DSP Small Cap Fund vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
DSP Small Cap Fund is a Small Cap fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund is an Index fund. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) returned 15.7% a year and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) returned 11.9% a year. DSP Small Cap Fund charges 0.84% a year and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund 0.46% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 15.5%: they hold 30 of the same securities.
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund
Index
- 3 year return
- 11.9%
- Expense ratio
- 0.46%
- NAV
- ₹37.57
Which is better, DSP Small Cap or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- DSP Small Cap returned more over 5 years: 16.1% a year against 12.5%.
- DSP Small Cap returned more over 3 years: 15.7% a year against 11.9%.
- Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index costs less: 0.46% a year against 0.84% (Direct plans).
- DSP Small Cap swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 16.8% a year against 19.0%.
- DSP Small Cap fell less in its worst fall since 11-09-2019: −36.6% against −42.4%.
- DSP Small Cap is the larger fund: ₹21,467 Cr against ₹1,243 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 15.5%: 30 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 | DSP Small Cap Fund | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | DSP Mutual Fund | Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund |
| Category | Small Cap | Index |
| AUM | ₹21,467 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹1,243 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹237.23 (Direct) | ₹37.57 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.84% | 0.46% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 1.72% | 1.15% |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | BSE 250 Smallcap TRI | Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI |
| Launch date | 14-06-2007 | 06-09-2019 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | ₹500 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Vinit Sambre | Swapnil Mayekar |
| Exit load | Exit load of 1% if redeemed less than 12 months | Yes |
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | −6.75% | −2.67% | +5.91% | +9.47% | +15.70% | +16.05% | +15.58% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) | −5.80% | −6.01% | +0.39% | −3.58% | +11.89% | +12.52% | -- |
| Small Cap average | −5.86% | −3.28% | +5.03% | +3.00% | +14.03% | +14.51% | +16.19% |
Category average: the average of the 36 Small Cap funds, same plan type.
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: Year-wise Returns
| Year | DSP Small CapDSP Small Cap | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 IndexMotilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +9.92% | +0.61% |
| 2025 | −1.92% | −5.63% |
| 2024 | +26.72% | +26.46% |
| 2023 | +42.45% | +48.32% |
| 2022 | +1.37% | −3.42% |
| 2021 | +60.30% | +61.24% |
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI, the benchmark of DSP Small Cap Fund
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 1,017 of them, one for each trading day from 12-09-2022 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.
DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct)
BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI
to
Jan 2023Sept 2020
to
Sept 2023Jun 2021
to
Jun 2024Feb 2022
to
Feb 2025Nov 2022
to
Nov 2025Jul 2023
to
Jul 2026
How the periods spread
| Fund | Below 0% | 0-5% | 5-10% | 10-15% | 15-20% | 20-25% | Above 25% | Mean | Median | Lowest | Highest | Beat benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSP Small Cap | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 20.3 | 28.5 | 50.2 | 26.2% | 25.1% | 12.7% | 44.6% | 54% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 19.4 | 29.2 | 47.9 | 25.3% | 24.4% | 11.0% | 42.8% | 35% |
| BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 4.2 | 21.6 | 24.0 | 50.0 | 25.5% | 25.0% | 9.9% | 45.1% | -- |
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. The benchmark is BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI, over the same periods. "Beat benchmark" counts the periods in which the fund did better. Every fund is measured over the days all of them have, from 11-09-2019. Past returns do not promise future returns.
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: 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 03-09-2019 to 30-10-2026: 86 instalments, ₹8,60,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSP Small CapDSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | ₹8,60,000 | ₹18,42,778 | ₹9,82,778 | 20.9% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 IndexMotilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) | ₹8,60,000 | ₹16,23,671 | ₹7,63,671 | 17.4% |
DSP Small CapDSP Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 IndexMotilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index 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.
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +9.47% | −3.58% |
| Standard deviation | 16.62% | 18.05% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.25 | -0.49 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.36 | -0.66 |
| Maximum drawdown | −12.7% (23-03-2026) | −18.3% (23-03-2026) |
| Beta | 0.88 | 1.00 |
| Alpha | +13.38% | −0.42% |
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 | DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +15.70% | +11.89% |
| Standard deviation | 16.75% | 19.01% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.58 | 0.31 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.78 | 0.41 |
| Maximum drawdown | −24.1% (03-03-2025) | −26.2% (03-03-2025) |
| Beta | 0.86 | 1.00 |
| Alpha | +5.48% | −0.46% |
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 | DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +16.05% | +12.52% |
| Standard deviation | 16.09% | 18.44% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.64 | 0.36 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.85 | 0.47 |
| Maximum drawdown | −24.1% (03-03-2025) | −26.8% (20-06-2022) |
| Beta | 0.85 | 1.00 |
| Alpha | +4.82% | −0.59% |
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 | DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +20.66% | +20.04% |
| Standard deviation | 16.34% | 19.60% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.89 | 0.76 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.19 | 0.98 |
| Maximum drawdown | −49.1% (24-03-2020) | −42.4% (24-03-2020) |
| Beta | 0.83 | 0.99 |
| Alpha | +8.72% | −0.59% |
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.
DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct)
BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | −36.6% | 20-02-2020 | 24-03-2020 | 21-08-2020 | 5 months | −8.8% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) | −42.4% | 24-01-2020 | 24-03-2020 | 17-11-2020 | 8 months | −9.6% |
| BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI | −43.5% | 24-01-2020 | 24-03-2020 | 14-11-2020 | 8 months | −11.5% |
From daily values since 11-09-2019, 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.
DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct)
BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI
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.
DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct)
BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI
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.
DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct)
BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI
Against BSE 250 SmallCap Index TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSP Small Cap Fund (Direct) | 95% | 77% | 5.93% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct) | 100% | 99% | 1.58% |
From month-end values since 11-09-2019. Up capture: a fund's average month when the benchmark rose, as % of the benchmark's; above 100% it gained more. Down capture: the same for months the benchmark fell; below 100% it fell less. Tracking error: how far the monthly returns strayed from the benchmark's, a year; an index fund aims near 0.
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: DSP Small Cap Fund, September 2026; Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 15.5%
- Held by both
- 30
- Only in DSP Small Cap
- 54
- Only in Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index
- 219
| Security | % of DSP Small Cap | % of Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index |
|---|---|---|
| Welspun Corp Limited | 2.94% | 1.60% |
| Gland Pharma Limited | 1.78% | 1.04% |
| Navin Fluorine International Limited | 1.00% | 1.36% |
| PNB Housing Finance Limited | 1.33% | 0.94% |
| Sansera Engineering Limited | 2.85% | 0.90% |
| Sona Blw Precision Forgings Limited | 0.90% | 1.67% |
| Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited | 3.77% | 0.86% |
| Anand Rathi Wealth Limited | 0.80% | 0.87% |
| Kalpataru Projects International Limited | 0.78% | 0.70% |
| Amber Enterprises India Limited | 0.71% | 0.65% |
| Manappuram Finance Limited | 0.49% | 0.78% |
| Atul Limited | 1.11% | 0.42% |
| Cyient Limited | 1.42% | 0.39% |
| Engineers India Limited | 0.43% | 0.38% |
| Spr Auto Technologies Limited | 2.34% | 0.37% |
| R R Kabel Limited | 0.90% | 0.37% |
| KPIT Technologies Limited | 0.84% | 0.37% |
| eClerx Services Limited | 2.02% | 0.33% |
| Angel One Limited | 0.33% | 0.80% |
| Rainbow Childrens Medicare Limited | 0.94% | 0.29% |
| Thangamayil Jewellery Limited | 3.37% | 0.27% |
| Chambal Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited | 0.57% | 0.27% |
| Jubilant Ingrevia Limited | 1.83% | 0.25% |
| LT Foods Limited | 1.82% | 0.25% |
| Vardhman Textiles Limited | 0.95% | 0.24% |
| Canara HSBC Life Insurance Co Limited | 0.45% | 0.24% |
| Techno Electric & Engineering Co Limited | 1.17% | 0.23% |
| Graphite India Limited | 0.40% | 0.23% |
| Aadhar Housing Finance Limited | 0.59% | 0.21% |
| Concord Biotech Limited | 1.68% | 0.20% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 15.5% means 15.5% 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 DSP Small Cap Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Lumax Auto Technologies Limited | 5.16% |
| IPCA Laboratories Limited | 2.14% |
| Dodla Dairy Limited | 1.96% |
| Prudent Corporate Advisory Services Limited | 1.71% |
| Harsha Engineers International Limited | 1.53% |
Largest holdings only in Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Karur Vysya Bank Limited | 1.38% |
| Ather Energy Limited | 1.21% |
| Sterlite Technologies Limited | 1.19% |
| RBL Bank Limited | 1.12% |
| Delhivery Limited | 1.11% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | DSP Small Cap | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 88.7% | 98.8% |
| Debt | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Cash and others | 11.3% | 1.2% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | DSP Small Cap | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mid Cap | 7.1% | 2.7% |
| Small Cap | 80.9% | 95.2% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 0.8% | 1.0% |
Share of the whole fund. Groups follow AMFI's latest list: Large Cap is the 100 largest companies, Mid Cap the next 150, Small Cap the rest.
Largest sectors
| Sector | DSP Small Cap | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Products | 15.5% | 8.6% |
| Auto Components | 14.7% | 8.4% |
| Consumer Durables | 11.3% | 2.8% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 8.2% | 7.8% |
| Finance | 2.4% | 7.6% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 6.0% | 5.7% |
| Capital Markets | 2.8% | 5.4% |
| Fertilizers & Agrochemicals | 3.1% | 0.8% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
DSP Small Cap vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | DSP Small Cap Fund | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.84% | 0.46% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.66% | 0.28% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 1.72% | 1.15% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 1.41% | 0.90% |
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
DSP Small Cap Fund vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between DSP Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
DSP Small Cap Fund is a Small Cap fund, Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund is an Index fund, run by DSP Mutual Fund and Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 15.5%. DSP Small Cap Fund charges 0.84% a year and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund 0.46%.
Which has given higher returns, DSP Small Cap Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
Over 1 year: DSP Small Cap Fund +9.47%, Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund −3.58%. Over 3 years: DSP Small Cap Fund +15.70% a year, Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund +11.89% a year. Over 5 years: DSP Small Cap Fund +16.05% a year, Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund +12.52% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, DSP Small Cap Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund charges less: 0.46% a year against 0.84%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do DSP Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund overlap?
15.5%. They hold 30 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being WELCORP, GLAND, NAVINFLUOR. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, DSP Small Cap Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, DSP Small Cap Fund is rated Very High and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund Very High. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 16.75% and 19.01% a year.
Which is better for SIP, DSP Small Cap Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹9,02,507 in DSP Small Cap Fund (XIRR 15.4% a year) and ₹8,14,656 in Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (XIRR 11.3% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both DSP Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
Yes. 15.5% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so some of the two investments would move together.
Who manages DSP Small Cap Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund?
DSP Small Cap Fund: Vinit Sambre. Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund: Swapnil Mayekar.
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.