Short-term returns can be tempting in mutual fund investing, but they do not always reflect the complete picture. Markets fluctuate over time, and a fund that looks like a top performer today may not remain one in the future. That is why evaluating mutual fund performance over a longer period is important while selecting them. A decade-long track record shows how a fund has handled different market phases over time.
In this blog, we look at some of the best-performing mutual funds over the last 10 years.
What are Mutual Funds?
Mutual funds are a way to invest your money without having to pick individual stocks or bonds yourself. Your money is pooled together with other investors and managed by a professional fund manager, who invests it across shares, bonds, or other asset classes. Your risk is spread out because of diversification across multiple securities.
Why 10-Year Returns are Important – Reviewing a fund’s 10-year returns helps you see the bigger picture. Over a decade, markets go through multiple phases, rallies, corrections, and even crashes.A fund that performs well over this period demonstrates resilience across different market conditions. Long-term returns also tell you how consistent a fund has been and make it easier to ignore short-term noise.
List of Best Performing Mutual Funds of the Last 10 Years
| S. No | Fund Name | Category | 10 Year Returns (in%) | AUM | Current NAV | Fund Manager | Min SIP | Min Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund | Equity -ELSS | 21.47 | 12,514 Cr | 426.2708 | Ayusha Kumbhat/Sameer Kate | 500 | 500 |
| 2 | Nippon India Small Cap Fund | Equity – Small Cap | 20.9 | 68,572 Cr | 187.055 | Samir Rachh | 100 | 5,000 |
| 3 | Invesco India Mid Cap Fund | Equity – Mid Cap | 20.11 | 10,006 Cr | 222.95 | Amit Ganatra | 500 | 1,000 |
| 4 | Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund | Equity – Mid Cap | 19.99 | 13,196 Cr | 123.069 | Trideep Bhattacharya/Dhruv Bhatia/Raj Koradia | 100 | 100 |
| 5 | Quant Small Cap Fund | Equity – Small Cap | 19.99 | 30,170 Cr | 275.0669 | Ayusha Kumbhat/Sameer Kate | 1,000 | 5,000 |
| 6 | DSP Natural Resources and New Energy Fund | Equity- Thematic | 19.78 | 1,467 Cr | 108.836 | Rohit Singhania | 100 | 100 |
| 7 | Kotak Midcap Fund | Equity – Mid Cap | 19.46 | 60,480 Cr | 159.316 | Atul Bhole | 100 | 100 |
| 8 | HDFC Mid Cap Fund | Equity – Mid Cap | 19.39 | 92,169 Cr | 225.488 | Chirag Setalvad | 100 | 100 |
| 9 | Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund | Equity – Mid Cap | 19.15 | 42,042 Cr | 4,656.03 | Rupesh Patel | 100 | 100 |
| 10. | SBI Technology Opportunities Fund | Equity-Sectoral | 18.90 | 5,130 Cr | 267.6166 | Vivek Gedda | 500 | 5,000 |
Overview of Top Performing Mutual Funds of the Last 10 Years
1. Nippon India Small Cap Fund
Nippon India Small Cap Fund is meant for investors who are comfortable taking higher risk in exchange for long-term growth. The fund was launched in 2010. It invests mainly in small and emerging companies that have the potential to grow over time. While returns can be volatile in the short term, the fund has rewarded investors who stay invested for longer periods and can handle ups and downs. Return since launch is 20.12%. Exit Load stands at 1% for redemption within 1 year. Benchmark is NIFTY Smallcap 250 TRI. Top holdings of the fund include MCX, HDFC Bank, SBI, Karur Vyasa Bank, BHEL, etc.
2. Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund
Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund is a good option for investors for long-term wealth creation, along with tax benefits under Section 80C. Launched in January 2013, the fund is managed by Quant Mutual Fund and follows an investment strategy that adapts to changing market cycles. The fund falls under the ELSS category and has a lock-in period of three years. It invests across large, mid, and small-cap stocks, offering diversification within equities. The benchmark of the fund is NIFTY 500 TRI Index.
3. Invesco India Mid Cap Fund
Invesco India Mid Cap Fund is designed for investors looking for long-term capital appreciation by investing in mid-cap Indian companies. The fund was launched in April 2007. The fund invests primarily in mid-cap stocks that offer a balance between growth potential and business stability. With a moderately high risk profile, it is suitable for investors who can stay invested for the long term. Return since launch is 21.55%. An exit load of 1% will be charged for redemption within 365 days. Top holdings of the fund include The Federal Bank, AU Small Fin Bank, L&T Fin, Swiggy, BSE, etc.
4. Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund
Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund aims to generate long-term capital growth by investing in fundamentally strong mid-cap companies. Launched in January 2013. It carries a moderately high risk profile. Return since launch is 22.07% and has 1% exit load for redemption within 90 days. Top holdings of the fund include Coforge, Persistent Systems, BSE, Indian Bank, etc. The benchmark of the fund is NIFTY Midcap 150 TRI.
5. Quant Small Cap Fund
Quant Small Cap Fund is suitable for investors seeking aggressive long-term growth through small-cap companies. The fund was launched in January 2013 and invests primarily in small-cap stocks across sectors and carries a high-risk profile. Return since launch is 17.51% annualized and has a 1% exit load for redemption within 365 days. Top holdings of the fund include Reliance, Jio Financial, RBL Bank, Aegis Logistics, Adani Power, etc. The Benchmark of the fund is NIFTY Smallcap 250 TRI.
6. DSP Natural Resources and New Energy Fund
This is a thematic equity fund suitable for investors looking to benefit from global and domestic trends in energy, commodities, and natural resources. The fund was launched in April 2007. The fund invests in companies related to natural resources, power, energy, and allied sectors. Due to its thematic nature, it carries a very high-risk profile. Returns since launch are 17.52%. Exit Load is nil. Benchmark is MSCI World Energy 10/40 Net TRI (35), BSE Oil & Gas TRI (35), BSE Metal TRI (30). Top Holdings are ONGC, Jindal Steel, Tata Steel, Black Rock Global Funds, Etc.
7. Kotak Mid Cap Fund
The fund was launched in September 2014. The fund invests across diversified mid-cap stocks and follows a bottom-up stock selection approach. With a moderately high risk profile, it is suitable for investors aiming for long-term wealth creation. Returns since launch are 20.60%. Exit Load 1% will be charged for redemption within 365 days. The Top Holdings of the fund are GE Vernova T&D, Fortis Healthcare, Mphasis, Ipca Laboratories, etc.
8. HDFC Mid Cap Fund
Launched in July 2007, it belongs to India’s most trusted and experienced mutual fund houses. The fund invests in quality mid-cap companies with sustainable business models and strong management. It carries a moderately high risk profile and is suitable for long-term investors seeking consistent growth through exposure to mid-sized companies. Returns since launch are 21.06%. Benchmark of the fund is NIFTY Midcap 150 TRI. Exit Load is 1% for redemption within 365 days. The Top Holdings of the fund are Max Financial, AU Small Fin Bank, The Federal Bank, Indian Bank, Balkrishna Ind., etc.
9. Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund
Nippon India Growth Mid Cap Fund is designed for investors looking to build wealth. It was launched in October 1995 and is one of the oldest mid-cap funds. With a moderately high risk profile and a proven long-term track record, it is suitable for investors. Returns since launch are 18.63%. Benchmark is NIFTY Midcap 150 TRI. Exit Load is 1% for redemption within 30 days. Top Holdings of the fund are BSE, Fortis, Federal Bank, AU Small Fin Bank, etc.
10. SBI Technology Opportunities Fund
This fund is meant for investors who want focused exposure to India’s fast-growing technology and digital sectors. Since it is a sector-focused fund, returns can be volatile in the short term. It is best suited for long-term investors who believe in the technology growth story. Returns since launch are 20.84%. Exit Load is 0.5% for redemption within 15 days. Benchmark is BSE Teck TRI. Top Holdings of the fund are Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Coforge, LTI Mindtree.
Read Also: Top 10 High-Return Mutual Funds in India
Conclusion
Strong 10-year returns do not guarantee future performance, but they do highlight funds that have shown consistency and discipline over time. Remember, these fund rankings can also vary and are subject to changes depending on multiple scenarios. For example, a change in fund manager may impact a fund’s performance positively or negatively. Also, match these funds with your goals, risk comfort, and investment horizon and consult your financial expert before making any investment decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are mutual funds with high 10-year returns safe?
Not always, strong past returns show consistency, but every fund carries market risk.
Should I invest only based on past performance?
No. Past performance can be helpful, but you should also consider other factors like fund category, risk, objective, etc.
Is SIP better than a lump sum for long-term funds?
Although both modes of investment give similar returns, if you are a retail investor, SIPs will work better.
How often should I review my mutual fund investments?
You should review your mutual fund investments every 6 months.
Can beginners invest in long-term mutual funds?
Beginners can start with SIPs and focus on diversification of portfolio to spread out the risk.
