ICICI Prudential Enters Specialised Investment Fund Space With SEBI Filing

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has taken a key step into India’s newly introduced Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) segment. The asset manager has filed draft offer documents with the SEBI to launch investment strategies under its iSIF platform.

SIFs are designed for affluent investors and sit between traditional mutual funds and alternative investment funds. They come with a higher minimum investment requirement of ₹10 lakh and allow more advanced investment strategies under a regulated framework.

What Are Specialised Investment Funds?

Specialised Investment Funds are a new category introduced by SEBI for investors who are comfortable with higher risk and complex strategies. These funds allow long-short positions, use of derivatives and flexible asset allocation, while still operating under regulatory oversight.

The high minimum investment threshold of ₹10 lakh means these products are meant mainly for high net-worth individuals rather than retail investors.

iSIF Equity Ex-Top100 Long-Short Fund

ICICI Prudential has filed documents to launch an open-ended scheme called the iSIF Equity Ex-Top100 Long-Short Fund. Units will be offered at ₹10 each during the New Fund Offer (NFO) period.

The scheme will have no entry load. An exit load of 1% will apply if units are redeemed or switched within 12 months from allotment. No exit load will be charged after 12 months. The fund will offer only a Growth option and aims to collect a minimum target amount of ₹10 crore.

The fund will mainly invest in equity and equity-related securities of companies outside the top 100 by market capitalisation. Its performance will be benchmarked against the Nifty 500 Total Returns Index. The minimum investment amount will be ₹10 lakh, with additional investments allowed in multiples of ₹1.

iSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund

The second scheme filed with SEBI is the iSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund, which will follow an interval investment structure. Units will also be offered at ₹10 during the NFO period, with no entry load and the same exit load structure as the equity strategy.

This fund will invest in a mix of equity, equity-related securities and debt instruments. It will also use equity and debt derivatives and may invest in REITs and InVITs. The aim is to achieve long-term capital appreciation along with regular income. The benchmark for this fund will be the CRISIL Hybrid 50+50 Moderate Index.

Read more: Busy Week for Investors: VMS TMT, Saatvik Green Energy and 14 More Companies to See Lock-In Expiry.

Conclusion

ICICI Prudential’s move into the SIF space marked an important expansion of its product range for affluent investors. By offering equity and hybrid long-short strategies, the fund house aimed to cater to investors seeking more flexible and advanced investment options within a regulated structure.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.