Best Mutual Funds for Children

Updated On - 19 Sep 2025

With the cost of education increasing day by day in India, parents have to plan their children's higher education well in advance these days. While the cost of education does not seem likely to come down soon, it would be unwise to depend only on educational loans to get access to the required funds for your child's higher education.

Investing in mutual funds is one of the best ways to increase your wealth over a specific investment period, making it one of the top ways you can get the funds you need for your child's higher education.

Factors to Consider Before Investing

There are several factors that you should consider before selecting the right plan for your investment.

  1. The age of the child
  2. The income of the investor
  3. The type of investor
  4. The investment horizon
  5. The risk-taking capacity of the investor

Children’s Funds

An open-ended scheme that has been primarily designed for purposes such as marriage, healthcare, higher studies, relocation, and education expenses of a child is Children’s Fund. The money invested is used to purchase financial assets, instruments, debt, bonds, and stocks. Children’s Funds come with a lock-in period of 5 years or until the individual becomes an adult (whichever is earlier).

Some of the popular Children’s Funds are mentioned in the table below:

Name

Minimum SIP Investment

3Y Return

AUM (Cr.)

SBI Magnum Children’s Benefit Fund – IP – Dir Growth

Rs.5,000

46.6%

Rs.2,325

LIC MF Children’s Fund – Direct

Rs.5,000

30.4%

Rs.16

Aditya Birla SL Bal Bhavishya Yojana – Dir Growth

Rs.1,000

34.8%

Rs.1,060

ICICI Pru Child Care Fund – Gift Plan – Direct

Rs.5,000

41.2%

Rs.1,327

AXIS Children’s Gift Fund – Lock In – Dir Growth

Rs.5,000

23.6%

Rs.872

HDFC Children’s Gift Fund – Direct Growth

Rs.100

29%

Rs.9,444

Tata Young Citizens Fund – Direct

Rs.500

33.9%

Rs.363

UTI – Children's Equity Fund – Direct Growth

Rs.1,000

36.1%

Rs.1,100

Benefits of Children’s Funds

Some of the main advantages of Children’s Funds are mentioned below:

  1. Additional tax benefits will be provided for parents of the child with disabilities.
  1. The child’s future will be secure.
  1. Tax benefits can be availed.
  1. The type of fund can be chosen.

Disadvantages of Children’s Funds

The main disadvantages of Children’s Funds are given below:

  1. The returns are not guaranteed as it depends on the market.
  1. In the case of high-risk schemes, there will be exposure and fluctuations.

Taxability of Children’s Funds

  1. Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, up to Rs.1.5 lakh can be claimed as tax benefits.
  1. The maturity gains are taxable 
  1. For equity funds, 10% is the tax rate for any gains above Rs.1 lakh in a financial year.
  1. For debt funds, up to 20% of the capital gains must be paid as tax.

Features of Children’s Funds

The main features of Children’s Funds are mentioned below:

  1. Basic documents such as age proof and relationship proof must be submitted.
  1. The expense ratio is charged every year.
  1. An exit load must be paid when the funds are redeemed.
  1. Children’s Funds come with a lock-in period of 5 years or until the individual becomes an adult (whichever is earlier).

FAQs

  • Do Children’s Funds come with a lock-in period?

    Yes, Children’s Funds come with a lock-in period of 5 years or until the individual becomes an adult (whichever is earlier).

  • Is it possible to gift a mutual fund?

    Yes, mutual funds can be gifted to your child.

  • Can the Aadhaar Card be submitted as age proof?

    Yes, Aadhaar Card can be submitted as age proof.

  • Do returns on child plans depend on the market?

    No, returns on child plans do not depend on the market.

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