What are the top performing Sectoral-Pharma funds?

Based on 1-year returns, the top performing Sectoral-Pharma funds are HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 19.37% return, WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 16.70% return, and Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 16.21% return. The category average 1-year return is 11.38%.

Which are the best Sectoral-Pharma funds for SIP investment?

Based on average 5-year rolling returns, the best Sectoral-Pharma funds for SIP are Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 5-year average rolling return of 19.39%, Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct Plan with 17.03%, and SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan with 14.78%. You can start a SIP in Sectoral-Pharma funds with as little as ₹99 per month.

What is the minimum amount to invest in Sectoral-Pharma funds?

You can start investing in Sectoral-Pharma funds with a minimum SIP of ₹99 per month or a minimum lumpsum of ₹100. The minimum investment varies across fund houses — some funds allow even lower entry points.

How are Sectoral-Pharma fund returns taxed?

Gains from Sectoral-Pharma 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 Sectoral-Pharma funds have the lowest expense ratio?

Among Sectoral-Pharma funds, Groww BSE Hospitals ETF FoF - Direct Plan has the lowest expense ratio at 0.20% (Direct Plan), followed by Bandhan BSE Healthcare Index Fund - Direct Plan at 0.22%. Lower expense ratios directly improve your net returns over the long term.

How many Sectoral-Pharma mutual funds are available in India?

There are currently 25 Sectoral-Pharma mutual funds available in India across different fund houses. You can compare all 25 funds on Sharpely based on returns, risk, AUM, and expense ratio to find the one that suits your investment goals.

mutual funds category

Sectoral Pharma

Sectoral-Pharma Funds

Q: Which Sectoral-Pharma funds have given the best returns over 3 years?

Over a 3-year period, the best performing Sectoral-Pharma funds are HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with a 27.68% CAGR, WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 27.03% CAGR, and Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 26.14% CAGR. The category average 3-year return stands at 24.55% CAGR.

Q: Which Sectoral-Pharma funds have given the best returns over 5 years?

Over a 5-year period, the top Sectoral-Pharma funds are HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with a 16.71% CAGR, WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 16.50% CAGR, and Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan with 15.96% CAGR. The category average 5-year return is 14.55% CAGR.

Q: What are the largest Sectoral-Pharma mutual funds by assets?

The largest Sectoral-Pharma funds by Assets Under Management (AUM) are Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct Plan with ₹ 8,365.40 crore, ICICI Prudential Pharma Healthcare and Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund - Direct Plan with ₹ 6,668.95 crore, and SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan with ₹ 4,323.29 crore. Together, there are 25 Sectoral-Pharma funds available in India.

Sectoral funds invest in the stocks of a particular sector. So pharma sectoral funds will invest the majority of the funds in pharma-related stocks. As per the SEBI guidelines, a minimum of 80% of the funds will be invested in pharma-related stocks.

Total Schemes

No. of schemes

Total AUM

₹ 0.35Lakh Cr

As on latest

Category Return (5Y)

14.55 %

CAGR

Benchmark

12.32%

NIFTY 500 TRI

Category Returns (%)

Period	1M	6M	1Y	3Y CAGR	5Y CAGR	10Y CAGR	YTD
Sectoral-Pharma	3.96 %	5.39 %	11.38 %	24.55 %	14.55 %	15.00 %	6.84 %
Benchmark	4.09 %	6.06 %	14.02 %	45.32 %	12.32 %	9.00 %	6.83 %

Top Sectoral-Pharma Funds (by AUM)

Fund Name	AUM (₹ Cr)	1Y Return	3Y CAGR	5Y CAGR	Expense Ratio
Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹593.71	8,365.40 Cr	5.82%	22.93%	13.62%	0.93%
ICICI Prudential Pharma Healthcare and Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹44.47	6,668.95 Cr	7.19%	27.68%	16.50%	1.02%
SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹530.58	4,323.29 Cr	10.98%	26.01%	16.71%	0.91%
DSP Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹45.56	3,142.36 Cr	8.96%	24.25%	15.96%	0.60%
Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹46.76	2,939.23 Cr	13.80%	26.14%	15.83%	0.52%
HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹19.77	2,158.58 Cr	19.37%	-	-	0.92%
Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹36.47	1,325.19 Cr	7.42%	23.70%	14.96%	0.77%
UTI Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹345.95	1,143.57 Cr	11.00%	27.03%	14.97%	1.44%
Aditya Birla Sun Life Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹36.45	900.87 Cr	11.30%	24.85%	14.07%	0.99%
WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹15.52	602.93 Cr	16.70%	-	-	1.22%
Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹9.96	530.21 Cr	-	-	-	0.72%
Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹15.45	496.00 Cr	16.21%	-	-	0.87%
Quant Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹16.85	351.89 Cr	5.98%	-	-	0.85%
Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹10.52	323.28 Cr	10.85%	-	-	0.78%
Bandhan Healthcare Fund - Direct PlanNAV: ₹10.13	290.55 Cr	-	-	-	0.87%

About Sectoral-Pharma Funds

What is it?

