+91-22-48913909Best Intermediate Debt Funds for SIP Investment 2026
Intermediate Bonds also known as medium term funds are a type of debt Mutual Funds that invest in debt securities with a time horizon of up to 3 years or more. The average maturity period of mid-term funds is longer than liquid, ultra-short and short-term debt funds. In recent times, medium funds have delivered the best returns due to successive rate cuts in India. These funds are less sensitive to interest rates, and therefore are less volatile, than the longer duration funds like Gilt Funds. For best results, investors are advised to invest in the best intermediate debt funds via a SIP. Investors can choose top performing scheme from the below pre-listed top rated mid-term debt funds.
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Fund Selection Methodology used to find 5 funds
Top 5 Best Performing Intermediate or Mid Term Debt Funds to Invest in SIP
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) Min SIP Investment 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan Growth ₹42.3683
↑ 0.04 ₹2,982 1,000 2.9 5.5 10.3 10.1 12.1 10.9 Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund Growth ₹16.3949
↑ 0.01 ₹136 100 1.2 3.3 9.5 8.6 9.1 9.6 Axis Strategic Bond Fund Growth ₹29.2367
↑ 0.02 ₹2,044 1,000 1.3 3.7 8.2 8.2 6.9 8.2 Kotak Medium Term Fund Growth ₹23.8758
↑ 0.02 ₹1,987 1,000 1.3 4.4 8.8 8.4 6.8 8.9 HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund Growth ₹58.5227
↑ 0.03 ₹3,857 300 1.2 3.4 7.6 7.6 6.4 7.7 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 27 Feb 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 5 Funds showcased
Commentary Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund Axis Strategic Bond Fund Kotak Medium Term Fund HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund Point 1 Upper mid AUM (₹2,982 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹136 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹2,044 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,987 Cr). Highest AUM (₹3,857 Cr). Point 2 Established history (16+ yrs). Established history (11+ yrs). Established history (13+ yrs). Established history (11+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (24 yrs). Point 3 Top rated. Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 4★ (lower mid). Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Point 4 Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Point 5 1Y return: 10.34% (top quartile). 1Y return: 9.52% (upper mid). 1Y return: 8.23% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 8.77% (lower mid). 1Y return: 7.56% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 1.04% (lower mid). 1M return: 1.03% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 1.09% (upper mid). 1M return: 1.11% (top quartile). 1M return: 1.02% (bottom quartile). Point 7 Sharpe: 2.33 (top quartile). Sharpe: 1.03 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 1.06 (lower mid). Sharpe: 1.32 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.56 (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): 7.78% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.10% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 8.16% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 8.24% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 8.08% (lower mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 3.40 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 3.58 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 3.22 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 3.08 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 3.24 yrs (lower mid). Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan
Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund
Axis Strategic Bond Fund
Kotak Medium Term Fund
HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund
The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to generate regular income through investments in debt & money market instruments in order to make regular dividend payments to unit holders & secondary objective is growth of capital. Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Reliance Classic Bond Fund) To generate income through investments in a range of debt and money market instruments of various maturities with a view to maximizing income while
maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety and liquidity. The scheme would focus its investments predominantly in corporate bonds of various maturities and across ratings for the purpose of achieving regular income and
capital appreciation. Research Highlights for Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund Below is the key information for Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Axis Income Fund) To generate optimal returns in the medium term while maintaining liquidity of the portfolio by investing in debt and money market instruments. Research Highlights for Axis Strategic Bond Fund Below is the key information for Axis Strategic Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The investment objective of the scheme is to generate regular income and capital appreciation by investing in a portfolio of medium term debt and money market instruments. There is no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved Research Highlights for Kotak Medium Term Fund Below is the key information for Kotak Medium Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile HDFC High Interest Fund - Short Term Plan) To generate income by investing in a range of debt and money market instruments of various maturity dates with a view to maximising income while maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety and liquidity. The objective is to cater to the needs of investors with shorter term investment horizons and
to provide stable returns over shorter periods. Research Highlights for HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund Below is the key information for HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan
Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan
Growth Launch Date 25 Mar 09 NAV (27 Feb 26) ₹42.3683 ↑ 0.04 (0.09 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹2,982 on 31 Jan 26 Category Debt - Medium term Bond AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.57 Sharpe Ratio 2.33 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 1,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-365 Days (1%),365 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.78% Effective Maturity 4 Years 6 Months 7 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 4 Months 24 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹11,001 28 Feb 23 ₹13,264 29 Feb 24 ₹14,263 28 Feb 25 ₹16,044 28 Feb 26 ₹17,708 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Feb 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 1% 3 Month 2.9% 6 Month 5.5% 1 Year 10.3% 3 Year 10.1% 5 Year 12.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 10.9% 2023 10.5% 2022 6.9% 2021 24.8% 2020 7.1% 2019 8.1% 2018 -4.4% 2017 5.6% 2016 7% 2015 10.9% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan
Name Since Tenure Sunaina Cunha 1 Sep 14 11.43 Yr. Mohit Sharma 6 Aug 20 5.49 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan as on 31 Jan 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 3.17% Equity 4% Debt 92.55% Other 0.27% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 57.6% Government 34.95% Cash Equivalent 3.17% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 10.07% AA 38.92% AAA 51.02% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.79% Gs 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -9% ₹281 Cr 28,000,000 7.10% Gs 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -8% ₹227 Cr 22,196,700
↓ -1,500,000 7.18% Gs 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹190 Cr 18,500,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹113 Cr 11,500 Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹108 Cr 11,000 Nuvama Wealth Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹96 Cr 9,500 GMR Airports Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹82 Cr 8,000 Jubilant Bevco Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹80 Cr 7,400 Jtpm Metal TRaders Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹79 Cr 7,673 Kogta Financial (India) Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹72 Cr 7,250 2. Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund
Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 26 Jun 14 NAV (27 Feb 26) ₹16.3949 ↑ 0.01 (0.08 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹136 on 31 Jan 26 Category Debt - Medium term Bond AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.08 Sharpe Ratio 1.03 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-12 Months (1%),12 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.1% Effective Maturity 4 Years 8 Months 8 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 6 Months 29 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹11,875 28 Feb 23 ₹12,086 29 Feb 24 ₹13,056 28 Feb 25 ₹14,107 28 Feb 26 ₹15,458 Returns for Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Feb 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 1% 3 Month 1.2% 6 Month 3.3% 1 Year 9.5% 3 Year 8.6% 5 Year 9.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 4.3% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 9.6% 2023 8.3% 2022 7% 2021 2% 2020 17.4% 2019 -23.5% 2018 -3.4% 2017 4.7% 2016 6.9% 2015 11.1% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.7 Yr. Sushil Budhia 1 Feb 20 6.01 Yr. Akshay Sharma 1 Dec 22 3.17 Yr. Lokesh Maru 5 Sep 25 0.41 Yr. Divya Sharma 5 Sep 25 0.41 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Strategic Debt Fund as on 31 Jan 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 9.74% Debt 89.9% Other 0.36% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 48.56% Government 41.34% Cash Equivalent 9.74% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 37.91% AAA 62.09% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Gs 2037
Sovereign Bonds | -11% ₹15 Cr 1,500,000 6.79% Gs 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -7% ₹10 Cr 1,000,000 7.17% Madhyapradesh Sgs 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -7% ₹10 Cr 1,000,000 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹5 Cr 1,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹5 Cr 50 7.10% Gs 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹5 Cr 500,000 TRuhome Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹5 Cr 500 Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹5 Cr 500
↑ 500 Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹5 Cr 500 Godrej Industries Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹5 Cr 500 3. Axis Strategic Bond Fund
Axis Strategic Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 28 Mar 12 NAV (27 Feb 26) ₹29.2367 ↑ 0.02 (0.08 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹2,044 on 31 Jan 26 Category Debt - Medium term Bond AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.08 Sharpe Ratio 1.06 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-12 Months (1%),12 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 8.16% Effective Maturity 4 Years 4 Months 6 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 2 Months 19 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,601 28 Feb 23 ₹11,016 29 Feb 24 ₹11,916 28 Feb 25 ₹12,891 28 Feb 26 ₹13,955 Returns for Axis Strategic Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Feb 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 1.1% 3 Month 1.3% 6 Month 3.7% 1 Year 8.2% 3 Year 8.2% 5 Year 6.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.2% 2023 8.7% 2022 7.3% 2021 3.8% 2020 5.2% 2019 10.5% 2018 7.1% 2017 6.7% 2016 7.5% 2015 11.6% Fund Manager information for Axis Strategic Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Devang Shah 5 Nov 12 13.25 Yr. Sachin Jain 1 Feb 23 3 Yr. Akhil Thakker 1 Feb 23 3 Yr. Data below for Axis Strategic Bond Fund as on 31 Jan 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 3.04% Equity 2.39% Debt 94.28% Other 0.29% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 64.52% Government 29.75% Cash Equivalent 3.04% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 12.29% AA 48.07% AAA 39.64% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.48% Gs 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -8% ₹156 Cr 15,800,000
