Best Energy Mutual Funds in India (2026)

Energy mutual funds invest primarily in companies involved in oil & gas, power generation, renewable energy, and related energy infrastructure. Under SEBI’s sectoral mutual fund rules, these schemes must invest at least 80% of their assets in companies from the energy sector.

Top 10 Best Energy Mutual Funds in India Based on Returns, Ranks & AUM

5 Mutual Funds
Rank
Exp. Ratio
SBI Energy Opportunities Fund
1.83%
0%
0%
-
0.78
₹8908 Cr
ICICI Prudential Energy Opportunities Fund
9.98%
0%
0%
-
0.6
₹9668 Cr
Baroda BNP Paribas Energy Opportunities Fund
6.59%
0%
0%
-
1.01
₹715 Cr
Kotak Energy Opportunities Fund
0%
0%
0%
-
0.89
₹280 Cr
Groww BSE Power ETF FOF Fund
0%
0%
0%
-
0.14
₹12 Cr

AUM Growth of Sector Energy Mutual Funds - March 2026

In the past one month, the Kotak Energy Opportunities Fund Direct Growth has emerged as the leader in net AUM growth, witnessing an impressive addition of ₹2.43 crore. This positions it as one of the top-performing Sector Energy mutual funds in terms of investor interest and fund growth.

Top Stock added by Sector Energy Mutual Funds - March 2026

Over the last month, NHPC Ltd has been added to the portfolios of 2 out of 5 Sector Energy mutual funds. This signals growing confidence in the stock’s long-term growth prospects among Sector Energy fund managers.

NHPC Ltd shares added by Sector Energy Mutual Funds
As of 24 Mar 2026
Fund
1M Net Flow
Action
ICICI Prudential Energy Opportunities Fund
ICICI Prudential Energy Opportunities Fund

Increased shares by 247.65%

+₹92.32 Cr
Invest
Baroda BNP Paribas Energy Opportunities Fund
Baroda BNP Paribas Energy Opportunities Fund

Increased shares by 2.38%

+₹0.59 Cr
Invest

Top Stock sold by Sector Energy Mutual Funds - March 2026

In contrast, Indian Oil Corp Ltd has been sold by 2 of 5 Sector Energy mutual funds in the last one month. This shift underscores a cautious approach by fund managers toward the stock, reflecting changing market dynamics.

Indian Oil Corp Ltd shares sold by Sector Energy Mutual Funds
As of 24 Mar 2026
Fund
1M Net Flow
Action
SBI Energy Opportunities Fund
SBI Energy Opportunities Fund

Decreased shares by 38.92%

-₹303.52 Cr
Invest
ICICI Prudential Energy Opportunities Fund
ICICI Prudential Energy Opportunities Fund

Decreased shares by 21.30%

-₹167.73 Cr
Invest

Sector allocation of Sector Energy mutual funds - March 2026

Over the last 6 months, Sector Energy category has seen increased allocation towards Tech, Consumer Cyclical, Financial Services sectors and allocation in Energy sectors has decreased

Sectoral allocation of Sector Energy Funds
As of 24 Mar 2026
Sector
AUM
Energy
Energy

Decreased by 23.95%, in last 6M

6.52K Cr
Utilities
Utilities

Increased by 1.24%, in last 6M

6.42K Cr
Industrial
Industrial

Increased by 17.52%, in last 6M

5.14K Cr
Financial Services
Financial Services

Increased by 23.39%, in last 6M

704.18 Cr
Basic Materials
Basic Materials

Increased by 5.01%, in last 6M

550.61 Cr
Tech
Tech

Increased by 194.90%, in last 6M

252.37 Cr
Consumer Cyclical
Consumer Cyclical

Increased by 100.00%, in last 6M

3.21 Cr

What Are Energy Mutual Funds and How Do They Work?

Energy sector mutual funds invest in companies involved in the production, distribution, and supply of energy.

These typically include companies operating in areas such as:

  • oil and gas exploration and production
  • power generation and electricity utilities
  • renewable energy developers (solar, wind)
  • energy transmission and infrastructure companies

SEBI classifies these schemes under Sectoral/Thematic mutual funds, meaning the majority of the portfolio remains invested in companies from the energy sector.

Because energy demand is closely tied to economic activity and infrastructure development, the performance of these funds depends on both commodity price trends and long-term energy demand growth.

Returns are market-linked and not guaranteed.

SEBI's Classification Rule for Energy Mutual Funds

SEBI classifies energy funds under the Sectoral/Thematic mutual fund category.

