The SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund is one of the oldest and most trusted tax-saving mutual funds in India. As an open-ended Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) with a statutory 3-year lock-in, it allows investors to benefit from equity market growth while claiming tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Launched on 31 March 1993, the fund has built a long performance track record and follows a fundamentally driven bottom-up stock-picking approach.
What is a ELSS Tax Saver Fund?
An ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) is a mutual fund category that:
Invests predominantly in equity
Offers tax deductions up to ₹1.5 lakhs under Section 80C
Has a mandatory lock-in of 3 years
Is suitable for investors seeking long-term wealth creation + tax savings
The uploaded document confirms that this fund qualifies as an ELSS, allowing eligible investors to claim tax deductions under Section 80C up to ₹1,50,000, subject to applicable conditions
Quick Snapshot
Parameter
Details
Scheme Name
SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund
Category
ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme)
Type
Open-ended with 3-year lock-in period
Date of Inception
31/03/1993
Benchmark
BSE 500 TRI Index
Investment Objective
Invest in equity shares + offer Section 80C tax deduction
Minimum Investment
₹500 and multiples of ₹500 thereafter
Exit Load
Nil (subject to lock-in)
Fund Manager
Mr. Dinesh Balachandran (since 2016)
The primary aim of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity shares, while also offering tax deductions under Section 80C. The fund may distribute income periodically depending on distributable surplus. However, the scheme offers no guarantee or assured returns
Benchmark Details
Primary Benchmark:Nifty 500 TRI (Total Return Index)
Benchmark Justification:
Nifty 500 TRI represents a broad representation of India’s equity market and aligns with the fund’s objective of diversified equity exposure.
Investment Style & Strategy
Bottom-Up Stock Selection
The fund manager uses a bottom-up approach focusing on:
Fundamental strength
Valuations
Management quality
Sustainable competitive advantages
Active Management
The scheme is predominantly actively managed to achieve its objective.
Asset Allocation Pattern
Equities & equity-related instruments: 80–100%
Money market instruments: 0–20%
Diversification
The portfolio is diversified across sectors and market caps, without restrictions on market-cap exposure (sector- and market-cap agnostic strategy)
Fund Snapshot and Performance Quants
Fund Snapshot and Performance Quants
Screener: Performance overview for
SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund
Shortest lock-in among tax-saving instruments: 3 years
Need for diversification
Broadly diversified across sectors & companies
Lack of transparency
Monthly/Fortnightly portfolio disclosures available online
Volatility concerns
Managed through bottom-up analysis and strong research framework
High minimum investment
Minimum investment of ₹500 is accessible for all investors
Exit load concern
No exit load after the statutory lock-in period
Q1. Is SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund risky?
A1: Yes — it is an equity scheme. Riskometer category is “High”.
Q2. What is the lock-in period?
A2: Mandatory 3 years.
Q3. Can I withdraw through SIP or SWP?
A3: Only after the lock-in period. STP/SWP facilities are available post lock-in.
Q4. Is there any exit load?
A4: No exit load after 3 years.
Q5.Does the scheme guarantee returns?
A5: No. The scheme does not guarantee returns
The SBI ELSS Tax Saver Fund is a strong choice for investors looking to combine tax-saving benefits with long-term wealth creation. Backed by SBI Mutual Fund’s research strength and a seasoned fund manager, it provides a diversified, fundamentally strong equity portfolio ideal for long-term investors.
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