Specialized Investment Fund

Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) is a new asset class, with its regulatory framework effective from April 1, 2025, that aims to bridge the gap between MFs and PMS/AIFs, offering a blend of flexibility and unique investment strategies which can further enhance risk mitigation tools for the scheme. SIFs offer more flexibility to investment managers as compared to traditional money managers, while still providing a level of regulatory oversight and investor protection. 

The range of investment products with varying risk-reward profiles are more intended towards high risk appetite investors, HNIs, family offices and institutions and accredited* investors.Key Characteristics of SIFs:

• Minimum InvestmentSIFs have a minimum investment requirement of ₹10 lakhs which is lower than the minimum thresholds of ₹50 lakhs for PMS and ₹1 crore for AIF. For accredited* investors, the minimum amount is ₹1 lakh
• TaxationThe taxation is the same as mutual funds
• Investment FlexibilityFund managers have additional tools via derivative instruments to have 25% naked short exposure
• Investment StrategiesThe product gives exposure to strategies like long-short which isn’t available in current mutual fund schemes
• Regulatory OversightWhile offering more flexibility than mutual funds, SIFs still fall under SEBI regulations ensuring investor protection
• Bridging the GapSIFs aim to provide a middle ground between the standardized approach of mutual funds and PMS/AIF