Top Healthcare & Pharma Mutual Funds (2026)
Ranked by 3 year return, Direct plans, as on the latest NAV · AUM as on 30-09-2026
There are 19 Healthcare & Pharma mutual funds. Their average 3 year return is 22.5% a year, and +14.5% over the last year. The highest 3 year returns: HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund 30.5%, SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund 24.6%, Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund 23.9%.
- Total AUM
- ₹40,994 Cr
- As on 30-09-2026
- Funds
- 19
- From 19 fund houses
- Expense ratio
- 0.62% to 3.30%
- Direct plans, lowest to highest
- Average 3Y return
- 22.5%
- A year, Direct plans
All Healthcare & Pharma Funds
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
| Exit load | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund | 1 | 3,501 | +23.12% | +30.53% | -- | -- | Very High | 1.05% | 1% within 30 days | 14.09% |
| SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund | 2 | 5,870 | +17.12% | +24.60% | +19.22% | +14.72% | -- | 1.01% | -- | 13.07% |
| Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund | 3 | 3,494 | +18.44% | +23.86% | +16.63% | -- | Very High | 0.62% | 1% within 1 month | 14.12% |
| UTI - Healthcare Fund | 4 | 1,430 | +13.46% | +23.47% | +16.24% | +14.40% | Very High | 1.35% | 1% within 30 days | 13.47% |
| LIC MF Healthcare Fund | 5 | 99 | +10.96% | +22.45% | -- | -- | Very High | 1.38% | 1% within 90 days | 14.05% |
| ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund | 6 | 6,861 | +5.09% | +22.38% | +16.69% | -- | Very High | 1.31% | 1% within 15 days | 13.68% |
| DSP Healthcare Fund | 7 | 3,750 | +15.40% | +21.77% | +16.26% | -- | Very High | 0.76% | Varies | 12.56% |
| quant Healthcare Fund | 8 | 425 | +15.33% | +21.15% | -- | -- | Very High | 1.56% | 1% within 15 days | 17.25% |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life Pharma and Healthcare Fund | 9 | 1,078 | +14.15% | +21.08% | +14.76% | -- | Very High | 1.08% | 1% within 30 days | 12.82% |
| ITI Pharma and Healthcare Fund | 10 | 266 | +9.43% | +20.30% | -- | -- | Very High | 0.89% | 0.5% within 3 months | 14.17% |
| Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund | 11 | 1,511 | +4.28% | +19.28% | +14.93% | +14.64% | Very High | 1.10% | 0.25% within 30 days | 13.21% |
| Nippon India Pharma Fund | 12 | 9,166 | +9.05% | +18.56% | +14.19% | +15.18% | Very High | 0.99% | 1% within 1 month | 12.96% |
| WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund | -- | 927 | +19.53% | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 1.07% | None | -- |
| Kotak Healthcare Fund | -- | 825 | +23.31% | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 1.03% | 0.5% within 30 days | -- |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund | -- | 487 | +10.14% | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1.47% | -- | -- |
| Invesco India Pharma and Healthcare Fund | -- | 436 | -- | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 3.30% | 0.5% within 3 months | -- |
| Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund | -- | 405 | +19.00% | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 0.90% | 1% within 3 months | -- |
| Bandhan Healthcare Fund | -- | 332 | -- | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 1.25% | 0.5% within 30 days | -- |
| PGIM India Healthcare Fund | -- | 130 | +18.05% | -- | -- | -- | Very High | 0.98% | 0.5% within 90 days | -- |
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 Healthcare & Pharma Funds Bought and Sold in September 2026
What the 5 largest Healthcare & Pharma funds changed in their September 2026 portfolios, against the month before
Bought
| Stock | New in | Added by |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | 1 fund | 1 fund |
| Gland Pharma Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | 1 fund | 1 fund |
| Abbott India LimitedNippon India Pharma, DSP Healthcare | 1 fund | 1 fund |
| Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| Cipla Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| Alkem Laboratories LimitedDSP Healthcare, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| MAX Healthcare Institute LtdICICI Prudential Healthcare, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| Syngene International Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare, DSP Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| Corona Remedies Ltd.SBI Healthcare Opportunities | 1 fund | -- |
| Innova Captab Ltd.SBI Healthcare Opportunities | 1 fund | -- |
Sold
| Stock | Exited by | Reduced by |
|---|---|---|
| Ajanta Pharma Ltd.SBI Healthcare Opportunities, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | 1 fund | 1 fund |
| Sai Life Sciences LimitedNippon India Pharma, DSP Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| Indoco Remedies LimitedNippon India Pharma, ICICI Prudential Healthcare | -- | 2 funds |
| Fortis Healthcare LimitedHDFC Pharma and Healthcare | 1 fund | -- |
| IPCA Laboratories LimitedDSP Healthcare | -- | 1 fund |
| Mankind Pharma Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare | -- | 1 fund |
| Divi's Laboratories Ltd.ICICI Prudential Healthcare | -- | 1 fund |
| Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.SBI Healthcare Opportunities | -- | 1 fund |
| Manipal Health Enterprises LimitedDSP Healthcare | -- | 1 fund |
| Aether Industries Ltd.SBI Healthcare Opportunities | -- | 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: Nippon India Pharma Fund, ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund, SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund, DSP Healthcare Fund, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund.
Compare Healthcare & Pharma Funds
The largest funds of the category, side by side
How Healthcare & Pharma 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 Healthcare & Pharma Fund?
Sector and theme funds that invest in pharmaceutical, hospital and other healthcare companies. SEBI requires at least 80% of such a fund in its sector or theme.
Other sector and theme categories: Banking & Financial Services · Technology · Infrastructure · Consumption · Manufacturing · PSU · Energy & Commodities · MNC · ESG · Business Cycle · Transport & Auto
Healthcare & Pharma Funds: Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top Healthcare & Pharma mutual funds?
By 3 year return, the top Healthcare & Pharma funds are 1. HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (30.5% a year), 2. SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund (24.6% a year), 3. Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund (23.9% a year), 4. UTI - Healthcare Fund (23.5% a year), 5. LIC MF Healthcare Fund (22.4% 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 Healthcare & Pharma funds are there?
19 Healthcare & Pharma funds are open for investment, from 19 fund houses.
What is a Healthcare & Pharma fund?
Sector and theme funds that invest in pharmaceutical, hospital and other healthcare companies. SEBI requires at least 80% of such a fund in its sector or theme.
What is the average return of Healthcare & Pharma funds?
1 year: 14.5%, 3 years: 22.5% a year, 5 years: 16.1% a year. The simple average of every Healthcare & Pharma fund's Direct plan.
Which Healthcare & Pharma fund has the lowest expense ratio?
Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund, at 0.62% a year (Direct plan), as reported to AMFI.
Which is the largest Healthcare & Pharma fund?
Nippon India Pharma Fund, with ₹9,166 Cr of investors' money on 30-09-2026.
How are Healthcare & Pharma 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.