Best Mutual Funds With Lowest Expense Ratio in India 2024 (2024)

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Before investing in mutual funds, you might want to consider Total Expense Ratio or TER. It is the annual maintenance charges levied by mutual funds to cover expenses like operational costs, management fees, advertising costs, etc. This factor can have a crucial impact on the returns you would receive from a mutual fund. Thus, in this blog, we will delve into what are the best lower expense ratio mutual funds, how to identify them, their benefits, risks, and how you can invest in them.

Best Lower Expense Ratio Mutual Funds

Disclaimer: Please note that the above list is for educational purposes only, and is not recommendatory. Please do your own research or consult your financial advisor before investing.

Note: The list of top mutual funds with lowest expense is derived from Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener and the data is from 25th June 2024.

🚀 Pro Tip: You can use Tickertape’s Mutual Fund Screener to research and evaluate funds with over 50+ pre-loaded filters and parameters.

Overview of the Top Lower Expense Ratio Mutual Funds

Nippon India Inv-Qrtly-III

Nippon India Quarterly Interval Fund Series III Retail Plan is a Debt Mutual Fund Scheme launched by Nippon India Mutual Fund. The scheme was launched on 1st January 2013. As of 25th Jan 2024, the AUM of the fund is Rs. 4.97 cr. and has an expense ratio of 0.02%. The lower expense ratio implies better returns over the long term. It has allocated its funds majorly in financial services, corporate, government, and cash equivalent. The minimum SIP amount is Rs. 100.

Aditya Birla SL Inv Inc-QS I

Aditya Birla SL Inv Inc-QS I is a debt fund introduced by Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund. As of 25th June 2024, the fund has an AUM of Rs. 270.47 cr. The fund has an expense ratio of 0.02%, which implies better returns over the long term. Based on our list, this is one of the mutual funds with the lowest expense ratio. With a 3Y CAGR of 6.15%, this fund has generated better returns than other funds in the same category.

Nippon India Inv-Mthly-I

Nippon India Monthly Interval Fund Series I Retail Plan is a debt mutual fund scheme. It was launched by Nippon India Mutual on 30th June 1995. The fund’s AUM is Rs. 3.21 cr. as of 25th June 2024. The fund’s expense ratio is 0.03% and has a 3Y CAGR of 5.42%.

Mirae Asset Equity Allocator FoF

Mirae Asset Equity Allocator Fund of Fund is an open-ended scheme majorly investing in domestic equity ETFs. The fund was introduced on 21st September 2020 by Mirae Asset Mutual Fund. As of 25th June 2024, the AUM of the fund is Rs. 722.31 cr. The expense ratio is 0.04% and has a 3Y CAGR of 18.53%. The minimum SIP amount to invest in this scheme is Rs. 500.

Franklin India ST Income Plan

Launched by Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund, Franklin India Short Term Income Plan is a fixed income fund investing in opportunities at the short-end of the yield curve. This means the fund’s objective is to invest in fixed income securities with shorter maturity periods likely to be less than three years. The fund was made available to investors on 31st January 2002. As of 25th June 2024, the AUM of the fund is Rs. 12.50 cr. and the expense ratio is 0.04%.Additionally, the fund’s 3Y CAGR is 5.54%.

Axis Overnight Fund

The Axis Overnight Fund is a debt mutual fund scheme launched by Axis Mutual Fund. It has been operational since its launch on 15th March 2019. This type of debt mutual fund aims to provide investors with high liquidity by investing in securities that mature overnight. As of 25th June 2024, the AUM of the fund is Rs. 8,610.99 cr. and has an expense ratio of 0.05%. The fund has a 3Y CAGR of 5.47%. You can start investing in this fund at just Rs. 500.

Bandhan Overnight Fund

Bandhan Overnight Fund is a type of debt mutual fund scheme that invests in securities with a maturity period of one day. The fund is launched by Bandhan Mutual Fund and has been operational from 18th January 2019. As of 25th June 2024, the fund has an AUM of Rs. 1,737.28 cr. It also has a lower expense ratio of 0.05% with a 3Y CAGR of 5.43%. You can start investing in this fund via SIP at Rs. 100.

Nippon India Inv-Qrtly-I

Nippon India Quarterly Interval Fund Series I is a debt mutual fund scheme from Nippon India Mutual Fund. It was launched on 3rd April 2007 and has been active since. As of 25th June 2024, the fund has an AUM of Rs. 2.87 cr. The fund’s expense ratio is 0.05% and has a 3Y CAGR of 5.66%. The minimum SIP amount is Rs. 100.

