Debt Fund Categories
Short Duration Funds
Macaulay duration 1–3 years.
Updated 27 September 2026 · SEBI rules as of 2026
SEBI mandate
Macaulay duration 1–3 years
Debt Fund CategoriesOverview
Short duration funds hold a Macaulay duration of 1–3 years, balancing accrual income with moderate rate sensitivity.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| SEBI mandate | Macaulay duration 1–3 years |
| Duration / maturity | 1–3 years |
| Typical risk | Moderate |
| Tax (bought on/after 1 Apr 2023) | Gains taxed at slab rate, no LTCG benefit |
| Suited for | 1–3 year goals |
Risks in debt funds
| Risk | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Interest-rate risk | NAV falls when rates rise — higher for long duration |
| Credit risk | Issuer default or downgrade |
| Liquidity risk | Difficulty selling bonds in stress |
| Reinvestment risk | Lower yields when bonds mature |
What to check
| Metric | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yield to maturity (YTM) | Indicative gross return if held |
| Modified duration | Sensitivity to rate changes |
| Average maturity | Longer = more rate risk |
| Credit quality | % in AAA/sovereign |
| Expense ratio | Big impact on debt returns |
| Potential Risk Class (PRC) matrix | SEBI grid of interest-rate and credit risk |
Frequently asked questions
Are debt funds risk-free?
No. They carry interest-rate and credit risk, though usually far lower volatility than equity.
How are debt funds taxed now?
Units bought on or after 1 April 2023 are taxed at your slab rate regardless of holding period.
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks; read all scheme-related documents carefully. Information is educational and may change with SEBI / tax rules — verify with the AMC, AMFI or SEBI. FinancePortal is not an investment adviser.