Investing is not just about chasing returns, it is about finding the right balance between growth and comfort. Many investors feel large cap investments move too slowly, while aggressive strategies can bring sleepless nights. As markets evolve, the need for a middle path becomes clear. This is where mid cap investing gains importance. It offers exposure to faster growing businesses while avoiding extreme uncertainty. For investors looking to participate in India’s long term growth story without taking outsized risks, mid cap funds deserve serious attention. That is where mid-cap mutual funds step in.
What are Mid-Cap Mutual Funds
Mid-cap funds invest in companies that are past the survival stage but still hungry to grow. They are expanding capacity, entering new markets, and moving toward becoming tomorrow’s large-cap. For investors who can stay patient and disciplined, mid-cap funds are often a good option to consider higher growth potential.
Mid-cap mutual funds invest in companies ranked roughly between 101 and 250 by market capitalisation, as defined by SEBI. These companies are not unknown startups. They already have products, customers, and revenues. Mid-caps are businesses in the middle of a growth journey.
How to Choose the Best Mid-Cap Mutual Fund
Choosing a mid-cap fund is less about chasing returns and more about trusting the process.
- Look Beyond One-Year Performance – Top-performing mid-cap funds change frequently. Focus instead on consistency across market cycles, especially how the fund behaved during corrections.
- Pay Attention to the Fund Manager – Mid-cap investing requires judgment. A steady fund manager with a sound investment philosophy matters far more than fascinating short-term numbers.
- Check Portfolio Quality – A good mid-cap fund prefers fundamentally strong businesses with growing revenue and expanding margins over momentum-driven stocks.
Read Also: Top 10 High-Return Mutual Funds in India
List of Best Mid-Cap Mutual Funds in India
| S. No | Funds | Current NAV | Fund Size (INR Crores) | Expense Ratio | Exit Load (Period) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund | 319.79 | 7050 | 1.85% | 1.00% (1 year) |
| 2 | Mirae Asset Midcap Fund | 38.44 | 18350 | 1.65% | 1.00% (1 year) |
| 3 | HDFC Mid Cap Fund | 205.47 | 92200 | 1.36% | 1.00% (1 year) |
| 4 | Tata Mid Cap Fund | 457.33 | 5450 | 1.84% | 0.50% (30 days) |
| 5 | Invesco India Mid Cap Fund | 184.52 | 10300 | 1.72% | 1.00% (1 year) |
| 6 | WhiteOak Capital Mid Cap Fund | 20.35 | 4450 | 1.85% | 1.00% (30 days) |
| 7 | Canara Robeco Mid Cap Fund | 17.53 | 4050 | 1.87% | 1.00% (1 year) |
| 8 | ITI Mid Cap Fund | 22.47 | 1300 | 2.05% | 0.50% (90 days) |
| 9 | Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund | 4,296.43 | 42100 | 1.53% | 1.00% (30 days) |
| 10 | Aditya Birla Sun Life Mid Cap Fund | 813.92 | 6250 | 1.87% | 1.00% (90 days) |
Overview of Best Mid-Cap Mutual Funds
1. ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund
ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund is known for its balanced approach to mid-cap investing. Instead of chasing short-term market trends, it focuses on identifying companies with sustainable business models and long-term growth potential.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.79% | 82.61% | 157.35% | 90 | Nifty Midcap 150 TRI |
2. Mirae Asset Midcap Fund
Mirae Asset Midcap Fund follows a quality-focused strategy, investing in mid-cap companies with strong balance sheets and earnings visibility. It avoids excessive risk-taking and prefers businesses with clear competitive advantages.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.40% | 72.12% | 148.80% | 72 | Nifty Midcap 100 TRI |
3. HDFC Mid Cap Fund
One of the most well-known names in the category, HDFC Mid Cap Fund, focuses on fundamentally strong mid-sized companies with long growth runways. Its large asset base brings stability and works well for long-term investors
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.85% | 95.41% | 193.19% | 78 | Nifty Midcap 150 TRI |
4. Tata Mid Cap Fund
Tata Mid Cap Fund takes a relatively disciplined approach, balancing growth opportunities with valuation comfort. It spreads investments across sectors instead of making aggressive thematic bets, which helps control downside risk.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.23% | 81.05% | 141.09% | 69 | Nifty Midcap 150 TRI |
5. Invesco India Mid Cap Fund
Invesco India Mid Cap Fund focuses on identifying emerging businesses early in their growth cycle. The fund maintains a research-driven approach and avoids excessive churn
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.23% | 101.23% | 171.52% | 51 | BSE 150 Midcap TRI |
6. WhiteOak Capital Mid Cap Fund
WhiteOak Capital Mid Cap Fund follows a clean, process-oriented investing style, combining growth potential with risk awareness. The fund prefers companies with strong fundamentals and avoids overly leveraged or speculative bets
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.06% | 96.39% | – | 146 | BSE 150 Midcap TRI |
7. Canara Robeco Mid Cap Fund
Canara Robeco Mid Cap Fund has gained attention for its consistent performance and disciplined stock selection. The fund leans toward quality businesses and avoids chasing hot sectors blindly.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.98% | 73.93% | – | 62 | BSE 150 MidCap TRI 100 |
8. ITI Mid Cap Fund
The ITI Mid Cap Fund is a smaller and relatively less-discussed fund in the category. It invests across a broad range of mid-cap companies, aiming to capture growth while managing risk.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.83% | 89.28% | – | 85 | Nifty Midcap 150 TRI |
9. Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund
Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund is among the older funds in this category and follows a growth-oriented investing style. Over full market cycles, it has rewarded investors who stayed invested and avoided reacting to short-term underperformance.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.51% | 93.98% | 179.98% | 100 | Nifty Midcap 150 TRI |
10. Aditya Birla Sun Life Mid Cap Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Mid Cap Fund focuses on identifying mid-sized companies with improving fundamentals and scalable business models.
| 1-Year Return | 3-Year Return | 5-Year Return | No. of Stocks | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.72% | 75.67% | 135.23% | 81 | Nifty Midcap 150 TRI |
Read Also: Best Performing Mutual Funds of the Last 10 Years
Conclusion
Mid-cap mutual funds are not shortcuts to quick profits. They are a source of wealth creation with patience. If you invest regularly, stay disciplined during volatility, and allow time for compounding, mid-cap funds can become the growth engine of your portfolio. The real edge doesn’t come from picking the “best” fund. It comes from staying invested when it is difficult to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are mid-cap mutual funds risky?
They carry more risk than large-cap funds but are generally less volatile than small-cap funds, especially when held for the long term.
What is the ideal investment horizon for mid-cap funds?
A minimum investment horizon of 7-8 years is recommended to ride out market volatility.
Can beginners invest in mid-cap mutual funds?
Beginners can invest, but it is suggested to start with SIPs and limit the exposure they are comfortable with.
How many mid-cap funds one should hold?
Usually, one or two well-chosen mid-cap funds are enough for diversification.
Is a lump-sum investment suitable for mid-cap funds?
Lump-sum investments can be effective if you have a long investment horizon, but staggered investing is generally considered safer.