↓ -5,000,000 7.10% Gs 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹115 Cr 11,200,000 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹70 Cr 6,500 GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd
Debentures | -3% ₹66 Cr 6,500 7.18% Tamilnadu Sgs 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹63 Cr 6,358,600
↑ 6,358,600 Vedanta Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹60 Cr 6,000 Adani Power Ltd
Debentures | -3% ₹60 Cr 6,000
↑ 6,000 Jubilant Bevco Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹59 Cr 5,500 Nuvama Wealth Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹58 Cr 5,800 Delhi International Airport Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹56 Cr 5,500 4. Kotak Medium Term Fund
Kotak Medium Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Mar 14 NAV (27 Feb 26) ₹23.8758 ↑ 0.02 (0.10 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,987 on 31 Jan 26 Category Debt - Medium term Bond AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.63 Sharpe Ratio 1.32 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-18 Months (2%),18 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 8.24% Effective Maturity 4 Years 4 Months 10 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 29 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,665 28 Feb 23 ₹10,911 29 Feb 24 ₹11,821 28 Feb 25 ₹12,770 28 Feb 26 ₹13,888 Returns for Kotak Medium Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Feb 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 1.1% 3 Month 1.3% 6 Month 4.4% 1 Year 8.8% 3 Year 8.4% 5 Year 6.8% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.9% 2023 9% 2022 6.1% 2021 3.2% 2020 4.7% 2019 8.5% 2018 7% 2017 5.4% 2016 6.6% 2015 10.9% Fund Manager information for Kotak Medium Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Deepak Agrawal 25 Mar 14 11.87 Yr. Vihag Mishra 1 Jun 25 0.67 Yr. Data below for Kotak Medium Term Fund as on 31 Jan 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 7.59% Equity 9.74% Debt 82.39% Other 0.29% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 72.02% Government 10.36% Cash Equivalent 7.59% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 8.05% AA 53.96% AAA 37.99% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Jtpm Metal TRaders Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹103 Cr 10,000 L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹100 Cr 10,000 Bamboo Hotel And Global Centre (Delhi) Private Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹91 Cr 9,000 Adani Power Ltd
Debentures | -5% ₹90 Cr 9,000
↑ 9,000 Embassy Office Parks REIT (Real Estate)
-, Since 31 May 21 | EMBASSY4% ₹87 Cr 1,998,346 TATA Steel Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹76 Cr 750 Pipeline Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹64 Cr 6,280 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹60 Cr 6,000 Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹55 Cr 5,500 Indigrid Infrastructure Trust
Debentures | -3% ₹51 Cr 5,000 5. HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund
HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 6 Feb 02 NAV (27 Feb 26) ₹58.5227 ↑ 0.03 (0.06 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹3,857 on 15 Feb 26 Category Debt - Medium term Bond AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.29 Sharpe Ratio 0.56 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 8.08% Effective Maturity 5 Years 7 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 2 Months 26 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 28 Feb 21 ₹10,000 28 Feb 22 ₹10,612 28 Feb 23 ₹10,930 29 Feb 24 ₹11,771 28 Feb 25 ₹12,657 28 Feb 26 ₹13,618 Returns for HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 27 Feb 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 1% 3 Month 1.2% 6 Month 3.4% 1 Year 7.6% 3 Year 7.6% 5 Year 6.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.7% 2023 8.1% 2022 6.7% 2021 2.9% 2020 5% 2019 10% 2018 9.1% 2017 5.6% 2016 5.5% 2015 11.5% Fund Manager information for HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Shobhit Mehrotra 1 Sep 07 18.43 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 2.62 Yr. Bhavyesh Divecha 1 Mar 25 0.92 Yr. Data below for HDFC Medium Term Debt Fund as on 15 Feb 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 4.98% Equity 2.81% Debt 91.89% Other 0.31% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 70.37% Government 21.53% Cash Equivalent 4.98% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 6.59% AA 47.2% AAA 46.2% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Gs 2037
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹235 Cr 23,047,700 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -5% ₹176 Cr 175 7.23% Gs 2039
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹162 Cr 16,000,000 TATA Steel Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹147 Cr 14,500 GMR Airports Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹138 Cr 13,500 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹115 Cr 10,720 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹100 Cr 100 Kalpataru Projects International Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹100 Cr 10,000 SK Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹100 Cr 10,000 Sbfc Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹100 Cr 10,000
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Research Highlights for Aditya Birla Sun Life Medium Term Plan