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Best Equity Funds

Best Equity Mutual Funds - Consider the best performing equity mutual funds to invest in 2025 with Scripbox.com. Find the list of best equity funds in India on the basis of Returns, Latest Nav, Ratings, Performance etc.

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Best Equity Mutual Funds to Invest in 2025

Note: *NA implies that Fund is relatively new. Not enough data available.

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Top 10 Equity Mutual Funds to invest in 2025

Below are the Best Equity Mutual Funds in india:

1 . ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Direct (G)

ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 13.8% , a 3 Years return of 22.3% and a 5 Years return of 31.1% . The fund has an expense ratio of 1.1% and an AUM of ₹ 51112 crores as of 2025-05-12. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

2 . Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct (G)

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 13.7% , a 3 Years return of 21.2% and a 5 Years return of 28.9% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.6% and an AUM of ₹ 98541 crores as of 2025-05-12. It was Launched on 2013-05-24. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

3 . DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct (G)

DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 15.7% , a 3 Years return of 21.8% and a 5 Years return of 28.3% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.7% and an AUM of ₹ 16218 crores as of 2025-05-12. It was Launched on 2013-01-01. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹500.

4 . SBI Long Term Equity Fund Direct (G)

SBI Long Term Equity Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 9.2% , a 3 Years return of 26.1% and a 5 Years return of 29.9% . The fund has an expense ratio of 1.1% and an AUM of ₹ 28506 crores as of 2025-05-12. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹500.

5 . ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Direct (G)

ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 10.8% , a 3 Years return of 20.0% and a 5 Years return of 25.9% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.9% and an AUM of ₹ 68034 crores as of 2025-05-12. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

6 . HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund Direct (G)

HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 7.9% , a 3 Years return of 22.1% and a 5 Years return of 30.4% . The fund has an expense ratio of 1.0% and an AUM of ₹ 24326 crores as of 2025-05-12. It was Launched on 2013-01-01. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

7 . HDFC Focused 30 Fund Direct (G)

HDFC Focused 30 Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 16.7% , a 3 Years return of 26.1% and a 5 Years return of 32.7% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.7% and an AUM of ₹ 18560 crores as of 2025-05-12. It was Launched on 2013-01-01. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

8 . Nippon India Large Cap Fund Direct (G)

Nippon India Large Cap Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 9.3% , a 3 Years return of 22.1% and a 5 Years return of 28.6% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.7% and an AUM of ₹ 39677 crores as of 2025-05-12. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

9 . Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct (G)

Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 3.1% , a 3 Years return of 24.5% and a 5 Years return of 39.5% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.7% and an AUM of ₹ 58029 crores as of 2025-05-12. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

10 . Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct (G)

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct (G) is a Equity fund that has delivered a 1 Year return of 19.3% , a 3 Years return of 30.9% and a 5 Years return of 39.2% . The fund has an expense ratio of 0.7% and an AUM of ₹ 27780 crores as of 2025-05-12. It was Launched on 2014-02-24. The minimum lump sum investment is ₹5000.

Things to Consider Before Investing in Equity Funds

Equity mutual funds invest in the shares of companies. The very nature of equity mutual funds makes them volatile and potentially high risk. Therefore, before adding one such fund to the investment portfolio, every investor needs to consider the following aspects.

  1. Fund Objective: The differentiating factor in choosing the right category among different equity mutual funds depends on the fund objective. Best equity mutual funds are structured to accumulate wealth through strategic investments. Each fund manager has his style of stock picking. It can be either growth investing or value investing. Therefore, aligning both investment objectives and fund objectives is essential.
  2. Fund Type: The different types of equity mutual funds are large cap, mid cap, small cap, and multi cap. Each of these categories serves a different objective. Large cap funds invest in the top 100 companies by market capitalisation. They hence are least risky amongst other equity funds categories. Small and mid cap funds carry the highest risk, while also offering high returns. On the other hand, Multi cap funds invest across market capitalisations and provide a more diversified option for the investor.
  3. Investment Objective: Always linking investment to a financial goal is the best way of investing. Equity mutual funds are ideal for long term goals. Identify long term goals and pick the best-suited equity mutual fund as they can generate wealth during the period.
  4. Investment Horizon: Equity mutual funds are only for long term investment horizons. These funds are highly volatile in the short run. Thus, to earn good returns, the investor has to stay invested for a minimum of 5 years. The long haul averages out the risk and has an excellent potential to earn a higher return.
  5. Risk: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risk. Amongst all the categories of mutual funds, equity mutual funds are the riskiest. Equity funds are affected by NIFTY and Sensex movements. The market fluctuations have a very high impact on the funds. Only with a long term investment horizon, this risk can be minimized.
  6. Cost: For actively managed equity mutual funds, SEBI has capped the total expense ratio at 2.5%. Fund houses also charge exit load for redeeming investments before a specific period. For equity, it is mostly one year, and 1% is charged for all withdrawals before one year.
  7. Expense ratio: The expense ratio of the fund is calculated as a percentage of the NAV. The returns of the fund are affected. Hence investors have to be careful while choosing a fund. Choose a fund with a lower expense ratio.
  8. Analyze Fund performance: Analysing the fund’s performance is very important. Investors invest in good returns. Fund return is all that they look at. The fund should be able to earn returns that are consistently outperforming the benchmark and its peers over a period of 5 years.
  9. Fund history: Investing in a fund that comes from an old and reputed fund house is essential. This builds investor confidence that the fund house can handle the performance of the fund in any market condition. The fund house should have a clean business with no track of any fraud.
  10. Identify how comfortable you are with risk: Investors need to access how they will react to slight fluctuations in the market. Will they be okay with losses in the short term? Will they be willing to invest for longer horizons despite drastic market movements?
  11. Taxation: Equity mutual funds are taxed based on the holding period of the investment. In the short term (less than one year), the gains are taxable at 15% (plus 4% cess). In the long run, the gains above INR 1,00,000 are taxable at 10% (plus 4% cess). Effective from 1st April 2020, dividends are taxable in the hands of investors at the income tax slab rate. And dividends above INR 5,000 are subject to TDS of 10%. Equity mutual funds are subject to securities transaction tax of 0.001% if investors sell the units. Investors should take advantage of investing for longer horizons and earn higher returns and enjoy tax benefits.

