Last Updated on Mar 28, 2025 by Aishika Banerjee
When it comes to mutual funds, there are a number of different options available to investors looking for funds that will provide them with short term returns. In this article, let’s take a closer look at some of the best short term mutual funds available on the market, factors to consider before investing in them, advantages, how they work, taxation of short term mutual funds, and more.
Table of Contents
What Are Short Term Mutual Funds?
Short term mutual funds are a type of Debt mutual fund with a limited maturity period. These funds invest in low-risk, high-quality securities, especially the ones with a proven record of repaying their loans on time and having enough cash flows from their business to justify the borrowings. The short term mutual funds are considered an alternative to a savings bank account and fixed deposits as their returns are slightly better and have high liquidity.
Within short term mutual funds, there are a few types. For instance, if you are looking to invest for less than 91 days, you can opt for liquid funds. For a tenure of 3-6 months, you can opt for ultra short term bond funds. For 6-12 months, opt for low-duration funds, and for an investment horizon of 1-3 yrs, opt for short-duration funds.
Key Features of Short Term Mutual Funds
| Definition | Low-risk, high-quality funds with a limited maturity period |
| Maturity tenure | Duration varies for different funds from 91 days to 3 yrs |
| Risk | On the lower side, due to the shorter maturity period of the underlying securities |
| Returns | Higher in comparison with Fixed Deposits and a savings bank account |
| Liquidity | High |
| Suitable for | Risk-averse investors |
Best Short Term Mutual Funds Based on 5Y CAGR
| Name | AUM (Rs. in cr.) | CAGR 5Y (%) | Absolute Returns – 1Y (%) |
| Bank of India Short Term Income Fund | 81.87 | 8.88 | 9.70 |
| UTI Short Duration Fund | 2,639.72 | 8.05 | 8.47 |
| ICICI Pru Short Term Fund | 19,991.66 | 7.59 | 8.42 |
| Aditya Birla SL Short Term Fund | 9,090.87 | 7.46 | 8.61 |
| HDFC Short Term Debt Fund | 14,975.79 | 7.13 | 8.52 |
| Nippon India Short Term Fund | 7,627.11 | 7.12 | 8.58 |
| Axis Short Duration Fund | 9,328.75 | 7.05 | 8.53 |
| Kotak Bond Short Term Fund | 16,672.97 | 6.90 | 8.53 |
| Sundaram Short Duration Fund | 234.97 | 6.83 | 8.48 |
| Tata ST Bond Fund | 2,879.61 | 6.74 | 8.24 |
Note: The data is from 29th December 2024 and sorted using Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener using the following parameters:
- Category > Debt > Short Duration Funds
- 5yr CAGR – Sorted from highest to lowest
Short Term Mutual Funds With Highest AUM
| Name | AUM (Rs. in cr.) | CAGR 5Y (%) | Absolute Returns – 1Y (%) |
| ICICI Pru Short Term Fund | 19,991.66 | 7.59 | 8.42 |
| Kotak Bond Short Term Fund | 16,672.97 | 6.90 | 8.53 |
| HDFC Short Term Debt Fund | 14,975.79 | 7.13 | 8.52 |
| SBI Short Term Debt Fund | 13,354.01 | 6.60 | 8.23 |
| Bandhan Bond Fund – Short Term Plan | 9,834.34 | 6.58 | 8.34 |
| Axis Short Duration Fund | 9,328.75 | 7.05 | 8.53 |
| Aditya Birla SL Short Term Fund | 9,090.87 | 7.46 | 8.61 |
| Nippon India Short Term Fund | 7,627.11 | 7.12 | 8.58 |
| HSBC Short Duration Fund | 3,844.58 | 6.36 | 8.01 |
| Tata ST Bond Fund | 2,879.61 | 6.74 | 8.24 |
Note: The data is from 29th December 2024 and sorted using Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener using the following parameters:
- Category > Debt > Short Duration Funds
- AUM – Sorted from highest to lowest
Short Term Mutual Funds With Minimum SIP
| Name | AUM (Rs. in cr.) | Absolute Returns – 1Y (%) | Minimum SIP (Rs.) |
| Mirae Asset Short Duration Fund | 365.39 | 8.45 | 99.00 |
| Bandhan Bond Fund – Short Term Plan | 9,834.34 | 8.34 | 100.00 |
| Kotak Bond Short Term Fund | 16,672.97 | 8.53 | 100.00 |
| HDFC Short Term Debt Fund | 14,975.79 | 8.52 | 100.00 |
| JM Short Duration Fund | 125.65 | 7.84 | 100.00 |
| Tata ST Bond Fund | 2,879.61 | 8.24 | 150.00 |
| UTI Short Duration Fund | 2,639.72 | 8.47 | 500.00 |
| HSBC Short Duration Fund | 3,844.58 | 8.01 | 500.00 |
| SBI Short Term Debt Fund | 13,354.01 | 8.23 | 1,000.00 |
| TRUSTMF Short Duration Fund | 147.35 | 7.65 | 1,000.00 |
Note: The data is from 29th December 2024 and sorted using Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener using the following parameters:
- Category > Debt > Short Duration Funds
- Minimum SIP – Sorted from lowest to highest
Factors to Consider Before Investing in the Best Short Term Mutual Funds
Though short mutual funds look like a good investment option, you must consider the below-mentioned factors before investing in them.
