This research analyzes the risk and return of several mutual fund categories, including equity, debt, and hybrid funds, and investigates the performance of LIC, SBI, Axis, HDFC, and UTI. The research considers volatility, historical returns, and risk-adjusted performance metrics like the Sortino and Sharpe ratios to assess the effectiveness and reliability of fund managers in returning capital to investors. We also include key macroeconomic indicators, market conditions, and fund-specific features, such as charge ratios and fund management procedures, to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these factors affect mutual fund performance. The major goal of the study is to identify funds that align with an investor's risk tolerance, time horizon, and objectives. By offering practical insights into the risk-reward balance, the study aids both novice and seasoned investors in the mutual fund market in making smarter selections.