💊 Best Healthcare Mutual Funds in India 2026
If you’ve been asking “which are the best mutual funds to invest for healthcare?” — you’re in the right place. Healthcare mutual funds have delivered stellar returns over the past 3‑5 years, with the top schemes outpacing the Nifty Pharma TRI by a wide margin . With the Indian healthcare sector projected to reach $610 billion by 2026 , these funds offer a compelling way to participate in the growth of pharma, hospitals, diagnostics, and medtech. Below, we analyze the top‑performing funds, their portfolios, risk metrics, and what to expect in 2026.
📊 Top Healthcare Mutual Funds – Performance at a Glance
Data as of February 2026 (compiled from multiple sources) . Sorted by 3‑year CAGR.
| Fund Name | AUM (₹ Cr) | 3Y CAGR (%) | 5Y CAGR (%) | Expense Ratio (Direct) (%) | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Pru Pharma Healthcare & Diagnostics Fund | 6,660 | 26.41 | 16.92 | 1.04 | 25-07-2018 |
| SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund | 3,824 | 24.60 | 16.28 | 0.91 | 14-07-1999 |
| UTI Healthcare Fund | 1,055 | 24.28 | 15.21 | 1.30 | 05-08-2005 |
| Nippon India Pharma Fund | 7,877 | 22.73 | 15.29 | 0.89 | 01-06-2004 |
| Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund | 2,640 | 22.70 | 15.48 | 0.49 | 10-07-2018 |
| Tata India Pharma & Healthcare Fund | 1,240 | 22.37 | 15.01 | 0.62 | 28-12-2015 |
| DSP Healthcare Fund | 2,972 | 20.45 | 13.95 | 0.60 | 05-11-2018 |
| Aditya Birla SL Pharma & Healthcare Fund | 830 | 24.94* | 15.27* | 1.02 | 05-07-2019 |
| ITI Pharma and Healthcare Fund | 210 | 18.75 | — | 0.47 | 08-11-2021 |
*Source: Smallcase / Tickertape | Note: 3Y returns for Aditya Birla as per Jan 2026 data .
🔍 Detailed analysis: Which are the best mutual funds to invest in healthcare?
We deep‑dive into the top five funds based on risk‑adjusted returns, portfolio quality, and consistency.
- AUM: ₹6,660 Cr
- Expense (D): 1.04%
- Top stocks: Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s, Divi’s, Cipla, Aurobindo
- Std Dev: 13.7 (lower than benchmark)
- Sharpe: 0.5 (vs benchmark 0.4)
- Actively rebalanced (turnover 65%)
- AUM: ₹3,824 Cr
- Expense (D): 0.91%
- Top stocks: Sun Pharma, Divi’s, Max Healthcare, Cipla, Lonza ADR
- Std Dev: 12.8 (lowest in category)
- Sharpe: 0.5 · Sortino 1.1
- Bottom‑up stock selection, low turnover (14%)
- AUM: ₹1,055 Cr
- Expense (D): 1.30%
- Top holdings: Sun Pharma, Cipla, Ajanta Pharma, Lupin, P&G Health
- 3Y return: 24.28%
- Long track record since 2005
- AUM: ₹7,877 Cr
- Expense (D): 0.89%
- Portfolio: Sun Pharma, Divi’s, Lupin, Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s, Apollo Hospitals
- 3Y return: 22.73%
- One of the oldest pharma funds (2004)
- AUM: ₹2,640 Cr
- Expense (D): only 0.49%
- Holdings: Sun Pharma, Divi’s, Glenmark, Aurobindo, Cipla, Apollo
- 3Y return: 22.70%
- Impressive since launch (2018)
- AUM: ₹2,972 Cr
- Expense (D): 0.60%
- Top picks: Cipla, Sun Pharma, Ipca, Cohance, Laurus Labs
- Turnover: only 14% — long‑term focus
- 3Y return: 20.45%
📈 Why healthcare mutual funds now? Outlook 2026
The healthcare sector is poised for multi‑year growth driven by:
- Global patent cliff (2026‑28): Over $200 billion drugs going off‑patent, benefiting Indian pharma companies .
- China+1 opportunity: Global players diversifying to India for CDMO/API sourcing .
- Domestic demand: Rising health insurance penetration, ageing population, and medical tourism (projected $102 bn by 2030) .
- Government support: PLI schemes and increased healthcare budget outlay .
- Defensive resilience: Healthcare remains stable even during economic downturns .
After a mild correction in 2025, valuations are now reasonable, making it an attractive entry point for long‑term investors .
📌 Also consider: Healthcare ETFs (Passive option)
If you prefer lower costs and index‑linked returns, Nifty Healthcare ETFs are a solid choice. Top ETFs include:
- ICICI Pru Nifty Healthcare ETF – AUM ₹128 Cr, expense 0.15%
- Aditya Birla Nifty Healthcare ETF – expense 0.19%
- Axis Nifty Healthcare ETF – expense 0.34%
- DSP Nifty Healthcare ETF – expense 0.20%
These ETFs track the Nifty Healthcare Index, offering diversified exposure to leading pharma, hospitals, and diagnostics stocks .
⚕️ How to choose the right healthcare fund for you
When asking “which are the best mutual funds to invest for healthcare”, consider:
- Investment horizon: Minimum 5‑7 years to ride sector cycles .
- Risk appetite: Healthcare funds can be volatile; suited for moderate to aggressive investors .
- Expense ratio: Lower expenses boost long‑term returns (e.g., Mirae 0.49%, DSP 0.60%) .
- Fund manager expertise: Pharma is niche; experienced managers add value .
- Portfolio concentration: Check top holdings and diversification across sub‑sectors (pharma, hospitals, diagnostics).
🏆 Our top recommendations for 2026
- For consistent outperformance: ICICI Pru Pharma Healthcare & Diagnostics Fund – highest 3Y/5Y returns with lower volatility .
- For low cost & stability: SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund – excellent risk‑adjusted metrics (lowest std dev) .
- For aggressive growth: Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund – very low expense, strong portfolio .
- For passive index exposure: ICICI Pru Nifty Healthcare ETF – rock‑bottom expense 0.15% .
⚠️ Risks to keep in mind
- Regulatory changes: Drug price controls, USFDA actions, tariff policies (e.g., US tariff on pharma) .
- Sector concentration: Returns depend heavily on healthcare performance; diversify across sectors .
- Volatility: Biotech and small‑cap pharma can swing sharply .
- Liquidity: Some smaller funds may have lower AUM, affecting exit .
📅 Taxation of healthcare mutual funds
As equity‑oriented funds, taxation follows equity mutual fund rules (Budget 2024) :
- Short‑term (hold < 12 months): 20%
- Long‑term (hold ≥ 12 months): 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh/year (no indexation)
💬 Final verdict: Which are the best mutual funds to invest for healthcare?
For 2026, the top contenders are ICICI Pru Pharma Healthcare & Diagnostics Fund, SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund, and Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund — each excelling in returns, risk management, and portfolio quality. If you prefer a passive route, Nifty Healthcare ETFs offer cost efficiency. Given the sector’s structural tailwinds (patent cliff, China+1, domestic demand), a SIP in one or two healthcare funds (with 5‑10% of equity portfolio) can be a wise long‑term strategy . As always, consult your financial advisor before investing.
✅ Pro tip: Don’t try to time the sector. Start a monthly SIP and stay invested for at least 5 years. Healthcare is a marathon, not a sprint. 🏃♂️💊