Kotak CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 9 to 12 Months Debt Index Fund - Direct - Growth

Kotak CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 9 to 12 Months Debt Index Fund - Direct - Growth ranks among the stronger performers in the Index Funds category. TopFund's composite Health Score, which weighs rating, 3-year CAGR, expense ratio and fund size, puts it at 85/100.

Cost: At 0.12%, the expense ratio is meaningfully cheaper — about 70% below the Index Funds category average of 0.4% (based on 908 comparable funds). Lower costs compound in your favour over long holding periods.

Risk-adjusted performance: Over the trailing 1-year period, the fund shows a negative Sharpe ratio of -0.65 — over the past year, returns haven't kept pace with the volatility involved, even before accounting for the risk-free rate. Separately, annualised volatility of 0.58% is on the lower side, suggesting a comparatively smoother ride.

Who should invest: This fund is best suited to cost-conscious investors happy to simply match the market rather than try to beat it. The High risk rating means near-term volatility should be expected — this isn't a fund to check daily.