From Defence to REITs: 5 new mutual fund NFOs in focus

The mutual fund industry has added a fresh set of investment options across equity, debt and real estate, with new fund offers spanning themes such as defence, chemicals, capital markets, overnight securities and REITs. Several of these NFOs are currently open for subscription, with closing dates ranging from September 17 to September 29.

Among the latest offerings are two sector-focused index funds from Invesco Mutual Fund, along with new schemes from Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund, Tata Mutual Fund, Lakshya Mutual Fund and HDFC Mutual Fund. Here's a look at the key details, including the investment themes, minimum subscription amounts and NFO closing dates.

Invesco Mutual Fund launches Defence and Chemical index funds

The Invesco India Nifty India Defence Index Fund will replicate or track the Nifty India Defence Index, providing exposure to companies operating across areas such as aerospace and defence manufacturing, defence electronics, shipbuilding and explosives.

Meanwhile, the Invesco India Nifty Chemical Index Fund will track the Nifty Chemical Index, which includes companies from segments such as specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, commodity chemicals, fertilisers, industrial gases and explosives.

The minimum investment during the NFO period for both schemes is ₹100, followed by investments in multiples of ₹1. The schemes also offer daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly SIP options. Both schemes will be managed by Abhisek Bahinipati.

Kotak Mutual Fund introduces Capital Markets Index Fund

The NFO opened on September 15 and will close on September 29, 2026. The minimum subscription amount is ₹1,000, with no entry load and nil exit load.

The scheme aims to generate returns corresponding to the total returns of securities represented by the underlying index, subject to tracking error. The fund managers are Satish Dondapati, Jeetu Valechha and Abhishek Bisen.

Tata Mutual Fund launches short-duration debt index fund

Tata Mutual Fund has introduced the Tata CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 3-6 Months Debt Index Fund, an open-ended debt scheme tracking the CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 3-6 Months Debt Index.

The NFO is open from September 15 to September 22, 2026. The minimum investment is ₹5,000, with investments thereafter accepted in multiples of ₹1.

The scheme has relatively low interest-rate and credit risk and seeks to track the performance of its underlying index, subject to tracking error. Dhawal Joshi and Amit Somani will manage the scheme.

Lakshya Mutual Fund launches Overnight Fund

Lakshya Mutual Fund has launched the Lakshya Overnight Fund, an open-ended debt scheme investing in overnight securities.

The NFO opened on September 15 and will close on September 18, 2026. The minimum investment is ₹5,000, with additional investments in multiples of ₹1.

The scheme aims to generate returns commensurate with low risk while providing a high level of liquidity through investments in debt and money market securities with a maturity of one business day, including TREPS and reverse repo instruments.

The fund will be managed by Sarthak Shah.

HDFC Mutual Fund offers exposure to REITs and commercial real estate

The NFO opened on September 15 and will close on September 17, 2026. The minimum subscription amount is ₹100.

An exit load of 0.50% will apply if units are redeemed or switched out within three months from the date of allotment. No exit load will be charged after three months. The scheme will be managed by Nandita Menezes and Arun Agarwal.

The latest NFO launches cover a broad range of investment strategies, from sector-focused equity exposure in defence and chemicals to capital markets, short-term debt, overnight securities and REITs and commercial real estate.

Investors looking at these offerings should consider the underlying index or portfolio, investment objective, risk factors, costs and their own investment horizon before investing.