Small cap mutual funds often come into the picture when you want higher growth and are ready to stay invested for the long term. These funds invest in smaller companies that are still finding their space in the market. Some grow steadily, while others grow fast after years of struggle. This is why many investors track the top performing small cap mutual funds before making any decision.
When you look for the best small cap funds, returns alone should not guide you. You also need to understand the fund’s strategy, how the manager handles market volatility, and whether the portfolio is spread across sectors. Small cap investing is about patience and discipline.
In this guide, let us explore the top 10 small cap mutual funds and their details.
What Are Small Cap Funds?
Small cap funds are mutual funds that invest mainly in companies with a smaller market value. These companies are usually in the early stages of growth. These are the ones that are still building their business presence. Many of them operate in niche areas or emerging sectors.
Since these businesses are still growing, their stock prices can fluctuate more than large companies. This leads to higher short-term volatility. At the same time, small cap funds offer strong long-term growth potential. They are suitable for investors who have patience, a higher risk appetite, and a long-term investment horizon.
Features of Small Cap Funds
- Invest mainly in companies with a smaller market value.
- Focus on businesses in early or expansion stages.
- Higher exposure to emerging sectors and new ideas.
- Managed actively to identify growth opportunities.
- Suitable for long-term investment horizons.
Pros of Small Cap Funds
- Offer higher growth potential over the long term.
- Help in portfolio diversification beyond large stocks.
- Can benefit early from rising companies.
- Opportunity to invest in future market leaders.
Cons of Small Cap Funds
- High short-term volatility and price swings.
- Higher risk during market downturns.
- Returns may be uneven year to year.
- Not suitable for short-term goals.
Top 10 Small Cap Mutual Funds
Small cap funds offer you an opportunity to invest in companies that are in the growing stage. This offers investors a chance to not just gain benefits but also ensure that they have managed risk. So, here is the list of the top 10 small cap mutual funds that you should consider investing in.
| Fund Name | AUM (₹ Cr) | NAV (₹) | 1Y Return (%) | 2Y Return (%) | 5Y Return (%) | Expense Ratio (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon India Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 68,287.15 | 181.51 | -1.81 | 7.79 | 26.54 | 0.63 |
| HDFC Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 37,753.13 | 154.32 | 2.2 | 7.64 | 24.24 | 0.67 |
| SBI Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 36,268.45 | 186.97 | -2.39 | 6.62 | 18.33 | 0.75 |
| Quant Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 29,784.55 | 265.17 | -2.31 | 5.33 | 27.92 | 0.75 |
| Axis Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 26,546.88 | 119.26 | 1.29 | 9.75 | 21.99 | 0.57 |
| Bandhan Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 18,990.28 | 50.25 | 4.63 | 17.43 | 26.23 | 0.42 |
| Kotak Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 17,257.64 | 284.45 | -6.58 | 5.14 | 20.04 | 0.55 |
| DSP Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 16,934.59 | 211.03 | 2.05 | 9.14 | 22.34 | 0.79 |
| HSBC Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 15,968.70 | 84.48 | -8.09 | 4.69 | 23.86 | 0.7 |
| Franklin India Small Cap Fund – Direct Growth | 13,238.40 | 184.85 | -2.96 | 5.03 | 22.32 | 0.92 |
Note: The information is as of 17 January 2026. It is for educational purposes only. Check everything well before investing.
Read Also: Top 10 High-Return Mutual Funds in India
1. Nippon India Small Cap Fund
This fund follows the Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI and focuses on diversification to manage liquidity risks common in small caps. It spreads exposure across a large number of stocks, which helps reduce concentration impact during volatile phases. The investment approach balances growth and stability within the small-cap space. It suits long-term investors who can stay invested through cycles. Many investors track it while researching top performing small cap mutual funds for sustained growth potential.
2. HDFC Small Cap Fund
It is benchmarked to the S&P BSE 250 SmallCap TRI. It follows a quality-driven and bottom-up investment style. It focuses on companies with strong governance, stable earnings visibility, and long-term scalability. Portfolio turnover remains controlled. It is mainly because of the easy access approach. The fund avoids chasing short-term momentum and instead prioritizes fundamentals. It is often preferred by investors looking for the best small cap funds with consistency and disciplined execution.
3. SBI Small Cap Fund
This fund is benchmarked to the S&P BSE 250 SmallCap TRI and is known for its cautious capacity management. It focuses on protecting existing investors by limiting inflows and maintaining portfolio discipline. Stock selection emphasizes balance sheet strength and earnings visibility. The portfolio is selective rather than widely spread. It suits investors who prefer risk control within small caps. Many consider it a reliable best small cap option for long-term investing.
4. Quant Small Cap Fund
Tracking the Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI, this fund follows a highly active and adaptive investment framework. Portfolio decisions are driven by valuation comfort, liquidity signals, and market timing. The strategy allows frequent shifts based on changing conditions, which can lead to higher volatility. It suits investors with a higher risk appetite and tactical mindset. It is often shortlisted among the top 10 small cap mutual funds for aggressive growth seekers.
5. Axis Small Cap Fund
Axis Small Cap Fund tracks the Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI and follows a selective investing style. The fund prefers businesses that can grow without heavy capital needs and show steady earnings visibility. Portfolio choices reflect patience rather than fast rotation. Exposure is spread across financials, healthcare, and industrial segments to avoid overdependence on one theme. This approach suits investors who want controlled participation in small caps and often search for the best small cap funds with balance.
6. Bandhan Small Cap Fund
Benchmarked to the S&P BSE 250 SmallCap TRI, this fund emphasizes downside protection alongside growth. It maintains a broad stock spread. This helps to manage volatility and liquidity challenges. The portfolio tilts towards financial services, construction, and consumption-driven sectors. The approach suits investors who want smoother participation across market cycles. Over time, it has gained attention among top performing small cap mutual funds with a risk-aware structure.
