Axis Gilt Fund vs HDFC Gilt Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis Gilt Fund and HDFC Gilt Fund are both Gilt funds. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) returned 6.9% a year and HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) returned 6.1% a year. Axis Gilt Fund charges 0.46% a year and HDFC Gilt Fund 0.46% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 14.0%: they hold 6 of the same securities.
Which is better, Axis Gilt or HDFC Gilt? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- Axis Gilt returned more over 5 years: 5.9% a year against 5.3%.
- Axis Gilt returned more over 3 years: 6.9% a year against 6.1%.
- HDFC Gilt swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 2.7% a year against 2.9%.
- Axis Gilt fell less in its worst fall since 02-01-2013: −11.1% against −11.9%.
- HDFC Gilt is the larger fund: ₹1,885 Cr against ₹336 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 14.0%: 6 of the same holdings.
Past returns do not promise future returns. This page is information, not investment advice.
Key facts
From each fund's scheme summary document and AMFI
| Fact | Axis Gilt Fund | HDFC Gilt Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | HDFC Mutual Fund |
| Category | Gilt | Gilt |
| AUM | ₹336 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹1,885 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹28.24 (Direct) | ₹59.78 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.46% | 0.46% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 0.86% | 0.82% |
| Riskometer | Moderate | Moderate |
| Benchmark | CRISIL Dynamic Gilt Index | Nifty All Duration G-Sec Index |
| Launch date | 23-01-2012 | 25-07-2001 |
| Minimum investment | ₹5,000 | ₹100 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Devang Shah, Sachin Jain | Anil Bamboli, Gopal Agrawal |
| Exit load | Nil | NIL |
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: Returns Comparison
Returns as on 30-10-2026. Up to one year they are absolute returns. Longer periods are a rate per year.
| Fund | 1M | 3M | 6M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) | −0.49% | −1.03% | +2.03% | +3.08% | +6.94% | +5.86% | +6.74% |
| HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) | −0.57% | −1.32% | +1.63% | +1.97% | +6.10% | +5.27% | +5.77% |
| Gilt average | −0.69% | −1.34% | +1.62% | +2.12% | +6.19% | +5.46% | +6.64% |
Category average: the average of the 28 Gilt funds, same plan type.
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: Year-wise Returns
| Year | AxisAxis Gilt | HDFCHDFC Gilt |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +2.44% | +1.42% |
| 2025 | +5.63% | +5.58% |
| 2024 | +10.33% | +9.22% |
| 2023 | +7.65% | +7.57% |
| 2022 | +2.99% | +2.16% |
| 2021 | +2.99% | +2.66% |
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 2,626 of them, one for each trading day from 04-01-2016 to 30-10-2026: the yearly return (CAGR) of each, plotted on the day it ended. One lucky or unlucky start day cannot flatter or hide a fund.
Axis Gilt Fund (Direct)
HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct)
to
Nov 2016Sept 2015
to
Sept 2018Jul 2017
to
Jul 2020May 2019
to
May 2022Mar 2021
to
Mar 2024Dec 2022
to
Dec 2025
How the periods spread
| Fund | Below 0% | 0-5% | 5-10% | 10-15% | 15-20% | 20-25% | Above 25% | Mean | Median | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Gilt | 0.0 | 6.0 | 73.6 | 20.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.9% | 7.4% | 4.0% | 13.4% |
| HDFC Gilt | 0.0 | 10.8 | 76.7 | 11.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.6% | 7.3% | 3.7% | 16.0% |
The table shows the % of periods in each return band; a darker cell holds more of them. Lumpsum: the yearly rate (CAGR) from a period's first NAV to its last. SIP: the XIRR of the monthly instalments. Every fund is measured over the days all of them have, from 02-01-2013. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: SIP and Lumpsum Returns
What the same monthly or one-time investment would be worth in each fund today, from their own NAV history
Growth of an investment
₹10,000 on the first trading day of every month, from 02-01-2013 to 30-10-2026: 166 instalments, ₹16,60,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis GiltAxis Gilt Fund (Direct) | ₹16,60,000 | ₹27,68,024 | ₹11,08,024 | 7.1% |
| HDFC GiltHDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) | ₹16,60,000 | ₹26,42,138 | ₹9,82,138 | 6.4% |
Axis GiltAxis Gilt Fund (Direct)
HDFC GiltHDFC Gilt Fund (Direct)
Amount invested
From each plan's published NAV (Growth option), over the same days. Return a year: XIRR for a SIP, CAGR for a lumpsum, shown for a year or more. It does not include exit load, stamp duty or tax. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) | HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +3.08% | +1.97% |
| Standard deviation | 3.16% | 3.15% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.69 | -1.04 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.96 | -1.41 |
| Maximum drawdown | −2.4% (02-04-2026) | −2.8% (02-04-2026) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
From daily NAVs, 30-10-2025 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
| Measure | Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) | HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +6.94% | +6.10% |
| Standard deviation | 2.93% | 2.66% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.31 | 0.03 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.45 | 0.04 |
| Maximum drawdown | −3.0% (26-08-2025) | −3.0% (26-08-2025) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
From daily NAVs, 30-10-2023 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
| Measure | Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) | HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +5.86% | +5.27% |
| Standard deviation | 2.56% | 2.45% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.03 | -0.22 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.04 | -0.30 |
| Maximum drawdown | −3.0% (26-08-2025) | −3.0% (26-08-2025) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
From daily NAVs, 29-10-2021 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
| Measure | Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) | HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +7.28% | +7.16% |
| Standard deviation | 4.02% | 3.71% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.31 | 0.30 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.43 | 0.42 |
| Maximum drawdown | −11.1% (19-08-2013) | −11.9% (19-08-2013) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
From daily NAVs, 02-01-2013 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
Drawdowns
How far below its previous high each one was on every day: the falls an investor had to sit through. 0% means it was at a new high.
