Gilt Funds

Last Updated on 12 May 2026

DEBT

3 Year Average Returns

5.73%

Funds on Anand Rathi

93

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The value of your investment after 5 Years will be

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What are Gilt Funds?

A Gilt fund is a type of open-ended mutual fund that invests a minimum 80% of its assets in government securities. These securities are issued by the central or state government, so the risk of default is almost zero.

But safe doesn't always mean boring or low return. Gilt funds can actually deliver better NAV when interest rates move in the right direction. Many investors use them to balance their portfolio when markets become unstable or uncertain.

Benefits of Investing in a Gilt Fund

Gilt funds have their own set of benefits in the crowd of other mutual funds. Here are a few listed ones:

Safety

Since the money goes into government securities, there is no credit risk involved. Unlike corporate bonds, there's no worry about the company defaulting. As a result, investors may find it a safe investment option.

Stability

Another benefit is stability during market volatility. When equity markets fall sharply, debt funds like gilt funds often perform better or remain stable. This makes them a good hedge during uncertain times.

Appreciation during Falling Interest Cycles

Gilt funds also offer good potential during falling interest rate cycles. When interest rates drop, bond prices rise, which increases the NAV of the fund. Many investors use this strategy as a form of portfolio leverage.

Liquidity

Being an open-ended fund, you can redeem your investment anytime, usually within 1–2 working days, unlike some long-term locked products.

Professional Management

Akin to the feature of mutual funds, fund managers deploy their expertise and actively adjust maturity and duration to take advantage of interest rate movements.

How Does Gilt Funds Work?

Gilt funds work like any other debt fund, but the strategy and root asset differ. Let's see how these gilt funds work in a 5-step-by-step manner:

1. Government Issues Bonds

The government raises money by issuing bonds with fixed interest (coupon) and a set maturity period.

2. Fund Buys These Bonds

The gilt fund manager purchases a mix of these government securities (with pooled money) based on the interest rate outlook.

3. Portfolio Is Balanced

Investments are spread across short, medium, and long-term government bonds to manage risk and returns.

4. NAV Updates Accordingly

The fund's NAV changes every day based on how bond prices move in the market.

5. Investors Buy or Redeem Units

You can invest or withdraw at the prevailing NAV (exit load may apply in some cases).

Who Should Invest In Gilt Funds?

Since Gilt funds are more focused on G-secs, it may be suitable for:

  • Conservative investors
  • Retired individuals looking for a stable income
  • People seeking to diversify their portfolios beyond pure equity.
  • Investors who understand interest rate cycles
  • Short to medium term goals (2–5 years).

How To Invest In Gilt Funds With Anand Rathi?

Planning to invest in a Gilt fund online?

With Anand Rathi, you can do it through a secure, paperless, and easy-to-use platform.

Here's how you can begin:

Sign Up or Log In

Visit the Anand Rathi website or download the AR Invest app and log in safely.

Complete Your KYC

Finish the one-time digital KYC process — quick and completely paperless.

Explore Gilt Mutual Funds

Compare different Gilt mutual funds based on duration, past performance, and risk profile.

Choose and Invest

Select the Gilt fund that suits your goals and invest through SIP or lump sum.

Track Your Investment

Check NAV movements, portfolio details, and investments anytime in one dashboard.

Factors To Consider Before Investing In Gilt Funds

Even though gilt funds are safe in terms of default risk, there are still a few things you should check before investing.

Interest Rate

Gilt funds perform best when interest rates are stable or falling. During a rising rate environment, short-term volatility can occur.

Fund Duration

Long duration gilt funds are more sensitive to rate changes, while shorter ones are relatively stable. Choose according to your risk comfort.

Investment Horizon

These funds are better when held for at least 2–3 years. Understanding how long you wish to invest and whether it matches the fund's maturity also matters a lot.

Other Factors

Apart from the above factors, also look at past performance across cycles, expense ratio, fund manager experience, and portfolio maturity structure. Match it with your financial goal and consult a financial advisor for better knowledge.

Taxation Rules On Gilt Funds

As per MF tax rules, any investor who has invested or will invest in Gilt funds falls into two categories:

Before April 1, 2023, but sold after July 23, 2024: LTCG (12.5% - without indexation), STCG (slab rate).

On or after April 1, 2023: Irrespective of the holding period, Gains are taxed as Short-term capital gains (STCG) at an individual's slab rates.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or financial pr...

Frequently Asked Questions

Gilt debt funds carry very low credit risk, compared to other debt funds, since they invest in government securities. However, they are sensitive to interest rate changes, which can cause short-term NAV fluctuations.
You may see temporary losses in the short term if interest rates rise. However, over longer periods, yield could stabilize through interest income and bond price recovery.
No, gilt funds do not provide guaranteed returns. Their performance depends on market interest rates and bond price movements. Conduct your own research accordingly.
Yes, gilt mutual funds are open-ended and allow redemption anytime at the prevailing NAV. Some gilt funds may charge a small exit load for early withdrawal.
Ideally, staying invested for more than a year to manage volatility and achieve stability in gilt funds.
Over the long term (considering 5-year CAGR), gilt funds have generally delivered around 4%–6% annually, depending on interest rate cycles and market conditions.
Most gilt funds allow SIPs starting from as low as ₹100 and lump-sum investments from ₹1,000 onwards, depending on the fund.

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