Which ELSS - Tax Saver funds have given the best returns over 3 years?

Over a 3-year period, the best performing ELSS - Tax Saver funds are Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with a 22.57% CAGR, Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with 20.74% CAGR, and Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series III Direct-Growth with 17.62% CAGR. The category average 3-year return stands at 11.97% CAGR.

Which ELSS - Tax Saver funds have given the best returns over 5 years?

Over a 5-year period, the top ELSS - Tax Saver funds are Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with a 17.88% CAGR, Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with 17.75% CAGR, and Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series III Direct-Growth with 17.63% CAGR. The category average 5-year return is 11.38% CAGR.

What are the largest ELSS - Tax Saver mutual funds by assets?

The largest ELSS - Tax Saver funds by Assets Under Management (AUM) are Axis ELSS - Tax Saver Direct-Growth with ₹ 32,591.70 crore, SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with ₹ 32,300.10 crore, and Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with ₹ 26,373.00 crore. Together, there are 52 ELSS - Tax Saver funds available in India.

What is the minimum amount to invest in ELSS - Tax Saver funds?

You can start investing in ELSS - Tax Saver funds with a minimum SIP of ₹500 per month or a minimum lumpsum of ₹500. The minimum investment varies across fund houses — some funds allow even lower entry points.

How are ELSS - Tax Saver fund returns taxed?

Gains from ELSS - Tax Saver funds held for less than 12 months are taxed at 20% (Short-Term Capital Gains). Gains on units held for 12 months or more are taxed at 12.5% (Long-Term Capital Gains), with ₹1.25 lakh per year being exempt per financial year. Dividends (IDCW) are taxed at your applicable income tax slab rate.

Which ELSS - Tax Saver funds have the lowest expense ratio?

Among ELSS - Tax Saver funds, Navi ELSS Tax Saver Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct-Growth has the lowest expense ratio at 0.24% (Direct Plan), followed by Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty Large Midcap 250 Index Fund Direct-Growth at 0.34%. Lower expense ratios directly improve your net returns over the long term.

How many ELSS - Tax Saver mutual funds are available in India?

There are currently 52 ELSS - Tax Saver mutual funds available in India across different fund houses. You can compare all 52 funds on Sharpely based on returns, risk, AUM, and expense ratio to find the one that suits your investment goals.

What is the lock-in period for ELSS - Tax Saver funds?

ELSS funds have a mandatory lock-in of 3 years per unit from the date of investment. For SIP investments, each monthly instalment has its own 3-year lock-in. The top performing ELSS funds currently are Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth, Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth, and Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series III Direct-Growth.

mutual funds category

Elss Tax Saver

Best ELSS - Tax Saver Mutual Funds 2026

Q: What are the top performing ELSS - Tax Saver funds?

Based on 1-year returns, the top performing ELSS - Tax Saver funds are Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with 15.86% return, Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with 15.69% return, and Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series III Direct-Growth with 13.10% return. The category average 1-year return is 2.74%.

Total Schemes

No. of schemes

Total AUM

₹ 2.47Lakh Cr

As on latest

Category Return (5Y)

11.38 %

CAGR

Benchmark

10.50%

NIFTY 500 TRI

Category Returns (%)

Period	1M	6M	1Y	3Y CAGR	5Y CAGR	10Y CAGR	YTD
ELSS - Tax Saver	-1.60 %	5.37 %	2.74 %	11.97 %	11.38 %	13.38 %	-0.55 %
Benchmark	-2.30 %	3.67 %	2.13 %	11.08 %	10.50 %	12.99 %	-2.24 %

Top ELSS - Tax Saver Funds (by AUM)

Fund Name	AUM (₹ Cr)	1Y Return	3Y CAGR	5Y CAGR	Expense Ratio
Axis ELSS - Tax Saver Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹111.24	32,591.70 Cr	2.27%	11.49%	6.34%	1.05%
SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹464.86	32,300.10 Cr	-0.48%	14.27%	15.15%	1.27%
Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹57.48	26,373.00 Cr	4.50%	12.49%	11.37%	0.99%
DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-GrowthNAV: ₹154.50	16,737.90 Cr	2.13%	13.51%	12.26%	0.91%
HDFC ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-GrowthNAV: ₹1,485.59	16,095.40 Cr	-2.64%	13.31%	14.52%	1.19%
Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹143.29	14,909.90 Cr	3.01%	12.29%	12.07%	1.11%
Aditya Birla Sun Life ELSS Tax Saver Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹69.29	14,659.80 Cr	2.47%	11.62%	8.64%	1.08%
ICICI Prudential ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹1,039.77	14,291.90 Cr	0.09%	11.29%	10.50%	1.21%
Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹461.60	13,382.30 Cr	15.86%	14.77%	15.75%	1.21%
Canara Robeco ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹201.31	8,758.07 Cr	3.29%	11.94%	10.37%	0.69%
Bandhan ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-GrowthNAV: ₹179.04	7,004.60 Cr	3.59%	9.73%	12.20%	0.95%
Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹139.38	6,341.90 Cr	3.96%	11.58%	12.14%	0.82%
Franklin India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹1,596.62	6,239.46 Cr	-1.53%	11.01%	12.33%	1.17%
Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹31.62	5,699.56 Cr	-7.33%	9.24%	11.58%	0.65%
Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-GrowthNAV: ₹67.39	4,783.81 Cr	15.69%	22.57%	17.63%	0.98%

ELSS - Tax Saver vs Other Categories

5Y CAGR Return Comparison

12.00%

11.64%

11.38%

10.79%

10.34%

Focused

Flexi Cap

ELSS - Tax Saver

Sectoral-Other

Thematic-Factor-based

Key Insights

ELSS - Tax Saver delivered 11.38% CAGR over the last 5 years.