Axis Gilt Fund (Direct)
HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct)
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Gilt Fund (Direct) | −11.1% | 27-05-2013 | 19-08-2013 | 18-09-2014 | 13 months | −1.9% |
| HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct) | −11.9% | 27-05-2013 | 19-08-2013 | 05-06-2014 | 10 months | −2.5% |
From daily values since 02-01-2013, the first day every fund has.
Rolling standard deviation
Whether the swings have grown or calmed over time: the standard deviation of daily changes over every 1-year window, scaled to a year, plotted on the window's last day. Higher means a bumpier ride.
Axis Gilt Fund (Direct)
HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct)
Whether the swings have grown or calmed over time: the standard deviation of daily changes over every 3-year window, scaled to a year, plotted on the window's last day. Higher means a bumpier ride.
Axis Gilt Fund (Direct)
HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct)
Whether the swings have grown or calmed over time: the standard deviation of daily changes over every 5-year window, scaled to a year, plotted on the window's last day. Higher means a bumpier ride.
Axis Gilt Fund (Direct)
HDFC Gilt Fund (Direct)
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis Gilt Fund, September 2026; HDFC Gilt Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 14.0%
- Held by both
- 6
- Only in Axis Gilt
- 19
- Only in HDFC Gilt
- 30
| Security | % of Axis Gilt | % of HDFC Gilt |
|---|---|---|
| 6.94% Government of India (11/05/2036) | 34.04% | 7.83% |
| 7.34% Government of India (22/04/2064) | 2.81% | 10.61% |
| 7.24% Government of India (18/08/2055) | 11.14% | 1.26% |
| 7.09% Government of India (05/08/2054) | 6.95% | 1.24% |
| 7.18% Government of India (14/08/2033) | 0.60% | 6.39% |
| 6.9% Government of India (15/04/2065) | 0.21% | 16.42% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 14.0% means 14.0% of each fund's money sits in positions the other also holds. Matched by ISIN. Cash and hedged positions are left out.
Largest holdings only in Axis Gilt Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 10/12/2026) | 7.36% |
| 364 Days Tbill (MD 10/12/2026) | 7.36% |
| 7.06% Government of India (27/07/2041) | 3.72% |
| 7.63% Government of India (15/09/2056) | 3.49% |
| 364 Days Tbill (MD 02/10/2026) | 2.97% |
Largest holdings only in HDFC Gilt Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| 7.3% GOI MAT 190653 | 6.37% |
| 6.97% Karnataka SDL Mat 260228 | 5.77% |
| 7.27% Gujarat SDL ISD 171225 MAT 171234 | 4.12% |
| 7.64% Gujarat SDL ISD 170124 MAT 170133 | 2.61% |
| 182 Days TBILL MAT 280127 | 2.60% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis Gilt | HDFC Gilt |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Debt | 97.0% | 84.2% |
| Cash and others | 3.0% | 15.8% |
Axis Gilt vs HDFC Gilt: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis Gilt Fund | HDFC Gilt Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.46% | 0.46% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.37% | 0.39% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 0.86% | 0.82% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 0.71% | 0.70% |
The expense ratio comes out of the fund's assets every day, so every return on this page is already after it. Base expense ratio: the fund house's own fee. The total adds brokerage, transaction costs, and levies with GST.
More comparisons
Each fund against the others of its category
Compare Axis Gilt with
Axis Gilt Fund vs HDFC Gilt Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis Gilt Fund and HDFC Gilt Fund?
Both are Gilt funds, run by Axis Mutual Fund and HDFC Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 14.0%. Axis Gilt Fund charges 0.46% a year and HDFC Gilt Fund 0.46%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis Gilt Fund or HDFC Gilt Fund?
Over 1 year: Axis Gilt Fund +3.08%, HDFC Gilt Fund +1.97%. Over 3 years: Axis Gilt Fund +6.94% a year, HDFC Gilt Fund +6.10% a year. Over 5 years: Axis Gilt Fund +5.86% a year, HDFC Gilt Fund +5.27% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis Gilt Fund or HDFC Gilt Fund?
Both charge 0.46% a year.
How much do Axis Gilt Fund and HDFC Gilt Fund overlap?
14.0%. They hold 6 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being 6.94% Government of India (11/05/2036), 7.34% Government of India (22/04/2064), 7.24% Government of India (18/08/2055). From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis Gilt Fund or HDFC Gilt Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis Gilt Fund is rated Moderate and HDFC Gilt Fund Moderate. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 2.93% and 2.66% a year.
Which is better for SIP, Axis Gilt Fund or HDFC Gilt Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹7,09,346 in Axis Gilt Fund (XIRR 5.9% a year) and ₹6,97,984 in HDFC Gilt Fund (XIRR 5.3% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both Axis Gilt Fund and HDFC Gilt Fund?
Yes. 14.0% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so some of the two investments would move together.
Who manages Axis Gilt Fund and HDFC Gilt Fund?
Axis Gilt Fund: Devang Shah, Sachin Jain. HDFC Gilt Fund: Anil Bamboli, Gopal Agrawal.
Sources: NAV and expense ratio from AMFI. Holdings from each fund house's monthly portfolio statement. Fund facts from each scheme summary document.
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.