Investment Objective
Depending on your investment objective and plan, you must choose whether to invest in the best short term mutual funds. Aligning your investment objective with the fund’s objective is important. Hence, define your goal, set a plan, and then decide on short term investments accordingly.
Investment Horizon
Each category of mutual funds caters to different investment horizons. Therefore, based on your goals and investment plan, look for funds that cater to your needs. If your goals are for three years or less, you can consider short term mutual funds for 3 months or 6 months mutual funds as options for short term investments.
Expense Ratio
One of the most important factors to consider in mutual funds is the expense ratio. It is the amount charged by the fund house for managing the fund. The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had capped the expense ratio for debt funds at 2.25%, which is lower compared to equity funds. For example, best debt funds for 6 months may have a lower expense ratio, enhancing your returns. Hence, considering the expense ratio of every fund before investing, such as in short term mutual funds for 6 months, is a wise choice.
Diversification
Portfolio diversification is the key to earning good returns and avoiding risk. Therefore, diversify instruments in your portfolio that are best suited for your goals, like best ultra short term funds or short term funds examples. You can break down your goals based on the time horizon and then choose instruments like best mutual funds to invest in for short term accordingly.
Past Performance of the Fund
Past performance can be a good indicator in analyzing the present and future returns of a fund. However, they do not guarantee accurate results. For example, while reviewing the best mutual fund for 6 months or best short term mutual funds for 3 months, do not rely completely on past performance. It is worthwhile to seek the assistance of a financial expert to evaluate options like the best mutual fund to invest for short term.
Tax Implication
One of the important considerations when investing in short term mutual funds is the tax implication. Funds such as the best short term mutual funds for 1 month or the growth option of these funds are taxed as per the investor’s slab rate, which can significantly impact returns.
Holding Analysis
One of the best ways to determine if the fund is aligning with your investment goal is to evaluate the fund’s holdings. For instance, some short term mutual funds for 6 months invest significantly in high-quality securities, providing stability and moderate returns. Others might lean toward securities with a low credit rating, promising higher returns.
Risk Profile
The risk profile of a mutual fund is another important factor to consider before investing. For debt funds, such as best SIP for short term or short term SIP for 6 months, evaluate liquidity risk, credit risk, and interest rate risk.
Advantages of Short Term Mutual Funds
- Short term mutual funds are ideal for passive investors. If you don’t need the money for at least 12 to 18 months, you may want to consider short mutual funds or short term SIP for 6 months.
- Best short term mutual funds for 6 months often deliver better returns than Fixed Deposits while keeping risk under control.
- These funds are more tax-efficient than Fixed Deposits and traditional savings accounts if held for three or more years.
- Short term mutual funds for 3 months or longer are highly liquid, allowing investors to buy or sell units anytime without incurring high costs or penalties.
How Do Short Duration Funds Work?
Short-term mutual funds work by pooling money from multiple investors and investing it in a portfolio of short-term debt securities such as government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments.
The fund manager is responsible for selecting the best securities according to the fund objective. They also manage the fund portfolio to generate good returns while minimising risks. You can check the fund’s performance by looking at its Net Asset Value (NAV), which is calculated by subtracting the fund’s expenses from the value of the securities held in the portfolio. As an investor, you can buy and sell units of the mutual fund at its current NAV.
Short-term mutual funds typically have a maturity period of 1 to 3 yrs, which means that the securities held in the portfolio mature within this timeframe. This makes short-term mutual funds less volatile than long-term mutual funds that invest in equities and a lower-risk investment option for investors seeking to park their funds for a short period of time.
Investors should carefully consider their investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in a short-term mutual fund. It’s important to review the fund’s investment objective, past performance, fees, and other factors before making an investment decision.
Who Should Invest in Short Term Mutual Funds?
- Investors with an investment horizon of at least 1-yr or 1 to 3 yrs.
- Passive investors or investors seeking regular income.
- Investors looking for alternative short-term savings instruments than savings accounts and Fixed Deposits.
