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Generating regular monthly income from mutual funds requires a strategic approach, and Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs) have become one of the most practical solutions for investors looking for stability and growth potential. SWP allows investors to withdraw a fixed amount at regular intervals while keeping the principal amount invested, curbs market volatility and preserves capital over the period of time. In this write-up, explore the top 5 SWP mutual funds for the year 2026, along with risk-adjusted returns, fund management quality, and suitability for different investor profiles. These funds provide a disciplined, authentic way for retirement planning and stable income generation.
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What is SWP Mutual Funds & How Does it Work?
Before going deep into the returns and growth statistics, first let us know what is SWP in mutual funds in brief. SWP is ideally opposite to the SIP, in which you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, whereas with SWP, you withdraw a fixed amount.
This is how it works:
- Fixed Withdrawals: You can set a fixed amount to be transferred every month from your mutual fund investment to your savings account.
- Free from Market Performance: Besides dividends, which depend on the fund’s performance, SWP ensures you receive your set withdrawal amount regularly.
- Rupee Cost Averaging: Similar to SIPs, SWP mutual funds allow you take advantage of rupee cost averaging
Top 5 SWP Mutual Funds in India for 2026
Before investing in any of the funds, understanding their fund category, return, assets under management, and risk profile is essential.
The overview below highlights key metrics to compare the top 5 SWP mutual funds effectively.
| Fund Name | Category | Launch Date | AUM (₹ Cr) | 5 Yrs Avg Returns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Liquid Fund | Debt: Liquid | 05-10-2009 | ₹ 40,730 | 5.91% |
| HDFC Short Term Debt Fund | Debt: Short Duration | 05-06-2010 | ₹ 18,079 | 6.37% |
| ICICI Pru Savings Fund | Debt: Low Duration | 27-09-2002 | ₹ 30,163 | 6.40% |
| HDFC Hybrid Debt Fund | Hybrid: Conservative | 01-12-2003 | ₹ 3,354 | 9.23% |
| SBI Equity Savings Fund | Hybrid: Equity Savings | 01-05-2015 | ₹ 5,919 | 8.95% |
Pro Tip: The SWP calculator can give you the best estimate of return over the period of time and ensure the best output of your investments.
Best Mutual Funds for 2026 Backed by Expert Research
Overview of Top 5 SWP Mutual Funds
As of now, you understand that suitable SWP mutual funds ensure stable income and controlled risk. Here are the top 5 SWP mutual funds in India for 2026 based on performance, consistency, and suitability.
Axis Liquid Fund
It offers high liquidity and capital preservation, ideal for parking short-term surplus funds.
- Category: Debt-Liquid
- Returns: 5.91% (5-year average)
The features are as follows:
- Low risk and minimal market fluctuation
- Suitable for conservative investors seeking regular income
- Easy withdrawal and SWP-friendly
HDFC Short Term Debt
This is one among the top 5 SWP mutual funds in India, which focuses on generating stable returns with low interest rate risk by investing in short-term debt instruments.
- Category: Short Duration
- Returns: 6.37% (5-year average)
The features are as follows:
- Balanced risk-reward for conservative investors
- Best for monthly SWP withdrawals
- protects capital while offering better returns than liquid funds
ICICI Pru Savings Fund
It aims to get consistent returns with low volatility, investing in high-quality short-term corporate and government bonds.
- Category: Low Duration
- Returns: 6.40% (5-year average)
The features are as follows:
- Low to moderate risk
- Suitable for systematic withdrawals
- Perfect for investors looking for a steady income without exposure to long-term interest rate risks
Pro Tip: Calculate Your SIP Returns in Seconds. Try Our Free SIP Calculator Now.
HDFC Hybrid Debt Fund
It combines debt and equity to generate higher returns than pure debt funds with moderate risk.
- Category: Hybrid-Conservative
- Returns: 9.23% (5-year average)
The features are as follows:
- Moderate risk with potential for a higher return rate
- Good for long-term SWP plans
- Ideal for investors who want stable income plus some capital growth
SBI Equity Savings Fund
If someone is looking to invest in a mix of equity, arbitrage opportunities, and debt instruments to offer a balance of income and growth.
- Category: Hybrid-Equity Savings
- Returns: 8.95% (5-year average)
The features are as follows:
- Slightly higher risk because of equity exposure
- Ideal for investors who want regular SWP income with capital appreciation
It seems a little calculative, and investors do not know how accurately put their money for a guaranteed return. In that case, taking help from freedom SIP can ease your task and smooth the flow of a steady income.
Who Should Invest in SWP Mutual Funds?
The SWP mutual funds are perfect for investors seeking regular income with capital formation. It mostly suitable for the passive income seekers, long-term investors and retiree wanting steady cash flow without redeeming investment entirely.
Retirees and Pre-Retirees
An SWP allows you to convert your retirement amount into a regular monthly income, while keeping the remaining amount invested for potential growth. This is how you can generate predicable cash flow, manage daily expenses, and reduce the impact of inflation. Thus, SWP can offer financial confidence and stability apart from best SIP throughout your retirement years.
Passive Income
SWP mutual funds are hassle free way to earn consistent income from your mutual fund investments. After set up, it automatically transfer a fixed amount to your account, requiring minimal monitoring. You receive steady monthly payouts without frequent decisions. Thus making it a convenient option for generating consistent income with ease.
Long Term Investors
SWP helps long-term investors withdraw regular income while keeping the remaining investment growing. It allows continued compounding and wealth creation, offering a balance between steady cash flow and capital formation.
Final Thought
To conclude, choosing the suitable SWP mutual funds in 2026 mainly depends on your income requirement, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Practical option like Axis Liquid Fund, HDFC Short Term Debt Fund, ICICI Pru Savings Funds, HDFC Hybrid Debt Fund, and SBI Equity Savings Fund offer provides a mix of stability, liquidity and growth potential. So if someone is a retiree and seeking for predictable cash flow or long-term investors aiming for balanced wealth creation, SWP offer a disciplined and tax-efficient income strategy. Thus, by selecting suitable funds and decide a sustainable withdrawal rate, investors can enjoy regular income while preserving and gradually growing their capital over time.
Also Read
- Top 10 Low Risk High Return Mutual Funds in India
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FAQs
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What Is An SWP In Mutual Funds?
An SWP allows investors to withdraw a fixed amount regularly from mutual funds, while keeping the surplus balance invested for potential growth and income stability.
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Why Choose SWP Over Dividends For Regular Income?
Unlike dividends, which depend on fund profits and market performance, SWP offers predictable, fixed withdrawals. It offers better cash flow control, tax efficiency and flexibility for consistent monthly income.
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What Monthly Income Can ₹10 Lakh Generate Via SWP In 2026?
With ₹10 invested, assuming 6-9% annual returns, investors may withdraw approximately ₹5,000–₹7,500 per month sustainably, depending on withdrawal rate, fund performance and long-term capital preservation goals.
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How to Structure SWP For Steady Monthly Income?
Opting for low to moderate risk funds, keep withdrawals within 6% to 8% annually, align payouts with financial needs, perform a yearly performance review, and maintain a diversified portfolio for stable income.
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Are SWP Mutual Funds Affected By Market Volatility?
Yes, fund values fluctuate with markets. But fixed withdrawals continue regardless of performance, and disciplined withdrawal rates combined with suitable fund selection help manage volatility and preserve long-term capital.








