The rule behind "best"
"Best" is not one thing, so this post fixes a rule and applies it the same way in every category of this series. Of the 28 aggressive hybrid funds with a 3-year record, 15 are open to new money, hold at least ₹1,000 crore (average AUM, July–September 2026) and have a 5-year record. They are ranked by 3-year compounded annual return, Direct plan, Growth option, from NAVs to 27 October 2026. On that rule the leader is Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund at 14.00% a year, against a category median of 10.55%. With no filter, BANK OF INDIA AGGRESSIVE HYBRID FUND sits first at 15.77%, but it is a small fund, at ₹354 crore, so it does not clear the rule.
An aggressive hybrid fund holds 65% to 80% in equity and the rest mostly in debt. The debt slice cushions falls, which is the whole case for the category: a smoother ride than an equity fund, with most of the upside. Whether it delivers depends on how well the manager handles both halves.
The top five
| Fund | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | Expense ratio | AUM (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 0.40% | 14.00% | 10.21% | – | 0.87% | 2,496 |
| Quant Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 2.11% | 13.08% | 11.34% | 15.73% | 1.43% | 2,165 |
| Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid Fund | −2.79% | 12.56% | 12.13% | 13.12% | 0.69% | 3,918 |
| ICICI Prudential Aggressive Hybrid Fund | −5.66% | 12.13% | 12.14% | 14.55% | 1.08% | 52,108 |
| Kotak Aggressive Hybrid Fund | −3.55% | 11.89% | 10.33% | 10.13% | 0.64% | 9,212 |
| Category median | −4.02% | 10.55% | 8.50% | – | – | – |
Returns of a year or more are compounded annual rates. Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund leads the median by 3.45 points a year over three years, and Quant Aggressive Hybrid Fund follows at 13.08%.
Risk: what the lead cost
| Fund | Volatility (3 yr) | Worst fall (3 yr) | Sharpe ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 11.9% | −13.5% | 0.63 |
| Quant Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 13.1% | −18.6% | 0.50 |
| Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 10.7% | −12.0% | 0.56 |
Volatility is the annualised standard deviation of daily returns; the worst fall is the deepest peak-to-trough drop in the last three years. The Sharpe ratio uses a 6.5% risk-free rate.
What a monthly SIP earned
| Fund | 3-year SIP return (a year) | 5-year SIP return (a year) |
|---|---|---|
| Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 7.62% | 11.66% |
| Quant Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 5.26% | 10.22% |
| Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 4.05% | 10.78% |
| Category median | 2.27% | 8.22% |
SIP returns are annualised (XIRR) for ₹10,000 a month. They differ from lump-sum returns because each instalment buys at a different price.
Same rule, different crowns
5 different funds take the five measures below, which is the point: the answer depends on what you ask.
| Measure | Fund | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Best 1-year return | Quant Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 2.11% |
| Best 5-year return | ICICI Prudential Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 12.14% |
| Lowest expense ratio | Kotak Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 0.64% |
| Lowest volatility | HDFC Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 9.6% |
| Highest Sharpe ratio | Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund | 0.63 |
Volatility in this table is about 10% to 13%, well under the 17% to 19% of the mid and small cap funds elsewhere in this series. The 3-year leader is not the 5-year leader, and the cheapest fund is not the leader on either, so the ranking says less than it seems to.
More in this series
Best large cap fund · Best mid cap fund · Best small cap fund · Best flexi cap fund · Best ELSS fund · Best multi asset fund · Best large and mid cap fund · Best short duration fund · Best gilt fund
What this ranking cannot tell you
It looks backward over a single window. It ignores the fund house, the manager's tenure, the portfolio and its overlap with what you already own. Past returns do not predict future ones, and a fund's rank can change with the next month's NAV. For any fund here, open its page to see the full record, and use the compare tool to set two side by side. This is a data read-out, not advice to buy or sell.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best aggressive hybrid fund in India in 2026?
On this rule (open-ended, at least ₹1,000 crore AUM, a 5-year record, ranked by 3-year return, Direct plan, Growth option), Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund, at 14.00% a year to 27 October 2026, against a category median of 10.55%. A different rule can give a different answer.
Does the best aggressive hybrid fund by 3-year return also lead over 1 and 5 years?
Not entirely. Among the eligible funds, Quant Aggressive Hybrid Fund leads over one year at 2.11% and ICICI Prudential Aggressive Hybrid Fund leads over five years at 12.14%; Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund returned 0.40% and 10.21%.
Which aggressive hybrid fund has the lowest expense ratio?
Kotak Aggressive Hybrid Fund, at 0.64% for the Direct plan among the eligible funds. Bandhan Aggressive Hybrid Fund charges 0.87%.
This is commentary on published data, not investment advice. WealthTicker is not a SEBI-registered adviser or distributor. Figures are WealthTicker’s own calculations from public data — AMFI’s fund NAVs and disclosures, NSE’s index and FII/DII files, and the fund houses’ monthly portfolios (how we calculate). They are as of the dates stated and can be revised by their source.
Keep reading
Four biggest aggressive hybrid funds compared, 2026
The four biggest aggressive hybrid funds, compared on returns, calendar years, risk, SIP results and cost. 3-year range 5.54% to 11.53% a year.
Aggressive hybrid vs large-cap funds: the cushion in numbers
In the year to 1 October 2026 the median aggressive hybrid fund lost 1.26% against 4.71% for large-cap funds, with a shallower fall. The full spread.
Aggressive hybrid funds made 1.44% as large caps lost 1.11%
In the year to 25 June 2026 the median aggressive hybrid fund returned 1.44%, the median large cap fund −1.11%. Hybrids fell less, rebounded nearly as far.