (upper mid).	1Y return: 60.38% (bottom quartile).	1Y return: 58.94% (bottom quartile).
Point 8	1M return: -3.87% (lower mid).	1M return: -3.68% (upper mid).	1M return: -4.06% (bottom quartile).	1M return: -4.05% (lower mid).	1M return: -3.68% (top quartile).	1M return: -3.82% (upper mid).	1M return: -4.08% (bottom quartile).	1M return: -3.34% (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: 2.95 (upper mid).	Sharpe: 2.66 (lower mid).	Sharpe: 2.57 (bottom quartile).	Sharpe: 3.01 (upper mid).	Sharpe: 3.39 (top quartile).	Sharpe: 3.49 (top quartile).	Sharpe: 2.55 (bottom quartile).	Sharpe: 2.82 (lower mid).

SBI Gold Fund

Highest AUM (₹15,700 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 2★ (upper mid).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 25.02% (top quartile).
3Y return: 34.09% (top quartile).
1Y return: 61.43% (top quartile).
1M return: -3.87% (lower mid).
Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile).
Sharpe: 2.95 (upper mid).

ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund

Lower mid AUM (₹6,535 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 1★ (lower mid).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.89% (top quartile).
3Y return: 33.98% (top quartile).
1Y return: 61.24% (top quartile).
1M return: -3.68% (upper mid).
Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile).
Sharpe: 2.66 (lower mid).

Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund

Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,782 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Top rated.
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.84% (upper mid).
3Y return: 33.75% (upper mid).
1Y return: 60.71% (upper mid).
1M return: -4.06% (bottom quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid).
Sharpe: 2.57 (bottom quartile).

HDFC Gold Fund

Top quartile AUM (₹11,766 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 1★ (lower mid).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.81% (lower mid).
3Y return: 33.68% (upper mid).
1Y return: 60.43% (lower mid).
1M return: -4.05% (lower mid).
Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid).
Sharpe: 3.01 (upper mid).

Axis Gold Fund

Lower mid AUM (₹2,998 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.85% (upper mid).
3Y return: 33.67% (lower mid).
1Y return: 60.68% (lower mid).
1M return: -3.68% (top quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).
Sharpe: 3.39 (top quartile).

Kotak Gold Fund

Upper mid AUM (₹6,866 Cr).
Oldest track record among peers (15 yrs).
Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.60% (bottom quartile).
3Y return: 33.60% (lower mid).
1Y return: 60.96% (upper mid).
1M return: -3.82% (upper mid).
Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).
Sharpe: 3.49 (top quartile).

Nippon India Gold Savings Fund

Upper mid AUM (₹7,223 Cr).
Established history (15+ yrs).
Rating: 2★ (upper mid).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.69% (lower mid).
3Y return: 33.54% (bottom quartile).
1Y return: 60.38% (bottom quartile).
1M return: -4.08% (bottom quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
Sharpe: 2.55 (bottom quartile).

Invesco India Gold Fund

Bottom quartile AUM (₹486 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 3★ (top quartile).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.67% (bottom quartile).
3Y return: 33.20% (bottom quartile).
1Y return: 58.94% (bottom quartile).
1M return: -3.34% (top quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
Sharpe: 2.82 (lower mid).

About the Fincash Research Team

At Fincash, our mission is to help investors make informed, confident decisions. With over 10 years in Mutual Fund distribution, our team blends deep industry expertise with a commitment to transparency, accuracy, and investor education.

Who We Are

AMFI Registration No.: 112358
MCA CIN: U74999MH2016PTC282153
Location: Thane, Maharashtra, India
Experience: 10+ years in Mutual Fund distribution

Our Expertise

Certified Mutual Fund Distributors with hands-on advisory experience.
Market analysts tracking performance, macro trends, and sectors.
Data specialists processing NAVs, allocations, and risk metrics from Morning Star.

Our Research Process

Data sourcing: SEBI-registered fund houses & verified third-party provider Morning Star
Screening: Returns, manager track record, expenses, sector mix, risk-adjusted metrics.
Expert review: Senior team members review every article and list for accuracy.
Updates: Regular refreshes so performance data reflects current market conditions.

Why Trust Us

Regulated & compliant: AMFI-registered and MCA-incorporated.
Investor-first: No pay-to-promote lists; suitability and performance drive coverage.
Education-focused: We simplify complex concepts for everyday investors.

Disclaimer

Content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Please consider your risk profile and consult a financial advisor before investing.

All the funds mentioned above are ideal, we are giving you detailed analysis of 5 funds.

