Looking for the best long term bond funds? These are funds for investors who are looking for mid to long term Investment plan, typically for 3-5 years. Long term bond funds mainly invest in G-secs and corporate Bonds that have medium to long maturity period.
These funds are sensitive to interest rate changes and can be more volatile compared to other debt categories.
Interest rates & prices of the debt securities have an inverse relationship, that means they move in opposite directions. For example, a falling interest rate is good for bond funds. During the interest rate falls, the bond prices go up and this boost NAVs of the Debt fund schemes.
As a decrease in the interest rates causes a rise in the price of long-term securities, it is advisable to invest in long term debt funds when the interest rates are expected to ease down. Investors who want to invest for a longer duration (i.e., 3 years & above), and can take some level of risk, should ideally invest in this scheme.
Moreover, investors who are comfortable with fluctuating interest rates in the Market can go ahead with these investments. Here are the top 10 best long term bond funds for 2025.
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Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) Min Investment Min SIP Investment 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2024 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund Growth ₹88.5888
↓ -0.32 ₹1,169 5,000 1,000 -3 2.3 5.7 7 10.1 7.02% 9Y 2M 26D 24Y 4M 24D Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan Growth ₹63.8749
↓ -0.31 ₹494 5,000 1,000 -2 1.6 3.6 5.5 7.9 6.73% 6Y 8M 16D 12Y 8M 1D HDFC Income Fund Growth ₹57.7197
↓ -0.18 ₹954 5,000 300 -2.1 2.7 5.7 6.6 9 6.67% 6Y 8M 1D 12Y 7D Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund Growth ₹124.618
↓ -0.18 ₹2,056 1,000 1,000 -1.7 2.8 5.7 6.6 8.4 6.97% 6Y 7M 17D 14Y 8M 12D Nippon India Income Fund Growth ₹88.5807
↓ -0.16 ₹435 5,000 100 -2.1 2.1 4.7 6.7 8.1 6.75% 6Y 6M 25D 14Y 11M 19D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 29 Aug 25 Research Highlights & Commentary of 5 Funds showcased
Commentary ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan HDFC Income Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund Nippon India Income Fund Point 1 Upper mid AUM (₹1,169 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹494 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹954 Cr). Highest AUM (₹2,056 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹435 Cr). Point 2 Established history (27+ yrs). Established history (25+ yrs). Established history (24+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (29 yrs). Established history (27+ yrs). Point 3 Top rated. Not Rated. Rating: 2★ (lower mid). Rating: 3★ (upper mid). Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile). Point 4 Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Point 5 1Y return: 5.65% (lower mid). 1Y return: 3.65% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 5.66% (upper mid). 1Y return: 5.69% (top quartile). 1Y return: 4.75% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: -2.16% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -1.43% (lower mid). 1M return: -1.38% (upper mid). 1M return: -1.17% (top quartile). 1M return: -1.47% (bottom quartile). Point 7 Sharpe: 0.69 (top quartile). Sharpe: -0.20 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.53 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.46 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.25 (bottom quartile). Point 8 Information ratio: 0.00 (top quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Point 9 Yield to maturity (debt): 7.02% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.73% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.67% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.97% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.75% (lower mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 9.24 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 6.71 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 6.67 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 6.63 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 6.57 yrs (top quartile). ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund
Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan
HDFC Income Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund
Nippon India Income Fund
(Erstwhile ICICI Prudential Income Plan) To generate income through investments in a range of debt and money market instruments of various maturities with a view to maximising income while maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety and liquidity. Research Highlights for ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile IDFC Super Saver Income Fund - Investment Plan) The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate stable returns with a low-risk strategy by creating a portfolio that is invested in good quality fixed income & Money Market securities. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the scheme will be realized. Research Highlights for Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan Below is the key information for Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan Returns up to 1 year are on Aims to optimise returns while maintaining a balance of safety, yield and liquidity. Research Highlights for HDFC Income Fund Below is the key information for HDFC Income Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Plus) An Open-ended Income Scheme to generate consistent income through superior yields on its investments at moderate levels of risk through a diversified investment approach. This income may be complemented by price changes of instruments in the portfolio. Research Highlights for Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The primary investment objective of the scheme is to generate optimal returns consistent with moderate levels of risk. This income may be complemented by capital appreciation of the portfolio. Accordingly, investments shall predominantly be made in Debt & Money Market Instruments. Research Highlights for Nippon India Income Fund Below is the key information for Nippon India Income Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund
ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 9 Jul 98 NAV (29 Aug 25) ₹88.5888 ↓ -0.32 (-0.36 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,169 on 31 Jul 25 Category Debt - Longterm Bond AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 0.95 Sharpe Ratio 0.69 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.02% Effective Maturity 24 Years 4 Months 24 Days Modified Duration 9 Years 2 Months 26 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Jul 20 ₹10,000 31 Jul 21 ₹10,049 31 Jul 22 ₹10,067 31 Jul 23 ₹10,818 31 Jul 24 ₹11,745 31 Jul 25 ₹12,802 Returns for ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 29 Aug 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -2.2% 3 Month -3% 6 Month 2.3% 1 Year 5.7% 3 Year 7% 5 Year 5.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8.4% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 10.1% 2023 6.8% 2022 1.3% 2021 0.4% 2020 11% 2019 12.1% 2018 6.8% 2017 4.1% 2016 15.7% 2015 5.1% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 22 Jan 24 1.52 Yr. Raunak Surana 22 Jan 24 1.52 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Long Term Bond Fund as on 31 Jul 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 12.72% Debt 87.01% Other 0.27% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Government 72.79% Corporate 14.22% Cash Equivalent 12.72% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.34% Govt Stock 2064
Sovereign Bonds | -33% ₹391 Cr 37,701,500 6.9% Govt Stock 2065
Sovereign Bonds | -8% ₹98 Cr 10,000,000
↑ 5,000,000 Maharashtra (Government of)
- | -6% ₹75 Cr 7,500,000
↑ 7,500,000 The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹54 Cr 536 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -4% ₹51 Cr 500 7.23% Maharashtra Sdl-04/09/2035
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹50 Cr 4,960,700 Maharashtra (Government of)
- | -4% ₹50 Cr 5,000,000
↑ 5,000,000 Maharashtra (Government of)
- | -4% ₹50 Cr 5,000,000
↑ 5,000,000 7.14% Maharashtra SDL 2039
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹40 Cr 4,000,000 7.09% Govt Stock 2054
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹35 Cr 3,500,000 2. Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan
Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan
Growth Launch Date 14 Jul 00 NAV (29 Aug 25) ₹63.8749 ↓ -0.31 (-0.48 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹494 on 31 Jul 25 Category Debt - Longterm Bond AMC IDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.98 Sharpe Ratio -0.2 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-365 Days (1%),365 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 6.73% Effective Maturity 12 Years 8 Months 1 Day Modified Duration 6 Years 8 Months 16 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Jul 20 ₹10,000 31 Jul 21 ₹10,202 31 Jul 22 ₹10,250 31 Jul 23 ₹10,801 31 Jul 24 ₹11,593 31 Jul 25 ₹12,291 Returns for Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 29 Aug 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -1.4% 3 Month -2% 6 Month 1.6% 1 Year 3.6% 3 Year 5.5% 5 Year 4.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.9% 2023 6% 2022 0.6% 2021 1.2% 2020 11.8% 2019 10.4% 2018 6.6% 2017 3.1% 2016 12.9% 2015 5.9% Fund Manager information for Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan
Name Since Tenure Suyash Choudhary 15 Oct 10 14.8 Yr. Brijesh Shah 10 Jun 24 1.14 Yr. Data below for Bandhan Bond Fund Long Term Plan as on 31 Jul 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 16.57% Debt 83.14% Other 0.29% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Government 64.23% Corporate 30.55% Cash Equivalent 4.94% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.3% Govt Stock 2053
Sovereign Bonds | -52% ₹256 Cr 24,700,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -10% ₹50 Cr 5,000,000 Tata Capital Limited
Debentures | -9% ₹43 Cr 4,200,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹25 Cr 2,500,000 Axis Bank Ltd.
Debentures | -5% ₹24 Cr 2,500,000 7.02% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -1% ₹5 Cr 500,000
↑ 100,000 6.1% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -1% ₹5 Cr 500,000
↑ 500,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -0% ₹2 Cr 200,000 Corporate Debt Market Development Fund Class A2
Investment Fund | -0% ₹1 Cr 1,254 6.79% Govt Stock 2027
Sovereign Bonds | -0% ₹1 Cr 100,000 3. HDFC Income Fund
HDFC Income Fund
Growth Launch Date 11 Sep 00 NAV (29 Aug 25) ₹57.7197 ↓ -0.18 (-0.30 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹954 on 31 Jul 25 Category Debt - Medium to Long term AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.37 Sharpe Ratio 0.53 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load 0-1 Months (0.25%),1 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 6.67% Effective Maturity 12 Years 7 Days Modified Duration 6 Years 8 Months 1 Day Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Jul 20 ₹10,000 31 Jul 21 ₹10,296 31 Jul 22 ₹10,293 31 Jul 23 ₹10,942 31 Jul 24 ₹11,824 31 Jul 25 ₹12,782 Returns for HDFC Income Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 29 Aug 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -1.4% 3 Month -2.1% 6 Month 2.7% 1 Year 5.7% 3 Year 6.6% 5 Year 5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.3% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 9% 2023 6.1% 2022 0.9% 2021 2.1% 2020 9.3% 2019 8.7% 2018 3.6% 2017 1.3% 2016 14.5% 2015 5.3% Fund Manager information for HDFC Income Fund
