+91-22-489139095 Best Short Duration (Short Term) Debt Funds To Invest In 2026
Generally, people believe that Mutual Fund investments are for long-term investors.
Well, that's not true! There is a category of funds called Short Duration Funds or short term debt funds that allow investors to invest for short-term along with keeping their money accessible. Though there are various Short Duration Funds available in the market, investors are suggested to look for best Short Duration (Short Term) Debt Funds.
The best Short Duration (Short Term) Debt Funds are funds that allow investors to invest for a short term, typically for three years, to earn good returns with less market risk. These funds are highly suitable investors with a low-risk appetite who seek quick returns and a steady flow of income without being affected by the daily changes in the bond markets.
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Fund Selection Methodology used to find 5 funds
Best Short Duration Funds or Short Term Debt Funds FY 26 - 27
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2024 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹33.2675
↓ 0.00 ₹17,271 1 2.5 6.9 7.6 7.8 7.25% 2Y 4M 2D 3Y 5M 8D ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Growth ₹62.6084
↓ -0.01 ₹21,510 0.9 2.6 7 7.5 8 7.41% 2Y 8M 23D 4Y 6M 11D Nippon India Short Term Fund Growth ₹54.8023
↓ -0.04 ₹8,367 0.9 2.4 6.9 7.4 7.9 7.28% 2Y 5M 23D 3Y Axis Short Term Fund Growth ₹32.1263
↓ -0.01 ₹11,860 1 2.4 7.1 7.4 8.1 7.22% 2Y 2M 1D 2Y 9M 7D Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Growth ₹49.3771
↓ 0.00 ₹9,386 0.9 2.5 6.7 7.3 7.7 7.29% 2Y 4M 2D 2Y 11M 26D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 20 Mar 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 5 Funds showcased
Commentary HDFC Short Term Debt Fund ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Nippon India Short Term Fund Axis Short Term Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Point 1 Upper mid AUM (₹17,271 Cr). Highest AUM (₹21,510 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹8,367 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹11,860 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹9,386 Cr). Point 2 Established history (15+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (24 yrs). Established history (23+ yrs). Established history (16+ yrs). Established history (22+ yrs). Point 3 Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Top rated. Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 4★ (lower mid). Point 4 Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Point 5 1Y return: 6.92% (lower mid). 1Y return: 7.02% (upper mid). 1Y return: 6.89% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 7.05% (top quartile). 1Y return: 6.73% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 0.16% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.23% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.06% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.11% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.12% (lower mid). Point 7 Sharpe: 1.08 (lower mid). Sharpe: 1.37 (top quartile). Sharpe: 1.03 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.22 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.91 (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): 7.25% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.41% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.28% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.22% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.29% (upper mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 2.34 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 2.73 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.48 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.17 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 2.34 yrs (lower mid). HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Nippon India Short Term Fund
Axis Short Term Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
*List Funds based on (Erstwhile HDFC Short Term Opportunities Fund) To generate regular income through investments in Debt/Money Market Instruments and Government Securities with maturities not exceeding 36 months. Below is the key information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 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 Short Term Fund Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The primary investment objective of the scheme is to generate stable returns for investors with a short term investment horizon by investing in fixed income
securitites of a short term maturity. Research Highlights for Nippon India Short Term Fund Below is the key information for Nippon India Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on To generate stable returns with a low risk strategy while maintaining liquidity through a portfolio comprising of debt and money market instruments. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved. Research Highlights for Axis Short Term Fund Below is the key information for Axis Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on An Open ended Income scheme with the objective to generate regular income by investing primarily in investment grade fixed income securities / money market instruments with short to medium term maturities and across the credit spectrum within the universe of investment grade rating. Research Highlights for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Returns up to 1 year are on Assets >= 100 Crore & Sorted on 3 Year CAGR Return.
1. HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Jun 10 NAV (20 Mar 26) ₹33.2675 ↓ 0.00 (-0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹17,271 on 28 Feb 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.69 Sharpe Ratio 1.08 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.25% Effective Maturity 3 Years 5 Months 8 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 4 Months 2 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,497 28 Feb 23 ₹10,900 29 Feb 24 ₹11,755 28 Feb 25 ₹12,685 28 Feb 26 ₹13,635 Returns for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 Mar 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.2% 3 Month 1% 6 Month 2.5% 1 Year 6.9% 3 Year 7.6% 5 Year 6.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.8% 2023 8.3% 2022 7.1% 2021 3.5% 2020 3.9% 2019 11% 2018 9.7% 2017 7% 2016 6.5% 2015 9.3% Fund Manager information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Anil Bamboli 25 Jun 10 15.69 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 2.69 Yr. Data below for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund as on 28 Feb 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 4.58% Debt 95.12% Other 0.3% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 67.54% Government 27.91% Cash Equivalent 4.25% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 13.49% AAA 86.51% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Gs 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹516 Cr 50,000,000 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹438 Cr 43,500 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹416 Cr 38,500 Jtpm Metal TRaders Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹375 Cr 36,000 7.26% Gs 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹358 Cr 34,500,000 Jamnagar Utilities & Power Private Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹355 Cr 35,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹355 Cr 350 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹305 Cr 30,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹277 Cr 27,500
↑ 5,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹253 Cr 25,000 2. ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Oct 01 NAV (20 Mar 26) ₹62.6084 ↓ -0.01 (-0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹21,510 on 15 Mar 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.04 Sharpe Ratio 1.37 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-7 Days (0.25%),7 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.41% Effective Maturity 4 Years 6 Months 11 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 8 Months 23 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,443 28 Feb 23 ₹10,989 29 Feb 24 ₹11,848 28 Feb 25 ₹12,757 28 Feb 26 ₹13,731 Returns for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 Mar 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.2% 3 Month 0.9% 6 Month 2.6% 1 Year 7% 3 Year 7.5% 5 Year 6.5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8% 2023 7.8% 2022 7.4% 2021 4.7% 2020 3.9% 2019 10.6% 2018 9.7% 2017 5.8% 2016 5.9% 2015 11.1% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 19 Nov 09 16.29 Yr. Nikhil Kabra 29 Dec 20 5.17 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund as on 15 Mar 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 14.56% Debt 85.17% Other 0.27% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 61.82% Government 23.97% Cash Equivalent 13.94% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 18.76% AAA 81.24% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.48% Gs 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹971 Cr 98,334,550
↓ -20,000,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹903 Cr 89,500 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -3% ₹754 Cr 75,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹608 Cr 600 Vedanta Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹589 Cr 58,500 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹532 Cr 525 Small Industries Dev Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹446 Cr 44,700 6.68% Gs 2040
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹370 Cr 38,240,850 7.24% Gs 2055
Sovereign Bonds | -1% ₹309 Cr 31,278,590
↑ 9,625,190 Summit Digitel Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹288 Cr 28,300 3. Nippon India Short Term Fund
Nippon India Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 18 Dec 02 NAV (20 Mar 26) ₹54.8023 ↓ -0.04 (-0.08 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,367 on 28 Feb 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.94 Sharpe Ratio 1.03 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.28% Effective Maturity 3 Years Modified Duration 2 Years 5 Months 23 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,551 28 Feb 23 ₹10,875 29 Feb 24 ₹11,700 28 Feb 25 ₹12,613 28 Feb 26 ₹13,574 Returns for Nippon India Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 Mar 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 0.9% 6 Month 2.4% 1 Year 6.9% 3 Year 7.4% 5 Year 6.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.9% 2023 8% 2022 6.8% 2021 3.2% 2020 4.4% 2019 9.5% 2018 9.4% 2017 5.5% 2016 5.7% 2015 9.8% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 6.08 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.77 Yr. Sushil Budhia 31 Mar 21 4.92 Yr. Lokesh Maru 5 Sep 25 0.48 Yr. Divya Sharma 5 Sep 25 0.48 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Short Term Fund as on 28 Feb 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.91% Debt 93.77% Other 0.33% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 61.62% Government 34.14% Cash Equivalent 3.92% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 14.73% AAA 85.27% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.32% Gs 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹463 Cr 44,500,000 7.17% Karnataka Sdl 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹254 Cr 25,000,000 7.93% Uttarpradesh Sdl 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹234 Cr 22,500,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹225 Cr 225 7.17% Gs 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹217 Cr 21,000,000
↓ -8,000,000 7.17% Madhyapradesh Sgs 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹207 Cr 20,500,000 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹200 Cr 200 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹168 Cr 16,500 KNOWLEDGE REALTY TRUST 7.54%
Debentures | -2% ₹161 Cr 16,000 Export Import Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹151 Cr 15,000 4. Axis Short Term Fund
Axis Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 22 Jan 10 NAV (20 Mar 26) ₹32.1263 ↓ -0.01 (-0.03 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹11,860 on 28 Feb 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.88 Sharpe Ratio 1.22 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.22% Effective Maturity 2 Years 9 Months 7 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 2 Months 1 Day Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,438 28 Feb 23 ₹10,836 29 Feb 24 ₹11,645 28 Feb 25 ₹12,551 28 Feb 26 ₹13,521 Returns for Axis Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 Mar 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 1% 6 Month 2.4% 1 Year 7.1% 3 Year 7.4% 5 Year 6.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.1% 2023 8% 2022 6.8% 2021 3.7% 2020 3.5% 2019 10.1% 2018 9.8% 2017 6.3% 2016 5.9% 2015 9.6% Fund Manager information for Axis Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Devang Shah 5 Nov 12 13.32 Yr. Aditya Pagaria 3 Jul 23 2.66 Yr. Data below for Axis Short Term Fund as on 28 Feb 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 13.44% Debt 86.26% Other 0.3% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 74.75% Government 20.94% Cash Equivalent 4.01% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 15.38% AAA 84.62% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹277 Cr 27,500
↓ -10,000 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹247 Cr 25,000 Punjab National Bank
Domestic Bonds | -2% ₹235 Cr 5,000 Small Industries Development Bank of India
Debentures | -2% ₹235 Cr 5,000 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹213 Cr 213 6.48% Gs 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹206 Cr 20,887,300
↓ -2,000,000 Indigrid Infrastructure Trust
Debentures | -2% ₹191 Cr 19,000 Small Industries Development Bank of India
Debentures | -2% ₹187 Cr 4,000
↑ 4,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹181 Cr 17,900 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹170 Cr 15,750 5. Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
Growth Launch Date 9 May 03 NAV (20 Mar 26) ₹49.3771 ↓ 0.00 (-0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹9,386 on 28 Feb 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1 Sharpe Ratio 0.91 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 1,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-90 Days (0.5%),90 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.29% Effective Maturity 2 Years 11 Months 26 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 4 Months 2 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,492 28 Feb 23 ₹10,952 29 Feb 24 ₹11,773 28 Feb 25 ₹12,676 28 Feb 26 ₹13,604 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 Mar 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 0.9% 6 Month 2.5% 1 Year 6.7% 3 Year 7.3% 5 Year 6.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.2% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.7% 2023 7.9% 2022 6.9% 2021 4.2% 2020 3.8% 2019 11.1% 2018 8.5% 2017 6.5% 2016 5.6% 2015 11.3% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
Name Since Tenure Kaustubh Gupta 11 Sep 14 11.47 Yr. Mohit Sharma 6 Aug 20 5.57 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund as on 28 Feb 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.26% Debt 94.42% Other 0.32% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 64.08% Government 30.34% Cash Equivalent 5.26% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 15.23% AAA 84.77% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Bharti Telecom Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹459 Cr 46,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹424 Cr 42,000 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹418 Cr 42,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹403 Cr 40,000 Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹347 Cr 35,000 Jtpm Metal TRaders Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹300 Cr 28,773 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹280 Cr 280 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹269 Cr 27,500 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -3% ₹237 Cr 23,500 7.10% Gs 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹220 Cr 21,406,400
Why Invest In Best Short Duration Debt Funds?
Given the short term nature of these investments, Short Duration (Short Term) Debt Funds do not offer very high returns like Equity Funds. However, there are certainly several reasons that ensure Investing in the best Short Duration (Short Term) Debt funds is totally worth to consider. Some of those include-
Short Duration (Short Term) debt funds are a highly suitable option for investors who are willing to make investments that have a slightly higher maturity than liquid & ultra short term debt funds but on the same hand are not very risky.
Being a short term investment, this fund is highly suitable for those who want to park their idle cash for 1-3 years to earn better returns than fixed income investment options like FDs.
As per the analysis, short term bond funds offer a better rate of return in accordance with the risk involved as compared to long term Bonds. Short Duration Funds are less sensitive to the rising inflation than other intermediate and long term debt funds.
Lastly, the Short Duration (Short Term) debt funds are highly liquid, meaning that the investors can have an easy access to their cash. However, some schemes under this category do charge an exit load if the investment is redeemed in a very short duration (mostly 1 month to 6 months). So, it is always suggested to invest in best Short Duration Debt Funds wisely.
How to Invest in Short Duration Debt 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!
Conclusion
Investors can tweak their investment portfolios as per their risk profile. As the bond market offers the advantage of falling interest rates, one can earn better returns by increasing the duration o the investment. This is where Short Duration (Short Term) Debt Funds come in. These funds invest in debt market to offer long term returns over the duration of 2-3 years. So, invest in best Short Duration Funds today!
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.
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Research Highlights for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund