Mutual Funds With No Exit Load in India (2026)
Live · updated 2026-09-16 Ranked by data, refreshed from daily NAVs
Every fund here charges no exit load - you can redeem any time without a penalty. The usual articles on this topic are static lists that quietly go out of date; this one is generated from live scheme data. This page is recomputed from NAV data every day, so it cannot go stale, and every fund on it links to a full research page with returns, risk, SIP outcomes, holdings and manager track record.
An exit load is the penalty a fund charges for leaving early - typically 1% if you redeem equity funds within a year. The funds on this list charge nothing, ever: you can invest today and redeem tomorrow without a paisa of penalty. That flexibility matters more than it sounds - it makes rebalancing free, keeps emergency access clean, and removes the friction cost from any strategy that switches between funds.
This list is generated from live exchange data and re-checked daily, so it keeps up when fund houses change their load structures. Each fund still had to earn its position on quality - zero load on a bad fund is a discount on something you should not buy. As always, no exit load does not mean no costs: expense ratios and taxes still apply.
Tap any column heading to sort. Every fund name links to its full review.
| # | Fund | RS | King | 3M | 6M | 1Y | 3Y CAGR | 5Y CAGR | 10Y CAGR | Sharpe | Roll 3Y | Worst fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SBI CRISIL IBX SDL Index - September 2027 Fund | 83 | 80 | 1.7% | 2.9% | 6.2% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 0.98 | 7.7% | -0.4% |
| 2 | ICICI Prudential Nifty SDL Sep 2027 Index Fund | 84 | 78 | 1.7% | 2.9% | 6.2% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 1.0 | 7.8% | -3.8% |
| 3 | Axis CRISIL IBX SDL May 2027 Index Fund | 82 | 78 | 1.6% | 3.0% | 6.3% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 1.07 | 7.8% | -3.6% |
| 4 | Mirae Asset Nifty SDL Jun 2027 Index Fund | 82 | 78 | 1.6% | 3.0% | 6.2% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 1.05 | 7.8% | -3.6% |
| 5 | Kotak Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Top 12 Equal Weight Index Fund | 79 | 77 | 1.5% | 2.8% | 6.2% | 7.4% | n/a | n/a | 1.09 | 7.7% | -3.6% |
| 6 | Aditya Birla Sun Life Crisil IBX Gilt-Apr-2029 Index Fund | 59 | 77 | 0.7% | 2.1% | 5.0% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 0.59 | 8.3% | -1.0% |
| 7 | SBI CRISIL IBX Gilt Index - April 2029 Fund | 59 | 76 | 0.7% | 2.1% | 5.0% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 0.56 | 8.2% | -1.1% |
| 8 | Tata Nifty SDL Plus AAA PSU Bond Dec 6040 Index Fund | 76 | 75 | 1.5% | 2.7% | 5.7% | 7.4% | n/a | n/a | 0.93 | 7.8% | -2.3% |
| 9 | Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund | 97 | 74 | 1.8% | 17.4% | 25.3% | 25.6% | 17.8% | n/a | 1.14 | 15.2% | -19.9% |
| 10 | HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund | 74 | 74 | 1.4% | 2.8% | 5.8% | 7.2% | n/a | n/a | 1.03 | 7.2% | -0.2% |
| 11 | Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Index Fund | 77 | 74 | 1.4% | 2.8% | 6.0% | 7.3% | n/a | n/a | 1.17 | 7.6% | -3.5% |
| 12 | ICICI Prudential Nifty G-Sec Dec 2030 Index Fund | 56 | 74 | 0.5% | 2.0% | 5.0% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 0.44 | 8.2% | -1.9% |
| 13 | HDFC Nifty G-Sec Jun 2027 Index Fund | 70 | 74 | 1.3% | 2.6% | 5.6% | 7.3% | n/a | n/a | 0.82 | 7.5% | -0.6% |
| 14 | ICICI Prudential Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Index Fund | 74 | 73 | 1.4% | 2.8% | 5.8% | 7.2% | n/a | n/a | 1.04 | 7.3% | -0.3% |
| 15 | HDFC Nifty G-Sec July 2031 Index Fund | 55 | 73 | 0.5% | 2.1% | 4.8% | 7.5% | n/a | n/a | 0.42 | 8.3% | -2.2% |
This list returns: 1 month to 10 years𝕏 Share this statWhatsApp
Over the last 1 year, the funds on this list averaged 0.9% - the best, ICICI Prudential NASDAQ 100 Index Fund, returned 30.9% while the weakest managed -18.0%. That spread is why picking within the funds on this list matters. Over 10 years the average compounding rate is 11.2% a year, which turned ₹1 lakh into about ₹289,100.