How to Invest in Equity Funds Through Scripbox

Investing in equity mutual funds in India can be done directly or through an agent. You can invest online through the direct method by logging on to the fund houses’ website and investing in the fund. On the other hand, you can invest through offline mode by visiting the nearest branch of the fund house. Investing through an intermediary can be done both online and offline.

There are multiple online platforms to invest in the best equity funds, and one of them is Scripbox. Scripbox allows investors to invest in the best equity funds carefully picked after thorough research using their robotic technology. 

You can invest in Scripbox’s recommended best equity mutual funds in India by following the below-mentioned steps:

  1. Login to Scripbox
  2. Click on ‘Invest’
  3. Begin your investment journey by choosing ‘A plan to invest in’ or ‘I want to choose my own funds’
  4. Select the mode of investment, i.e., monthly SIP, one-time or STP
  5. Enter the amount of investment
  6. Based on the amount of investment, the recommended funds will be provided. You can change the funds and the distribution of the amount.
  7. Select the payment mode and complete the transaction to set up your investment.

Overview of the Top 10 Equity Funds (Direct Plan) in India

Fund Name3 Year Returns5 Year Returns
ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Direct Plan Growth20.8%26.2%
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth16.2%25.6%
ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Direct Plan Growth15.6%19.6%
HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth18.6%23.9%
DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Direct Plan Growth17.3%22.4%
Franklin India Focused Equity Fund Direct Plan Growth15.3%21.6%
HDFC Small Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth22.3%29.7%
ICICI Prudential Technology Fund Direct Plan Growth9%30.6%
SBI Magnum Global Fund Direct Plan Growth8.2%16.3%
HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund Direct Plan Growth24.8%29.2%

Overview of the Top 10 Equity Funds (Regular Plan) in India

Fund Name3 Year Returns5 Year Returns
Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund Regular Plan Growth14.10%20.30%
HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund Regular Plan Growth20.40%23.50%
ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund Regular Plan Growth17.10%19.60%
ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund Regular Plan Growth22.50%25.90%
DSP ELSS Tax Saver Fund Regular Plan Growth18.60%21.80%
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Regular Plan Growth16.30%24.70%
SBI Magnum Global Fund Regular Plan Growth9.00%15.10%
Invesco India PSU Equity Fund Regular Plan Growth32.60%27.20%
ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund Regular Plan Growth33.10%30.80%
Edelweiss Recently Listed IPO Fund Regular Plan Growth9.60%21.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should one invest in equity mutual funds?

Always attach a monetary value to the goals; this will help in deciding the amount to invest. Since equity mutual funds are risky, staying invested for longer durations will help in earning higher returns. Therefore, attaching a monetary value and staying invested for long durations will help in understanding the amount that needs to be invested in equity mutual funds.

Which equity fund is the best to buy?

Fund selection is always a subjective choice and differs from investor to investor. However, the best equity funds are the ones that have been offering consistent returns in the past with proper fund management and low cost of acquisition.

Where can I find the best equity mutual funds to invest in?

Multiple online portals use algorithms to fund the best mutual funds to invest in. Scripbox is one such portal that suggests the best funds based on the investor’s profile.

Which is the best equity fund for SIP?

Every investor is unique. What is best for one might not be best for the other. Hence investors have to find a fund that best suits their goals and investment horizon.

How does Scripbox rate funds?

Proprietary system to rate mutual funds

We use a proprietary system to rate mutual funds and based on the outcome of the rating, we classify funds into 4 categories namely "Recommended", "Top Ranked", "Neutral" and "Not Recommended".

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Top Ranked

These funds are the top performers within a category of mutual funds considering a combination of criteria. The best amongst these funds are also labelled as Scripbox Recommended.

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Neutral

Scripbox recommends other funds, which are more suitable for your investment objectives, within this asset and sub asset class.

Things we consider to provide ratings for a mutual fund.

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Outperformance Consistency

We look at the consistency of the outperformance that the fund has displayed. A fund with high consistency is preferred

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Rolling Returns (1 Year Holding Period)

We consider average 1 year return that the fund has delivered over an extended period of time

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Rolling Returns (3 Year Holding Period)

We consider average 3 year return that the fund has delivered over an extended period of time

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Volatility of Outperformance

We consider how volatile the out-performance over the benchmark has been. A lower volatility is preferred

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Downside Protection Measure

We look at how resilient the fund is to market down trends. A fund that has shown a higher resilience is preferred

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Upside Participation Measure

We consider how well the fund has been able to participate in upmoves in the market. A fund that participates well is preferred

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Fund Size

We look at the size of the fund with respect to other funds in the category. Larger funds are preferred.

How to invest in best mutual funds?

Investing through Scripbox is made easy and paperless. All you need to do is follow the below steps and start investing.

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Choose a plan

Choose a plan to invest to start investing

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Create an Account

Create an account with Scripbox through a paperless process, to invest in best mutual funds.

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Invest online & transfer

Invest via netbanking, UPI or through an SIP (eNACH mandate).

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Track your investments

Track, invest more and withdraw your investments through the Scripbox dashboard

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Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing. Past performance is not an indicator of future returns.

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