Nippon India Inv-Annual-I

Nippon India Annual Interval Fund Series I Institutional Plan is a debt mutual fund scheme from Nippon India Mutual Fund. It was launched on 3rd May 2007 and has been active since. As of 25th June 2024, the fund has an AUM of Rs. 16.54 cr. This open ended scheme has a 3Y CAGR of 5.79%. Its expense ratio is 0.05%. The minimum SIP amount to invest in this fund is Rs. 100.

Nippon India Inv-Mthly-II

Nippon India Monthly Interval Fund Series II is a debt mutual fund scheme from Nippon India Mutual Fund. The fund has been active since 29th March 2007. As of 25th June 2024, the fund has an AUM of Rs. 3.94 cr. Its expense ratio is 0.05% and has a 3Y CAGR of 5.28%. The minimum SIP amount to invest in this fund is Rs. 100.

What is the Lowest Expense Ratio in Mutual Funds?

The expense ratio refers to the fee charged managed by a fund. Under SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, mutual funds can charge operating expenses as a percentage of daily net assets. These expenses include sales and marketing, administrative, transaction costs, investment management fees, registrar fees, custodian fees, and audit fees. Thus, this collective expense is referred to as the Total Expense Ratio (TER).

The expense ratio varies based on the type of fund. For instance, equity mutual funds in India tend to have higher expense ratios than debt funds. Further, in terms of nature of the fund, actively managed funds usually come with higher costs than passively managed funds. From an investor’s viewpoint, a good or ideal expense ratio falls within the range of 0.5% to 0.75% for an actively managed mutual fund.

How Do Mutual Funds with Lower Expense Ratio Work?

Lowest expense ratio mutual funds, often favoured by savvy investors, operate on a principle of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This means that a larger portion of the investor’s money is invested rather than being used to cover administrative expenses.

With a varied portfolio of investments such as stocks, bonds, and other assets, the goal of the fund is to optimise returns while controlling expenses efficiently. Many low-cost funds employ passive management strategies, which follow an index or benchmark, often resulting in cheaper fees compared to actively managed funds. Therefore, reduced expenses can contribute to enhanced long-term returns.

How to Invest in Lowest Expense Ratio Mutual Funds?

Investing in less expense ratio mutual funds can be a smart financial move, as it can help you keep more of your returns. You can start by researching mutual funds with less expense ratio by using online tools like Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener. With Tickertape MF Screener, you can sort the list of top lowest expense ratio mutual funds in India in no time.

• First, add an ‘Expense Ratio’ filter to the list and sort it from low to high. Apart from this, you can add from over 50+ filters based on your preferred criteria to get a list according to your preferred criteria and goals.
• Once you’ve shortlisted the mutual funds from the screener results, you can learn more about their performance, returns, peers, and others metrics by heading to the individual Mutual Fund Pages on Tickertape.
• Additionally, you can also monitor your investment portfolio and get real-time updates about the same. Try it now!

However, If you’re uncertain about which lower expense ratio mutual funds to invest in, you can consider consulting a financial advisor who can provide personalised guidance based on your financial situation and goals.

Benefits of Investing in Mutual Funds With the Lowest Expense Ratio

Here are some of the benefits of investing in mutual funds with the lowest expense ratio:

• Enhanced Returns: Low expense ratio mutual funds may offer the potential to earn better returns as a larger portion of the earnings is retained by investors.
• Cost Efficiency: With reduced operating fees, a greater share of the investment’s gains may be deposited into your bank account, maximising cost efficiency.
• Faster Wealth Accumulation: Low expense ratios can facilitate quicker wealth accumulation, helping investors achieve their financial goals within their desired timeframe.

How are Returns Calculated on Lower Expense Ratio Mutual Funds?

Here’s a breakdown of how returns are calculated on these funds:

• Net Asset Value (NAV): Returns on mutual funds, including those with lower expense ratios, are primarily based on the NAV. It is the per-share market value of the fund’s assets minus its liabilities. As mentioned earlier, the lower the expense ratio of a scheme, the higher the NAV and vice versa.
• Reduced Costs: Passive funds with lower expense ratio funds may incur lower management and operational costs. This means more of the fund’s earnings stay within the fund, which can contribute to an enhanced return for investors. Lower costs can make a significant difference over time, especially when compared to funds with higher expense ratios.
• Compound Effect: The compounding effect on lower expense ratio mutual funds is crucial for long-term investors as even a slight difference of 1% can lead to a substantial difference in your returns.

