For disciplined long-term investors, mutual funds have consistently proven to be a best option for wealth creation. Several schemes have delivered strong compounded returns over the past 15 years, navigating through various market cycles and periods of volatility. In this article, we highlight 10 mutual fund schemes that have delivered absolute returns between 1247% and 1809% in the last 15 years. We also provide insights into their investment objectives, multi-period performance, portfolio composition, and associated risks, helping you evaluate these options more effectively.
Investors can also check 8 Mutual Fund Schemes with 3 months returns between 20% to 54%
How We Filtered These Mutual Funds?
- We have considered only regular plans of mutual funds, as direct plans were introduced only in 2013—i.e., 12 years ago—and thus do not have a 15-year performance history.
- We included all equity mutual funds, including thematic, sectoral, and global funds.
- We filtered them based on their 15-year CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) returns.
- We selected the Top 10 mutual funds with the highest CAGR returns.
- We calculated the absolute returns of these funds and estimated the current value of an investment of ₹1 Lakh made 15 years ago.
- These funds have delivered CAGR returns ranging from 18.2% to 20.5%, and absolute returns between 1247% and 1809%. An investment of ₹1 Lakh in these funds 15 years ago would be worth ₹13.65 Lakhs to ₹19.09 Lakhs today.
- Such massive wealth creation is possible only through long-term investments in equity mutual funds.
- Data is as of 22-May-25 from Value Research Online and Moneycontrol
List of Top Performing Mutual Funds in last 15-Years with returns between 1247% and 1809%
Let’s dive in!
| Funds | 15 Yr CAGR Returns (%) | 15 Yr Absolute Returns | *In 15 years, 1 Lakh turned to |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Small Cap Fund | 20.5% | 1809% | ₹19.09 Lakhs |
| HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund | 19.3% | 1479% | ₹15.79 Lakhs |
| Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund | 19.2% | 1450% | ₹15.50 Lakhs |
| ICICI Prudential Technology Fund | 19.2% | 1450% | ₹15.50 Lakhs |
| SBI Consumption Opportunities Fund | 18.8% | 1363% | ₹14.63 Lakhs |
| Invesco India Mid Cap Fund | 18.7% | 1341% | ₹14.41 Lakhs |
| Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund | 18.5% | 1306% | ₹14.06 Lakhs |
| Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund | 18.5% | 1306% | ₹14.06 Lakhs |
| DSP Small Cap Fund | 18.5% | 1306% | ₹14.06 Lakhs |
| Franklin Build India Fund | 18.2% | 1247% | ₹13.47 Lakhs |
*Approximate numbers
Earlier we did similar exercise and filtered 10 Mutual Fund Schemes with 10-Year Returns Between 464% and 646%
Deep Dive into Top Performing Mutual Funds in last 15 years
#1 – SBI Small Cap Fund
Investment Objective:
To provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified basket of equity stocks of small-cap companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 19.8%
- 5 Years: 32.7%
- 10 Years: 19.9%
- 15 Years: 20.5%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1,809% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 19.09 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
The fund focuses on small-cap companies across diverse sectors like consumer goods, manufacturing, and healthcare, with a bottom-up approach to identifying high-potential businesses.
Risk Factors:
- High volatility due to small-cap exposure
- Liquidity risks in market downturns
- Greater sensitivity to economic shocks
#2 – HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund
Investment Objective:
To generate long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in mid-cap companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 29.5%
- 5 Years: 35.0%
- 10 Years: 17.4%
- 15 Years: 19.3%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1479% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 15.79 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Primarily mid-sized businesses with strong fundamentals and growth potential across sectors like industrials, banking, and consumer goods.
Risk Factors:
- Mid-cap volatility
- Exposure to economic and sectoral cycles
- Liquidity issues during corrections
#3 – Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund
Investment Objective:
To generate long-term capital growth by investing predominantly in mid-cap companies with strong growth prospects.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 27.6%
- 5 Years: 34.6%
- 10 Years: 17.6%
- 15 Years: 19.2%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1450% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 15.5 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Invests in a mix of established and emerging mid-cap companies across finance, consumption, and infrastructure sectors.
