Index funds · same index, head to head
BSE Sensex index funds compared
6 index funds track the BSE Sensex — same stocks, same weights. Yet the same ₹10,000 monthly SIP over the last 3 years (Direct plans, identical dates) ended between ₹3.38 L and ₹3.39 L: a ₹1,611 gap (0.32 percentage points of XIRR a year) from costs and tracking alone.
| Fund | Data from | 1-yr SIP XIRR | 3-yr SIP XIRR | 5-yr SIP XIRR | ₹10,000/mo for 3 yrs | vs best (3 yrs) | 1-yr return (lump sum) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTI BSE Sensex Index Fund | Feb 2022 | -17.05% | -4.06% | — | ₹3.39 L | best | -10.46% |
| Nippon India Index Fund - BSE Sensex Plan | Jan 2013 | -17.06% | -4.07% | 2.59% | ₹3.39 L | −₹72 | -10.48% |
| HDFC BSE Sensex Index Fund | Jan 2013 | -17.09% | -4.09% | 2.56% | ₹3.39 L | −₹184 | -10.51% |
| Navi BSE Sensex Index Fund | Sep 2023 | -17.17% | -4.12% | — | ₹3.39 L | −₹314 | -10.45% |
| SBI BSE Sensex Index Fund | Jun 2023 | -17.09% | -4.15% | — | ₹3.39 L | −₹501 | -10.58% |
| LIC MF BSE Sensex Index Fund | Jan 2013 | -17.29% | -4.38% | 2.31% | ₹3.38 L | −₹1,611 | -10.79% |
Direct plans, official AMFI NAVs as of 4 Oct 2026, SIP on the first business day of each month, identical dates for every fund. Ordered by 3-year SIP XIRR; funds with less history are listed last. Ordering is historical, not a recommendation — check each fund's current expense ratio. Past performance does not indicate future returns.
Questions
Which BSE Sensex index fund has given the best SIP returns?
Over the last 3 years, on identical dates and Direct plans, UTI BSE Sensex Index Fund had the highest SIP XIRR (-4.06%) and LIC MF BSE Sensex Index Fund the lowest (-4.38%) among 6 BSE Sensex index funds with 3 years of history. The gap reflects expense ratios and tracking error; it can change, so check costs before choosing.
Why do index funds on the same index give different returns?
They hold the same stocks, so the difference comes from the expense ratio (charged daily inside the NAV), tracking error (how closely the fund follows the index after cash flows, dividends and rebalancing) and cash held for redemptions. Over long periods, a lower expense ratio is the most reliable advantage.
See also: all index funds · other indices · rolling returns by index.