7. Kotak Small Cap Fund
This fund follows the Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI. It adopts a research-driven and bottom-up approach. It focuses on identifying emerging businesses. These are the ones with long growth runways and improving fundamentals. Sector exposure is diversified. The main tilt is towards healthcare, industrials, and consumer segments. Investment decisions are driven by fundamentals rather than market noise. It suits patient investors and is often discussed among the top 5 small cap mutual funds.
8. DSP Small Cap Fund
It is a fund that follows the S&P BSE 250 SmallCap TRI. This fund follows a buy-and-hold investment philosophy. It targets under-researched companies. These are companies with good models and better potential. Portfolio turnover remains relatively low, supporting long-term compounding. Sector exposure leans towards consumer cyclicals and industrials. It suits investors who value patience and conviction. Many investors shortlist it while evaluating the best small cap funds for long-term holding.
9. HSBC Small Cap Fund
This fund uses the Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI as its benchmark and follows a blend of growth and value investing. It focuses on niche and undervalued businesses with improving fundamentals. Portfolio construction emphasizes diversification to manage volatility. The strategy suits investors comfortable with short-term fluctuations. Over time, it has featured in several discussions on top performing small cap mutual funds for diversified exposure.
10. Franklin India Small Cap Fund
Benchmarked to the S&P BSE 250 SmallCap TRI, this fund follows a conservative and research-led investment style. It focuses on under-owned companies. Portfolio diversification helps manage liquidity risks. Also these companies have growth potential. The fund suits investors who prefer a measured approach rather than aggressive positioning. It is often considered among the top 10 small cap mutual funds for steady participation.
Top 5 Small Cap Mutual Funds With Consistent Performance
Now that you know the best small cap funds, it is time to explore the ones that have a considerable AUM and have generated positive returns over the last 10 years. These are as follows:
| Fund Name | AUM (₹ Cr) | NAV (₹) | 1Y (%) | 2Y (%) | 5Y (%) | 10Y (%) | Expense Ratio (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Small Cap Fund | 37,753.13 | 154.32 | 2.20 | 7.64 | 24.24 | 19.66 | 0.67 |
| Axis Small Cap Fund | 26,546.88 | 119.26 | 1.29 | 9.75 | 21.99 | 19.69 | 0.57 |
| DSP Small Cap Fund | 16,934.59 | 211.03 | 2.05 | 9.14 | 22.34 | 17.58 | 0.79 |
| ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund | 8,427.64 | 94.48 | 1.79 | 6.03 | 22.05 | 17.38 | 0.77 |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life Small Cap Fund | 4,937.52 | 95.04 | 1.11 | 6.8 | 18.21 | 14.48 | 0.90 |
Note: The information is as of 17 January 2026. It is for educational purposes only. Check everything well before investing.
Read Also: Best Performing Mutual Funds of the Last 10 Years
1. HDFC Small Cap Fund
It has remained consistent because it sticks to fundamentals. This is even when markets turn volatile. The fund manager avoids chasing trends. The main focus is on businesses with stable cash flows and clear growth paths. This discipline has helped the fund stay positive across time periods without sharp swings.
2. Axis Small Cap Fund
This shows consistency by being selective rather than aggressive. It prefers companies that can grow steadily. The focus on heavy capital pressure is low. The fund does not react quickly to market noise. It helps control downside during corrections and supports smoother long-term return delivery.
3. DSP Small Cap Fund
It benefits from a patient investment style. Instead of frequent buying and selling, it holds businesses through cycles once conviction is built. This approach reduces unnecessary churn. It allows compounding to work over time, which explains its stable performance across different market phases.
4. ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund
The fund maintains consistency through diversification and careful stock sizing. No single theme dominates the portfolio. This balance helps cushion the fund during weak phases. The fund is still participating in growth periods. This makes it one of the best for a return profile creation and for steadier growth compared to many peers.
5. Aditya Birla Sun Life Small Cap Fund
It stays consistent by spreading risk across sectors. This helps in avoiding concentrated bets. The fund focuses on business durability rather than short-term excitement. This measured approach has helped it remain positive over longer horizons despite regular small-cap volatility.
Who Should Invest in These Small Cap Funds?
- Investors with a long-term horizon of at least 7 to 10 years.
- Those who already have exposure to large-cap or index funds.
- Investors who can handle short-term volatility without panic selling.
- Individuals investing for wealth creation, not short-term goals.
- SIP investors who prefer disciplined and gradual allocation to equities.
Read Also: Best SIP Mutual Funds in India
Conclusion
Small cap funds are not about quick wins. They reward investors who stay patient during weak phases and allow compounding to work over time. The funds discussed here have shown consistency across different market cycles, which matters more than temporary spikes in returns. If your goals are long-term and your risk appetite allows some volatility, these funds can add meaningful growth potential to your portfolio.
Start your small cap investment journey with Pocketful, where you can compare funds, set up SIPs, and track performance easily in one place. Pocketful helps you invest with clarity, not guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are small cap funds risky?
Yes, small cap funds are volatile in the short term, but they can offer higher growth over the long term if you stay invested.
Is SIP the right way to invest in small cap funds?
SIP is usually preferred because it spreads investment over time and reduces the impact of market timing.
How long should I stay invested in small cap funds?
Ideally, you should stay invested for at least 7 to 10 years to handle volatility and benefit from growth.
Can I invest lump sum in small cap funds?
Lump sum investments are possible, but SIPs are generally safer during volatile market conditions.
What percentage of my portfolio should be in small cap funds?
For most investors, allocating around 10% to 20% of the portfolio to small caps is considered reasonable.
