Metal prices around the world have been swinging sharply, and gold has been at the center of the action. In 2026, gold prices in India touched record levels of nearly ₹1,75,000 per 10 grams at the beginning of the year. Soon after, prices corrected when the U.S. government appointed a new central bank leader. The stronger U.S. dollar and pressure on the Indian Rupee added to the volatility, leading to big moves in precious metal prices globally.
For many investors, buying physical gold or silver comes with extra costs like making charges and concerns about storage and safety. That’s why precious metal ETFs have become a popular alternative. They offer a simple, transparent, and cost-effective way to invest in gold and silver without holding the metal physically. As market uncertainty rises, more investors are adding gold and silver ETFs to diversify their portfolios and reduce overall risk. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best options available today.
What Are Precious Metals ETFs?
A precious metals ETF is a type of fund where you can buy and sell them in the stock market, similar to buying shares of companies like TATA or Reliance. It is basically a digital version of real gold or silver, when you buy a unit of this fund the company that is managing the funds buys real physical metal and keeps them secured in a high security vault on your behalf.
These funds follow the live market price of the metal. The most interesting part of this fund is that you can sell them instantly during the market hours and get your money back.
Different Types of Metal Funds
- Gold ETFs: There is only one metal in this fund and that is pure gold. This fund is one of the most stable choices for protecting your money even during rising prices situation (inflation).
- Silver ETFs: This fund invests in silver, prices in Silver move much faster than gold, giving an option for higher returns.
- Platinum ETFs: This fund gives investors a chance to invest in Platinum and is a kind of metal that is used in new car technologies and clean energy missions.
- Multi-Metal Baskets: These funds behave like a pool where you get gold, silver, and other metals under one single fund, giving you an option to invest in multiple funds at once.
Some of the Best Performing Precious Metals ETFs in 2026
1. Nippon India Silver ETF
This is one of the most famous silver funds in the Indian market and the most important advantage that an investor gets is that it can be easily bought and sold on the NSE and BSE making it very easy to liquidate your investments.
| Metal Focus | Expense Ratio (%) | 1-Year Return (%) | 3-Year Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 0.56 | 169.32 | 272.29 |
2. Nippon India ETF Gold BeES
Nippon India ETF Gold BeES is one of the first gold ETF in India and remains on the top amongst the gold etf funds. A large number of people trust and rely on this fund for digitally investing in gold.
- Metal Focus: In this you get the access to possess physical Gold.
- Performance (2026): In this investors get a 75.05% return during the past year.
- Expense Ratio: 0.80%.
- Liquidity: Investors get a very high liquidity, making it as good as money in your account.
| Metal Focus | Expense Ratio (%) | 1-Year Return (%) | 3-Year Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.80 | 80.35 | 164.30 |
3. ICICI Prudential Gold ETF
ICICI Prudential Gold ETF is the top choice for people who are looking for accuracy in the gold efts. It makes sure the prices are very close to the real market price of gold.
| Metal Focus | Expense Ratio (%) | 1-Year Return (%) | 3-Year Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.50 | 80.88 | 166.18 |
4. SBI Gold ETF
SBI Gold ETF fund is backed by the largest bank of India and so many new investors have also joined this fund in the starting of 2026.
| Metal Focus | Expense Ratio (%) | 1-Year Return (%) | 3-Year Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.70 | 80.46 | 163.84 |
5. HDFC Silver ETF
HDFC is one of the trusted brands in the Indian banking sector. The silver ETFs are known for their high silver storage standards.
| Metal Focus | Expense Ratio (%) | 1-Year Return (%) | 3-Year Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 0.45 | 172.59 | 281.63 |
6. Edelweiss Gold ETF
This fund is managed by Edelweiss Asset Management, a well-known player in India’s Asset Management Industry. It has attracted investors looking for a structured and exchange-traded way to gain exposure to gold without dealing with storage or purity concerns.
| Metal Focus | Expense Ratio (%) | 1-Year Return (%) | 3-Year Return (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 0.41 | 78.23 | 140.15 |
Read Also: Best Commodity ETFs in India
Key Indicators of Best Precious Metal ETFs in India (KPI)
| ETF Name | Current Market Price (INR) | AUM (INR Cr.) | 52 Week Low (INR) | 52 Week High (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon India Silver ETF | 245.45 | 44,491 | 77.55 | 360 |
| Nippon India Gold ETF | 128.35 | 59007 | 65.85 | 148.14 |
| ICICI Prudential Gold ETF | 132.88 | 25475 | 69.71 | 158 |
| SBI Gold ETF | 132.33 | 24567 | 64.96 | 153.95 |
| HDFC Silver ETF | 245.55 | 10690 | 85.67 | 359 |
| Edelweiss Gold ETF | 155.30 | 1704 | 85 | 184.95 |
Market Outlook for 2026
The metals market in 2026 is going through a reset as we all have witnessed a very fast price rise during the end of 2025 and now we are witnessing the price settling down.
The recent news has changed the market as the U.S. Federal Reserve leadership has been changed. Investors are seeing this as this might help in fighting with inflation more strongly. This has helped the U.S to gain dollar value which if affecting the gold prices to go down.
The RBI has also kept a close eye on gold and silver prices, as India imports most of its metals and a weaker rupee is making gold even more expensive for the Indian traders. Thus holding gold helps in protecting the “purchasing power” of an entity.
Read Also: Best Index ETFs in India
Conclusion
The current year has reaffirmed that holding precious metals is still the best method to keep money safe. Choosing either the stability of gold or the rising potential of silver, ETFs still remain the easiest and modern way to start. By opting for ETFs, the risk of physical storage is avoided and wealth grows confidently.
For more market news and insights, download Pocketful – offering users zero brokerage on delivery trades and an easy to use platform designed for both beginners and experienced investors.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a special account to invest in metal efts?
Yes, Investors require a Demat and trading account to invest in metal etfs and you can do this easily by opening advance investing platforms like Pocketful.
Is investing in ETFs better than buying physical gold?
Mostly yes as with ETFs extra cost like making charges or GST are not added, you directly invest from your bank account.
What is an “Expense Ratio”?
It is a small yearly charge (usually less than 1%) that is charged by the fund manager in exchange for managing your metal and securing your investments.
Why did gold prices started to dip in 2 month of 2026?
The new chief of the U.S.Federal Reserve has been appointed and many investors have sold to grab their profits.
How much tax is levied on these transactions?
As per 2024 budget rules, if ETFs are held for more than a year you would have to pay 12.5% tax on the profits you get and if you sell it within a year the profit added is taxed as per your regular income tax slab.
