What is a Mutual Fund Manager?
- 19th September 2025
- 09:00:00 AM
- 7 min read
Investing in a mutual fund allows you to generate wealth by diversifying your risks and availing the tax advantages. But have you ever wondered who manages all of your investments in a mutual fund scheme? The person is none other than a mutual fund manager.
As of early 2024, the total number of fund managers in India is 472, who are spread across different fund houses. This blog explains what is a fund manager and lists the top 10 best fund managers in India.
Who is a Fund Manager?
A fund manager in mutual funds is a person who actually makes decisions for your investments in the fund. Since investors lack the time and expertise to actively manage their investments, the fund managers create and oversee the investment strategies for mutual funds and pension funds.
Most of these fund managers receive a fee that is linked to the Assets Under Management (AUM) of the fund. The expense ratio in a mutual fund scheme includes the fees of a fund manager. When you invest in a mutual fund, you are basically trusting the professional decisions of the fund manager.
Top Mutual Fund Managers in India
Since you know the fund manager meaning, let us explore the top 10 best fund managers in India:
| SL No. | Mutual Fund Manager | Name of the Fund | Experience of the fund manager (in years) |
| 1 | Shreyas Devalkar | Axis Mutual Fund | 14 years |
| 2 | R. Srinivasan | SBI Mutual Fund | 26 years |
| 3 | Jinesh Gopani | Equities – Axis Mutual Fund | 17 years |
| 4 | Manish Gunawan | Nippon India Mutual Fund | 20+ years |
| 5 | Aniruddha Naha | PGIM India Mutual Fund | 18+ years |
| 6 | Sankaran Naren | ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund | 26 years |
| 7 | Abhishek Sonthalia | Tata Liquid Fund | 11 years |
| 8 | Anupam Joshi | HDFC Liquid Fund | 10 years |
| 9 | Harsha Upadhyaya | Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund | 23 years |
| 10 | Sohini Andani | SBI Mutual Fund | 23 years |
If you want to invest in any of these funds, you can do so via the PL Capital Group – Prabhudas Lilladher application, since it offers a diverse range of mutual funds. PL also allows you to open a Demat account for free.
What Does a Fund Manager Do?
The primary responsibility of a fund manager is to manage and oversee the mutual funds schemes of an investor. Below are the key roles and responsibilities of a fund manager:
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Portfolio Management
A fund manager creates and oversees a portfolio with a mix of securities like stocks and bonds by aligning with the scheme’s goals.
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Research and Analysis
Fund managers analyse company reports, geopolitical news, and any upcoming economic shifts in the world or in a particular country. Based on their research and analysis, they allocate the fund assets across different investment options to maximise returns.
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Strategic Decision-Making
Fund managers execute buy and sell orders based on the market trends, economic shifts, and the mutual fund’s goals.
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Performance Monitoring
They are responsible for tracking the performance of the funds against particular benchmarks and making changes when needed.
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Risk Management
Using their research and analysis skills, fund managers also analyse the market risks and protect the investors’ wealth.
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Regulatory Compliance
These managers also ensure that all the investments made by them comply with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Qualities of a Fund Manager
- The primary quality of fund managers is that they must be disciplined and consistent in making investment approaches.
- A fund manager must possess strong expertise in investment and a deep understanding of financial markets.
- Fund managers must facilitate clear communication and transparency with the investors.
- They must foster the timely execution of investment decisions, considering the transaction costs.
- A fund manager should also possess strong research and analytical skills for informed decision-making.
- Fund managers must have effective risk management skills and the capability to preserve capital.
- They should also foster continuous learning and adaptability in continuously changing market conditions.
- Fund managers should have the capability to focus on the long-term and find sustainable investment opportunities.
Things to Consider When Evaluating a Fund Manager
While choosing a mutual fund scheme, you must also look for the qualities of the respective fund manager. Here are the things you must consider while analysing a fund manager:
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Investment Strategy
Since different fund managers have different investment strategies, you must evaluate them. Check whether any one of them aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
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Past Performance
Always keep a track record of the manager’s past performance, like consistent returns, and the capability of managing funds in various market conditions.
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Experience
Check out the manager’s expertise in the relevant market segment and experience. Always look for fund managers who have a proven track record of managing funds similar to the one you are considering.
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Risk Management Capabilities
While choosing a fund manager, do not forget to evaluate their ability to manage risks. An efficient fund manager must have the strategies to address the downside risks and safeguard investors’ capital.
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Fees
You need to compare the fees charged by fund managers from different mutual fund companies. Choose fund managers who you think charge reasonable and competitive management fees.
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Transparency
Choosing mutual fund schemes with higher transparency is paramount. Fund managers must provide clear information about the performance, holdings, and changes in the investment strategies of the fund.
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Career Stability
Choose a mutual fund scheme that has a fund manager working for more than 3 to 4 years. Fund managers with frequent job changes may indicate a lack of commitment.
Final Thought
Understanding what is a fund manager is essential for investors who are new to mutual fund investments. Fund managers control the investment strategies, risk assessment, and research in a mutual fund on behalf of investors. While choosing one, you must evaluate crucial factors like expertise, past performance, risk management capabilities, and career stability of fund managers.
While choosing a mutual fund scheme, use the PL Capital application. PL allows you to invest in more than 35 mutual fund categories and offers both the lump sum and systematic investment plan (SIP) procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does a mutual fund manager choose investments?
A fund manager chooses where to invest by analysing market trends, economic indicators, the performance of the companies and many other factors.
2. What skills are necessary for becoming a successful mutual fund manager?
Discipline, having an in-depth knowledge of financial markets, risk management, research, and clear communication are some of the necessary skills for becoming a successful fund manager.
3. What are the qualifications needed for a mutual fund manager?
A mutual fund manager must hold a bachelor’s degree, such as a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Management, or any equivalent degree.
4. Can a fund manager modify the fund’s investment strategy?
Yes, a fund manager can modify the fund’s investment strategy, but with some required approvals. They can make any temporary adjustment, but they need the approval of the trustee to make any fundamental change.
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Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.