Risk Factors:
- Higher mid-cap risk compared to large-caps
- Exposure to cyclical sectors
- Market timing risk
This fund is among the 10 Best 5 Star Rated Mutual Funds from CRISIL in 2025
#4 – ICICI Prudential Technology Fund
Investment Objective:
To provide capital appreciation by investing in equity and equity-related securities of technology and technology-dependent companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 13.6%
- 5 Years: 30.9%
- 10 Years: 16.8%
- 15 Years: 19.2%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1450% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 15.5 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Primarily in technology, telecom, and digital businesses that are innovation-driven and future-ready.
Risk Factors:
- Sector concentration risk
- Global technology trend dependency
- Volatility due to high valuations
#5 – SBI Consumption Opportunities Fund
Investment Objective:
To generate long-term capital growth by investing in companies benefiting from the growth in consumption and consumer spending.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 18.5%
- 5 Years: 28.5%
- 10 Years: 15.5%
- 15 Years: 18.8%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1363% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 14.63 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Consumer-focused businesses across FMCG, retail, auto, and services sectors.
Risk Factors:
- Sector-specific downturn risk
- Changing consumer trends
- Inflation impact on consumption
#6 – Invesco India Mid Cap Fund
Investment Objective:
To provide capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of mid-cap companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 27.8%
- 5 Years: 31.5%
- 10 Years: 17.1%
- 15 Years: 18.7%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1341% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 14.4 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Invests across sectors like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing with a focus on scalability.
Risk Factors:
- Economic sensitivity
- Mid-cap volatility
- Execution risk in emerging businesses
#7 – Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund
Investment Objective:
To provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in small and mid-sized companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 26.9%
- 5 Years: 37.7%
- 10 Years: 15.9%
- 15 Years: 18.5%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1306% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 14.06 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
A diversified portfolio of emerging businesses with scalable models across sectors.
Risk Factors:
- Small-cap liquidity risk
- Business model uncertainty
- Volatile earnings profile
The above fund is part of 20 Equity Mutual Funds with Low Beta and High Alpha list.
#8 – Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund
Investment Objective:
To generate capital appreciation by investing in diversified mid and small-cap companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 19.4%
- 5 Years: 25.9%
- 10 Years: 15.6%
- 15 Years: 18.5%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1306% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 14.06 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Focus on emerging leaders across sectors such as infrastructure, financials, and consumption.
Risk Factors:
- Emerging business risk
- Market volatility
- Regulatory changes
#9 – DSP Small Cap Fund
Investment Objective:
To generate capital appreciation by investing in a diversified basket of small-cap companies.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 20.5%
- 5 Years: 35.3%
- 10 Years: 16.6%
- 15 Years: 18.5%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1306% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 14.06 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Diversified small-cap investments with a focus on innovation and scalability in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and tech.
Risk Factors:
- Small-cap liquidity
- High volatility
- Performance dependent on company execution
#10 – Franklin Build India Fund
Investment Objective:
To generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in companies involved in infrastructure and allied sectors.
Annualised Returns:
- 3 Years: 31.4%
- 5 Years: 36.8%
- 10 Years: 16.8%
- 15 Years: 18.2%
- 15 Year Absolute Returns: 1247% and 1 Lakh would have turned to ₹ 13.47 Lakhs
Where does the scheme invest?
Primarily in infrastructure, capital goods, and construction-related businesses poised to benefit from India’s infrastructure growth.
Risk Factors:
- Policy and regulatory risks
- Project delays and execution risks
- Cyclical nature of infrastructure sector
This fund is part of our earlier article on Which Mutual Fund can get you over 30% returns?
Final Thoughts
While historical returns can provide valuable insights, choosing the right mutual fund should go beyond just past performance. Investors should align their mutual fund investments with:
- Financial Goals: Whether you’re investing for retirement, buying a home, or building long-term wealth, your investment horizon and financial objectives should determine the type of fund you choose.
- Risk Appetite: Small-cap and mid-cap funds often deliver high returns, but they come with higher volatility. Ensure your risk tolerance matches the nature of the fund.
- Investment Horizon: Long-term investments (10–15 years or more) can help ride out market fluctuations and allow the power of compounding to work in your favor.
Diversification across different fund categories and sectors can help manage risk while optimizing returns.
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good information