Gold has always been a trusted asset for Indian households — whether as jewellery, coins, or bars — but in recent years, it has also emerged as a core financial asset in investment portfolios.

Why? Because gold has proven to:
In today’s world, you don’t need to buy and store physical gold to benefit from its value. Gold Mutual Funds offer a simple, transparent, and accessible way to invest in gold without the hassles of storage or purity concerns.
Let’s explore why gold funds are popular, how taxation works, the top-performing funds in India, and whether now is the right time to invest.
Indians have a deep cultural connection with gold — weddings, festivals, and rituals reinforce this timeless demand. But the shift from physical gold to gold mutual funds is accelerating because of the following advantages:
How they work:
For small-ticket investors, this is one of the most cost-efficient and systematic ways to benefit from gold’s potential.
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.
Fund selection Methodology used to Select 8 Best Gold Funds
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Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Growth ₹40.8636
↑ 0.91 ₹3,770 20 34.4 66.8 33.1 20.3 19.5 Kotak Gold Fund Growth ₹50.6768
↑ 1.21 ₹4,540 20.1 34.3 66 32.8 20.1 18.9 IDBI Gold Fund Growth ₹33.987
↑ 0.49 ₹465 18.7 33.1 64.7 32.8 20.2 18.7 SBI Gold Fund Growth ₹38.5995
↑ 0.88 ₹8,457 18.1 32.4 64.6 32.3 19.9 19.6 Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Growth ₹38.2636
↑ 0.80 ₹1,042 18.1 32.5 63.6 32 19.7 18.7 Axis Gold Fund Growth ₹38.4938
↑ 0.94 ₹1,800 18.2 32.1 63.3 32 19.9 19.2 Nippon India Gold Savings Fund Growth ₹50.5286
↑ 1.13 ₹4,545 18.1 32.4 64.1 32 19.8 19 HDFC Gold Fund Growth ₹39.436
↑ 0.90 ₹7,092 18 32.2 63.6 32 19.8 18.9 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 12 Dec 25 Research Highlights & Commentary of 8 Funds showcased
Commentary ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund Kotak Gold Fund IDBI Gold Fund SBI Gold Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund Axis Gold Fund Nippon India Gold Savings Fund HDFC Gold Fund Point 1 Lower mid AUM (₹3,770 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹4,540 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹465 Cr). Highest AUM (₹8,457 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,042 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹1,800 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹4,545 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹7,092 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: 1★ (upper mid). Rating: 1★ (lower mid). Not Rated. Rating: 2★ (top quartile). Top rated. Rating: 1★ (lower mid). Rating: 2★ (upper mid). Rating: 1★ (bottom 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: 20.34% (top quartile). 5Y return: 20.13% (upper mid). 5Y return: 20.24% (top quartile). 5Y return: 19.91% (lower mid). 5Y return: 19.71% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 19.94% (upper mid). 5Y return: 19.75% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 19.80% (lower mid). Point 6 3Y return: 33.05% (top quartile). 3Y return: 32.82% (top quartile). 3Y return: 32.75% (upper mid). 3Y return: 32.29% (upper mid). 3Y return: 32.04% (lower mid). 3Y return: 32.02% (lower mid). 3Y return: 31.98% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 31.96% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 66.78% (top quartile). 1Y return: 66.00% (top quartile). 1Y return: 64.68% (upper mid). 1Y return: 64.58% (upper mid). 1Y return: 63.62% (lower mid). 1Y return: 63.34% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 64.13% (lower mid). 1Y return: 63.57% (bottom quartile). Point 8 1M return: 6.71% (top quartile). 1M return: 6.50% (top quartile). 1M return: 5.42% (upper mid). 1M return: 3.65% (lower mid). 1M return: 3.34% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 3.53% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 3.71% (lower mid). 1M return: 3.73% (upper mid). 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: 2.38 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 2.49 (top quartile). Sharpe: 2.30 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 2.42 (upper mid). Sharpe: 2.45 (top quartile). Sharpe: 2.42 (upper mid). Sharpe: 2.41 (lower mid). Sharpe: 2.41 (lower mid). ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
Kotak Gold Fund
IDBI Gold Fund
SBI Gold Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Axis Gold Fund
Nippon India Gold Savings Fund
HDFC Gold Fund
Gold Funds having AUM/Net Assets > 25 Crore ordered based on 3 year Calendar year returns.
All the funds mentioned above are ideal, we are giving you detailed analysis of 5 funds.
