Returns as of: 5 November 2026
- Category average return: 1 month 3.69%, 1 year −0.28%, 3 years 12.25% a year
- Most funds rose over the past month
- Fewer than half the funds had a positive return over one year
- 11% of 1-year rolling windows ended below zero
- Average expense ratio of Direct plans: 1.10%
- Largest fund by assets: Axis ELSS-Tax Saver Fund
ELSS Tax Saver funds performance: the category average was 3.69% over the month. Most funds rose over the month. The 1-year average was −0.28%, and fewer than half of the 52 funds had a positive return over one year.
ELSS Tax Saver funds: returns across the category
| Period | Average | Median | Funds with a positive return | Funds counted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 4.72% | 5.24% | 52 of 52 | 52 |
| 1 month | 3.69% | 4.97% | 45 of 52 | 52 |
| 3 months | −2.52% | −1.95% | 6 of 52 | 52 |
| 6 months | 2.98% | 2.81% | 44 of 52 | 52 |
| 1 year | −0.28% | −0.73% | 21 of 52 | 52 |
| 3 years (a year) | 12.25% | 12.16% | 50 of 50 | 50 |
| 5 years (a year) | 11.13% | 11.04% | 45 of 45 | 45 |
The 1-year average return of −0.28% is lower than the 3-year average return of 12.25%. While the 3-year average is positive, the 1-year average is negative for the 52 active Direct Growth plans.
Highest and lowest returns over the past month
| Fund | 1 month | 1 week |
|---|---|---|
| Navi ELSS Tax Saver Nifty 50 Index Fund | 8.80% | 6.97% |
| 360 ONE ELSS Tax Saver Nifty 50 Index Fund | 8.73% | 6.95% |
| HDFC ELSS-Tax Saver Fund | 7.44% | 5.58% |
| Fund | 1 month | 1 week |
|---|---|---|
| Sundaram LT Tax Adv Fund-Sr IV | −3.50% | 1.59% |
| Sundaram LT Micro Cap Tax Adv Fund-Sr V | −3.16% | 1.33% |
| Sundaram LT Micro Cap Tax Adv Fund-Sr VI | −3.12% | 1.32% |
Highest 3-year returns
| Fund | 1 year | 3 years (a year) | Expense ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI LT Advantage Fund-V | 0.82% | 20.94% | 1.27% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund | 6.71% | 20.53% | 0.96% |
| WOC ELSS Tax Saver Fund | 2.48% | 16.92% | 0.86% |
| JM ELSS-Tax Saver Fund | 5.14% | 16.92% | 1.34% |
| HSBC ELSS Tax saver Fund | 3.02% | 16.75% | 1.21% |
Rolling returns
| Measure | Category average 1-year return |
|---|---|
| Lowest window | −7.4% (ending 23 October 2026) |
| Median | 8.5% |
| Highest window | 45.8% (ending 28 March 2024) |
| Share of windows below zero | 11% |
| Latest window (ending 5 November 2026) | −0.1% |
Rolling 1-year returns show a lowest return of −7.4% and a highest return of 45.8%. The median return is 8.5%. The latest rolling window of −0.1% is lower than the median rolling window.
Largest funds and costs
| Fund | Assets (₹ crore) | 1 year | 3 years (a year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ELSS-Tax Saver Fund | 30,269 | 1.23% | 12.34% |
| SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund | 30,027 | −3.34% | 14.66% |
| Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund | 24,625 | −0.98% | 13.56% |
| DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund | 15,569 | −0.92% | 14.84% |
| HDFC ELSS-Tax Saver Fund | 14,949 | −3.76% | 14.30% |
| Expense ratio | Funds counted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average | 1.10% | 51 |
| Lowest: Navi ELSS Tax Saver Nifty 50 Index Fund | 0.25% | |
| Highest: Taurus ELSS Tax Saver Fund | 2.06% |
ELSS Tax Saver funds: FAQs
How have ELSS Tax Saver funds performed over the past year?
The average 1-year return of 52 Direct Growth ELSS Tax Saver funds was −0.28% to 5 November 2026; fewer than half the funds had a positive return. The average 3-year return was 12.25% a year across 50 funds.
What is the average expense ratio of ELSS Tax Saver funds?
The average expense ratio of 51 Direct plans in the ELSS Tax Saver category is 1.10%. It ranges from 0.25% (Navi ELSS Tax Saver Nifty 50 Index Fund) to 2.06% (Taurus ELSS Tax Saver Fund).
Which ELSS Tax Saver fund is the largest?
Axis ELSS-Tax Saver Fund has the largest assets among ELSS Tax Saver funds, ₹30,269 crore at 30 September 2026, across all its plans.
What are rolling returns?
Rolling returns measure the return over every window of a fixed length, not just the one ending today. Here, each 1-year window ending between 6 November 2023 and 5 November 2026 is averaged across 46 funds, so the result does not depend on one start date.
Why are Direct plans compared?
Direct plans have no distributor commission in their cost, so they are the cleanest way to compare the funds themselves. Regular plans of the same funds charge a higher expense ratio, which reduces their returns.
NAV, expense and portfolio data: Accord Fintech. Calculations: ThePip. For information only; not investment advice.