How to Choose Mutual Funds with Lowest Expense Ratio?

The total expense ratio has a direct bearing on a scheme’s NAV – the lower the expense ratio of a scheme, the higher the NAV. Therefore, TER is an important parameter while selecting a mutual fund scheme.

A higher expense ratio can significantly erode returns over time, making it essential to choose funds with lower expense ratios, especially for long-term investors. In case of equity-oriented schemes, the SEBI has directed that the total expense ratio shall not exceed 2.25% of the daily net assets of the scheme. However, in the case of investing in liquid schemes, index fund schemes and exchange-traded funds, the TER shall not exceed 1.00% of the daily net assets of the scheme.

It is also important to remember the fact that even if the fund is the same – same strategy, same portfolio, same fund manager, same risk, etc., the expense ratio can be different. Therefore, investors must thoroughly review the terms and conditions of a mutual fund to understand the operating costs involved. By choosing funds with lower expense ratios, investors can maximise their returns and achieve their financial goals more effectively.

Who Should Invest in Lowest Expense Ratio Mutual Funds?

Lowest expense ratio mutual funds can be an attractive option for a wide range of investors. Here’s who can consider investing in them:

• Investors seeking to maximise their returns can benefit significantly by choosing mutual funds with the lowest expense ratios. By opting for funds with lower expense fees, investors can minimise the amount deducted from their investment, allowing more of their capital to grow over time.
• Investors looking to minimise their overall investment costs can consider mutual funds with low expense ratios.

How to Lower Your Investment Expense Ratio?

Lowering your expense ratio is crucial for boosting returns. Even a 1% difference in cost can significantly impact your investment corpus. Here are a few ways to reduce your expense ratio:

• Choose Low Expense Ratio Funds: You can opt for funds with the lowest expense ratios in the selected category. The data is readily available with the fund and also with AMFI. Alternatively, you can research and screen funds on tools like Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener.
• Passive Mutual Funds: You can adopt a passive approach to investing. Passive funds, like index funds and ETFs may typically have significantly lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds. This is because passive mutual funds have low operational and transactional costs.
• Opt for Direct Mutual Fund Schemes: When you buy a mutual fund directly from the AMC, it is called Direct Plans. Buying directly from the AMC eliminates the involvement of distributors, which means there are no distributor commissions to be paid. This results in a lower Total Expense Ratio (TER) for the investor, as the TER does not need to account for distributor fees.

Warren Buffett on Expense Ratio

In his renowned 2016 letter to the shareholders, Warren Buffett praised John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard Funds, for demonstrating that managing expense ratios can lead to massive wealth creation.

Vanguard is known for its passive investment strategy and avoids stock selection based on the belief that beating the market and selecting outperforming funds are exceedingly difficult tasks. Instead, Vanguard focuses on investing in strong indices that offer reliable equity returns at low risk and minimal costs. Index funds, which Vanguard prefers, operate without active management, thereby reducing expenses. According to a study, Vanguard’s low-cost index funds have saved investors over $600 billion since the company’s inception. This significant savings directly benefits investors’ long-term wealth accumulation.

Costs Other than Total Expense Ratio (TER)

TER cannot be a standalone factor when you are selecting a fund for investment. Here is a list of additional costs that you might want to consider:

• Advisory Fees: While entry loads are prohibited, advisors can charge fees based on services. For investments over Rs. 10,000, advisors may charge Rs. 150 initially and Rs. 100 for subsequent investments.
• Exit Load: Exiting before a set period triggers exit load, typically 6 months for debt and 1 year for equity funds. Exit loads ensure that the burden of exiting investors doesn’t fall on existing ones.
• Securities Transaction Tax (STT): STT is levied on equity funds and not on debt funds. Upon redemption of equity funds, STT is paid on the sale amount.

Here is what SEBI has defined as the maximum permissible TER limits for different fund categories.

