What is the average return of Nifty 50 per year?

The Nifty 50 has delivered approximately 12–13% CAGR over a 20-year period (2000–2024). However, calendar year returns vary widely — from +75.8% (2009) to -51.8% (2008). Long-term investors who held through crashes have generally been rewarded.

What was the best year for Nifty 50?

The best calendar year for Nifty 50 was 2009 with a return of +75.8%, driven by the post-global financial crisis recovery. 2003 (+71.9%) and 2007 (+54.8%) are the other top performers.

What was the worst year for Nifty 50?

The worst calendar year for Nifty 50 was 2008 with a return of -51.8% during the global financial crisis. 2011 (-24.6%) and 2000 (-17.3%) were the other significantly negative years.

How many times has Nifty 50 given negative returns?

Nifty 50 has given negative calendar year returns 5 out of 25 years (2000–2024): 2000, 2001, 2008, 2011, and 2015. That means in 80% of years, the index ended the year with positive returns.

Is Nifty 50 good for long-term SIP?

Yes. Historical data shows that a SIP in Nifty 50 index funds for any 10+ year period has delivered positive inflation-beating returns. The SIP calculator above lets you model any start date and see exact returns.

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Indian Markets

Nifty 50 Historical Returns

27 years of annual calendar returns (2000–2026) · Rolling returns · SIP calculator

26-yr CAGR

~11.5%

Jan 2000 → Dec 2025

Best Year

+75.8%

2009 (post-GFC recovery)

Worst Year

-51.8%

2008 (global financial crisis)

Positive Yrs

21 / 26

81% of calendar years

Quick Summary

The Nifty 50 tracks India's 50 largest, most-traded companies by free-float market cap — the most-watched benchmark for the Indian stock market.
Over 27 calendar years (2000–2026), it has delivered roughly 11.5% CAGR — but individual years swung from +75.8% (2009) to -51.8% (2008).
21 of those 26 years were positive — meaning even a broad index isn't immune to multi-year down periods.
These are price-only returns, excluding dividends — actual investor returns (via an index fund) run slightly higher.

Nifty 50 Annual Returns — Year by Year

Calendar year performance from Jan 1 to Dec 31

Live: 23,141 2000 – 2026

Year	Open	Close	Return

Rolling Returns — Any Period

CAGR for 1, 3, 5, 10 year periods ending each year

Period Ending	1 Year	3 Year	5 Year	10 Year

SIP Returns on Nifty 50

See how a monthly SIP on Nifty 50 index would have grown from any start year

Start Year

Monthly SIP (₹)

End Year

Total Invested

—

Final Value

—

Gain

—

XIRR (approx)

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📊 Key Insights from 25 Years of Nifty 50 Data

81%

of calendar years were positive. Nifty 50 delivered gains in 21 out of 26 years (2000–2025).

11.5%

CAGR over 26 years (2000–2025), beating inflation and FD rates significantly.

0 / 10

Any 10-year SIP in Nifty 50 has always given positive returns, with no exceptions.

2–3yr

Nifty 50 has historically recovered from every crash within 2–3 years. Patience is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average annual return of Nifty 50?

Over 25 years (2000–2024), Nifty 50 has delivered approximately 12–13% CAGR. This significantly beats inflation (avg ~6%) and FD rates (avg ~7%).

How many times has Nifty 50 fallen in a year?

Nifty 50 fell in 5 out of 25 calendar years: 2000 (-17.3%), 2001 (-16.2%), 2008 (-51.8%), 2011 (-24.6%), and 2015 (-4.1%). That's just 20% of years.

What is the highest Nifty 50 return in a single year?

The highest single-year return was 2009 with +75.8%, a sharp recovery after the 2008 global financial crisis crash. Missing this recovery by selling in panic would have destroyed long-term wealth.

Is Nifty 50 a good long-term investment?

Historical data strongly suggests yes. Any 10-year SIP in Nifty 50 has delivered positive returns with no exception. Use the SIP calculator above to see exactly what your investment would have grown to.

How can I invest in Nifty 50?

You can invest in Nifty 50 through index mutual funds (e.g., UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund, HDFC Nifty 50 Index Fund) or Nifty 50 ETFs (like Nippon India ETF Nifty 50) via any DEMAT account or mutual fund app.

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* Nifty 50 data sourced from NSE India / Yahoo Finance. 2026 row shows year-to-date return with live price. Calendar year returns based on year-end closing values. Past performance is not indicative of future results.