1. SBI Gold Fund

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

Highest AUM (₹15,700 Cr).
Oldest track record among peers (14 yrs).
Rating: 2★ (upper mid).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 25.02% (top quartile).
3Y return: 34.09% (top quartile).
1Y return: 61.43% (top quartile).
1M return: -3.87% (lower mid).
Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile).
Sharpe: 2.95 (lower mid).
Information ratio: 0.00 (top quartile).
Top bond sector: Cash Equivalent.
Largest holding SBI Gold ETF (~100.0%).
Top-3 holdings concentration ~101.1%.

Below is the key information for SBI Gold Fund

SBI Gold Fund Growth
Launch Date	12 Sep 11
NAV (15 Apr 26)	₹44.213 ↑ 0.58 (1.34 %)
Net Assets (Cr)	₹15,700 on 28 Feb 26
Category	Gold - Gold
AMC	SBI Funds Management Private Limited
Rating	☆☆
Risk	Moderately High
Expense Ratio	0.3
Sharpe Ratio	2.95
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 Mar 21	₹10,000
31 Mar 22	₹11,479
31 Mar 23	₹13,282
31 Mar 24	₹14,673
31 Mar 25	₹19,214
31 Mar 26	₹31,308

SBI Gold Fund SIP Returns

Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹570,326.
Net Profit of ₹270,326 Invest Now

Returns for SBI Gold Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 15 Apr 26

Duration	Returns
1 Month	-3.9%
3 Month	6.1%
6 Month	19%
1 Year	61.4%
3 Year	34.1%
5 Year	25%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch	10.7%

Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis

Year	Returns
2025	71.5%
2024	19.6%
2023	14.1%
2022	12.6%
2021	-5.7%
2020	27.4%
2019	22.8%
2018	6.4%
2017	3.5%
2016	10%

Fund Manager information for SBI Gold Fund

Name	Since	Tenure
Viral Chhadva	1 Mar 26	0.08 Yr.

Data below for SBI Gold Fund as on 28 Feb 26

Asset Allocation

Asset Class	Value
Cash	1.5%
Other	98.5%

Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio

Name	Holding	Value	Quantity
SBI Gold ETF - \| -	100%	₹15,004 Cr	1,199,486,194 ↑ 43,299,851
Net Receivable / Payable CBLO \| -	1%	-₹82 Cr
Treps CBLO/Reverse Repo \| -	1%	₹75 Cr

2. ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund

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

Lower mid AUM (₹6,535 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 1★ (lower mid).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.89% (upper mid).
3Y return: 33.98% (upper mid).
1Y return: 61.24% (upper mid).
1M return: -3.68% (upper mid).
Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid).
Sharpe: 2.66 (bottom quartile).
Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid).
Top bond sector: Cash Equivalent.
Largest holding ICICI Pru Gold ETF (~100.0%).
Top-3 holdings concentration ~101.1%.

Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund

ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Growth
Launch Date	11 Oct 11
NAV (15 Apr 26)	₹46.7285 ↑ 0.56 (1.22 %)
Net Assets (Cr)	₹6,535 on 28 Feb 26
Category	Gold - Gold
AMC	ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited
Rating	☆
Risk	Moderately High
Expense Ratio	0.38
Sharpe Ratio	2.66
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 Mar 21	₹10,000
31 Mar 22	₹11,416
31 Mar 23	₹13,182
31 Mar 24	₹14,597
31 Mar 25	₹19,039
31 Mar 26	₹31,007

ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund SIP Returns

Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹556,833.
Net Profit of ₹256,833 Invest Now

Returns for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 15 Apr 26

Duration	Returns
1 Month	-3.7%
3 Month	6.1%
6 Month	19%
1 Year	61.2%
3 Year	34%
5 Year	24.9%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch	11.2%

Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis

Year	Returns
2025	72%
2024	19.5%
2023	13.5%
2022	12.7%
2021	-5.4%
2020	26.6%
2019	22.7%
2018	7.4%
2017	0.8%
2016	8.9%

Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund

Name	Since	Tenure
Manish Banthia	27 Sep 12	13.52 Yr.
Nishit Patel	29 Dec 20	5.26 Yr.
Ashwini Bharucha	1 Nov 25	0.41 Yr.
Venus Ahuja	1 Nov 25	0.41 Yr.

Data below for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund as on 28 Feb 26

Asset Allocation

Asset Class	Value
Cash	1.64%
Other	98.36%

Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio

Name	Holding	Value	Quantity
ICICI Pru Gold ETF - \| -	100%	₹6,162 Cr	491,634,458 ↑ 13,035,487
Treps CBLO/Reverse Repo \| -	1%	₹37 Cr
Net Current Assets Net Current Assets \| -	1%	-₹34 Cr

3. Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund

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

Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,782 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Top rated.
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.84% (bottom quartile).
3Y return: 33.75% (lower mid).
1Y return: 60.71% (lower mid).
1M return: -4.06% (bottom quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).
Sharpe: 2.57 (bottom quartile).
Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid).
Top bond sector: Cash Equivalent.
Largest holding Aditya BSL Gold ETF (~100.1%).
Top-3 holdings concentration ~101.1%.

Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund

Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Growth
Launch Date	20 Mar 12
NAV (15 Apr 26)	₹43.8705 ↑ 0.59 (1.36 %)
Net Assets (Cr)	₹1,782 on 28 Feb 26
Category	Gold - Gold
AMC	Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd
Rating	☆☆☆
Risk	Moderately High
Expense Ratio	0.51
Sharpe Ratio	2.57
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 Mar 21	₹10,000
31 Mar 22	₹11,440
31 Mar 23	₹13,104
31 Mar 24	₹14,503
31 Mar 25	₹19,100
31 Mar 26	₹30,839

Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund SIP Returns

Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹556,833.
Net Profit of ₹256,833 Invest Now

Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 15 Apr 26

Duration	Returns
1 Month	-4.1%
3 Month	6.4%
6 Month	18.4%
1 Year	60.7%
3 Year	33.7%
5 Year	24.8%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch	11.1%

Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis

Year	Returns
2025	72%
2024	18.7%
2023	14.5%
2022	12.3%
2021	-5%
2020	26%
2019	21.3%
2018	6.8%
2017	1.6%
2016	11.5%

Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund

Name	Since	Tenure
Priya Sridhar	31 Dec 24	1.25 Yr.

Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund as on 28 Feb 26

Asset Allocation

Asset Class	Value
Cash	1.4%
Other	98.6%

Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio

Name	Holding	Value	Quantity
Aditya BSL Gold ETF - \| -	100%	₹1,669 Cr	130,222,843 ↑ 2,869,766
Net Receivables / (Payables) Net Current Assets \| -	1%	-₹9 Cr
Clearing Corporation Of India Limited CBLO/Reverse Repo \| -	0%	₹7 Cr

4. HDFC Gold Fund

To seek capital appreciation by investing in units of HDFC Gold Exchange Traded Fund (HGETF).

Research Highlights for HDFC Gold Fund

Upper mid AUM (₹11,766 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.81% (bottom quartile).
3Y return: 33.68% (bottom quartile).
1Y return: 60.43% (bottom quartile).
1M return: -4.05% (bottom quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
Sharpe: 3.01 (upper mid).
Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
Top bond sector: Cash Equivalent.
Largest holding HDFC Gold ETF (~100.0%).
Top-3 holdings concentration ~100.2%.

Below is the key information for HDFC Gold Fund

HDFC Gold Fund Growth
Launch Date	24 Oct 11
NAV (15 Apr 26)	₹45.0377 ↑ 0.55 (1.24 %)
Net Assets (Cr)	₹11,766 on 28 Feb 26
Category	Gold - Gold
AMC	HDFC Asset Management Company Limited
Rating	☆
Risk	Moderately High
Expense Ratio	0.49
Sharpe Ratio	3.01
Information Ratio	0
Alpha Ratio	0
Min Investment	5,000
Min SIP Investment	300
Exit Load	0-6 Months (2%),6-12 Months (1%),12 Months and above(NIL)

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

Date	Value
31 Mar 21	₹10,000
31 Mar 22	₹11,416
31 Mar 23	₹13,163
31 Mar 24	₹14,561
31 Mar 25	₹19,115
31 Mar 26	₹30,847

HDFC Gold Fund SIP Returns

Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹556,833.
Net Profit of ₹256,833 Invest Now

Returns for HDFC Gold Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 15 Apr 26

Duration	Returns
1 Month	-4.1%
3 Month	5.8%
6 Month	18.6%
1 Year	60.4%
3 Year	33.7%
5 Year	24.8%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch	11%

Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis

Year	Returns
2025	71.3%
2024	18.9%
2023	14.1%
2022	12.7%
2021	-5.5%
2020	27.5%
2019	21.7%
2018	6.6%
2017	2.8%
2016	10.1%

Fund Manager information for HDFC Gold Fund

Name	Since	Tenure
Arun Agarwal	15 Feb 23	3.13 Yr.
Nandita Menezes	29 Mar 25	1.01 Yr.

Data below for HDFC Gold Fund as on 28 Feb 26

Asset Allocation

Asset Class	Value
Cash	1.36%
Other	98.64%

Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio

Name	Holding	Value	Quantity
HDFC Gold ETF - \| -	100%	₹11,760 Cr	864,529,937 ↑ 23,844,500
Treps - Tri-Party Repo CBLO/Reverse Repo \| -	0%	₹15 Cr
Net Current Assets Net Current Assets \| -	0%	-₹9 Cr

5. Axis Gold Fund

To generate returns that closely correspond to returns generated by Axis Gold ETF.