Risks of Lowest Expense Ratio Mutual Funds

While lowest expense ratio mutual funds are attractive for their cost-efficiency, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with them. Here are some key considerations:

• Concentration Risk: Some of the lowest expense ratio funds may have a concentrated portfolio. Investing heavily in a few sectors or stocks can increase the risk if those investments underperform.
• Lack of Active Management: Funds with the lowest expense ratios are often passively managed. While this reduces costs, it also means there may not be any active stock selection or market timing by a fund manager. This can be a risk if the market or index underperforms.
• Tracking Error: Tracking error explains the deviation of the scheme’s actual returns with respect to its benchmark. Although these tracking errors can be small, they can adversely affect your returns. As a result, the slight change in returns can impact your investment corpus.

Taxation on Lowest Expense Ratio Mutual Funds

Mutual funds with lower expense ratios are subject to taxation based on their underlying securities. If the equity component is higher, then the investment will be taxed according to the taxation policy on equity funds. On the other hand, if the debt component is higher, then debt fund taxation rules will be applied. The Union Budget for 2024-25 has made significant changes to the capital gains taxes levied on equity, debt and hybrid investments. Some of these changes that may affect the lowest expense ratio mutual funds are:

Equity Mutual Funds

• Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): The gains from equity mutual funds held for less than 12 months are now taxed at 20%. This is an increase from the previous tax rate of 15%.
• Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): For equity mutual funds held for over a period of over 12 months, gains are classified as long-term capital gains. The new budget introduces these key changes to the LTCG:

1. Tax-Free Limit: The capital gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakh per year are tax-free. This is an increase from the previous limit of Rs. 1 lakh.
2. Tax Rate: The gains exceeding Rs. 1.25 lakh are now taxed at a flat rate of 12.5%. This is an increase from the previous rate of 10%.
3. Indexation: The benefit of indexation, which allowed investors to adjust the purchase price for inflation, has been removed for all asset classes, including equity mutual funds.

Indexation was a method that allowed investors to adjust the purchase price of assets for inflation. This adjustment reduced taxable profits when selling assets like property or gold. Previously, these long-term capital gains were taxed at 20%. The new rule imposes a flat 12.5% tax on all long-term capital gains but eliminates any indexation benefits.

Debt Mutual Funds

• Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If you sell your debt fund units within a period of 36 months, the gains are classified as short-term capital gains. The STCG will be taxed according to your income tax slab rate.
• Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): For debt funds held for a period over 36 months, the gains are classified as long-term capital gains. The new budget outlines a few changes on the LTCG for debt funds, including:

1. Tax Rate: A flat 12.5% tax rate applies to these gains.
2. No Indexation Benefit: The previous benefit of adjusting the purchase price for inflation is removed. Now, the entire gain after three years is taxable at 12.5%.

3. Change in Holding Period for Specified Mutual Funds: Previously, debt mutual funds with a holding period of over 36 months were taxed based on the investor’s tax slab, classified as Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG). Now, for specified mutual funds where over 65% of the investment is in debt, the holding period for taxation has been reduced to over 24 months. These funds will still be taxed according to the investor’s tax slab as either LTCG or STCG.

Hybrid Mutual Funds

Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG)

The tax on short-term capital gains depends on the fund’s asset allocation when it comes to hybrid mutual funds. Here is a breakdown of STCG tax rates according to their asset allocation in hybrid funds:

• Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds (more than 65% in equity): The gains from units sold within 12 months are taxed at 20%.
• Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds (less than 65% in equity): The gains from units sold within three years are taxed according to your income tax slab.

Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG)

The capital gains tax on hybrid mutual funds that extend the specified period (12 or 36 months) is known as the long-term capital gain tax. The tax treatment under this condition is as follows:

• Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds: The gains from units held for over a period of 12 months are taxed at 12.5%. The gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakh are tax-free.
• Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds: The gains from units held for over a period of 36 months are taxed at 12.5% without indexation benefits. This means the entire gain is taxed at this rate, without adjustment for inflation.

Note: Mutual fund schemes where neither the equity nor debt orientation exceeds 65% will now be classified as long-term investments after 24 months. The previous holding period for these funds was 36 months. These will be taxed at the revised LTCG tax rate of 12.5%.

To Wrap It Up…

When it comes to investing in mutual funds, the expense ratio is a critical factor that can significantly impact long-term returns. While the expense ratio is undoubtedly an important metric, investors should also consider factors such as the fund’s track record, investment strategy, level of diversification, and how well it aligns with their overall financial objectives and risk appetite.

However, it is advisable to do thorough market research on your own and/or consult a financial advisor before investing.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Low Expense Ratio Mutual Funds

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