What is a SIF
(Specialised Investment Fund)?
SIFs give investors access to sophisticated, innovative strategies beyond traditional mutual funds. Discover how they work.
Educational content only. Not investment advice. Please consult a financial advisor before investing.
SIF meaning, in short
SIF stands for Specialised Investment Fund, a SEBI-regulated product that sits between mutual funds and PMS. Under SEBI's framework, effective 1 April 2025, a SIF needs a minimum of ₹10 lakh per PAN across one AMC's SIF strategies, and may take limited unhedged short positions through derivatives. As of Aug 2026, 33 strategies managed ₹31,175 crore (AMFI).
Key SIF rules at a glance
| Minimum investment | ₹10 lakh in aggregate per PAN, across all strategies of one AMC's SIF. SEBI-accredited investors are exempt. Details |
|---|---|
| Short exposure | Up to 25% of net assets in unhedged short positions, taken through derivatives. Details |
| Gross exposure | Total gross exposure capped at 100% of net assets. Details |
| Who can launch | AMCs in operation 3+ years with ≥₹10,000 crore average AUM, or AMCs that appoint a dedicated CIO with 10+ years' experience managing ≥₹5,000 crore. Details |
| Structure | Open-ended, interval or close-ended, as set out in each strategy's ISID. |
| Regulator & start date | SEBI, under the SIF framework effective 1 April 2025. |
Explore each strategy and its live funds: Equity Long-Short · Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short · Sector Rotation Long-Short · Active Asset Allocator Long-Short · Hybrid Long-Short
Sources: SEBI circular on the SIF framework (27 Feb 2025) · AMFI monthly SIF report · How SIF360 sources its data
Written by the SIF360 research team. Industry figures as of Aug 2026.
Understand SIF
Four essentials every investor should know before exploring Specialised Investment Funds.
What is a SIF?
A Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) is a SEBI-recognized category offering innovative strategies beyond traditional mutual funds.
How does it work?
SIFs pool investor money, which is professionally managed using specialized strategies for diversified opportunities.
Who can invest?
Eligibility may vary. Review fund documents to check who may invest in each SIF.
Benefits & Risks
SIFs provide access to non-traditional asset classes but may carry unique risks and higher volatility.
SIF vs MF vs PMS
| Feature | MF Schemes | SIFs | AIFs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| Investment Framework | Discretionary Active | Systematic Active | Traditional Active |
| Portfolio Analytics | Low Frequency | High Frequency | Low Frequency |
| Investment Horizon (Fund Manager) | Medium & Long-term | Short & Medium-term | Long-term |
| Equity Risk | High | Moderate | Very High |
| Minimum Investment | ₹100 | ₹10L | ₹1Cr |
| Tax Efficiency | High | High | Low |
| Max Exposure | 100% | 100% | 200% (Leverage) |
| Hedging | |||
| Unhedged (Naked Shorts) | 0% | 25% | 100% |
| Low Risk Derivatives | |||
| Arbitrage | |||
| Covered Call | |||
| Bear Put Spread | |||
| Long Straddle | |||
| Protective Put | |||
| Moderate Risk Derivatives | |||
| Bear Call Spread | |||
| High Risk Derivatives | |||
| Short Call | |||
| Short Put | |||
Investment Framework
Portfolio Analytics
Investment Horizon (Fund Manager)
Equity Risk
Minimum Investment
Tax Efficiency
Max Exposure
Hedging
Unhedged (Naked Shorts)
Arbitrage
Covered Call
Bear Put Spread
Long Straddle
Protective Put
Bear Call Spread
Short Call
Short Put
Based on SEBI's SIF regulatory framework · For informational purposes only
3 Core Categories of SIFs Hosting 7 SEBI-Approved Investment Strategies
SEBI classifies Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) into three core categories comprising seven approved investment strategies. Each strategy is designed to address distinct investment objectives, market opportunities, and investor risk profiles.
Equity Oriented
Debt Oriented
Hybrid Strategies
Why SIF360?
SIF Market Development Timeline
From SEBI's regulatory framework to India's first dedicated SIF platform — track how this asset class is evolving.
SEBI Framework Released
Regulatory framework for Specialized Investment Fund announced by SEBI — marking the birth of a new asset class in India.
SIF360 Platform Live
India's first comprehensive SIF discovery platform launches — enabling end-to-end fund discovery, comparison, and investment.
Market Expansion
Expected 50+ SIF products available across equity, debt, and hybrid categories from leading AMCs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about SIFs and the SIF360 platform.
SIF360
Ready to explore live SIFs?
Browse all launched SIFs, compare strategies, track NAV, and invest all from one platform.