+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 (%) 2025 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹34.0369
↑ 0.02 ₹15,008 1.8 3.3 5.4 7.4 7.8 8.01% 2Y 4M 28D 3Y 1M 24D ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Growth ₹64.0946
↑ 0.03 ₹19,175 1.7 3.3 5.6 7.3 8 8.14% 2Y 8M 19D 4Y 5M 23D Axis Short Term Fund Growth ₹32.8898
↑ 0.02 ₹8,183 1.8 3.3 5.4 7.3 8.1 7.92% 2Y 3M 22D 3Y 2M 23D Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan Growth ₹60.7835
↑ 0.03 ₹8,889 1.9 3.6 5.4 7.2 7.5 7.73% 2Y 2M 16D 2Y 11M 26D Nippon India Short Term Fund Growth ₹56.0502
↑ 0.04 ₹7,040 1.8 3.2 5.2 7.2 7.9 8.03% 2Y 3M 18D 2Y 8M 23D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 21 Jul 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 5 Funds showcased
Commentary HDFC Short Term Debt Fund ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Axis Short Term Fund Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan Nippon India Short Term Fund Point 1 Upper mid AUM (₹15,008 Cr). Highest AUM (₹19,175 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹8,183 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹8,889 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹7,040 Cr). Point 2 Established history (16+ yrs). Established history (24+ yrs). Established history (16+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (25 yrs). Established history (23+ yrs). Point 3 Rating: 3★ (lower mid). Top rated. Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Point 4 Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Point 5 1Y return: 5.38% (lower mid). 1Y return: 5.63% (top quartile). 1Y return: 5.44% (upper mid). 1Y return: 5.37% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 5.23% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 0.68% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.68% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.67% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.75% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.64% (bottom quartile). Point 7 Sharpe: 0.11 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.29 (top quartile). Sharpe: 0.14 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.15 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.00 (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): 8.01% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 8.14% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.92% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.73% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 8.03% (upper mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 2.41 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.72 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.31 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 2.21 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 2.30 yrs (upper mid). HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Axis Short Term Fund
Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Nippon India Short Term 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 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 (Erstwhile IDFC Super Saver Income Fund - Short Term 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 Short Term Plan Below is the key information for Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan 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 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 (21 Jul 26) ₹34.0369 ↑ 0.02 (0.06 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹15,008 on 30 Jun 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.69 Sharpe Ratio 0.11 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 8.01% Effective Maturity 3 Years 1 Month 24 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 4 Months 28 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 21 ₹10,000 30 Jun 22 ₹10,268 30 Jun 23 ₹10,980 30 Jun 24 ₹11,791 30 Jun 25 ₹12,887 30 Jun 26 ₹13,637 Returns for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 21 Jul 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.7% 3 Month 1.8% 6 Month 3.3% 1 Year 5.4% 3 Year 7.4% 5 Year 6.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.8% 2024 8.3% 2023 7.1% 2022 3.5% 2021 3.9% 2020 11% 2019 9.7% 2018 7% 2017 6.5% 2016 9.3% Fund Manager information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Anil Bamboli 25 Jun 10 16.03 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 3.03 Yr. Data below for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund as on 30 Jun 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 2.88% Debt 96.78% Other 0.35% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 73.64% Government 23.13% Cash Equivalent 2.88% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 16.78% AAA 83.22% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹436 Cr 43,500 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹424 Cr 38,500 Jtpm Metal TRaders Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹383 Cr 36,000 Jamnagar Utilities & Power Private Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹353 Cr 35,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹351 Cr 350 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹317 Cr 31,670
↑ 2,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹301 Cr 30,000 Pipeline Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹248 Cr 24,500 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹247 Cr 25,000 TATA Communications Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹247 Cr 25,000 2. ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Oct 01 NAV (21 Jul 26) ₹64.0946 ↑ 0.03 (0.05 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹19,175 on 30 Jun 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.04 Sharpe Ratio 0.29 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 8.14% Effective Maturity 4 Years 5 Months 23 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 8 Months 19 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 21 ₹10,000 30 Jun 22 ₹10,289 30 Jun 23 ₹11,092 30 Jun 24 ₹11,907 30 Jun 25 ₹12,982 30 Jun 26 ₹13,780 Returns for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 21 Jul 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.7% 3 Month 1.7% 6 Month 3.3% 1 Year 5.6% 3 Year 7.3% 5 Year 6.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 8% 2024 7.8% 2023 7.4% 2022 4.7% 2021 3.9% 2020 10.6% 2019 9.7% 2018 5.8% 2017 5.9% 2016 11.1% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 19 Nov 09 16.62 Yr. Nikhil Kabra 29 Dec 20 5.5 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund as on 30 Jun 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Debt 104.13% Other 0.32% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 70.38% Government 35.33% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 20.26% AAA 79.74% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -5% ₹897 Cr 89,500 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -4% ₹750 Cr 75,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹601 Cr 600 Vedanta Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹590 Cr 58,500 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹526 Cr 525 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹443 Cr 44,700 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹411 Cr 41,000 Cholamandalam Investment And Finance Company Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹300 Cr 30,000 Summit Digitel Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹286 Cr 28,300 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -1% ₹271 Cr 27,000 3. Axis Short Term Fund
