Top Long Duration Mutual Funds (2026)
Ranked by 3 year return, Direct plans, as on the latest NAV · AUM as on 30-09-2026
There are 11 Long Duration mutual funds. Their average 3 year return is 5.8% a year, and +0.6% over the last year. The highest 3 year returns: Aditya Birla Sun Life Long Term Fund 6.4%, ICICI Prudential Long Term Fund 6.1%, SBI Long Term Fund 6.1%.
- Total AUM
- ₹10,944 Cr
- As on 30-09-2026
- Funds
- 11
- From 11 fund houses
- Expense ratio
- 0.09% to 0.43%
- Direct plans, lowest to highest
- Average 3Y return
- 5.8%
- A year, Direct plans
All Long Duration Funds
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
Ranked by 3 year return, highest first
| Exit load | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Birla Sun Life Long Term Fund | 1 | 89 | +1.01% | +6.37% | -- | -- | Moderate | 0.43% | None | 3.02% |
| ICICI Prudential Long Term Fund | 2 | 822 | +0.12% | +6.11% | +5.11% | +6.46% | -- | 0.43% | None | 3.17% |
| SBI Long Term Fund | 3 | 1,246 | +1.04% | +6.08% | -- | -- | Moderate | 0.32% | None | 3.67% |
| Nippon India Nivesh Lakshya Long Term Fund | 4 | 5,839 | −0.32% | +5.79% | +5.31% | -- | Moderate | 0.33% | None | 3.75% |
| HDFC Long Term Fund | 5 | 2,577 | −0.02% | +5.68% | -- | -- | Moderately High | 0.28% | None | 4.13% |
| Axis Long Term Fund | 6 | 154 | +0.52% | +5.56% | -- | -- | Moderate | 0.33% | None | 4.13% |
| UTI Long Term Fund | 7 | 60 | +0.12% | +5.20% | -- | -- | Moderate | 0.09% | None | 3.92% |
| Kotak Long Term Fund | -- | 49 | +0.24% | -- | -- | -- | Moderate | 0.32% | None | -- |
| Bandhan Long Term Fund | -- | 46 | +1.70% | -- | -- | -- | Moderate | 0.28% | None | -- |
| Franklin India Long Term Fund | -- | 42 | +2.24% | -- | -- | -- | -- | 0.36% | None | -- |
| Mirae Asset Long Term Fund | -- | 19 | +0.24% | -- | -- | -- | -- | 0.20% | -- | -- |
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 Long Duration Funds
The largest funds of the category, side by side
How Long Duration Funds Are Taxed
As debt funds: 65% or more of each fund is in bonds and money market papers
| When you sell | Tax on the gain |
|---|---|
| Units bought on or after 01-04-2023 | Your slab rate, however long you hold them |
| Units bought before 01-04-2023, within 2 years | Your slab rate |
| Units bought before 01-04-2023, after 2 years | 12.5% of the gain |
- 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 Long Duration Fund?
Debt and money market papers, with a Macaulay duration of more than 7 years. This is the rule SEBI sets for every fund in the category, so their portfolios can be compared.
Other debt categories: Overnight · Liquid · Ultra Short · Low Duration · Money Market · Short Duration · Medium Duration · Medium to Long Duration · Dynamic Bond · Corporate Bond · Credit Risk · Banking & PSU · Gilt · Floater
Long Duration Funds: Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the top Long Duration mutual funds?
By 3 year return, the top Long Duration funds are 1. Aditya Birla Sun Life Long Term Fund (6.4% a year), 2. ICICI Prudential Long Term Fund (6.1% a year), 3. SBI Long Term Fund (6.1% a year), 4. Nippon India Nivesh Lakshya Long Term Fund (5.8% a year), 5. HDFC Long Term Fund (5.7% 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 Long Duration funds are there?
11 Long Duration funds are open for investment, from 11 fund houses.
What is a Long Duration fund?
Debt and money market papers, with a Macaulay duration of more than 7 years.
What is the average return of Long Duration funds?
1 year: 0.6%, 3 years: 5.8% a year, 5 years: 5.2% a year. The simple average of every Long Duration fund's Direct plan.
Which Long Duration fund has the lowest expense ratio?
UTI Long Term Fund, at 0.09% a year (Direct plan), as reported to AMFI.
Which is the largest Long Duration fund?
Nippon India Nivesh Lakshya Long Term Fund, with ₹5,839 Cr of investors' money on 30-09-2026.
How are Long Duration funds taxed?
As debt funds: for units bought on or after 01-04-2023, the gain is added to your income and taxed at your slab rate, however long you hold them.
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.