How to Invest in Silver Mutual Funds in India

"A beginner-friendly guide to investing in silver mutual funds in India, including benefits, risks, and how to get started easily."

How to Invest in Silver Mutual Funds in India
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Rajat Kulshrestha

9 mins read

Published: 3 April 2026

Most Indian investors think of gold when they consider commodity investments. Silver has started drawing attention for different reasons. Industrial sectors like electric vehicles and solar panels now consume silver at a scale that supports its long-term price outlook. Silver investment has become a popular option, yet the storage and purity concerns around physical silver have led to the search for better alternatives. One such alternative is silver mutual funds. For investors asking how to invest in silver mutual funds, the process is more accessible than most people expect.

This silver mutual funds investment guide covers every step needed to get started without prior investment experience.

What are Silver Mutual Funds?

A silver mutual fund lets investors participate in silver price movements without buying or storing the metal physically. Most products in this category operate as a Fund of Funds. The fund collects money from investors and puts it into a Silver ETF. That ETF holds physical silver of 99.9% purity in secured vaults on behalf of investors.

SEBI approved Silver ETFs in India in 2021. Several fund houses have since launched both ETF and FoF products.

How Silver Mutual Funds Work in India

Two layers sit between the investor and the silver. The investor buys units of the FoF. The FoF holds units of a Silver ETF. The ETF holds actual silver. When silver prices move, the NAV of the fund reflects that change.

Investors in silver mutual funds India through the FoF route do not need a Demat account. Units get bought and sold like any regular mutual fund through an app or platform. That makes FoFs more accessible than buying ETF units directly on a stock exchange.

Types of Silver Mutual Funds

The table below breaks down both options available to Indian investors looking at how to invest in best silver mutual funds in 2026.

Type

How It Works

Demat Account Needed

SIP Option

Silver ETF

Traded live on NSE/BSE

Yes

No

Silver ETF FoF

Mutual fund investing in a silver ETF

No

Yes

The FoF structure supports SIP in silver mutual funds starting from ₹100 monthly. Direct ETF suits investors who already operate through a Demat account and want live pricing.

Step-by-Step: How to Invest in Silver Mutual Funds

These are the practical silver ETF investment steps for the FoF route:

Step 1: Open a Demat Account

Open a demat and trading account. Choose a registered broker.

Step 2: Select the Fund

Compare funds on expense ratio, AUM size, tracking error, and 3-year performance before selecting one.

Step 3: Choose Lump Sum or SIP

A lump sum works for investors with a defined amount ready. SIP spreads the investment monthly and averages the purchase price.

Step 4: Confirm the Transaction

Minimum investment across most silver FoFs starts from Rs 100. Confirm and units get allotted at the next NAV.

Best Silver Mutual Funds in India

Here are the most widely tracked silver FoF options for investors researching how to invest in silver mutual funds as of 2026.

Fund Name

3-Year Returns (approx.)

Min SIP

Expense Ratio

Nippon India Silver ETF FoF Direct

~40% CAGR

Rs 100

Low

ICICI Prudential Silver ETF FoF Direct

~40% CAGR

Rs 100

Low

HDFC Silver ETF FoF Direct

~40% CAGR

Rs 100

0.23%

Axis Silver FoF Direct

~40% CAGR

Rs 100

Competitive

DSP Silver ETF FoF Direct

~40% CAGR

Rs 100

Low

Past returns do not guarantee future results. Read the scheme information document before investing.

Silver vs Gold vs Physical Silver – Which is Better?

The comparison below covers the key differences across all three options for investors evaluating how to invest in silver mutual funds.

Parameter

Silver Mutual Fund

Gold Mutual Fund

Physical Silver

Storage needed

No

No

Yes

Demat account

No (FoF)

No (FoF)

No

Volatility

Higher

Moderate

Higher

Min investment

Rs 100

Rs 100

Market price per gram

Liquidity

High

High

Low

LTCG rate

12.5% after 24 months

12.5% after 24 months

Same as FoF

Industrial demand

Strong (EVs, solar)

Limited

Strong


Benefits of Investing in Silver Mutual Funds

Understanding how to invest in silver mutual funds not enough. The reasons to actually do it matter equally.

  • No storage or security burden since the fund holds the metal.
  • SIPs start from ₹100, removing the large-ticket barrier.
  • Pricing stays transparent and linked to live market rates.
  • SEBI regulation means fund disclosures follow structured standards.
  • For a portfolio heavy in equity and debt, silver adds commodity diversification.
  • Industrial consumption from EV manufacturing, solar panels, and electronics creates a consistent underlying demand that pure financial assets lack.