| Period | Average | Median | Best fund | Weakest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -3.4% | -4.5% | ICICI Prudential Nifty SDL Sep 2026 Index Fund (0.5%) | -7.9% |
| 3 months | -0.6% | -1.3% | Kotak Nifty Smallcap 50 Index Fund (7.2%) | -6.3% |
| 6 months | 4.3% | 2.6% | Motilal Oswal Nifty Microcap 250 Index Fund (26.6%) | -5.0% |
| 1 year | 0.9% | 3.8% | ICICI Prudential NASDAQ 100 Index Fund (30.9%) | -18.0% |
| 3 years (CAGR) | 9.6% | 7.5% | ICICI Prudential NASDAQ 100 Index Fund (30.0%) | -2.8% |
| 5 years (CAGR) | 8.7% | 6.7% | Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund (17.8%) | 5.6% |
| 10 years (CAGR) | 11.2% | 11.1% | ICICI Prudential Nifty Next 50 Index Fund (12.4%) | 10.8% |
Averages across every qualifying fund, refreshed daily. Best-fund links open that fund's full review.
What ₹1 lakh became
The same returns, translated into money - at the average pace and at the best fund's pace:
| Held for | Average pace | ₹1 lakh → (average) | ₹1 lakh → (best fund) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 0.9% a year | ₹100,900 | ₹130,900 |
| 3 years | 9.6% a year | ₹131,700 | ₹219,700 |
| 5 years | 8.7% a year | ₹151,800 | ₹226,800 |
| 10 years | 11.2% a year | ₹289,100 | ₹321,900 |
Pre-tax, from historical returns. The averages smooth over a very bumpy ride - see the worst-fall column in the ranking above for what the journey involved.
This list by the numbers
| Funds that qualify | 108 |
| Combined assets | ₹181,284 Cr |
| Average 3-year return | 9.6% a year (best 30.0%, weakest -2.8%) |
| Average 5-year return | 8.7% a year |
| Average worst-ever fall | -21.2% (deepest: -46.9%) |
| Average expense ratio (Direct) | 0.24% |
| Largest fund by assets | UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund (₹22,282 Cr) |
Put the risk number in rupees: at the average worst fall of -21.2%, ₹1 lakh temporarily becomes about ₹78,800. That is the stretch every ranked fund's investors had to sit through at some point - the ranking rewards the funds that made that wait worthwhile.
Momentum check: what is hot right now
As of 2026-09-16, 12 of the 108 funds here rate RS 90 or above (top-decile recent momentum versus peers). The strongest momentum belongs to Axis Nifty Smallcap 50 Index Fund (RS 99/99). Average return over the last 3 months: -0.6%; over 6 months: 4.3%. Momentum is a snapshot, not a ranking criterion here - but it tells you whether this corner of the market is currently in favour.
Before you pick a no-exit-load fund: four checks
- Confirm the fund would deserve your money even with a load - zero exit load on a weak fund is a discount on a mistake.
- Check the expense ratio: the recurring annual cost matters far more than the one-time load you are avoiding.
- Match the fund's category to your actual horizon - load-free redemption tempts short holding periods that equity categories punish.
- Verify the load status on the fund's own page before transacting - fund houses do occasionally change load structures.
Filter the entire Indian mutual fund universe by 40+ metrics - returns, consistency, drawdown, RS Rating, King Score, cost - then chart, compare and backtest anything you find.
How to read the table
RS (1-99) is recent momentum versus category peers - 99 is the hottest right now. King (0-100) is the long-term quality composite this list is ranked by. 3M/6M are recent returns; 3Y and 5Y CAGR are annualised longer records. Sharpe is return earned per unit of volatility - higher means smoother compounding. Roll 3Y is the median of every 3-year holding period in the fund's history, the fairest single return number a fund has. Worst fall is the deepest peak-to-bottom loss ever - the number that tests whether you would have stayed invested. Missing values show as n/a, usually because the fund is too young for that measurement.
