Top ESG Mutual Funds (2026)
Ranked by 3 year return, Direct plans, as on the latest NAV · AUM as on 30-09-2026
There are 10 ESG mutual funds. Their average 3 year return is 10.0% a year, and −6.3% over the last year. The highest 3 year returns: quant ESG Integration Strategy Fund 16.3%, Aditya Birla Sun Life ESG Integration Strategy Fund 11.2%, ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund 10.0%.
- Total AUM
- ₹9,865 Cr
- As on 30-09-2026
- Funds
- 10
- From 10 fund houses
- Expense ratio
- 0.80% to 1.88%
- Direct plans, lowest to highest
- Average 3Y return
- 10.0%
- A year, Direct plans
All ESG Funds
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
| Exit load | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| quant ESG Integration Strategy Fund | 1 | 328 | +10.83% | +16.34% | +17.09% | -- | Very High | 1.79% | 1% within 15 days | 16.47% |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life ESG Integration Strategy Fund | 2 | 542 | −5.19% | +11.20% | +6.02% | -- | Very High | 1.44% | 1% within 30 days | 13.30% |
| ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund | 3 | 1,275 | −13.22% | +10.01% | +8.90% | -- | -- | 1.34% | 1% within 1 month | 12.69% |
| Invesco India ESG Integration Strategy Fund | 4 | 360 | −5.91% | +9.27% | +6.26% | -- | Very High | 1.28% | 1% within 365 days | 14.27% |
| SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund | 5 | 4,984 | −6.69% | +8.99% | +6.93% | +11.32% | Very High | 1.47% | 1% within 1 year | 13.24% |
| Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund | 6 | 685 | −8.34% | +8.91% | +6.97% | -- | Very High | 1.15% | 0.5% within 90 days | 13.68% |
| Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund | 7 | 993 | −10.35% | +7.71% | +4.17% | -- | Very High | 1.88% | 1% within 12 months | 12.05% |
| Quantum ESG Best In Class Strategy Fund | 8 | 88 | −9.41% | +7.36% | +6.21% | -- | Very High | 0.80% | 1% within 1 year | 13.41% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas ESG Best-in-Class Strategy Fund | -- | 564 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1.15% | -- | -- |
| WhiteOak Capital ESG Best-In-Class Strategy Fund | -- | 46 | −8.67% | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 0.98% | 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.
Stocks ESG Funds Bought and Sold in September 2026
What the 5 largest ESG funds changed in their September 2026 portfolios, against the month before
Bought
| Stock | New in | Added by |
|---|---|---|
| Reliance Industries LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy, Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 1 fund | 1 fund |
| ICICI Bank Ltd.ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy, Baroda BNP Paribas ESG Best-in-Class Strategy | -- | 2 funds |
| Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Grindwell Norton Ltd.ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| IIFL Finance LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Finolex Cables LimitedBaroda BNP Paribas ESG Best-in-Class Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Computer Age Management Services Ltd.SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd.ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| National Stock Exchange Of India LtdAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Kfin Technologies Ltd.SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
Sold
| Stock | Exited by | Reduced by |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd.SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy, ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 2 funds | -- |
| Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.Axis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Tata Consultancy Services LimitedBaroda BNP Paribas ESG Best-in-Class Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| REC LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| NTPC LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.Axis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences LimitedAxis ESG Integration Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd.ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
| The Federal Bank LimitedBaroda BNP Paribas ESG Best-in-Class Strategy | 1 fund | -- |
From each fund's own monthly portfolio, stocks only. "New in" means the fund did not hold the stock the month before; "Exited by" means it sold all of it. Added and reduced count shares held, so a price move alone is not a change. Funds counted: SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund, ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund, Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund, Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund, Baroda BNP Paribas ESG Best-in-Class Strategy Fund.
Compare ESG Funds
The largest funds of the category, side by side
- SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy vs ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy
- SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy vs Axis ESG Integration Strategy
- SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy vs Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy
- ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy vs Axis ESG Integration Strategy
- ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy vs Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy
- Axis ESG Integration Strategy vs Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy
How ESG Funds Are Taxed
As equity funds: 65% or more of each fund is in Indian stocks
| When you sell | Tax on the gain |
|---|---|
| Within 1 year | 20% of the gain (short term) |
| After 1 year | 12.5% of gains above ₹1.25 lakh a financial year (long term) |
- 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 ESG Fund?
Sector and theme funds that invest in companies picked for their environmental, social and governance record. SEBI requires at least 80% of such a fund in its sector or theme.
Other sector and theme categories: Banking & Financial Services · Technology · Healthcare & Pharma · Infrastructure · Consumption · Manufacturing · PSU · Energy & Commodities · MNC · Business Cycle · Transport & Auto
ESG Funds: Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top ESG mutual funds?
By 3 year return, the top ESG funds are 1. quant ESG Integration Strategy Fund (16.3% a year), 2. Aditya Birla Sun Life ESG Integration Strategy Fund (11.2% a year), 3. ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund (10.0% a year), 4. Invesco India ESG Integration Strategy Fund (9.3% a year), 5. SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund (9.0% 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 ESG funds are there?
10 ESG funds are open for investment, from 10 fund houses.
What is a ESG fund?
Sector and theme funds that invest in companies picked for their environmental, social and governance record. SEBI requires at least 80% of such a fund in its sector or theme.
What is the average return of ESG funds?
1 year: -6.3%, 3 years: 10.0% a year, 5 years: 7.8% a year. The simple average of every ESG fund's Direct plan.
Which ESG fund has the lowest expense ratio?
Quantum ESG Best In Class Strategy Fund, at 0.80% a year (Direct plan), as reported to AMFI.
Which is the largest ESG fund?
SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund, with ₹4,984 Cr of investors' money on 30-09-2026.
How are ESG funds taxed?
As equity funds: gains on units sold within 1 year are taxed at 20%; after that, gains above ₹1.25 lakh a financial year are taxed at 12.5%.
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.