- First-time investors in Debt funds
- Risk-averse investors
- Investors seeking high liquidity and tax efficiency
Taxation on Short Term Mutual Funds
The Union Budget 2024 has introduced significant changes to the taxation of debt mutual funds. Here is a detailed breakdown of the new tax rules:
Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)
If you sell your debt fund units within three years (36 months), the gains from these investments are considered short-term capital gains. According to the new budget, these gains will be taxed according to your income tax slab rate.
Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)
For debt funds held for over three years (36 months), the gains are categorised as long-term capital gains. The key points to note under the new budget are:
- Tax Rate: The tax rate for long-term capital gains on debt funds is now a flat 12.5%, regardless of the amount of gain.
- No Indexation Benefit: The benefit of indexation, which previously allowed investors to adjust the purchase price of their assets for inflation, has been removed for debt funds. This means that the entire gain from selling a debt fund after three years will be taxable at the flat rate of 12.5%.
Summary
| Capital Gains Tax | Description |
| Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) | If you sell your debt fund units within three years (36 months), the tax will be as per your income tax slab. |
| Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) | For debt funds held for over three years (36 months), the tax rate is now a flat 12.5% without indexation benefits. |
How To Choose the Best Short Term Mutual Funds?
To get the best mutual funds for short term investment, Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener is your partner.The first step when looking for the best funds for short term investment is defining the parameters you are going to use to get the list. Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener offers you over 50 filters to get the best mutual funds from 100s available in the market. You can filter the funds based on the payout structure – growth, dividend – IDCW (Income Distribution Capital Withdrawal), and bonus. Additionally, you can also filter funds based on the scheme info (AMC, lock-in period, exit load, fund manager, NAV, and SIP Investment), returns, risk, portfolio composition, and ratios.
Using all the filters, you can get the list of the best short term funds based on your preferred criteria. You can add those funds to your watchlist or, alternatively, create a Universe for short term funds. Moreover, you can export the data and analyse it separately. You can even create a custom filter. Additionally, you can perform individual analysis of the fund. This has all the important information you need about a mutual fund, like about the fund manager, its peers, portfolio, opinions and fund reviews. Here’s the asset page of ICICI Pru Short Term Fund –
Begin your investment journey today by logging on to Tickertape. Research, analyse, invest, and review your portfolio from our platform without even requiring to switch tabs in between. Connect your portfolio and utilise our portfolio analysis tools to get a better understanding. Before investing, ensure you understand mutual funds and their types and then proceed to analyse the fundamentals of a fund. Not just that, but keep your investment goals and risk appetite in mind. Happy screening and investing!
Conclusion
Short term mutual funds are low-risk, high-quality funds with a limited maturity period. They are best suited for risk-averse investors, passive investors, people seeking regular income and investors with an investment horizon of at least 1-yr or 1 to 3 yrs. To get the list of mutual funds best suited for you, use Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener. With over 50 filters, custom filters, the custom universe, individual analysis, and more, Tickertape makes your research, analysis, and investment journey easy. Sign up today!
FAQs
What is a short fund, and how can it benefit business people?
A short fund is a type of mutual fund designed for short-term investment horizons, typically ranging from a few months to a year. These funds focus on providing stability and moderate returns while minimising risk. For business people seeking liquidity and minimal risk, the best suited fund to the business people is often a short fund that aligns with their cash flow needs and goals.
What are the best SIP options for a 6-month investment horizon?
If you’re looking for the best SIP for 6 months, you may want to consider funds that prioritise low risk and steady returns, such as debt or ultra-short-term funds. Tools like the Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener can help evaluate performance and ratings of options like a 6 month mutual fund.
Can I invest in mutual funds for 6 months?
Yes, one can invest in mutual funds for six months. For this time horizon, you can consider ultra short term funds and liquid funds.
Where do short term funds invest?
Short term mutual funds invest in a wide range of debt instruments such as corporate bonds, government securities, derivatives, bonds issued by financial institutions, and more. They also hold a part of their portfolio in money market instruments to maintain liquidity.
Where do short term funds invest?
As per the data of 29th December 2024, the below-mentioned mutual funds are the best for the short term. They are listed on the basis of 3-yr Average Annual Rolling Returns (high to low) and are filtered among 100s of mutual funds using the Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener.
1. Bank of India Short Term Income Fund
2. UTI Short Duration Fund
3. ICICI Pru Short Term Fund
4. Aditya Birla SL Short Term Fund
5. Nippon India Short Term Fund
As an insatiable reader and learner, I’ve spent the last two years exploring the world of finance. With my creative mind and curious spirit, I love making complex finance topics easy and fun for everyone to understand. Join me on my journey as we navigate the world of finance together!
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