Research Highlights for Axis Gold Fund

Bottom quartile AUM (₹2,998 Cr).
Established history (14+ yrs).
Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).
Risk profile: Moderately High.
5Y return: 24.85% (lower mid).
3Y return: 33.67% (bottom quartile).
1Y return: 60.68% (bottom quartile).
1M return: -3.68% (top quartile).
Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
Sharpe: 3.39 (top quartile).
Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
Top bond sector: Cash Equivalent.
Largest holding Axis Gold ETF (~100.4%).
Top-3 holdings concentration ~101.1%.

Below is the key information for Axis Gold Fund

Axis Gold Fund Growth
Launch Date	20 Oct 11
NAV (15 Apr 26)	₹43.9357 ↑ 0.69 (1.58 %)
Net Assets (Cr)	₹2,998 on 28 Feb 26
Category	Gold - Gold
AMC	Axis Asset Management Company Limited
Rating	☆
Risk	Moderately High
Expense Ratio	0.5
Sharpe Ratio	3.39
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 Mar 21	₹10,000
31 Mar 22	₹11,408
31 Mar 23	₹13,231
31 Mar 24	₹14,624
31 Mar 25	₹19,102
31 Mar 26	₹30,890

Axis Gold Fund SIP Returns

Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹556,833.
Net Profit of ₹256,833 Invest Now

Returns for Axis Gold Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 15 Apr 26

Duration	Returns
1 Month	-3.7%
3 Month	5.6%
6 Month	18.6%
1 Year	60.7%
3 Year	33.7%
5 Year	24.8%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch	10.8%

Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis

Year	Returns
2025	69.8%
2024	19.2%
2023	14.7%
2022	12.5%
2021	-4.7%
2020	26.9%
2019	23.1%
2018	8.3%
2017	0.7%
2016	10.7%

Fund Manager information for Axis Gold Fund

Name	Since	Tenure
Aditya Pagaria	9 Nov 21	4.39 Yr.
Pratik Tibrewal	1 Feb 25	1.16 Yr.

Data below for Axis Gold Fund as on 28 Feb 26

Asset Allocation

Asset Class	Value
Cash	1.22%
Other	98.78%

Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio

Name	Holding	Value	Quantity
Axis Gold ETF - \| -	100%	₹2,819 Cr	231,790,486 ↑ 6,588,565
Net Receivables / (Payables) CBLO \| -	1%	-₹16 Cr
Clearing Corporation Of India Ltd CBLO/Reverse Repo \| -	0%	₹6 Cr

Gold at Record Highs – Is It Still Worth Investing?

In 2025 and 2026, gold prices in India have remained close to all-time highs, supported by:

Persistent global inflation
Central Bank gold accumulation
Geopolitical tensions
Weakening rupee
High global debt levels
Equity market Volatility

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:

Average purchase cost over time
Reduce timing risk
Remove emotional decision-making

This makes gold mutual funds one of the most practical investment options even when gold prices are elevated.

Top 4 Benefits of Gold Investments

1. Hedge Against Inflation

Gold maintains purchasing power when inflation rises, unlike cash or fixed deposits that lose value.

2. Liquidity

Gold funds can be redeemed quickly through Mutual Fund Houses, making them far more liquid than jewellery or coins.

3. Diversification

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.

4. Timeless Asset

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).

Gold Mutual Fund vs Gold ETF – Which Is Better?

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

Who Should Invest in Gold Mutual Funds?

Gold mutual funds are ideal for:

Investors without a Demat account.
Those who want to start with small amounts (SIP from ₹100).
People looking for diversification against market volatility.
Investors seeking a long-term hedge against inflation.

They are not meant for overnight profits, but for long-term portfolio balance.

Risks of Investing in Gold Mutual Funds

Despite being considered safe, investors must understand:

Short-term price volatility
No regular income or dividends
Returns fully depend on gold prices
Not ideal for short-term goals

Gold works best as portfolio insurance, not as a growth engine.

How Invest in Gold Funds Online?

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!

Get Started

Conclusion

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.

FAQs

1. What should I look for while investing in gold mutual funds?

A: Compare 3-year CAGR, expense ratio, fund manager reputation, and AUM size before investing.

2. Are gold funds better than physical gold?

A: Yes — because they are liquid, cost-efficient, and transparent. No making charges or purity concerns.

3. How much should I allocate to gold funds?

A: Financial planners recommend 5–15% of portfolio allocation to gold.

4. Are gold mutual funds safe?

A: They carry market risks, but as a long-term hedge, they are safer and more stable than many other asset classes.

Disclaimer:
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.