February 9, 2026
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Top Performing ELSS Funds in Last 10 Years (2026 Edition)
ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Schemes) continue to be among the best tax-saving mutual funds under the old tax regime, not just for Section 80C benefits but also for long-term wealth creation.
Over the last 10 years, select ELSS funds have delivered 18%–21% CAGR, clearly showing that fund selection matters even within the same category.
We analysed top-performing ELSS funds based on 10-year returns, risk-adjusted performance, and portfolio structure.
Why ELSS Still Makes Sense in 2026
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Tax deduction up to Rs. 1.50 lakh under Section 80C
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Only 3-year lock-in (lowest among tax-saving instruments)
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Full equity participation for long-term growth
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Suitable for SIP-based wealth creation + tax planning
Top 5 ELSS Funds – 10-Year Performance Snapshot
| Fund Name | 10Y CAGR | 5Y CAGR | 3Y CAGR | Sharpe Ratio | Expense Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quant ELSS Tax Saver (Direct) | 21.51% | 21.76% | 18.51% | 0.62 | 0.75% |
| Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver (Direct) | 19.82% | 16.39% | 18.82% | 0.89 | 0.58% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver (Direct) | 18.47% | 19.29% | 23.71% | 0.88 | NA |
| DSP ELSS Tax Saver (Direct) | 18.28% | 18.81% | 21.49% | 1.06 | 0.74% |
| Bank of India ELSS Tax Saver (Direct) | 18.04% | 17.41% | 18.66% | 0.75 | 0.89% |
SIP Wealth Creation – What Rs. 4.60 Lakh Became
(Rs. 1 lakh lump sum + Rs. 10,000 SIP for 3 years)
| Fund | Final Value | XIRR |
|---|---|---|
| DSP ELSS | Rs. 6.39 lakh | 18.55% |
| Mirae Asset ELSS | Rs. 6.14 lakh | 16.15% |
| Bank of India ELSS | Rs. 5.89 lakh | 13.76% |
| Quant ELSS | Rs. 5.85 lakh | 13.35% |
Portfolio Style Comparison (Quick View)
| Fund | Large Cap | Mid Cap | Small Cap | Turnover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quant ELSS | 87.6% | 7.2% | 5.2% | 132% |
| DSP ELSS | 68.7% | 17.3% | 14.0% | 34% |
| Mirae Asset ELSS | 63.0% | 17.0% | 20.0% | 127% |
| BOI ELSS | 62.5% | 16.8% | 20.7% | 72% |
| Motilal Oswal ELSS | NA | NA | NA | 53% |
Key Investor Takeaways (Sahifund View)
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Highest returns ≠ best for everyone
Quant ELSS leads on returns but carries high churn and volatility. -
Best risk-adjusted ELSS: DSP ELSS (highest Sharpe ratio).
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Lowest cost leader: Mirae Asset ELSS (0.58% expense).
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Consistency matters more than one-time outperformance.
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ELSS works best when held beyond lock-in, ideally 7–10 years.
Sahifund Conclusion
ELSS remains a powerful tax-saving + equity wealth tool in 2026.
However, investors should choose funds based on risk profile, consistency, and portfolio style, not just headline returns.
At Sahifund.com, we believe:
Tax saving is temporary. Wealth creation is permanent. Choose wisely.
Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Past performance is not indicative of future returns.
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