Objective

The objective of these funds is to generate maximum returns by focusing on the pharma sector.

Suitability and opinion

These funds are suitable for high-risk investors. We believe concentration risk is very high in any sectoral funds and the impact of the market cycle can be severe in this category. This category is suitable for informed investors who are bullish on the pharma sector. You should have a solid understanding of the sector before you invest in such funds. Also, entry and exit timings matter in sectoral equity funds, so we can not define the ideal time horizon for any particular sectoral fund. You should not allocate more than 10% of your portfolio to any sectoral funds.

Sectoral-Pharma vs Other Categories

5Y CAGR Return Comparison

15.16%

15.13%

14.55%

14.21%

14.18%

Large & MidCap

Value Oriented

Sectoral-Pharma

International

Thematic

Key Insights

Sectoral-Pharma delivered 14.55% CAGR over the last 5 years.

It ranks #13 out of 24 categories based on 5Y performance.

Below the category average return of 15.13%.

12 categories outperform it, while 11 categories have lower returns.

Top performer: Thematic-PSU (24.47%).

Lowest performer: Sectoral-Technology (8.85%).

Let's have a closer look

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

Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct Plan has given 22.93% annualized returns in the past three years and 13.62% in the last 5 years. The Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Nippon India Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Nippon India Pharma Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 8,365.40Cr

1Y Returns

5.82%

Expense Ratio

0.93%

ICICI Prudential Pharma Healthcare and Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: ICICI Prudential Pharma Healthcare and Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund - Direct Plan has given 27.68% annualized returns in the past three years and 16.50% in the last 5 years. The ICICI Prudential Pharma Healthcare and Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in ICICI Prudential Pharma Healthcare and Diagnostics (P.H.D) Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 6,668.95Cr

1Y Returns

7.19%

Expense Ratio

1.02%

SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan has given 26.01% annualized returns in the past three years and 16.71% in the last 5 years. The SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of SBI Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 4,323.29Cr

1Y Returns

10.98%

Expense Ratio

0.91%

DSP Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: DSP Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan has given 24.25% annualized returns in the past three years and 15.96% in the last 5 years. The DSP Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of DSP Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in DSP Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 100.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 100.00

AUM

₹ 3,142.36Cr

1Y Returns

8.96%

Expense Ratio

0.60%

Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan has given 26.14% annualized returns in the past three years and 15.83% in the last 5 years. The Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Mirae Asset Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 99.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 2,939.23Cr

1Y Returns

13.80%

Expense Ratio

0.52%

HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of HDFC Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in HDFC Pharma And Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 100.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 100.00

AUM

₹ 2,158.58Cr

1Y Returns

19.37%

Expense Ratio

0.92%

Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan has given 23.70% annualized returns in the past three years and 14.96% in the last 5 years. The Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Tata Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 1,325.19Cr

1Y Returns

7.42%

Expense Ratio

0.77%

UTI Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: UTI Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan has given 27.03% annualized returns in the past three years and 14.97% in the last 5 years. The UTI Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of UTI Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in UTI Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 1,143.57Cr

1Y Returns

11.00%

Expense Ratio

1.44%

Aditya Birla Sun Life Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: Aditya Birla Sun Life Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan has given 24.85% annualized returns in the past three years and 14.07% in the last 5 years. The Aditya Birla Sun Life Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan 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 Pharma & Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 1,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 1,000.00

AUM

₹ 900.87Cr

1Y Returns

11.30%

Expense Ratio

0.99%

WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of WhiteOak Capital Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in WhiteOak Capital Pharma and Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 602.93Cr

1Y Returns

16.70%

Expense Ratio

1.22%

Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Baroda BNP Paribas Health and Wellness Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 1,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 1,000.00

AUM

₹ 530.21Cr

1Y Returns

Expense Ratio

0.72%

Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Kotak Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 100.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 100.00

AUM

₹ 496.00Cr

1Y Returns

16.21%

Expense Ratio

0.87%

Quant Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The Quant Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Quant Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Quant Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 5,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 1,000.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 5,000.00

AUM

₹ 351.89Cr

1Y Returns

5.98%

Expense Ratio

0.85%

Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Bajaj Finserv Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 500.00 and via SIP is ₹ 500.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 500.00

AUM

₹ 323.28Cr

1Y Returns

10.85%

Expense Ratio

0.78%

Bandhan Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan

Fund Performance: The Bandhan Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan comes under the Equity category of Bandhan Mutual Fund.

Minimum Investment Amount: The minimum amount required to invest in Bandhan Healthcare Fund - Direct Plan via lump sum is ₹ 1,000.00 and via SIP is ₹ 100.00.

Min Investment Amt

₹ 1,000.00

AUM

₹ 290.55Cr

1Y Returns

Expense Ratio

0.87%