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Short Term Debt Funds or Short Duration Funds | Best Short Term Plans

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Short Term Debt Funds or Short Duration Funds

Updated on April 9, 2025 , 9366 views

As the name suggests, Short term debt funds, also known as short duration funds, are typically Debt Mutual Funds that invest money for a short duration, usually less than 3 years. Also known as Short Term Income Funds, Short term debt funds invest in debt instruments and money market instruments that include Bank papers (also called Certificate of Deposits), government papers(G-secs) and commercial papers (CPs). This Mutual Fund scheme is suitable for investors who prioritise Capital preservation, but also wish to invest for a predominantly longer period to earn good returns over the long term (between 1-3 years). Investors who are willing to invest for a short duration of 1-3 years can look at short term bond funds. Short term debt products can benefit from the interest Accruals in the debt Portfolio and from the tactical exposure to higher duration debt by the respective fund manager.

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Features of Short Duration (Short-Term) Debt Funds

Some of the prominent features of short term funds are:

Liquidity

The short term debt funds are highly liquid as the maturity period is short and the investments avenues allow liquidity. Usually, there are no entry and exit loads charged on these funds. However, some short term debt funds do charge an exit load if the exit is made in a few months. So, the investors are suggested to invest wisely considering all the parameters.

Returns

When it comes to investing in Mutual Funds, returns are what people actually look for. However, this should not be the only parameter while choosing a best short term Debt fund to invest. In the recent reports, RBI stated that the investors would earn better returns by Investing in short to mid-term funds that invest in instruments having a maturity between of one to five years. Generally, the fund managers handling such funds prefer investing in high credit rating securities. Thus, ensuring the least possibility of Default by the issuers providing safety to investors’ capital. Currently, short term debt funds with a maturity period of one-three years give annualised returns of 9-10% p.a. Investors should not just chase returns, but also look at the credit quality of the portfolio. If you are a conservative investor then it makes sense to ensure that give away some returns for the extra safety.

Interest Rate Risk

Given the short term nature of these funds, the returns are not much affected by Inflation and there is a lesser interest rate risk. Typically, short term debt funds generate income from the interest earned on short to medium term Bonds. This accrual income, meaning the accumulated interest, gets added to the Net Asset Value and becomes your final return. Since you know these funds provide steady income, therefore, the returns are less volatile as compared to other long-term income funds. Some short term funds do carry a bit of interest rate risk, this can be measured by a parameter called duration of the portfolio. One can even look at the average maturity of the portfolio. Both these parameters are available on the fact sheets of the scheme. Just remember a simple rule, higher the duration or maturity higher the interest rate risk! If interest rates fall, then this is positive, however, if rates rise, then the returns would be negatively impacted.

Investment Horizons

Short term debt funds do not invest in instruments that have a very long maturity as they try to maintain lower interest rate risk and offer better tax-adjusted returns. Since these funds provide stable returns in a time period of one to three years, investors should try to match the investment timeline with the average maturity of the fund. The instruments they invest in include money Market instruments like bonds, Commercial Paper and certificate of deposits etc.

Active Management Required

Being a short term investment, these funds do not require heavy active management by the fund manager. Once the portions of the portfolio are allotted, the need of actively managing (buying and selling units) the investments is lower, having said this the fund manager needs to ensure that interest rate views are incorporated and he/she is vigilant on the credit quality of the portfolio as well as new opportunities. Their aim to provide steady returns is achieved by ensuring regular active management of the fund.

Dividend Payout

Short term debt funds also offer an option of dividend payout. With this option, the investors can get dividends at regular interval mostly monthly and fortnightly. However, the dividends paid by these funds attract a DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) of 25% for individual investors.

Benefits of Short Duration (Short-Term) Funds

  • The short term bond funds have a shorter maturity so they generally offer safe and stable returns.
  • The fluctuations in interest rates of the debt market have a marginal to the insignificant effect on the returns of short term debt funds.
  • Being sensitive to changing the interest rate, short term bond funds usually perform better than other funds who are affected by the market fluctuations.
  • The liquidity of these funds is high. So, the investors can easily withdraw their investment in case of emergencies.
  • Typically, most of the best short term debt funds do not charge any fee for withdrawal. So, there is minimal to no exit load.
  • Short term debt funds are tax efficient. The tax charged on the interest of these funds is much less than that of fixed bank deposits.

