Best ELSS Tax Saving Funds 2026 — Save ₹46,800 Tax Under 80C
Best ELSS funds 2026 for Section 80C tax saving. Save up to ₹46,800 tax with just 3-year lock-in. Compare returns, ratings and expense ratios.
ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) mutual funds offer ₹1.5 lakh tax deduction under Section 80C with the shortest lock-in period of just 3 years among all 80C investments. Here are the best ELSS funds to invest in 2026.
Best ELSS Tax Saving Funds — 24 Jun 2026
| Fund | 3Y CAGR | 1Y Return | Rating | Expense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fun... | +23.2% | +2.4% | ★★★★★ | 0.88% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fun... | +23.2% | +2.4% | ★★★★★ | 0.88% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fun... | +23.2% | +2.4% | ★★★★★ | 0.88% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fun... | +23.2% | +2.4% | ★★★★★ | 0.88% |
| WhiteOak Capital ELSS Tax Saver ... | +18.1% | +-2.0% | ★★★★★ | 0.9% |
ELSS vs Other 80C Tax Saving Options
| Investment | Lock-in | Returns | Tax on Gains |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELSS Mutual Fund | 3 years | 12-15% (market) | 10% LTCG above ₹1L |
| PPF | 15 years | 7.1% (fixed) | Tax-free |
| NSC | 5 years | 7.7% (fixed) | Taxable |
| Tax Saver FD | 5 years | 6.5-7% (fixed) | Taxable |
| NPS | Till retirement | 8-12% (market) | Partial tax-free |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much tax can I save with ELSS?
Investing ₹1.5 lakh in ELSS saves tax of up to ₹46,800 (for 30% tax bracket). Tax saved = Investment × Tax slab rate. For 20% slab, savings = ₹30,000. For 10% slab = ₹15,000.
Can I withdraw ELSS before 3 years?
No. ELSS has a mandatory 3-year lock-in per SIP installment. Each SIP installment has its own 3-year lock-in from the date of investment.
Is SIP or lump sum better for ELSS?
SIP is recommended for ELSS as it reduces timing risk. Note that each SIP installment has a separate 3-year lock-in. To use ₹1.5L deduction fully, invest ₹12,500/month via SIP.