The top 10, decoded𝕏 Share this statWhatsApp
- SBI CRISIL IBX SDL Index - September 2027 Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 80/100, RS 83/99 right now. 3-year return 7.5% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 0.4% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹99,600). Median 3-year rolling return 7.7%, sharpe 0.98.
- ICICI Prudential Nifty SDL Sep 2027 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 78/100, RS 84/99 right now. 3-year return 7.5% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 3.8% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹96,200). Median 3-year rolling return 7.8%, sharpe 1.0.
- Axis CRISIL IBX SDL May 2027 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 78/100, RS 82/99 right now. 3-year return 7.5% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 3.6% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹96,400). Median 3-year rolling return 7.8%, sharpe 1.07.
- Mirae Asset Nifty SDL Jun 2027 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 78/100, RS 82/99 right now. 3-year return 7.5% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 3.6% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹96,400). Median 3-year rolling return 7.8%, sharpe 1.05.
- Kotak Nifty SDL Apr 2027 Top 12 Equal Weight Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 77/100, RS 79/99 right now. 3-year return 7.4% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 3.6% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹96,400). Median 3-year rolling return 7.7%, sharpe 1.09.
- Aditya Birla Sun Life Crisil IBX Gilt-Apr-2029 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 77/100, RS 59/99 right now. 3-year return 7.5% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 1.0% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹99,000). Median 3-year rolling return 8.3%, sharpe 0.59.
- SBI CRISIL IBX Gilt Index - April 2029 Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 76/100, RS 59/99 right now. 3-year return 7.5% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 1.1% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹98,900). Median 3-year rolling return 8.2%, sharpe 0.56.
- Tata Nifty SDL Plus AAA PSU Bond Dec 6040 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 75/100, RS 76/99 right now. 3-year return 7.4% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 2.3% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹97,700). Median 3-year rolling return 7.8%, sharpe 0.93.
- Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 74/100, RS 97/99 right now. 3-year return 25.6% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 19.9% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹80,100). 5-year pace 17.8% a year, median 3-year rolling return 15.2%, sharpe 1.14.
- HDFC Nifty SDL Oct 2026 Index Fund (Index Funds) - King Score 74/100, RS 74/99 right now. 3-year return 7.2% a year, against a worst-ever fall of 0.2% (₹1 lakh briefly ₹99,800). Median 3-year rolling return 7.2%, sharpe 1.03.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best no-exit-load fund right now?
On our data-driven ranking as of 2026-09-16, SBI CRISIL IBX SDL Index - September 2027 Fund scores highest (King Score 80/100). That is a description of its record versus peers, not a recommendation - rankings move as NAVs update, and the right fund depends on your goals and risk tolerance.
Do these funds charge anything at all?
No exit load means no redemption penalty - but every fund still charges its expense ratio (deducted daily from NAV), and your gains are still taxed by holding period. The average expense ratio on this list is 0.24%. Zero exit load removes the leaving cost, not the owning cost.
Why does exit load matter so much?
Because it taxes flexibility. A 1% load on a fund you exit within a year is a guaranteed loss on redemption, which makes rebalancing, strategy switches and emergencies more expensive. The 108 funds here let you move money freely - useful in itself, and essential for any approach that reviews holdings regularly.
What is the average 1-year return of no-exit-load funds right now?
As of 2026-09-16, the 108 qualifying funds averaged 0.9% over the last year (median 3.8%). The best, ICICI Prudential NASDAQ 100 Index Fund, returned 30.9%; the weakest returned -18.0%. One year is weather, not climate - check the 5 and 10 year columns before drawing conclusions.
Which no-exit-load fund gave the highest return in the last 10 years?
ICICI Prudential Nifty Next 50 Index Fund leads with 12.4% a year over 10 years - ₹1 lakh became about ₹321,900 pre-tax. The average across funds with a 10-year record is 11.2% a year. A decade-long record says a lot about the past and nothing certain about the next decade.
How is this list ranked?
We include Direct-Growth schemes flagged no-exit-load in exchange data, with AUM above ₹100 crore, ordered by King Score. The full formulas are public - see our methodology page. No fund pays to be here and rankings cannot be bought.
Should I invest in the #1 fund on this list?
We cannot tell you that - MF Terminal is descriptive research, not investment advice. A top rank says the past record was strong versus peers. Read the fund's full page, check the drawdowns you would have to sit through, and decide against your own horizon.
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All figures pre-tax, from AMFI NAV history. Rankings are descriptive and change with the data. Nothing here is investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any fund. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.