Axis Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 22 Jan 10 NAV (21 Jul 26) ₹32.8898 ↑ 0.02 (0.06 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,183 on 30 Jun 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.88 Sharpe Ratio 0.14 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.92% Effective Maturity 3 Years 2 Months 23 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 3 Months 22 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 21 ₹10,000 30 Jun 22 ₹10,281 30 Jun 23 ₹10,968 30 Jun 24 ₹11,722 30 Jun 25 ₹12,831 30 Jun 26 ₹13,585 Returns for Axis Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 21 Jul 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.7% 3 Month 1.8% 6 Month 3.3% 1 Year 5.4% 3 Year 7.3% 5 Year 6.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 8.1% 2024 8% 2023 6.8% 2022 3.7% 2021 3.5% 2020 10.1% 2019 9.8% 2018 6.3% 2017 5.9% 2016 9.6% Fund Manager information for Axis Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Devang Shah 5 Nov 12 13.66 Yr. Aditya Pagaria 3 Jul 23 2.99 Yr. Data below for Axis Short Term Fund as on 30 Jun 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 3.15% Debt 96.41% Other 0.44% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 72.84% Government 23.91% Cash Equivalent 2.81% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 15.7% AAA 84.3% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.94% Govt Stock 2036
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹307 Cr 30,599,900
↑ 29,000,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -3% ₹274 Cr 27,500
↑ 7,500 Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹252 Cr 25,000
↑ 15,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -3% ₹251 Cr 25,000 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹247 Cr 25,000 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹210 Cr 213 Indigrid Infrastructure Trust
Debentures | -2% ₹190 Cr 19,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹175 Cr 17,500
↓ -2,500 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹173 Cr 15,750 L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹123 Cr 12,500 4. Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Growth Launch Date 14 Dec 00 NAV (21 Jul 26) ₹60.7835 ↑ 0.03 (0.05 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,889 on 30 Jun 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC IDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.8 Sharpe Ratio 0.15 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.73% Effective Maturity 2 Years 11 Months 26 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 2 Months 16 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 21 ₹10,000 30 Jun 22 ₹10,199 30 Jun 23 ₹10,868 30 Jun 24 ₹11,627 30 Jun 25 ₹12,706 30 Jun 26 ₹13,457 Returns for Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 21 Jul 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.7% 3 Month 1.9% 6 Month 3.6% 1 Year 5.4% 3 Year 7.2% 5 Year 6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.3% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.5% 2024 7.8% 2023 6.9% 2022 2.8% 2021 3.4% 2020 9.7% 2019 9.7% 2018 6.5% 2017 5.9% 2016 8.8% Fund Manager information for Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Name Since Tenure Suyash Choudhary 11 Mar 11 15.32 Yr. Brijesh Shah 10 Jun 24 2.05 Yr. Data below for Bandhan Bond Fund Short Term Plan as on 30 Jun 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 38.4% Debt 61.24% Other 0.36% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 55.51% Government 39.63% Cash Equivalent 4.5% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.68% Govt Stock 2040
Sovereign Bonds | -16% ₹1,383 Cr 144,800,000
↑ 52,400,000 Axis Bank Ltd.
Debentures | -4% ₹338 Cr 35,000,000
↑ 35,000,000 Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹250 Cr 25,000,000 6.88% Uttarpradesh Sdl 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹248 Cr 25,000,000 8.08% Tamilnadu SDL 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹206 Cr 20,000,000
↑ 20,000,000 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹202 Cr 20,000,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹190 Cr 18,500,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -2% ₹170 Cr 17,000,000
↓ -2,500,000 7.83% Maharashtra Sdl 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹159 Cr 15,500,000
↑ 15,500,000 8.08% Maharashtra Sdl 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹144 Cr 14,000,000
↑ 14,000,000 5. Nippon India Short Term Fund
Nippon India Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 18 Dec 02 NAV (21 Jul 26) ₹56.0502 ↑ 0.04 (0.08 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹7,040 on 30 Jun 26 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.94 Sharpe Ratio 0 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 8.03% Effective Maturity 2 Years 8 Months 23 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 3 Months 18 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 21 ₹10,000 30 Jun 22 ₹10,260 30 Jun 23 ₹10,934 30 Jun 24 ₹11,690 30 Jun 25 ₹12,797 30 Jun 26 ₹13,515 Returns for Nippon India Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 21 Jul 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 1.8% 6 Month 3.2% 1 Year 5.2% 3 Year 7.2% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.9% 2024 8% 2023 6.8% 2022 3.2% 2021 4.4% 2020 9.5% 2019 9.4% 2018 5.5% 2017 5.7% 2016 9.8% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 6.41 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 8.1 Yr. Sushil Budhia 31 Mar 21 5.25 Yr. Amber Singhania 11 Mar 26 0.3 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Short Term Fund as on 30 Jun 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 4.43% Debt 95.19% Other 0.38% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 64.43% Government 30.76% Cash Equivalent 4.43% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 14.46% AAA 85.54% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹222 Cr 225 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹197 Cr 200 8.97% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹164 Cr 15,000,000
↑ 15,000,000 Knowledge Realty TRust
Debentures | -2% ₹160 Cr 16,000 Export Import Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹151 Cr 15,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹151 Cr 15,000
↑ 15,000 Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹134 Cr 1,300 7.32% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹124 Cr 12,000,000 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹118 Cr 1,200 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹116 Cr 11,500
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