Key rules include:

  • Minimum 80% of assets must be invested in the specified sector or theme at all times
  • The fund must define its investment universe in the Scheme Information Document (SID)
  • Asset management companies (AMCs) may offer multiple sectoral or thematic funds
  • Each AMC can offer only one scheme per specific sector

Because the portfolio must remain concentrated in one sector, these funds carry higher concentration risk compared with diversified equity funds.

How Do Energy Mutual Funds Generate Returns?

Energy mutual funds generate returns from the performance of companies operating in the energy value chain.

1. Commodity price cycles

Oil and gas companies often benefit when global crude oil and natural gas prices rise, which can increase revenues and profitability.

2. Electricity demand growth

Rising industrial activity, urbanisation, and increasing electricity consumption support growth in power generation and transmission companies.

3. Renewable energy expansion

Government policies supporting solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects create growth opportunities for companies in the clean energy space.

4. Infrastructure investment

Energy infrastructure projects such as pipelines, power transmission networks, and grid upgrades contribute to long-term sector growth.

5. Dividends

Many energy companies, especially public sector enterprises, pay regular dividends that may contribute to investor returns.

Who Should Invest in Energy Mutual Funds?

Energy mutual funds provide concentrated exposure to the energy sector.

These funds may be suitable for:

  • Investors who believe in the long-term growth of India’s energy demand and infrastructure
  • Investors who want exposure to renewable energy and power sector expansion
  • Those comfortable with sector concentration and commodity price fluctuations
  • Long-term investors with a 5+ year investment horizon

They may not be suitable for:

  • Investors seeking diversified equity exposure
  • Investors uncomfortable with commodity price volatility
  • First-time investors
  • Short-term investors

Advantages of Energy Mutual Funds

Energy mutual funds offer several potential benefits.

  • Exposure to a critical sector

Energy companies play an essential role in economic development and infrastructure growth.

  • Participation in energy transition

Growth in renewable energy capacity can create long-term opportunities for companies in the sector.

  • Infrastructure-driven growth

Government spending on power generation, transmission, and energy infrastructure can support sector expansion.

  • Dividend potential

Many energy companies distribute dividends regularly, which may contribute to investor returns.

Risks of Energy Mutual Funds

Despite their potential benefits, energy funds carry certain risks.

  • Sector concentration risk

Because these funds focus on a single industry, poor performance in the energy sector can significantly affect the portfolio.

  • Commodity price volatility

Oil and gas prices can fluctuate significantly, which can affect the profitability of energy companies.

  • Policy and regulatory risk

Government regulations, pricing controls, and energy policies can influence company earnings.

  • Market risk

Like all equity mutual funds, returns depend on stock market performance and can fluctuate over time.

Investors should evaluate their financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon before investing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are energy sector funds good for the long term?

Yes, energy sector funds can be a good long-term investment for those who believe in the sector's growth story. The increasing demand for energy and the global shift towards renewables present significant long-term opportunities. However, they come with high risk and volatility.

What kind of companies do energy sector funds invest in?

These funds invest in a wide range of companies, including established public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private companies in oil exploration, refining, and marketing. They also invest in power generation, transmission utilities, and emerging companies in the renewable energy space.

Are energy sector funds a safe investment?

No, energy sector funds are not considered safe. They are thematic funds, which means their performance is tied to a single sector, making them highly volatile. They are classified as "Very High Risk" and are only suitable for investors with a high-risk tolerance.

What are the risks of investing in energy sector funds?

The primary risk is concentration risk, as the fund's performance depends entirely on the energy sector. Other risks include volatility in commodity prices (like crude oil), regulatory changes, geopolitical tensions, and risks associated with the transition to green energy.

How have energy sector funds performed recently?

The performance of energy funds can be volatile. It's best to check the latest performance data on INDmoney for specific funds over different time frames like 1, 3, and 5 years to get a clear picture of their recent performance.

How much should I allocate to energy sector funds?

Financial advisors typically recommend allocating a small portion of your portfolio, usually no more than 5-10%, to thematic funds like energy sector funds. Your core portfolio should be built with diversified equity funds.

Where can I invest in energy sector funds?

You can easily invest in top energy sector funds through the INDmoney app. We offer a seamless, paperless process for investing in direct plans of mutual funds, helping you save on commissions and earn higher returns.

Energy sector funds or diversified equity funds - what's better?

For most investors, especially beginners, diversified equity funds are a better and safer choice for building long-term wealth. Energy sector funds are specialised tools that can be used to supplement a well-diversified portfolio, not replace it.

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