Debt funds invest in ‘fixed income instruments’ like debentures, corporate and government bonds, certificate of deposits & money market instruments of different time horizons. Such fixed income instruments have a maturity date & generate an interest income like a bank fixed deposit. The main objective is to accumulate wealth by means of interest income and steady appreciation of the fund value. Debt funds do not invest in stocks.
Debt funds are perfect for short term goals that are up to 0-3 years away. Because they don’t fluctuate as much as equity funds in value, they have lower associated risk & corresponding lower returns when compared to equity mutual funds. Debt funds are ideal for investment goals where surety is more important than growth. For example, if you are planning to take a vacation to Bali two years from now, you can use a debt fund to save for it.