Top Children's Mutual Funds (2026)
Ranked by 3 year return, Direct plans, as on the latest NAV · AUM as on 30-09-2026
There are 12 Children's mutual funds. Their average 3 year return is 9.5% a year, and −3.9% over the last year. The highest 3 year returns: SBI Children's Fund - Investment Plan 20.3%, ICICI Prudential Children's Fund 11.5%, SBI Children's Fund - Savings Plan 10.7%.
- Total AUM
- ₹27,740 Cr
- As on 30-09-2026
- Funds
- 12
- From 10 fund houses
- Expense ratio
- 0.91% to 2.36%
- Direct plans, lowest to highest
- Average 3Y return
- 9.5%
- A year, Direct plans
All Children's Funds
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
| Exit load | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Children's Fund - Investment Plan | 1 | 7,949 | +6.28% | +20.25% | +17.93% | -- | Very High | 1.06% | -- | 12.53% |
| ICICI Prudential Children's Fund | 2 | 1,376 | −7.80% | +11.49% | +10.22% | +10.78% | -- | 2.36% | Varies | 13.32% |
| SBI Children's Fund - Savings Plan | 3 | 152 | +6.97% | +10.65% | +9.98% | +10.82% | Moderately High | 0.91% | -- | 4.25% |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life Bal Bhavishya Yojna | 4 | 1,197 | −3.65% | +10.36% | +8.72% | -- | Very High | 1.17% | None | 14.63% |
| Axis Children's Fund | 5 | 863 | −3.95% | +8.75% | +5.45% | +10.17% | Very High | 1.49% | Varies | 10.11% |
| HDFC Children's Fund | 6 | 10,339 | −6.09% | +7.95% | +9.25% | +12.30% | Very High | 1.03% | Varies | 9.57% |
| LIC MF Children's Fund | 7 | 16 | −1.53% | +7.86% | +6.90% | +7.97% | Very High | 2.10% | Varies | 14.39% |
| UTI Children's Equity Fund | 8 | 1,063 | −10.13% | +7.37% | +5.77% | +11.16% | Very High | 1.39% | None | 12.69% |
| UTI Children's Hybrid Fund | 9 | 4,258 | −4.00% | +6.02% | +5.59% | +7.03% | Moderately High | 1.51% | None | 5.59% |
| Tata Childrens Fund | 10 | 313 | −14.31% | +3.81% | +5.24% | +9.58% | Very High | 1.84% | Varies | 12.51% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Children's Fund | -- | 123 | −3.15% | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1.29% | -- | -- |
| Union Children's Fund | -- | 91 | −5.70% | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 1.45% | None | -- |
Returns of each fund's Direct plan (its only plan where it has one), as on the latest NAV. 3, 5 and 10 year figures are a rate a year. Std dev: how much the daily returns swung over 3 years, as a yearly figure; lower is steadier. Riskometer and exit load from the fund's scheme summary document; "Varies" means the load changes with how long you hold, and the fund page has the full wording. Expense ratio: Direct plan, from AMFI. AUM at the end of the fund's last reported month. A fund younger than 3 years has no rank and is listed after the ranked ones.
Compare Children's Funds
The largest funds of the category, side by side
- HDFC Children's vs SBI Children's Fund - Investment Plan
- HDFC Children's vs UTI Children's Hybrid
- HDFC Children's vs ICICI Prudential Children's
- SBI Children's Fund - Investment Plan vs UTI Children's Hybrid
- SBI Children's Fund - Investment Plan vs ICICI Prudential Children's
- UTI Children's Hybrid vs ICICI Prudential Children's
How Children's Funds Are Taxed
It depends on what each fund holds
| What the fund holds | Tax on the gain |
|---|---|
| 65% or more in Indian stocks | 20% within 1 year. After that, 12.5% of gains above ₹1.25 lakh a financial year |
| 65% or more in debt | Your slab rate, however long you hold the units |
| Any other mix | Your slab rate within 2 years. 12.5% after |
- IDCW (dividend) payouts are added to your income and taxed at your slab rate.
- A stamp duty of 0.005% is deducted when you invest.
Rules in force from 23-07-2024 (Finance Act 2024). Tax depends on your own income; this is general information, not tax advice.
What Is a Children's Fund?
Solution oriented funds for a child's future. SEBI requires a lock-in of at least 5 years, or until the child turns 18 if that is earlier.
Other other categories: Gold · Silver · International · Target Maturity · Retirement
Children's Funds: Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top Children's mutual funds?
By 3 year return, the top Children's funds are 1. SBI Children's Fund - Investment Plan (20.3% a year), 2. ICICI Prudential Children's Fund (11.5% a year), 3. SBI Children's Fund - Savings Plan (10.7% a year), 4. Aditya Birla Sun Life Bal Bhavishya Yojna (10.4% a year), 5. Axis Children's Fund (8.8% a year). Past returns do not promise future returns, so also look at costs, risk and how long each fund has done well.
How many Children's funds are there?
12 Children's funds are open for investment, from 10 fund houses.
What is a Children's fund?
Solution oriented funds for a child's future. SEBI requires a lock-in of at least 5 years, or until the child turns 18 if that is earlier.
What is the average return of Children's funds?
1 year: -3.9%, 3 years: 9.5% a year, 5 years: 8.5% a year. The simple average of every Children's fund's Direct plan.
Which Children's fund has the lowest expense ratio?
SBI Children's Fund - Savings Plan, at 0.91% a year (Direct plan), as reported to AMFI.
Which is the largest Children's fund?
HDFC Children's Fund, with ₹10,339 Cr of investors' money on 30-09-2026.
How are Children's funds taxed?
It depends on what each fund holds: 65% or more in Indian stocks is taxed as an equity fund, 65% or more in debt at your slab rate.
This page is information, not investment advice. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks; read all scheme related documents carefully. Past returns do not promise future returns. Figures come from AMFI, NSE, BSE and each fund house's own documents.