As the name suggests, Short term debt funds, also known as short duration funds, are typically Debt Mutual Funds that invest money for a short duration, usually less than 3 years. Also known as Short Term Income Funds, Short term debt funds invest in debt instruments and money market instruments that include Bank papers (also called Certificate of Deposits), government papers(G-secs) and commercial papers (CPs). This Mutual Fund scheme is suitable for investors who prioritise Capital preservation, but also wish to invest for a predominantly longer period to earn good returns over the long term (between 1-3 years). Investors who are willing to invest for a short duration of 1-3 years can look at short term bond funds. Short term debt products can benefit from the interest Accruals in the debt Portfolio and from the tactical exposure to higher duration debt by the respective fund manager.
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Some of the prominent features of short term funds are:
The short term debt funds are highly liquid as the maturity period is short and the investments avenues allow liquidity. Usually, there are no entry and exit loads charged on these funds. However, some short term debt funds do charge an exit load if the exit is made in a few months. So, the investors are suggested to invest wisely considering all the parameters.
When it comes to investing in Mutual Funds, returns are what people actually look for. However, this should not be the only parameter while choosing a best short term Debt fund to invest. In the recent reports, RBI stated that the investors would earn better returns by Investing in short to mid-term funds that invest in instruments having a maturity between of one to five years. Generally, the fund managers handling such funds prefer investing in high credit rating securities. Thus, ensuring the least possibility of Default by the issuers providing safety to investors’ capital. Currently, short term debt funds with a maturity period of one-three years give annualised returns of 9-10% p.a. Investors should not just chase returns, but also look at the credit quality of the portfolio. If you are a conservative investor then it makes sense to ensure that give away some returns for the extra safety.
Given the short term nature of these funds, the returns are not much affected by Inflation and there is a lesser interest rate risk. Typically, short term debt funds generate income from the interest earned on short to medium term Bonds. This accrual income, meaning the accumulated interest, gets added to the Net Asset Value and becomes your final return. Since you know these funds provide steady income, therefore, the returns are less volatile as compared to other long-term income funds. Some short term funds do carry a bit of interest rate risk, this can be measured by a parameter called duration of the portfolio. One can even look at the average maturity of the portfolio. Both these parameters are available on the fact sheets of the scheme. Just remember a simple rule, higher the duration or maturity higher the interest rate risk! If interest rates fall, then this is positive, however, if rates rise, then the returns would be negatively impacted.
Short term debt funds do not invest in instruments that have a very long maturity as they try to maintain lower interest rate risk and offer better tax-adjusted returns. Since these funds provide stable returns in a time period of one to three years, investors should try to match the investment timeline with the average maturity of the fund. The instruments they invest in include money Market instruments like bonds, Commercial Paper and certificate of deposits etc.
Being a short term investment, these funds do not require heavy active management by the fund manager. Once the portions of the portfolio are allotted, the need of actively managing (buying and selling units) the investments is lower, having said this the fund manager needs to ensure that interest rate views are incorporated and he/she is vigilant on the credit quality of the portfolio as well as new opportunities. Their aim to provide steady returns is achieved by ensuring regular active management of the fund.
Short term debt funds also offer an option of dividend payout. With this option, the investors can get dividends at regular interval mostly monthly and fortnightly. However, the dividends paid by these funds attract a DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) of 25% for individual investors.
Some of the best short term debt funds include-
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2024 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹36.3802
↑ 0.01 ₹362 0.8 11.4 12.8 5.3 4.52% 1Y 2M 13D 1Y 7M 3D Axis Short Term Fund Growth ₹31.8687
↑ 0.03 ₹12,346 1.8 2.9 8.3 7.7 8 6.88% 2Y 2M 19D 2Y 8M 26D Nippon India Short Term Fund Growth ₹54.4209
↑ 0.07 ₹9,297 1.9 2.7 8.2 7.7 8 7.04% 2Y 8M 1D 3Y 3M 29D ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Growth ₹62.0126
↑ 0.04 ₹22,880 1.8 3 8.1 7.8 7.8 7.19% 2Y 7M 13D 4Y 8M 12D HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹32.9901
↑ 0.03 ₹17,947 1.9 2.8 8 7.8 8.3 6.98% 2Y 3M 14D 3Y 5M 8D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Research Highlights & Commentary of 5 Funds showcased
Commentary Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Axis Short Term Fund Nippon India Short Term Fund ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Point 1 Bottom quartile AUM (₹362 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹12,346 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹9,297 Cr). Highest AUM (₹22,880 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹17,947 Cr). Point 2 Established history (23+ yrs). Established history (15+ yrs). Established history (22+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (24 yrs). Established history (15+ yrs). Point 3 Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 3★ (lower mid). Top rated. Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Point 4 Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Point 5 1Y return: 12.83% (top quartile). 1Y return: 8.26% (upper mid). 1Y return: 8.22% (lower mid). 1Y return: 8.06% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 8.02% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 0.20% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.54% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.53% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.63% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.53% (lower mid). Point 7 Sharpe: 0.98 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.73 (top quartile). Sharpe: 1.45 (lower mid). Sharpe: 1.59 (upper mid). Sharpe: 1.44 (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): 4.52% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.88% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.04% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.19% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 6.98% (lower mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 1.20 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 2.22 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 2.67 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.62 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.29 yrs (lower mid). Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Axis Short Term Fund
Nippon India Short Term Fund
ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Short Duration funds having AUM/Net Assets above 100 Crore. Sorted on Last 1 Year Return.
