Mutual Funds in India: A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Investment Options, and FAQs

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Mutual Funds in India: A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Investment Options, and FAQs

Mutual funds have become increasingly popular among investors in India over the past few years. With a wide range of options available, it can be difficult to keep track of all the mutual funds in India. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive list of all the mutual funds in India.

Before we dive into the list, let’s briefly understand what a mutual fund is. A mutual fund is a type of investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors and invests it in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors.

Here’s a list of all the mutual funds in India, categorized by their investment objective:

Equity mutual funds:

  1. These funds invest primarily in stocks and aim to provide capital appreciation over the long term. Some popular equity mutual funds in India are:
  • Axis Bluechip Fund
  • HDFC Equity Fund
  • ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund
  • SBI Bluechip Fund
  • Kotak Standard Multicap Fund
  1. Debt mutual funds:

These funds invest primarily in fixed-income securities like bonds, debentures, and government securities. They aim to provide regular income and capital preservation. Some popular debt mutual funds in India are:

  • HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
  • ICICI Prudential Savings Fund
  • Kotak Credit Risk Fund
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund
  • Franklin India Ultra Short Bond Fund
  1. Hybrid mutual funds:

These funds invest in a mix of equity and debt securities to provide both capital appreciation and regular income. Some popular hybrid mutual funds in India are:

  • HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund
  • ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Equity Hybrid ’95 Fund
  • SBI Equity Hybrid Fund
  • Canara Robeco Equity Hybrid Fund
  1. Solution-oriented mutual funds:

These funds are designed to help investors achieve specific financial goals like retirement, children’s education, or marriage. Some popular solution-oriented mutual funds in India are:

  • HDFC Retirement Savings Fund
  • ICICI Prudential Child Care Fund
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Retirement Fund
  • SBI Magnum Children’s Benefit Fund
  • Kotak Retirement Fund
  1. Index mutual funds:

These funds track a stock market index like the Nifty 50 or the BSE Sensex. They aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index. Some popular index mutual funds in India are:

  • Nippon India Index Fund – Sensex Plan
  • UTI Nifty Index Fund
  • ICICI Prudential Nifty Index Fund
  • HDFC Index Fund – Nifty 50 Plan
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Index Fund – Nifty Plan
  1. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs):

These funds are similar to index mutual funds but are traded on the stock exchange like individual stocks. Some popular ETFs in India are:

  • Nippon India ETF Nifty BeES
  • ICICI Prudential Nifty ETF
  • Kotak Nifty ETF
  • SBI ETF Nifty 50
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty ETF

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other mutual funds available in the market that are not included here. It’s always recommended to do your own research and consult a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Equity mutual funds are further classified into different types based on their investment style and market capitalization. For instance, large-cap funds invest in stocks of large companies with a market capitalization of more than Rs. 10,000 crore, while mid-cap funds invest in stocks of mid-sized companies with a market capitalization between Rs. 5,000 crore and Rs. 10,000 crore. Small-cap funds invest in stocks of small-sized companies with a market capitalization of less than Rs. 5,000 crore. Additionally, there are multi-cap funds that invest across market capitalizations.

Debt mutual funds are also categorized based on the duration of the underlying securities in the portfolio. For instance, liquid funds invest in short-term debt securities with a maturity of up to 91 days, while ultra-short-term funds invest in securities with a maturity of up to 3-6 months. Short-term debt funds invest in securities with a maturity of up to 1-3 years, while long-term debt funds invest in securities with a maturity of more than 5 years. There are also credit risk funds that invest in lower-rated securities with higher credit risk.

Hybrid mutual funds are classified based on the allocation between equity and debt. Aggressive hybrid funds have a higher allocation to equity, while conservative hybrid funds have a higher allocation to debt. Additionally, there are dynamic asset allocation funds that dynamically shift allocation between equity and debt based on market conditions.

Solution-oriented mutual funds have a lock-in period of at least 5 years and invest in a mix of equity and debt securities to help investors achieve their financial goals. Investors can choose a fund based on their specific financial goal and the investment horizon.

Index mutual funds and ETFs aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index. These funds have a lower expense ratio compared to actively managed mutual funds, making them a cost-effective investment option. Additionally, since they track an index, the risk associated with stock picking is eliminated.

Conclusion

Mutual funds offer a range of investment options catering to different investment objectives and risk appetites. It’s important to do your own research and consult a financial advisor before investing in mutual funds. Additionally, investors should always read the offer document carefully and understand the fund’s investment objective, investment strategy, risk factors, and past performance before making an investment decision.

Other Related Blogs: Section 144B Income Tax Act

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.What are mutual funds?

A mutual fund is an investment vehicle that pools money from several investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities such as stocks, bonds, and money market instruments.

Q.Who can invest in mutual funds?

Any Indian resident individual, HUF (Hindu Undivided Family), NRI (Non-Resident Indian), PIO (Person of Indian Origin), and OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) can invest in mutual funds. However, the minimum age requirement for investing in mutual funds is 18 years.

Q.What is the minimum investment amount for mutual funds?

The minimum investment amount for mutual funds can vary depending on the fund house and the type of fund. For most equity funds, the minimum investment amount is usually Rs. 500, while for debt funds, it can be as low as Rs. 100.

Q.How are mutual funds taxed in India?

Mutual funds are taxed differently based on the holding period and the type of fund. Short-term capital gains (holding period of less than one year) are taxed at 15%, while long-term capital gains (holding period of more than one year) are taxed at 10% for equity funds and 20% with indexation benefit for debt funds. Dividends received from mutual funds are also taxed in the hands of the investor at the applicable tax rate.

Q.How can I track my mutual fund investments?

Investors can track their mutual fund investments through the fund house’s website, mobile app, or by using third-party platforms such as CAMS, Karvy, and NSDL. Additionally, investors can also get regular updates on their investments through email and SMS.

Q.Are mutual funds a safe investment option?

Mutual funds are a regulated investment option, and fund houses are required to comply with strict guidelines set by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) to protect the interests of investors. While mutual funds are subject to market risks, they are considered a relatively safer investment option compared to direct stock investments due to the diversification offered by the portfolio. However, investors should always read the offer document carefully and understand the risks associated with the fund before making an investment decision.

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