The SBI CRISIL IBX Gilt Index - June 2036 Fund has emerged as the top-performing debt-oriented index mutual fund, delivering a 7.9% three-year return. This ranking focuses on funds with assets exceeding ₹1,500 crore, highlighting varying performance across different time horizons.
The SBI CRISIL IBX Gilt Index - June 2036 Fund has outperformed its peers in the debt-oriented index mutual fund category, recording a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. According to data as of July 7, 2026, this performance places it ahead of notable competitors, including the Kotak Nifty SDL Apr 2032 Top 12 Equal Weight Index Fund and the SBI CRISIL IBX Gilt Index - Apr 2029 Fund, both of which delivered 7.6% returns over the same three-year period.
These rankings are specific to mutual fund schemes with assets under management (AUM) of at least ₹1,500 crore. Among the top-performing funds in this group, the Kotak Nifty SDL Apr 2032 Top 12 Equal Weight Index Fund maintains the largest asset base at approximately ₹3,196.3 crore.
Beyond absolute returns, the SBI CRISIL IBX Gilt Index - June 2036 Fund showed consistent performance against its benchmark index. Over the three-year period, the fund outperformed its benchmark by 0.8 percentage points, as the benchmark index delivered 7.1%. This gap widened significantly in a one-year comparison, where the fund outperformed its benchmark by 2.0 percentage points, with the benchmark returning 2.6%.
Investors looking at fund performance should note that leadership can vary depending on the time frame being analyzed. While the SBI fund leads in long-term three-year metrics, other funds have shown strength in shorter periods. For instance, the Kotak Nifty SDL Apr 2032 Top 12 Equal Weight Index Fund led the one-month and three-month return charts. Additionally, the Axis CRISIL IBX SDL May 2027 Index Fund was the top performer over the one-year period with a 6.0% return.
For investors, these figures illustrate the importance of reviewing performance across multiple time horizons rather than relying on a single period. Gilt funds and SDL (State Development Loan) index funds are sensitive to interest rate movements and bond yield changes. The performance of these funds is often dictated by the specific maturity profile of the underlying bonds and the interest rate environment prevalent during the holding period. Future performance for these funds will continue to be influenced by RBI monetary policy, movements in government bond yields, and the specific duration strategy employed by each index fund.