(Erstwhile Sundaram Select Debt Short Term Asset Fund) To earn regular income by investing primarily in fixed income
securities, which may be paid as dividend or reinvested at
the option of the investor. A secondary objective is to
attempt to keep the value of its units reasonably stable. Below is the key information for Sundaram Short Term Debt 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 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 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 (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. Research Highlights for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Below is the key information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 5 Sep 02 NAV (31 Dec 21) ₹36.3802 ↑ 0.01 (0.03 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹362 on 30 Nov 21 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Sundaram Asset Management Company Ltd Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.96 Sharpe Ratio 0.98 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 250 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 4.52% Effective Maturity 1 Year 7 Months 3 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 2 Months 13 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹11,286 Returns for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.2% 3 Month 0.8% 6 Month 11.4% 1 Year 12.8% 3 Year 5.3% 5 Year 5.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 Fund Manager information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund as on 30 Nov 21
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 2. Axis Short Term Fund
Axis Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 22 Jan 10 NAV (05 Dec 25) ₹31.8687 ↑ 0.03 (0.09 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹12,346 on 31 Oct 25 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.88 Sharpe Ratio 1.73 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 6.88% Effective Maturity 2 Years 8 Months 26 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 2 Months 19 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹10,369 30 Nov 22 ₹10,727 30 Nov 23 ₹11,410 30 Nov 24 ₹12,352 30 Nov 25 ₹13,402 Returns for Axis Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.5% 3 Month 1.8% 6 Month 2.9% 1 Year 8.3% 3 Year 7.7% 5 Year 6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 8.1% Fund Manager information for Axis Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Devang Shah 5 Nov 12 13 Yr. Aditya Pagaria 3 Jul 23 2.33 Yr. Data below for Axis Short Term Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 11.07% Debt 88.68% Other 0.25% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 66.67% Government 22.08% Cash Equivalent 11% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 14.91% AAA 85.09% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹347 Cr 33,500,000
↓ -5,000,000 6.48% Govt Stock 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹315 Cr 31,533,900
↑ 31,500,000 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹249 Cr 25,000 7.54% Govt Stock 2036
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹222 Cr 21,000,000
↑ 5,000,000 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹216 Cr 213 Indigrid Infrastructure Trust
Debentures | -2% ₹192 Cr 19,000 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹167 Cr 15,750 Rec Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹151 Cr 15,000 Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹151 Cr 15,000 Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹146 Cr 14,500 3. Nippon India Short Term Fund
Nippon India Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 18 Dec 02 NAV (05 Dec 25) ₹54.4209 ↑ 0.07 (0.14 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹9,297 on 31 Oct 25 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.94 Sharpe Ratio 1.45 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.04% Effective Maturity 3 Years 3 Months 29 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 8 Months 1 Day Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹10,459 30 Nov 22 ₹10,770 30 Nov 23 ₹11,463 30 Nov 24 ₹12,400 30 Nov 25 ₹13,445 Returns for Nippon India Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.5% 3 Month 1.9% 6 Month 2.7% 1 Year 8.2% 3 Year 7.7% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 8.1% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 5.75 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.44 Yr. Sushil Budhia 31 Mar 21 4.59 Yr. Lokesh Maru 5 Sep 25 0.16 Yr. Divya Sharma 5 Sep 25 0.16 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Short Term Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 8.16% Debt 91.6% Other 0.25% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 47.11% Government 40.45% Cash Equivalent 7.65% Securitized 4.55% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 12.2% AAA 87.8% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.32% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹491 Cr 47,000,000 7.02% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹382 Cr 37,000,000 7.17% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹301 Cr 29,000,000 07.17 KA Sdl 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹254 Cr 25,000,000 07.93 Up SDL 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹235 Cr 22,500,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹228 Cr 225 7.17 Madhya Pradesh SDL 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹207 Cr 20,500,000 Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹203 Cr 20,000 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹203 Cr 200 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹170 Cr 16,500 4. ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Oct 01 NAV (05 Dec 25) ₹62.0126 ↑ 0.04 (0.07 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹22,880 on 31 Oct 25 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.04 Sharpe Ratio 1.59 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 7.19% Effective Maturity 4 Years 8 Months 12 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 7 Months 13 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹10,427 30 Nov 22 ₹10,877 30 Nov 23 ₹11,646 30 Nov 24 ₹12,583 30 Nov 25 ₹13,615 Returns for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 1.8% 6 Month 3% 1 Year 8.1% 3 Year 7.8% 5 Year 6.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 8% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 19 Nov 09 15.96 Yr. Nikhil Kabra 29 Dec 20 4.84 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 7.35% Debt 92.65% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 56.76% Government 31.57% Cash Equivalent 6.69% Securitized 4.98% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 19.35% AAA 80.65% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -3% ₹765 Cr 75,000 6.99% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹708 Cr 69,574,740 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -3% ₹615 Cr 60,500 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹615 Cr 600 6.79% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹598 Cr 59,027,480
↓ -11,160,130 6.82% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹559 Cr 54,178,290 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹538 Cr 525 Vedanta Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹512 Cr 51,000 7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹427 Cr 41,358,430 6.22% Govt Stock 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -1% ₹347 Cr 34,340,100 5. HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Jun 10 NAV (05 Dec 25) ₹32.9901 ↑ 0.03 (0.08 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹17,947 on 31 Oct 25 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.69 Sharpe Ratio 1.44 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 6.98% Effective Maturity 3 Years 5 Months 8 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 3 Months 14 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Nov 20 ₹10,000 30 Nov 21 ₹10,423 30 Nov 22 ₹10,755 30 Nov 23 ₹11,491 30 Nov 24 ₹12,468 30 Nov 25 ₹13,494 Returns for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.5% 3 Month 1.9% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 8% 3 Year 7.8% 5 Year 6.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 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% 2015 8.7% Fund Manager information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Anil Bamboli 25 Jun 10 15.36 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 2.36 Yr. Data below for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund as on 31 Oct 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 6.98% Debt 92.75% Other 0.27% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 60.49% Government 30.24% Cash Equivalent 5.75% Securitized 3.25% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 13% AAA 87% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹778 Cr 75,000,000 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹442 Cr 43,500 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹409 Cr 38,500 Jtpm Metal TRaders Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹368 Cr 36,000 7.26% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹359 Cr 34,500,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹359 Cr 350 Jamnagar Utilities & Power Private Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹358 Cr 35,000
↑ 2,500 6.22% Govt Stock 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹308 Cr 30,500,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -1% ₹257 Cr 25,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹254 Cr 25,000
Tax implication on debt funds is computed in the following manner-
If the holding period of a debt investment is less than 36 months, then it is classified as a short-term investment and these are taxed as per individual's tax slab.
If the holding period of debt investment is more than 36 months, then it is classified as a long-term investment and is taxed at 20% with an indexation benefit.
| Capital Gains | Investment Holding Gains | Taxation |
|---|---|---|
| Short Term Capital Gains | Less than 36 months | As per individual's tax slab |
| Long Term Capital Gains | More than 36 months | 20% with indexation benefits |
Alike all the financial securities, Short term debt funds have certain flaws as well. Some of the risks accompanying these funds include-

Short term debt funds are ideal having a short term financial goal of one to three years and not for long term. So, the investors who are looking for long term investments should invest in Equity Funds, which offers the benefits of rising inflation while yielding good returns.
The change in interest rate in the Economy has a little effect on short term debt funds, though the impact is very marginal. As the tenure of duration is short, the impact of interest rate changes in insignificant. However, investors should always look at the duration or maturity of the fund before making any conclusions. A high duration/maturity exposes the Fund to interest rate risk.
Usually, short term debt funds invest in instruments that have a high credit rating and have a safe track record. However, there are times when the asset managing company that is managing the fund defaults, the investor has to take the challenge of managing the risk on his own. So, the investors must keep this in mind and invest wisely. Hence, it is always advisable to look a getting into a fund with a good quality portfolio.
Research Highlights for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund