Top Rated Index Mutual Funds in 2024 - Best Index Funds

Scheme Name	Min. Investment	AUM (in Cr.)	Rating	1Y Returns	3Y Returns	5Y Returns
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Scheme Name

Min. Investment

AUM (in Cr.)

Rating

1Y Returns

3Y Returns

5Y Returns

Sorry, No Data Available at this Moment!

Returns on Index Funds

Total Investment

₹ 1,20,000

Gain

₹ 40,000

Current Value

₹ 1,60,000

Montly SIPLumpsum

You have invested

1 Year3 Year

Check the Returns of Your Investment in

About Index Funds

Index funds are a type of mutual fund that is designed to replicate a market index, offering broad market exposure with low expenses.

Index funds follow a passive investment strategy. Instead of trying to outperform the market, they aim to replicate the performance of a specific index. The index could be based on various asset classes, including stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments. The beauty of index funds lies in their simplicity and effectiveness. They provide you with a slice of the market, reflecting its overall movement.

Diversification: By holding a wide range of securities, index funds naturally diversify your investment, reducing the risk associated with individual stocks.
Cost-Effectiveness: With lower fund manager intervention, these funds typically have lower expense ratios, meaning more of your money stays invested.
Simplicity: Index funds take the guesswork out of investing, making them a straightforward option for new investors.

Index funds are a practical choice for those who seek a low-cost, diversified portfolio that mirrors the market’s performance. They offer a hands-off approach to investing, allowing you to benefit from the market’s overall growth over time.

Index funds offer several advantages that make them an attractive option for investors who prefer a more passive approach to investing.

Market Representation: You gain exposure to a wide swath of the market, which means your investment’s performance is tied to the collective outcome of all the index’s sectors and stocks.
Transparency: The holdings of an index fund are a direct mirror of the index it tracks, so you always know exactly what you're invested in.
Low Fees: Since index funds are passively managed, they incur lower administrative costs. The savings in management fees can add up over the years, potentially leading to better net returns compared to actively managed funds.

Index funds are an excellent way to participate in the market’s potential without betting on individual stocks. They offer a balanced approach to investing, suitable for those who prefer a long-term, steady growth path over the highs and lows of stock picking.

The answer largely depends on your investment goals and risk tolerance. Index funds are known for mirroring the performance of a market index and are considered a ‘buy and hold’ investment. They are typically recommended for their lower costs and broader market exposure.

Long-Term Growth: If you're looking for a long-term investment that grows with the economy, index funds can be a solid choice.
Reduced Risk of Manager Bias: Since these funds are not actively managed, there is no risk of human error or bias affecting stock selection.
Ease of Investment: For those who prefer a hands-off approach to investing, index funds provide a straightforward path without the need for constant monitoring.

Index funds provide a passive, yet effective way to capture market returns, making them suitable for long-term growth without the complexities and higher costs associated with active management.

Index funds are particularly well-suited for investors who are looking for a straightforward, low-maintenance investment strategy. These funds are designed to offer stable returns over time, closely following the trajectory of the market indexes they emulate.

Long-term Investors: If you have a long investment horizon, index funds are an excellent choice due to their market-matching performance and lower volatility.
Cost-conscious Investors: Individuals who are mindful of investment costs will find the lower fee structure of index funds appealing, as it helps in maximizing returns.
Beginners: Those new to investing might prefer the simplicity and ease of managing index fund investments, which do not require frequent trading decisions.

If you identify with any of these investor types, index funds might be a suitable investment choice for you. They allow you to invest in the broader market without the need to delve into the complexities of selecting individual stocks. This makes them an ideal vehicle for building wealth.

Diversification: By holding a wide range of securities, index funds naturally diversify your investment, reducing the risk associated with individual stocks.
Cost-Effectiveness: With lower fund manager intervention, these funds typically have lower expense ratios, meaning more of your money stays invested.
Simplicity: Index funds take the guesswork out of investing, making them a straightforward option for new investors.

Index funds offer several advantages that make them an attractive option for investors who prefer a more passive approach to investing.

Market Representation: You gain exposure to a wide swath of the market, which means your investment’s performance is tied to the collective outcome of all the index’s sectors and stocks.
Transparency: The holdings of an index fund are a direct mirror of the index it tracks, so you always know exactly what you're invested in.
Low Fees: Since index funds are passively managed, they incur lower administrative costs. The savings in management fees can add up over the years, potentially leading to better net returns compared to actively managed funds.

Long-Term Growth: If you're looking for a long-term investment that grows with the economy, index funds can be a solid choice.
Reduced Risk of Manager Bias: Since these funds are not actively managed, there is no risk of human error or bias affecting stock selection.
Ease of Investment: For those who prefer a hands-off approach to investing, index funds provide a straightforward path without the need for constant monitoring.

Index funds provide a passive, yet effective way to capture market returns, making them suitable for long-term growth without the complexities and higher costs associated with active management.

Long-term Investors: If you have a long investment horizon, index funds are an excellent choice due to their market-matching performance and lower volatility.
Cost-conscious Investors: Individuals who are mindful of investment costs will find the lower fee structure of index funds appealing, as it helps in maximizing returns.
Beginners: Those new to investing might prefer the simplicity and ease of managing index fund investments, which do not require frequent trading decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Index funds track a specific stock market index, like the Nifty 50, Bank Nifty or BSE Sensex. When you invest in an index fund, your capital is automatically spread across all the stocks in that index proportionately. This means you are investing in a segment of the market rather than picking individual stocks.

Index funds are typically invested in the stocks that make up a particular index. For instance, if the fund tracks the Nifty 50, it invests in the same companies and in the same proportions as this index, which includes top companies across various sectors in India.

Certainly, profits can be earned through an investment in an Index Fund. However, they carry risks like any other investment. Your returns depend on how the underlying index being tracked by the fund performs. If it does well then you gain on your investment but if it falls then your investment might incur a loss.

No, index funds are not tax-free. You'll need to pay taxes on any profits you make, which are subject to capital gains tax. The rate depends on how long you've held the investment.

Profits from index funds are taxed as capital gains. If you sell your investment within a year, the gains are treated as short-term and taxed at 15%. If you hold the investment for more than a year, gains are considered long-term and taxed at 10% without indexation benefit, on gains exceeding ₹1 lakh.

To choose the right index fund for yourself consider things like: tracking error which shows how close is a fund following its benchmark; expense ratio – indicates how much is paid for mutual fund management; past performance – even though it can never guarantee future success.

No, it's not necessary to open a demat account to invest in index funds. You can invest directly through mutual fund companies or various investment platforms like Dhan that offer these funds without needing a demat account.

Whether a lump sum or a SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) is better depends on your financial situation. A lump sum is investing a big amount at once, while SIP allows you to invest regularly over time. SIP can be more manageable financially and helps average out the cost of investing.

To start an SIP in index funds online, choose a mutual fund platform like Dhan, register, and complete your KYC process. Then, select the index fund you want to invest in, choose the SIP option, set your investment amount and frequency, and link your bank account for auto-debits.

Of course! There are no limits to when you can sell your investments into index funds. However, how long it takes for this money to reach your account will depend on the settlement period of the fund which is usually around 1-3 business days after you have sold it.

Usually there are no lock-in periods applicable to Index Funds meaning that such schemes do not have restrictions on buying/selling capital units at any point in time. However best would be to verify about that specific scheme.

The major risk with index funds lies in market forces such as when an index goes down so does the value of your investment too. Also tracking error and other factors may not allow a fund to match exactly an index performance.

That’s not true, index funds are not completely safe. This is due to the fact that they carry market risks as they are directly based on stock market indices. Although they are considered less risky than individual stocks, a poorly performing market can still cause them to lose value.