Name Since Tenure Shobhit Mehrotra 11 Sep 07 17.9 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 2.11 Yr. Data below for HDFC Income Fund as on 31 Jul 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 6.71% Equity 0.43% Debt 92.6% Other 0.27% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Government 77.85% Corporate 14.75% Cash Equivalent 6.71% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Govt Stock 2037
Sovereign Bonds | -19% ₹178 Cr 17,000,000 7.41% Govt Stock 2036
Sovereign Bonds | -11% ₹107 Cr 10,000,000 7.54% Govt Stock 2036
Sovereign Bonds | -11% ₹102 Cr 9,500,000 7.23% Govt Stock 2039
Sovereign Bonds | -7% ₹68 Cr 6,500,000
↓ -1,000,000 6.79% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹41 Cr 4,000,000 Ntpc Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹26 Cr 250 6.92% Govt Stock 2039
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹26 Cr 2,500,000 6.63% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹26 Cr 2,500,000 6.99% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹26 Cr 2,500,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹25 Cr 250 4. Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund
Growth Launch Date 21 Oct 95 NAV (29 Aug 25) ₹124.618 ↓ -0.18 (-0.14 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹2,056 on 31 Jul 25 Category Debt - Medium to Long term AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.03 Sharpe Ratio 0.46 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 1,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 6.97% Effective Maturity 14 Years 8 Months 12 Days Modified Duration 6 Years 7 Months 17 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Jul 20 ₹10,000 31 Jul 21 ₹10,411 31 Jul 22 ₹10,667 31 Jul 23 ₹11,374 31 Jul 24 ₹12,212 31 Jul 25 ₹13,174 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 29 Aug 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -1.2% 3 Month -1.7% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 5.7% 3 Year 6.6% 5 Year 5.8% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.4% 2023 6.6% 2022 2.4% 2021 4% 2020 12.8% 2019 9.5% 2018 5.1% 2017 2.8% 2016 14.4% 2015 4.6% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund
Name Since Tenure Bhupesh Bameta 6 Aug 20 4.99 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Income Fund as on 31 Jul 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 4.33% Debt 95.38% Other 0.29% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Government 61.87% Corporate 33.95% Cash Equivalent 3.89% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.34% Govt Stock 2064
Sovereign Bonds | -19% ₹409 Cr 39,409,900
↓ -6,500,000 7.25% Govt Stock 2063
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹127 Cr 12,406,100
↓ -500,000 Power Grid Corporation Of India Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹100 Cr 10,000 Housing And Urban Development Corporation Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹75 Cr 7,500 Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹75 Cr 7,500 Housing And Urban Development Corporation Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹75 Cr 7,500 Maharashtra (Government of)
- | -3% ₹65 Cr 6,500,000
↑ 4,000,000 Maharashtra (Government of)
- | -3% ₹58 Cr 5,729,200 Larsen And Toubro Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹55 Cr 5,500 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹51 Cr 5,000 5. Nippon India Income Fund
Nippon India Income Fund
Growth Launch Date 1 Jan 98 NAV (29 Aug 25) ₹88.5807 ↓ -0.16 (-0.18 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹435 on 31 Jul 25 Category Debt - Medium to Long term AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.51 Sharpe Ratio 0.25 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-15 Days (0.25%),15 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 6.75% Effective Maturity 14 Years 11 Months 19 Days Modified Duration 6 Years 6 Months 25 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Jul 20 ₹10,000 31 Jul 21 ₹10,172 31 Jul 22 ₹10,277 31 Jul 23 ₹11,122 31 Jul 24 ₹11,965 31 Jul 25 ₹12,834 Returns for Nippon India Income Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 29 Aug 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -1.5% 3 Month -2.1% 6 Month 2.1% 1 Year 4.7% 3 Year 6.7% 5 Year 5.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8.2% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.1% 2023 6.8% 2022 3.3% 2021 1.2% 2020 10.5% 2019 11.4% 2018 6.1% 2017 2.4% 2016 13.8% 2015 5.1% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Income Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 5.5 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.19 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Income Fund as on 31 Jul 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 14.78% Debt 84.82% Other 0.4% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Government 73.06% Corporate 17.48% Cash Equivalent 9.06% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.09% Govt Stock 2054
Sovereign Bonds | -23% ₹101 Cr 10,000,000
↑ 1,500,000 7.3% Govt Stock 2053
Sovereign Bonds | -19% ₹83 Cr 8,000,000 7.12% State Government Of Maharashtra 2036
Sovereign Bonds | -9% ₹41 Cr 4,000,000 7.1% Govt Stock 2029
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹26 Cr 2,500,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -6% ₹26 Cr 2,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -6% ₹25 Cr 2,500 06.95 HR Sdl 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹25 Cr 2,500,000 6.79% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹10 Cr 1,000,000 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹10 Cr 100 Hdb Financial Services Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹10 Cr 100
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