Top 5 Gilt Debt Mutual FundsICICI Prudential Gilt FundThe ICICI Prudential Gilt Fund emerges at the top spot if we take 5-year returns of gilt mutual funds as investors enjoyed a return of 8.10 per cent. Debt mutual funds are meant to be held in your portfolio for a long time so the entire list is based primarily on 5-year returns. However, performers over 5 years have demonstrated consistent returns across different tenures. Over one year, it delivered a return of 8.13 per cent, and it posted a three-year return of 6.60 per cent (the highest in the category). Investors who held this fund for a decade got a return of 8.98 per cent.The minimum SIP investment in the fund is Rs 1,000. The fund seeks to invest in gilt including T-Bills with medium to long maturity, with average maturity of the portfolio normally not exceeding 8 years.SBI Magnum Gilt FundSBI Magnum Gilt Fund grabs the second spot, normally maintaining an average maturity of more than three years. SBI’s gilt fund gave a solid 7.99 per cent in five years and also came in top 5 positions in three, five and 10-year returns. It provided a one-year return of 7.49 per cent, a three-year return of 6.49 per cent and a ten-year return of 9.25 per cent. DSP Gilt FundThe DSP Gilt Fund has clocked top 5 performances across one, three and 5 years. It clocked an 8.28 per cent return over one year. The three-year return stands at 6.23 per cent and five-year returns at 7.97 per cent. Long-term investors were rewarded with 8.68 per cent over the past ten years.Edelweiss Government Securities FundThe Edelweiss Government Securities Fund clocked a five-year return of 7.87 per cent and boasts of being in the top 5 spots in terms of returns across three tenures. Apart from 5 years these tenures – one year with 8.16 per cent and ten years- with 8.97 per cent.Bandhan GSF Investment Fund Bandhan GSF Investment Fund boasts an impressive 8.66 per cent over the past year which is the second-highest return in the category. The fund posted 5.89 per cent in three years, 7.82 per cent in five years and 8.88 per cent in 10 years. The fund has invested around 96 per cent of its portfolio in GOI Sec 7.30% according to Value Research data.