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 The investment objective of the scheme is to generate returns by investing in units of Kotak Gold Exchange Traded Fund. Research Highlights for Kotak Gold Fund Below is the key information for Kotak 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 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 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 1. ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
Growth Launch Date 11 Oct 11 NAV (12 Dec 25) ₹40.8636 ↑ 0.91 (2.28 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹3,770 on 31 Oct 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.38 Sharpe Ratio 2.38 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 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹9,688 30 Nov 22 ₹10,449 30 Nov 23 ₹12,281 30 Nov 24 ₹14,858 30 Nov 25 ₹24,046 Returns for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 Dec 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 6.7% 3 Month 20% 6 Month 34.4% 1 Year 66.8% 3 Year 33.1% 5 Year 20.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 10.4% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 -5.1% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 27 Sep 12 13.1 Yr. Nishit Patel 29 Dec 20 4.84 Yr. Ashwini Bharucha 1 Nov 25 0 Yr. Venus Ahuja 1 Nov 25 0 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.4% Other 98.6% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity ICICI Pru Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹3,768 Cr 364,653,102
↑ 33,144,958 Treps
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹23 Cr Net Current Assets
Net Current Assets | -1% -₹21 Cr 2. Kotak Gold Fund
Kotak Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Mar 11 NAV (12 Dec 25) ₹50.6768 ↑ 1.21 (2.44 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹4,540 on 31 Oct 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.5 Sharpe Ratio 2.49 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 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 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹9,788 30 Nov 22 ₹10,506 30 Nov 23 ₹12,325 30 Nov 24 ₹14,831 30 Nov 25 ₹23,984 Returns for Kotak Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 Dec 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 6.5% 3 Month 20.1% 6 Month 34.3% 1 Year 66% 3 Year 32.8% 5 Year 20.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 11.7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 18.9% 2023 13.9% 2022 11.7% 2021 -4.7% 2020 26.6% 2019 24.1% 2018 7.3% 2017 2.5% 2016 10.2% 2015 -8.4% Fund Manager information for Kotak Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Abhishek Bisen 25 Mar 11 14.62 Yr. Jeetu Sonar 1 Oct 22 3.09 Yr. Data below for Kotak Gold Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.51% Other 98.49% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Kotak Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹4,540 Cr 450,546,713
↑ 18,692,026 Net Current Assets/(Liabilities)
Net Current Assets | -0% -₹10 Cr Triparty Repo
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -0% ₹9 Cr 3. IDBI Gold Fund
IDBI Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 14 Aug 12 NAV (12 Dec 25) ₹33.987 ↑ 0.49 (1.46 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹465 on 31 Oct 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC IDBI Asset Management Limited Rating Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.64 Sharpe Ratio 2.3 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 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹9,703 30 Nov 22 ₹10,588 30 Nov 23 ₹12,417 30 Nov 24 ₹14,975 30 Nov 25 ₹24,232 Returns for IDBI Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 Dec 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 5.4% 3 Month 18.7% 6 Month 33.1% 1 Year 64.7% 3 Year 32.8% 5 Year 20.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 9.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 18.7% 2023 14.8% 2022 12% 2021 -4% 2020 24.2% 2019 21.6% 2018 5.8% 2017 1.4% 2016 8.3% 2015 -8.7% Fund Manager information for IDBI Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Sumit Bhatnagar 1 Jun 24 1.42 Yr. Data below for IDBI Gold Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.22% Other 98.78% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity LIC MF Gold ETF
- | -101% ₹467 Cr 430,952
↑ 77,308 Net Receivables / (Payables)
CBLO | -1% -₹5 Cr Treps
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹2 Cr 4. SBI Gold Fund
SBI Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 12 Sep 11 NAV (12 Dec 25) ₹38.5995 ↑ 0.88 (2.34 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,457 on 31 Oct 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.3 Sharpe Ratio 2.42 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 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹9,698 30 Nov 22 ₹10,538 30 Nov 23 ₹12,397 30 Nov 24 ₹14,960 30 Nov 25 ₹24,267 Returns for SBI Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 Dec 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 3.6% 3 Month 18.1% 6 Month 32.4% 1 Year 64.6% 3 Year 32.3% 5 Year 19.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 9.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 -8.1% Fund Manager information for SBI Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Raviprakash Sharma 12 Sep 11 14.15 Yr. Data below for SBI Gold Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.29% Other 98.71% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity SBI Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹8,472 Cr 820,885,088
↑ 102,960,417 Net Receivable / Payable
CBLO | -1% -₹90 Cr Treps
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹74 Cr 5. Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Growth Launch Date 20 Mar 12 NAV (12 Dec 25) ₹38.2636 ↑ 0.80 (2.14 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,042 on 31 Oct 25 Category Gold - Gold AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.51 Sharpe Ratio 2.45 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 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹9,699 30 Nov 22 ₹10,501 30 Nov 23 ₹12,347 30 Nov 24 ₹14,876 30 Nov 25 ₹24,055 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 Dec 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 3.3% 3 Month 18.1% 6 Month 32.5% 1 Year 63.6% 3 Year 32% 5 Year 19.7% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 10.1% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 -7.2% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund
Name Since Tenure Priya Sridhar 31 Dec 24 0.83 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.31% Other 98.69% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Aditya BSL Gold ETF
- | -100% ₹1,042 Cr 98,504,722
↑ 9,017,896 Net Receivables / (Payables)
Net Current Assets | -1% -₹8 Cr Clearing Corporation Of India Limited
CBLO/Reverse Repo | -1% ₹8 Cr
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).
Gold mutual funds are ideal for:
They are not meant for overnight profits, but for long-term portfolio balance.
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Short answer: Yes — but with a strategy.
If you’re worried about market volatility, inflation, or currency risks, gold funds remain a wise allocation.
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: SBI Gold Fund and HDFC Gold Fund have strong SIP performance records.
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