Top Short Duration (Short-Term) Debt Funds 2025

Some of the best short term debt funds include-

FundNAVNet Assets (Cr)3 MO (%)6 MO (%)1 YR (%)3 YR (%)2023 (%)Debt Yield (YTM)Mod. DurationEff. Maturity
Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹36.3802
↑ 0.01
₹3620.811.412.85.3 4.52%1Y 2M 13D1Y 7M 3D
HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹31.5245
↑ 0.03
₹14,3912.84.397.28.32.96%2Y 9M 18D4Y 23D
IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan Growth ₹56.2875
↑ 0.08
₹9,5702.94.48.96.77.87.38%2Y 10M 17D3Y 8M 16D
Axis Short Term Fund Growth ₹30.4232
↑ 0.03
₹8,8252.94.68.9787.57%2Y 9M 14D3Y 7M 10D
Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Growth ₹46.8925
↑ 0.05
₹8,6892.84.48.97.17.97.72%2Y 10M 13D3Y 11M 5D
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 31 Dec 21
*Above is list of best Short Duration funds having AUM/Net Assets above 100 Crore. Sorted on Last 1 Year Return.

1. Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund

(Erstwhile Sundaram Select Debt Short Term Asset Fund)

To earn regular income by investing primarily in fixed income securities, which may be paid as dividend or reinvested at the option of the investor. A secondary objective is to attempt to keep the value of its units reasonably stable.

Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 5 Sep 02. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 6.9% since its launch.  Ranked 56 in Short term Bond category. .

Below is the key information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund

Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Growth
Launch Date 5 Sep 02
NAV (31 Dec 21) ₹36.3802 ↑ 0.01   (0.03 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹362 on 30 Nov 21
Category Debt - Short term Bond
AMC Sundaram Asset Management Company Ltd
Rating
Risk Moderately Low
Expense Ratio 0.96
Sharpe Ratio 0.98
Information Ratio 0
Alpha Ratio 0
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 250
Exit Load NIL
Yield to Maturity 4.52%
Effective Maturity 1 Year 7 Months 3 Days
Modified Duration 1 Year 2 Months 13 Days

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
31 Mar 20₹10,000
31 Mar 21₹10,728

Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹180,000
expected amount after 3 Years is ₹197,169.
Net Profit of ₹17,169
Invest Now

Returns for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21

DurationReturns
1 Month 0.2%
3 Month 0.8%
6 Month 11.4%
1 Year 12.8%
3 Year 5.3%
5 Year 5.6%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 6.9%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Fund Manager information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
NameSinceTenure

Data below for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund as on 30 Nov 21

Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Debt Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Credit Quality
RatingValue
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity

2. HDFC Short Term Debt Fund

(Erstwhile HDFC Short Term Opportunities Fund)

To generate regular income through investments in Debt/Money Market Instruments and Government Securities with maturities not exceeding 36 months.

HDFC Short Term Debt Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 25 Jun 10. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 8.1% since its launch.  Ranked 30 in Short term Bond category.  Return for 2024 was 8.3% , 2023 was 7.1% and 2022 was 3.5% .

Below is the key information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund

HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Growth
Launch Date 25 Jun 10
NAV (11 Apr 25) ₹31.5245 ↑ 0.03   (0.10 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹14,391 on 28 Feb 25
Category Debt - Short term Bond
AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited
Rating
Risk Moderately Low
Expense Ratio 0.71
Sharpe Ratio 1.62
Information Ratio 0
Alpha Ratio 0
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 300
Exit Load NIL
Yield to Maturity 2.96%
Effective Maturity 4 Years 23 Days
Modified Duration 2 Years 9 Months 18 Days

