Two funds walk into a table. Only the numbers talk.
Franklin India Short Term Fund vs Axis Short Term Fund
Pick two or three funds. We’ll tell you in plain words which grew faster, which was calmer, which costs less and what your money would have become. Figures are for the Direct plan, Growth option, where a fund has one.
- AFranklin India Short Term Fund
Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund- Short Duration Fund
- Direct plan
- Moderate Risk
NAV ₹10.1 on 13 Nov 2026
- BAxis Short Term Fund
Axis Mutual Fund- Short Duration Fund
- Direct plan
- Low to Moderate Risk
NAV ₹36.51 on 13 Nov 2026
The short version
Who comes out ahead on each measure.
Fell less in a crash
No fair winner yet
At its worst, Franklin India Short Term Fund fell 0.2% from its peak, against 2.6% for Axis Short Term Fund. On ₹1 lakh, that's a dip to ₹97,402 at the bottom for Axis Short Term Fund. Could you have held on?
Not a fair fight: we only have data for Franklin India Short Term Fund (from Aug 2026), so it has not been through the 2020 crash the others fell in.
What your money would have become
The same amount, put into each fund on the same day.
Not enough shared history to chart these funds together yet.
Strengths and watch-outs
Each fund judged against its own category, and against a 5-year SBI FD at 6.05%.
AFranklin India Short Term Fund
- Strength: Low cost: 0.37% a year
- Watch out: Small fund (₹231 Cr), often newer or less tested
- Watch out: Less than 3 years of history, too short to judge
BAxis Short Term Fund
- Strength: In the top quarter of its category over 5 years (#4 of 20)
- Strength: Fell less than its category in the worst crash
- Strength: Low cost: 0.4% a year
All the numbers
The stronger figure in each row is marked Best. Under each return is the fund’s rank in its category and the category average.
| Measure | AFranklin India Short Term Fund | BAxis Short Term Fund |
|---|---|---|
| ReturnsHow much the fund grew. Beyond a year, this is per year (annualised). | ||
| 1 yearLast 12 months, the most noisy figure | – | 5.2%#2 of 22 · avg 4.7% |
| 3 yearsPer year, over a full market mood swing | – | 7.7%#1 of 22 · avg 7.3% |
| 5 yearsPer year, the fairest single test | – | 6.8%#4 of 20 · avg 6.7% |
| 10 yearsPer year, across bull and bear markets | – | 7.4%#2 of 16 · avg 6.9% |
| RiskHow bumpy the ride was. This is what decides whether you stay invested. | ||
| Ups and downsVolatility: how far it swings in a typical year. Lower is calmer | – | 1%category avg 1% |
| Worst fallThe biggest drop from a peak in 10 years. Lower is better | −0.2%data from 12 Aug 2026 only | −2.6%category avg −3.2% |
| Best 12 monthsIts strongest year | – | 12.8% |
| Worst 12 monthsIts weakest year | – | 3% |
| Odds of a gainShare of all 1-year holding periods that ended in profit | – | 100% |
| Cost and sizeThe fee comes out of your returns every year, whether the fund does well or not. | ||
| Expense ratioYearly fee. Lower keeps more for you | 0.37%Best | 0.4% |
| Fund sizeMoney managed (AUM). Neither better nor worse | ₹231 Cr | ₹7,425 Cr |
| Minimum SIPSmallest monthly amount | ₹500 | ₹100Best |
| Lock-inTime before you can withdraw | None | None |
“Best” is not a recommendation: a fund that returned more usually took more risk to do it.
Which one fits you?
There is no best fund, only a better fit for what you need the money to do.
AFranklin India Short Term Fund
Might suit you if…
- you prefer its fund house or approach. On these numbers it is not the stand-out on any one measure
BAxis Short Term Fund
Might suit you if…
- you prefer its fund house or approach. On these numbers it is not the stand-out on any one measure