Oldest Mutual Funds in India: Fund Names & Inception Dates

What are the Oldest Mutual Funds in India?

The Unit Trust of India (UTI) introduced the country's first mutual fund in 1964. One of the most well-known investment products in the nation is the first scheme, Unit Scheme 1964 (US-64). It was reorganised, nevertheless, and is no longer in its original form. 

Investors typically refer to schemes that are still in operation today and haven't been cancelled or combined with another plan when talking about the oldest mutual funds in India. Investors can assess these long-running funds' consistency in a variety of market conditions due to their lengthy performance histories.

List of the Oldest Surviving Mutual Funds in India

Overview of the Oldest Surviving Mutual Funds

Due to their ability to adjust to shifting market conditions while upholding well-defined investing objectives, several of India's oldest mutual funds have managed to stay relevant. 

• One of the first diversified equities funds still in existence is the Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund. By investing in a range of companies with different market capitalisations, it allows the fund management the flexibility to identify opportunities across industries.
• SBI Large & Midcap Fund has one of the longest histories among actively managed equity funds. It combines investments in reputable large-cap companies with carefully selected mid-cap organisations to provide a balance between stability and growth potential.
• The primary emphasis of Nippon India Growth Fund is mid-cap firms. Investors looking for long-term capital appreciation through companies with room to grow have continued to favour it.
• The HDFC Flexi Cap Fund invests in large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap businesses as part of a diversified investment strategy. The fund can adapt to shifting market conditions due to flexible allocation. 
• The Aditya Birla Sun Life Flexi Cap Fund makes investments in a variety of industries and market sizes. Its diverse portfolio pursues long-term growth while lowering the danger of concentration. 
• ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund has one of the longest performance histories among value-oriented mutual funds in India, while being younger than other of the schemes on this list.

Performance of the Oldest Mutual Funds (Returns Since Inception)

Returns since inception offer valuable information about a mutual fund's long-term performance. However, one should never consider past performance to be an assurance of future profits.

A long performance history allows investors to evaluate how a fund has handled different market cycles. Nevertheless, risk, portfolio quality, expense ratio, fund management expertise, and investment goal should all be taken into consideration when evaluating results.

How to Invest in Mutual Funds in India

Online investment platforms have made mutual fund investing simpler. Investors can start with a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) or a lump sum investment.

The basic investment process includes:

• Complete your KYC using PAN, Aadhaar, and other required documents.
• Select a mutual fund based on your risk tolerance and financial objectives. 
• Choose between making a lump sum or SIP investment. 
• After deciding on the investment amount, do the online transaction. 

Examine your investments and closely monitor your portfolio if your financial goals change. Before investing, always thoroughly review the Key Information Memorandum (KIM), Scheme Information Document (SID), and other scheme-related papers.

Conclusion

Despite numerous market cycles, altering investor preference, and economic shifts, India's oldest mutual funds have continued to operate. Their long history provides valuable insights on investment style, consistency, and portfolio management. But choosing an investment shouldn't be based solely on the fund's age. When contrasting the oldest mutual fund scheme in India with other options, investors should take risk, investment aim, portfolio quality, fee ratio, and long-term suitability into account. In general, choosing a mutual fund that aligns with your financial goals is more important than selecting the most popular plan.