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
31 Mar 20₹10,000
31 Mar 21₹10,851
31 Mar 22₹11,348
31 Mar 23₹11,847
31 Mar 24₹12,759
31 Mar 25₹13,829

HDFC Short Term Debt Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹180,000
expected amount after 3 Years is ₹203,125.
Net Profit of ₹23,125
Invest Now

Returns for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21

DurationReturns
1 Month 1.7%
3 Month 2.8%
6 Month 4.3%
1 Year 9%
3 Year 7.2%
5 Year 7.1%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 8.1%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 8.3%
2022 7.1%
2021 3.5%
2020 3.9%
2019 11%
2018 9.7%
2017 7%
2016 6.5%
2015 9.3%
2014 8.7%
Fund Manager information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
NameSinceTenure
Anil Bamboli25 Jun 1014.69 Yr.
Dhruv Muchhal22 Jun 231.69 Yr.

Data below for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund as on 28 Feb 25

Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash3.7%
Debt96.01%
Other0.29%
Debt Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Corporate60.45%
Government35.57%
Cash Equivalent3.7%
Credit Quality
RatingValue
AA11.05%
AAA88.95%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -
6%₹847 Cr82,500,000
7.3% Govt Stock 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -
4%₹518 Cr51,500,000
Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -
3%₹435 Cr43,500
7.26% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -
3%₹355 Cr34,500,000
Jamnagar Utilities And Power Private Limited
Debentures | -
2%₹327 Cr32,500
7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -
2%₹281 Cr27,500,000
Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -
2%₹252 Cr25,000
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Domestic Bonds | -
2%₹251 Cr25,000
Pipeline Infrastructure Private Limited
Debentures | -
2%₹248 Cr24,500
TVS Credit Services Limited
Debentures | -
1%₹205 Cr200

3. IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan

(Erstwhile IDFC Super Saver Income Fund - Short Term Plan)

The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate stable returns with a low-risk strategy by creating a portfolio that is invested in good quality fixed income & Money Market securities. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the scheme will be realized.

IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 14 Dec 00. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 7.4% since its launch.  Ranked 47 in Short term Bond category.  Return for 2024 was 7.8% , 2023 was 6.9% and 2022 was 2.8% .

Below is the key information for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan

IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Growth
Launch Date 14 Dec 00
NAV (11 Apr 25) ₹56.2875 ↑ 0.08   (0.14 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹9,570 on 15 Mar 25
Category Debt - Short term Bond
AMC IDFC Asset Management Company Limited
Rating
Risk Moderately Low
Expense Ratio 0.77
Sharpe Ratio 1.07
Information Ratio 0
Alpha Ratio 0
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 1,000
Exit Load NIL
Yield to Maturity 7.38%
Effective Maturity 3 Years 8 Months 16 Days
Modified Duration 2 Years 10 Months 17 Days

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
31 Mar 20₹10,000
31 Mar 21₹10,752
31 Mar 22₹11,187
31 Mar 23₹11,596
31 Mar 24₹12,422
31 Mar 25₹13,452

IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹180,000
expected amount after 3 Years is ₹200,132.
Net Profit of ₹20,132
Invest Now

Returns for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21

DurationReturns
1 Month 1.6%
3 Month 2.9%
6 Month 4.4%
1 Year 8.9%
3 Year 6.7%
5 Year 6.4%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 7.4%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 7.8%
2022 6.9%
2021 2.8%
2020 3.4%
2019 9.7%
2018 9.7%
2017 6.5%
2016 5.9%
2015 8.8%
2014 8.1%
Fund Manager information for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan
NameSinceTenure
Suyash Choudhary11 Mar 1114.07 Yr.
Brijesh Shah10 Jun 240.81 Yr.