It ranks #22 out of 28 categories based on 5Y performance.

Below the category average return of 13.74%.

21 categories outperform it, while 6 categories have lower returns.

Top performer: Sectoral-Auto & Transportation (22.85%).

Lowest performer: Sectoral-Technology (4.94%).

Let's have a closer look

Now let us jump and check about these top 15 mutual fund schemes.

Axis ELSS - Tax Saver Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Axis ELSS - Tax Saver Direct-Growth has given 11.49% annualized returns in the past three years and 6.34% in the last 5 years. The Axis ELSS - Tax Saver Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Axis Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Axis ELSS - Tax Saver Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 32,591.70Cr

1Y Returns

2.27%

Expense Ratio

1.05%

SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 14.27% annualized returns in the past three years and 15.15% in the last 5 years. The SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of SBI Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 32,300.10Cr

1Y Returns

-0.48%

Expense Ratio

1.27%

Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 12.49% annualized returns in the past three years and 11.37% in the last 5 years. The Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Mirae Asset Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 26,373.00Cr

1Y Returns

4.50%

Expense Ratio

0.99%

DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth

Fund Performance: DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth has given 13.51% annualized returns in the past three years and 12.26% in the last 5 years. The DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth comes under the Equity category of DSP Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 16,737.90Cr

1Y Returns

2.13%

Expense Ratio

0.91%

HDFC ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth

Fund Performance: HDFC ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth has given 13.31% annualized returns in the past three years and 14.52% in the last 5 years. The HDFC ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth comes under the Equity category of HDFC Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in HDFC ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 16,095.40Cr

1Y Returns

-2.64%

Expense Ratio

1.19%

Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 12.29% annualized returns in the past three years and 12.07% in the last 5 years. The Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Nippon India Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 14,909.90Cr

1Y Returns

3.01%

Expense Ratio

1.11%

Aditya Birla Sun Life ELSS Tax Saver Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Aditya Birla Sun Life ELSS Tax Saver Direct-Growth has given 11.62% annualized returns in the past three years and 8.64% in the last 5 years. The Aditya Birla Sun Life ELSS Tax Saver Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Aditya Birla Sun Life ELSS Tax Saver Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 14,659.80Cr

1Y Returns

2.47%

Expense Ratio

1.08%

ICICI Prudential ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: ICICI Prudential ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 11.29% annualized returns in the past three years and 10.50% in the last 5 years. The ICICI Prudential ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in ICICI Prudential ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 14,291.90Cr

1Y Returns

0.09%

Expense Ratio

1.21%

Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 14.77% annualized returns in the past three years and 15.75% in the last 5 years. The Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Quant Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 13,382.30Cr

1Y Returns

15.86%

Expense Ratio

1.21%

Canara Robeco ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Canara Robeco ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 11.94% annualized returns in the past three years and 10.37% in the last 5 years. The Canara Robeco ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Canara Robeco Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Canara Robeco ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 8,758.07Cr

1Y Returns

3.29%

Expense Ratio

0.69%

Bandhan ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth

Fund Performance: Bandhan ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth has given 9.73% annualized returns in the past three years and 12.20% in the last 5 years. The Bandhan ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth comes under the Equity category of Bandhan Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Bandhan ELSS - Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 7,004.60Cr

1Y Returns

3.59%

Expense Ratio

0.95%

Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 11.58% annualized returns in the past three years and 12.14% in the last 5 years. The Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Kotak ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 6,341.90Cr

1Y Returns

3.96%

Expense Ratio

0.82%

Franklin India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Franklin India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 11.01% annualized returns in the past three years and 12.33% in the last 5 years. The Franklin India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Franklin India ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 6,239.46Cr

1Y Returns

-1.53%

Expense Ratio

1.17%

Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 9.24% annualized returns in the past three years and 11.58% in the last 5 years. The Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of PPFAS Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 1,000.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 5,699.56Cr

1Y Returns

-7.33%

Expense Ratio

0.65%

Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth

Fund Performance: Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth has given 22.57% annualized returns in the past three years and 17.63% in the last 5 years. The Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth comes under the Equity category of Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 4,783.81Cr

1Y Returns

15.69%

Expense Ratio

0.98%

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Frequently asked questions

Based on average 5-year rolling returns, the best ELSS - Tax Saver funds for SIP are Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series IV Direct-Growth with 5-year average rolling return of 26.84%, Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series III Direct-Growth with 25.93%, and SBI Long Term Advantage Fund Series IV Direct-Growth with 24.27%. You can start a SIP in ELSS - Tax Saver funds with as little as ₹500 per month.

Investments in ELSS funds qualify for a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per year under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act (old tax regime only). If you are in the 30% tax bracket, this can save you up to ₹46,800 in taxes annually. The top performing ELSS funds this year are Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with 15.86% return, Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct-Growth with 15.69%, and Sundaram Long Term Tax Advantage Fund Series III Direct-Growth with 13.10%.