Risks You Should Know Before Investing

Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Silver prices regularly move 20 to 30 per cent within a single year, which is something most investors underestimate before entering.
  • Anyone learning how to invest in silver mutual funds should also know that silver trades in US dollars, so a stronger rupee pulls domestic returns down even when international prices stay unchanged.
  • Funds with lower AUM tend to show higher tracking error, meaning the NAV drifts more from actual silver prices.
  • Silver moves in long commodity cycles. Investors who buy near a cycle peak can wait years before prices recover meaningfully.
  • No silver fund guarantees returns.

Taxation on Silver Mutual Funds in India

Tax rules updated after the Union Budget 2024 apply through FY 2026-27.

Holding Period

Tax Applied

Under 24 months (FoF)

Slab rate as short-term capital gains

Over 24 months (FoF)

12.5% long-term capital gains, no indexation

Under 12 months (direct ETF)

Slab rate as short-term capital gains

Over 12 months (direct ETF)

12.5% long-term capital gains, no indexation


Who Should Invest in Silver Funds?

Silver ETF investment suitability depends on financial goals.

  • Investors who already hold equity and debt and want commodity exposure without dealing with physical metal may fit this category better
  • Silver may suit those with a minimum 5-year horizon who are comfortable with sharp price movements.
  • Silver works best as a 5 to 10 per cent allocation in the portfolio, not a primary holding.

Beginners can open a ₹100 monthly SIP and increase it gradually once they understand how to invest in silver mutual funds and how silver prices behave.

Expert Tips Before You Invest

  • Choose SIP over a lump sum. Silver is volatile, and a monthly SIP averages the cost across price levels over time.
  • Always choose the direct plan to avoid distributor commissions.
  • Compare expense ratio and tracking error across funds, not just recent returns.

Conclusion

Silver mutual funds remove the two biggest barriers most Indian investors face with commodity investing: one is storage, and the other is high entry costs. Monthly investments start from ₹100, and the fund holds the silver on the investor's behalf. For anyone working out how to invest in silver mutual funds, the FoF route is the most practical place to begin in 2026. No Demat account, no storage, and full SEBI oversight.

My Mudra helps Indian investors make better financial decisions across both lending and investment planning. For investors managing existing loan obligations while looking to build commodity exposure through how to invest in the best silver mutual funds, My Mudra connects them with regulated financial partners who provide structured guidance on managing debt and building a balanced financial plan simultaneously. Better loan management often frees up the monthly surplus that makes consistent SIP investing possible.

Also Read:
- How to Invest in Mutual Funds Online in India (2026)
- Best Silver Mutual Funds in India (2026)

80% of Indians haven't invested in Mutual Funds yet! Take charge of your financial future — don’t just follow the crowd. Start your investment journey today. Get a free assistance call with My Mudra Fincorp to understand which mutual fund suits your goals and risk profile best. Let's make your money work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions
What are silver mutual funds in India? +

Silver mutual funds are Fund of Funds that invest in Silver ETFs holding physical silver. Investors get silver exposure without storage or a Demat account, with SIPs starting from Rs 100.

How can I invest in silver mutual funds? +

Complete KYC on any SEBI-registered platform, pick a silver ETF FoF, choose SIP or lump sum, and confirm the transaction. The FoF route requires no Demat account.

Are silver mutual funds safe in India? +

SEBI regulates them but silver is a high-volatility asset. Prices move 20 to 30 percent within a single year, so only investors with a long horizon and high risk tolerance should consider them.

What is the minimum amount to invest in silver mutual funds? +

Most silver ETF FoFs accept both SIP and lump sum from Rs 100, making them one of the lowest-entry commodity investment options available to Indian investors.

Which are the best silver mutual funds in India? +

Nippon India Silver ETF FoF, ICICI Prudential Silver ETF FoF, HDFC Silver ETF FoF, and Axis Silver FoF are among the most tracked options in 2026.

How are silver mutual funds taxed in India? +

FoF gains held under 24 months are taxed at the investor's income slab rate. Gains held beyond 24 months attract 12.5% LTCG tax with no indexation benefit.

Is it better to invest in silver ETF or silver mutual fund? +

Silver ETF FoFs suit investors without a Demat account who want SIP convenience. Direct Silver ETFs suit Demat account holders who want real-time pricing and marginally lower costs.

Can beginners invest in silver mutual funds? +

Yes. Silver ETF FoFs support how to invest in silver mutual funds for beginners with no prior commodity experience. Start with a small SIP and hold for at least five years.

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Rajat Kulshrestha Head of Mutual Fund Distribution
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Rajat Kulshrestha brings over seven years of experience in public markets, specialising in fundamental analysis and valuation frameworks. In his role as Mutual Fund Distribution Head, he oversees portfolio strategy, asset allocation decisions, and fund evaluation processes. On this blog, he offers structured, research-oriented perspectives on SME-listed companies, aiming to enhance financial literacy and analytical depth among market participants.

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