Data below for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan as on 15 Mar 25

Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash36.5%
Debt63.22%
Other0.28%
Debt Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Corporate49.37%
Government43.35%
Cash Equivalent7.01%
Credit Quality
RatingValue
AAA100%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -
28%₹2,710 Cr263,800,000
↓ -63,900,000
7.26% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -
6%₹613 Cr59,500,000
↑ 59,500,000
Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd. 8.04%
Debentures | -
5%₹477 Cr47,500,000
Tata Capital Financial Services Limited
Debentures | -
5%₹442 Cr44,100,000
Bajaj Finance Limited
Debentures | -
3%₹289 Cr29,000,000
Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -
3%₹250 Cr25,000,000
07.63 MH Sdl 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -
2%₹204 Cr19,945,600
Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd. 8%
Debentures | -
2%₹150 Cr15,000,000
6.54% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -
1%₹139 Cr14,000,000
↑ 14,000,000
National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -
1%₹125 Cr12,500,000
↑ 12,500,000

4. Axis Short Term Fund

To generate stable returns with a low risk strategy while maintaining liquidity through a portfolio comprising of debt and money market instruments. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved.

Axis Short Term Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 22 Jan 10. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 7.6% since its launch.  Ranked 26 in Short term Bond category.  Return for 2024 was 8% , 2023 was 6.8% and 2022 was 3.7% .

Below is the key information for Axis Short Term Fund

Axis Short Term Fund
Growth
Launch Date 22 Jan 10
NAV (11 Apr 25) ₹30.4232 ↑ 0.03   (0.10 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,825 on 28 Feb 25
Category Debt - Short term Bond
AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited
Rating
Risk Moderately Low
Expense Ratio 0.92
Sharpe Ratio 1.41
Information Ratio 0
Alpha Ratio 0
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 1,000
Exit Load NIL
Yield to Maturity 7.57%
Effective Maturity 3 Years 7 Months 10 Days
Modified Duration 2 Years 9 Months 14 Days

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
31 Mar 20₹10,000
31 Mar 21₹10,792
31 Mar 22₹11,260
31 Mar 23₹11,747
31 Mar 24₹12,599
31 Mar 25₹13,641

Axis Short Term Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹180,000
expected amount after 3 Years is ₹200,132.
Net Profit of ₹20,132
Invest Now

Returns for Axis Short Term Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21

DurationReturns
1 Month 1.7%
3 Month 2.9%
6 Month 4.6%
1 Year 8.9%
3 Year 7%
5 Year 6.7%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 7.6%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 8%
2022 6.8%
2021 3.7%
2020 3.5%
2019 10.1%
2018 9.8%
2017 6.3%
2016 5.9%
2015 9.6%
2014 8.1%
Fund Manager information for Axis Short Term Fund
NameSinceTenure
Devang Shah5 Nov 1212.33 Yr.
Aditya Pagaria3 Jul 231.66 Yr.

Data below for Axis Short Term Fund as on 28 Feb 25

Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash6.32%
Debt93.41%
Other0.27%
Debt Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Corporate57.88%
Government35.52%
Cash Equivalent6.32%
Credit Quality
RatingValue
AA13.3%
AAA86.7%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -
10%₹851 Cr83,125,200
↑ 23,500,000
7.32% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -
4%₹392 Cr38,000,000
↓ -5,500,000
National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -
4%₹350 Cr35,000
↑ 12,500
7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -
4%₹339 Cr33,000,000
↑ 7,500,000
National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -
3%₹309 Cr31,000
India Grid Trust
Debentures | -
2%₹190 Cr19,000
Indigrid Infrastructure Trust 7.88%
Debentures | -
1%₹126 Cr12,500
Bharti Telecom Limited
Debentures | -
1%₹126 Cr12,500
Tata Capital Ltd. 8.098%
Debentures | -
1%₹126 Cr12,500
↑ 12,500
Embassy Office Parks Reit
Debentures | -
1%₹125 Cr12,500
↑ 5,000

5. Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund

An Open ended Income scheme with the objective to generate regular income by investing primarily in investment grade fixed income securities / money market instruments with short to medium term maturities and across the credit spectrum within the universe of investment grade rating.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 9 May 03. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 7.3% since its launch.  Ranked 18 in Short term Bond category.  Return for 2024 was 7.9% , 2023 was 6.9% and 2022 was 4.2% .

Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund

Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
Growth
Launch Date 9 May 03
NAV (11 Apr 25) ₹46.8925 ↑ 0.05   (0.11 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,689 on 28 Feb 25
Category Debt - Short term Bond
AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd
Rating
Risk Moderate
Expense Ratio 1.06
Sharpe Ratio 1.11
Information Ratio 0
Alpha Ratio 0
Min Investment 1,000
Min SIP Investment 1,000
Exit Load 0-90 Days (0.5%),90 Days and above(NIL)
Yield to Maturity 7.72%
Effective Maturity 3 Years 11 Months 5 Days
Modified Duration 2 Years 10 Months 13 Days

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
31 Mar 20₹10,000
31 Mar 21₹11,021
31 Mar 22₹11,540
31 Mar 23₹12,088
31 Mar 24₹12,971
31 Mar 25₹14,029

Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹180,000
expected amount after 3 Years is ₹203,125.
Net Profit of ₹23,125
Invest Now

Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21

DurationReturns
1 Month 1.7%
3 Month 2.8%
6 Month 4.4%
1 Year 8.9%
3 Year 7.1%
5 Year 7.3%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 7.3%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 7.9%
2022 6.9%
2021 4.2%
2020 3.8%
2019 11.1%
2018 8.5%
2017 6.5%
2016 5.6%
2015 11.3%
2014 8.4%
Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
NameSinceTenure
Kaustubh Gupta11 Sep 1410.48 Yr.
Mohit Sharma6 Aug 204.57 Yr.

Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund as on 28 Feb 25

Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash8.04%
Debt91.7%
Other0.27%
Debt Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Corporate55.61%
Government37.7%
Cash Equivalent6.42%
Credit Quality
RatingValue
AA13.2%
AAA86.8%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -
12%₹1,015 Cr98,800,000
↓ -2,000,000
7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -
5%₹480 Cr46,906,400
↑ 8,000,000
National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -
5%₹476 Cr47,500
7.26% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -
3%₹247 Cr24,000,000
↓ -8,500,000
Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -
3%₹236 Cr23,500
Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -
2%₹202 Cr20,000
National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -
2%₹199 Cr20,000
Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -
2%₹185 Cr1,850
Embassy Office Parks Reit
Debentures | -
2%₹181 Cr18,000
Bharti Telecom Limited
Debentures | -
2%₹150 Cr15,000

Short Term Debt Fund Taxation

Tax implication on debt funds is computed in the following manner-

Short Term Capital Gains

If the holding period of a debt investment is less than 36 months, then it is classified as a short-term investment and these are taxed as per individual's tax slab.

Long Term Capital Gains

If the holding period of debt investment is more than 36 months, then it is classified as a long-term investment and is taxed at 20% with an indexation benefit.

Capital Gains Investment Holding Gains Taxation
Short Term Capital Gains Less than 36 months As per individual's tax slab
Long Term Capital Gains More than 36 months 20% with indexation benefits

Risks Involved with Short Term Mutual Funds

Alike all the financial securities, Short term debt funds have certain flaws as well. Some of the risks accompanying these funds include-

Risk-In-Short-Term-Debt-Funds

Risk of Rising Inflation

Short term debt funds are ideal having a short term financial goal of one to three years and not for long term. So, the investors who are looking for long term investments should invest in Equity Funds, which offers the benefits of rising inflation while yielding good returns.

Risk of Changing Interest Rates

The change in interest rate in the Economy has a little effect on short term debt funds, though the impact is very marginal. As the tenure of duration is short, the impact of interest rate changes in insignificant. However, investors should always look at the duration or maturity of the fund before making any conclusions. A high duration/maturity exposes the Fund to interest rate risk.

Risk of Credit

Usually, short term debt funds invest in instruments that have a high credit rating and have a safe track record. However, there are times when the asset managing company that is managing the fund defaults, the investor has to take the challenge of managing the risk on his own. So, the investors must keep this in mind and invest wisely. Hence, it is always advisable to look a getting into a fund with a good quality portfolio.

Disclaimer:
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.
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