Best Fund Managers for Mutual Funds in India 2023

When it comes to investing in funds, the role of a fund manager cannot be overstated. These skilled professionals are responsible for managing investments on behalf of their clients and making decisions that can impact the fund's performance. However, not all fund managers are created equal. 

Top Fund Managers in India

When investing in mutual funds, selecting the right fund manager is crucial. A good fund manager can make all the difference in the performance of your investment portfolio. In India, several fund managers have consistently outperformed the market and delivered exceptional returns to their investors. In the following section, you can find a list of the top 10 fund managers in India.

Prashant Jain

Prashant Jain is widely considered one of the best fund managers in India. He has managed HDFC Mutual Fund's flagship scheme, the HDFC Top 100 Fund, since its inception in 1996. Under his management, the fund has consistently outperformed the benchmark and delivered superior returns. Jain's investment philosophy is to identify companies with solid fundamentals, good control, and good growth prospects. Some other funds Jain manages are the HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund, the HDFC Equity Fund, and the HDFC Index Fund.

Sankaran Naren

Sankaran Naren is the Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer at ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund. He is known for his contrarian approach to investing and has a track record of delivering consistent returns across market cycles. Naren manages several funds at ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, including the ICICI Prudential Focused Equity Fund, the ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund, and the ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund. His investment philosophy is to focus on the company's fundamentals, its management, and the stock's valuation.

Neelesh Surana

NeeleshSurana is the Chief Investment Officer-Equity at Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India) Pvt. Ltd. He manages several equity funds, including Mirae Asset India Equity Fund, Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip Fund, and Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund. Surana's investment philosophy is to identify companies with a substantial competitive advantage, a scalable business model, and a high return on capital employed. 

Ankit Jain

Considered one of India's best fund managers, Ankit Jain is the senior fund manager at Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund. He manages several equity funds, including the Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund, the Aditya Birla Sun Life Equity Fund, and the Aditya Birla Sun Life Pure Value Fund. Jain's investment philosophy is to identify companies with a sustainable competitive advantage, high-quality management, and long-term growth potential. 

Nilesh Shah

Nilesh Shah is the Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd. He has over 25 years of experience in the Indian capital markets and is known for his expertise in managing equity funds. Shah manages several funds, including the Kotak Standard Multicap Fund, the Kotak Equity Opportunities Fund, and the Kotak Emerging Equity Fund. 

Pankaj Tibrewal

Pankaj Tibrewal is the senior fund manager at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd. He manages several equity funds, including Kotak Emerging Equity Fund, Kotak Small Cap Fund, and Kotak India Growth Fund. Tibrewal's investment philosophy is to invest in companies with a sustainable competitive advantage, strong management, and long-term growth potential. 

Harsha Upadhyaya 

Harsha Upadhyaya is the Chief Investment Officer—Equity at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd. He manages several equity funds, including Kotak Equity Opportunities Fund, Kotak Standard Multicap Fund, and Kotak Small Cap Fund. Upadhyaya's investment philosophy is to invest in companies with a substantial competitive advantage, robust business models, and high-quality management. 

S. Krishnakumar

S. Krishnakumar is the Chief Investment Officer—Equity at Sundaram Mutual Fund. He has over two decades of experience in the Indian capital markets. He is known for his expertise in managing equity funds. Krishnakumar manages several funds, including the Sundaram Large and Mid Cap Fund, the Sundaram Equity Fund, and the Sundaram Rural and Consumption Fund. 

Raunak Onkar

Raunak Onkar is the fund manager at PPFAS Mutual Fund. He manages the PPFAS Long Term Equity Fund, known for its concentrated portfolio of high-quality companies. Onkar's investment philosophy is to invest in businesses with a substantial competitive advantage, good management, and long-term growth potential. 

Gautam Sinha Roy

Gautam Sinha Roy is the Chief Investment Officer-Equity at Motilal Oswal Asset Management Co. Ltd. He manages several equity funds, including Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 Fund, Motilal Oswal Focused 25 Fund, and Motilal Oswal Long Term Equity Fund. Roy's investment philosophy is to invest in companies with a sustainable competitive advantage, good management, and long-term growth potential. He focuses on investing in companies with strong cash flows, solid balance sheets, and attractive valuations.

Traits of a Good Fund Manager

1. Track Record and Performance of Funds Managed

One of the most important decisions an investor can make is choosing the right fund manager. A fund manager is responsible for making investment decisions on behalf of investors, intending to maximise returns while minimising risk. So, how can investors select the best fund managers in India?

2. Investment Philosophy and Approach

One of the most important criteria for selecting the best fund managers is their track record and performance. Investors may look for managers with a proven track record of delivering consistent returns over a sustained period. It is also essential to consider the types of investments the manager specialises in, as this can significantly impact performance.

3. Risk management strategies

Another critical factor to consider is the manager's investment philosophy and approach. Investors can look for managers whose investment philosophy aligns with their investment goals and risk tolerance. For example, some managers may focus on value investing, while others focus on growth stocks. 

4. Reputation and industry recognition

Risk management is also a critical factor to consider when selecting a fund manager. A good fund manager may understand risk management strategies and effectively manage risk to protect investors' capital. 

Closing Thoughts

The investors should consider the manager's reputation and industry recognition. A professional fund manager reduces the risks for the investors. At the same time, their fund management approaches help the investors obtain greater returns. Investing in mutual funds requires a great deal of research and analysis. Evaluating the fund manager's record of accomplishment, investment style, and risk management strategies is crucial before investing in any mutual fund. The best mutual fund managers in India excelled, managed risk effectively, and delivered consistent returns to their investors.

Disclaimer

The investment options and stocks mentioned here are not recommendations. Please go through your own due diligence and conduct thorough research before investing. Investment in the securities market is subject to market risks. Please read the Risk Disclosure documents carefully before investing. Past performance of instruments/securities does not indicate their future performance. Due to the price fluctuation risk and the market risk, there is no guarantee that your personal investment objectives will be achieved.