Types of Mutual Funds

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Types of Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are broadly classified based on asset allocation, investment strategy, and financial objectives. Each category is designed to suit different risk profiles, investment horizons, and wealth creation goals.

Equity Scheme Categories

Scheme CategoryKey Features
Large-cap FundInvest 80% in large-cap firms' equity and related securities
Mid-cap FundInvest 65% in mid-cap firms' equity and related securities
Small-cap FundInvest 65% in small-cap firms' equity and related securities
Multi-cap Fund*Invest 65% in equity and related securities across market caps
Large and Mid-cap FundInvest 35% in large-cap and 35% in mid-cap firms' equity
Flexi Cap FundInvest in equity across all market capitalisations
Dividend Yield FundMajorly invest in dividend-yielding stocks and at least 65% in equity
Value FundFollow a value investment strategy, investing 65% in equity
Contra FundFollow a contrarian strategy, investing 65% in equity
Sectoral/Thematic FundInvest at least 80% in a specific theme or sector
Focused FundInvest 65% in equity, focusing on a maximum of 30 stocks
ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme)Invest 80% in equity and related securities

Note: Multi-cap Fund is also referred to as Diversified Equity Funds.

Debt Scheme Categories

Scheme CategoryKey Features
Low-duration FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio Macaulay duration of 6 to 12 months.
Ultra-short Duration FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio Macaulay duration of 3 to 6 months.
Liquid FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a maturity of up to 91 days only.
Overnight FundInvests in overnight securities with a 1-day maturity.
Short-duration FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio Macaulay duration of 1 to 3 years.
Medium Duration FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio Macaulay duration of 3 to 4 years.
Money Market FundInvests in money market securities with a maturity of up to 1 year.
Medium- to Long-duration FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio Macaulay duration of 4 to 7 years.
Long-duration FundInvests in money market and debt securities with a portfolio Macaulay duration of more than seven years.
Corporate Bond FundInvests 80% of its total assets in the highest-rated corporate bonds.
Dynamic Bond FundInvests across different durations.
Banking & PSU FundInvests 80% of total assets in debt securities of banks, public sector undertakings, and public financial institutions.
Credit Risk FundInvests 65% of total assets in corporate bonds with an AA rating or lower.
Floater FundInvests 65% of total assets in floating rate instruments
Gilt FundInvests 80% of total assets in government securities.
Gilt Fund with 10-year Constant DurationInvests 80% of total assets in government securities, maintaining a constant portfolio Macaulay duration of 10 years.

Hybrid, Solution-Oriented & Other Schemes

Scheme CategoryKey Features
Balanced Hybrid FundInvests 40-60% in equity and related securities; 40-60% in debt securities. No arbitrage allowed.
Aggressive Hybrid FundAllocates 65-80% in equity and related securities; and 20-35% in debt securities.
Conservative Hybrid FundInvests 10-25% in equity and related securities; 75-90% in debt securities.
Dynamic Asset Allocation / Balanced Advantage FundFlexible management of equity and debt securities.
Multi-Asset Allocation FundInvests in a minimum of three asset classes, with a minimum 10% allocation in each.
Equity SavingsPuts at least 65% in equity and 10% in debt securities.
Arbitrage FundFollows an arbitrage strategy, with at least 65% in equity and related securities.
Children’s FundLock-in period: Minimum 5 years or until the child reaches majority age, whichever is earlier.
Retirement FundLock-in period: Minimum 5 years or until retirement age, whichever is earlier.
Index Funds / ETFsMirrors performance of the underlying market index
Fund of FundsAllocates at least 95% of assets into underlying funds