In a dynamic economy like India's, the aspiration to double your money requires moving beyond simple savings and embracing strategic, high-growth investment avenues. Mutual funds, guided by professional fund managers, offer the perfect blend of diversification and market access. But not all funds are created equal. The key to unlocking potentially impressive returns lies in identifying schemes that consistently generate Alpha—returns exceeding their benchmark—while managing volatility effectively.
This comprehensive listicle focuses exclusively on top-performing Indian funds across categories like Mid, Small, Focused, and Hybrid cap, giving you a sharp, data-driven perspective on growth potential, risk metrics, and the managerial skill necessary to achieve your long-term wealth goals in the Indian market.
Top 10 Mutual Funds for Doubling Your Money
| Rank |
Fund Name |
Category |
AUM (in Cr) |
Inception |
| 1 |
Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund |
Mid Cap |
33,608 |
Feb 2014 |
| 2 |
Nippon India Growth Fund |
Mid Cap |
31,237 |
Oct 1995 |
| 3 |
Bandhan Small Cap Fund |
Small Cap |
14,062 |
Feb 2020 |
| 4 |
HDFC Focused 30 Fund |
Focused |
21,456 |
Sep 2004 |
| 5 |
ICICI Prudential India Opportunities |
Thematic |
29,718 |
Jan 2019 |
| 6 |
Motilal Oswal Large & Mid Cap Fund |
Large & Mid Cap |
12,427 |
Oct 2019 |
| 7 |
Bandhan Core Equity Fund |
Large & Mid Cap |
9,996 |
Aug 2005 |
| 8 |
ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund |
Hybrid |
63,001 |
Oct 2002 |
| 9 |
ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund |
Large Cap |
71,787 |
May 2008 |
| 10 |
WhiteOak Capital Flexi Cap Fund |
Flexi Cap |
5,555 |
Aug 2022 |
Performance Analysis of Selected Mutual Funds
Achieving the goal of 'doubling your money' (which requires a CAGR of approximately 14.4% over 5 years) demands consistent out-performance. We evaluate funds based on their long-term CAGR and their ability to generate positive Alpha (returns above the benchmark).
Long-Term Growth Potential (5 Year CAGR)
| Fund Name |
Fund 5 Y CAGR |
Benchmark 5 Y CAGR |
Alpha 5 Yrs |
Expense Ratio |
| Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund |
33.70% |
27.21% |
6.49% |
1.68% |
| Bandhan Small Cap Fund |
31.11% |
28.19% |
2.92% |
1.73% |
| ICICI Prudential India Opportunities |
30.11% |
27.21% |
2.90% |
2.11% |
| Nippon India Growth Fund |
30.19% |
27.21% |
2.98% |
1.61% |
| HDFC Focused 30 Fund |
27.50% |
17.17% |
10.33% |
2.01% |
- The HDFC Focused 30 Fund shows exceptional alpha generation (10.33%), demonstrating the fund manager's capacity to significantly outperform the benchmark (NIFTY 50) over five years through concentrated bets.
- The Mid and Small Cap funds, such as Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund and Bandhan Small Cap Fund, offer the highest raw returns (CAGR > 31%), reflecting the greater growth potential—and risk—inherent in these market segments.
- Lower expense ratios (like Nippon India Growth Fund at 1.61%) mean more of your returns stay in your pocket, making them a crucial consideration for long-term compounding.
Risk Assessment: Understanding Market Volatility
High returns often come with higher risks. To make an informed decision, Indian investors must analyze risk-adjusted performance using key metrics like Sharpe Ratio (total risk) and Jensen's Alpha (manager skill).
| Fund Name |
Std Dev (%) (Total Risk) |
Beta (Systematic Risk) |
Sharpe (%) (Risk-Adj Return) |
Jensen’s α (%) (Manager Skill) |
| ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund |
7.38 |
0.94 |
1.35 |
7.16 |
| HDFC Focused 30 Fund |
11.05 |
0.75 |
1.27 |
8.92 |
| Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund |
16.12 |
0.84 |
1.13 |
7.55 |
| ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund |
11.96 |
0.88 |
0.72 |
4.08 |
Key Risk Metrics Explained
- Standard Deviation (Std Dev): A measure of the fund's volatility. Note how the ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund has the lowest Std Dev (7.38%), typical for hybrid funds that blend equity and debt to cushion volatility.
- Beta: Indicates the fund's sensitivity to market movements. A Beta of 0.75 for the HDFC Focused 30 Fund means it's less volatile than the overall market (NIFTY 50), offering downside protection.
- Sharpe Ratio: The most crucial risk-adjusted metric; it measures the excess return generated per unit of total risk. The ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund's high Sharpe Ratio (1.35%) suggests highly efficient return generation for the level of volatility taken.
- Jensen's Alpha: Directly measures the fund manager’s stock-picking prowess. HDFC Focused 30 Fund boasts the highest alpha (8.92%), proving its manager added significant value beyond market movements.
Conclusion: Your Long-Term Strategy for Wealth Creation
The funds highlighted here offer compelling opportunities for Indian investors aiming for significant capital appreciation. As you move forward, remember that successful investing isn't about chasing the highest one-year return, but about compounding over the long term (5+ years).
To maximize your chances of doubling your money:
- Prioritize Alpha and Jensen's α: These metrics are the best indicator of true managerial skill—the active component that differentiates these schemes from passive index funds.
- Use SIPs to Conquer Volatility:
Given the high Standard Deviation in Mid and Small Cap funds, implementing a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is the most disciplined way to leverage market dips and benefit from Rupee-cost averaging. - Regular Portfolio Review: Given the aggressive nature of high-alpha funds, periodically rebalance your portfolio to ensure its risk profile still aligns with your personal financial goals.
We've laid out the data; now, let your investment journey begin.
Disclaimer: Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully. Past performance may or may not be sustained in the future. This is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.
Barun is an experienced wealth management professional with over 13 years of expertise in guiding individuals and institutions on their investment journeys. He possesses a deep understanding of financial markets, encompassing a wide range of products, including mutual funds, stock advisory, complex structured products, forex, bonds, and corporate NCDs. He is NISM VA and XXI A certified, as well as IRDAI certified for insurance.