What is SIF - Understanding Meaning, Features, Benefits and How to Invest?

A Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) is a new investment product introduced in India for investors who want more flexibility than traditional mutual funds but do not wish to commit the ₹50 lakh minimum required for Portfolio Management Services (PMS). 

SIFs can offer investors diversified exposure across instruments like equity, debt, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs). Through this structure, SIF investments combine the professional management and transparency of mutual funds with the strategic depth often associated with PMS offerings.

Now that you know what is a SIF, let’s understand who can launch them. As per SEBI’s official circular, only SEBI-registered Asset Management Companies (AMCs) can launch a Specialised Investment Fund (SIF), provided they meet the regulator’s eligibility criteria under one of two defined routes.

Option 1: Sound Track Record

• The mutual fund must have operated for at least three years with an average AUM of ₹10,000 crore in the immediately preceding last three years.

• No action should have been taken against the sponsor or AMC under Sections 11, 11B, or 24 of the SEBI Act, 1992, in the last three years.

   

Option 2 – Alternate Route

• The AMC has to appoint a CIO or Chief Investment Officer who has at least ten years of fund management experience and has managed an average AUM of ₹5,000 crore, and

• An additional fund manager for the SIF who has a minimum of three years of experience and has managed an average AUM of at least ₹500 crore.

• The sponsor or AMC must have no SEBI action under Sections 11, 11B, or 24 in the last three years.

Registered mutual funds must obtain SEBI’s prior approval before establishing a SIF as per the filing procedures outlined by the regulator. 

The following list of features will help you understand what is a Specialised Investment Fund better:

• Minimum Investment Threshold: The entry point for a SIF investment starts at ₹10 lakh. This makes it suitable for experienced, institutional, and HNI investors who can invest a higher amount and seek advanced investment options.
   

• Dynamic Strategy Framework: Fund managers of SIF mutual funds can use specialised approaches such as long-short equity, tactical sector rotation, or active asset allocation to adapt portfolios to market conditions.
   

• Multi-Asset Exposure: Within the Hybrid Investment Strategies category, an Active Asset Allocator Long–Short Fund can diversify across multiple asset classes—including equities, debt, REITs, InvITs, and select commodity derivatives—allowing the fund to dynamically spread risk and capture opportunities across different market segments.
   

• Regulated and Transparent: SIFs operate under SEBI’s mutual fund regulations, ensuring strong governance standards, detailed disclosures, and consistent reporting for investor confidence.
   

• Subscription and Redemption Frequency: A specialised investment fund (SIF) can set its own schedule for buying and redeeming units. Depending on the strategy, this may be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or at fixed intervals. The subscription and redemption frequencies can also differ — for example, daily investments but weekly redemptions — allowing better liquidity management.
   

• Benchmarking Framework: Each SIF follows a single-tier benchmark structure. The fund house may also choose an additional benchmark, similar to mutual fund schemes. The benchmark index must be selected based on the SIF’s investment objective and portfolio composition to ensure fair performance comparison.
   

• Offer Document Disclosures: As per SEBI, SIF offer documents must provide detailed information to help investors make informed decisions. They are required to clearly highlight the high-risk nature of the product as per SEBI’s disclosure guidelines.

   

Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) are classified into three broad categories — Equity-Oriented, Debt-Oriented, and Hybrid SIFs. Each type follows defined investment allocation rules while allowing fund managers flexibility in strategy and portfolio construction. Let’s review them in detail:

1. Equity-Oriented SIFs

2. Debt-Oriented SIFs

3. Hybrid SIFs

• Diversified Portfolio: A SIF offers exposure to multiple asset classes, reducing dependence on a single market segment.

• Advanced Strategies: Investors can access dynamic and research-driven approaches like long-short or hybrid allocation within a regulated structure.

• Transparency and Regulation: Managed by SEBI-registered AMCs, specialised investment funds follow the compliance, reporting, and disclosure standards as specified by SEBI.

• Professional Management: SIFs are handled by experienced fund managers who adjust strategies based on research and market outlook.

• Flexibility in Portfolio Design: These funds allow greater adaptability in asset allocation and strategy selection, catering to evolving market conditions.

SIF investments are not designed for every investor. They are most appropriate for:

• High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) seeking advanced and diversified investment strategies.

• Experienced investors who understand market dynamics and can manage higher risk levels.

• Institutional investors aiming for research-based, actively managed exposure.

Investing in a Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) involves a few important steps to ensure compliance and alignment with your financial goals. Here’s how you can begin your SIF investment journey:

1. Select a SEBI-registered AMC

   Start by choosing an Asset Management Company (AMC) authorised by SEBI to launch SIF schemes. Only qualified AMCs that meet the eligibility requirements can offer these specialised investment products.
    

2. Check the Minimum Investment Requirement

   The minimum amount for a SIF investment is ₹10 lakh, making it more suitable for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) or experienced investors. 
    

3. Identify the Right Investment Strategy

   Different SIF focus on specific categories — such as equity-oriented, debt-oriented, or hybrid. Evaluate these based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial objectives before choosing one.
    

4. Complete KYC and Documentation

   You’ll need to submit standard Know Your Customer (KYC) documents. Depending on the fund type, additional verification like income proof or net worth certification may be required for investor eligibility.
    

5. Review Offer Documents Carefully

   Before investing, review the offer documents, investment strategy details, and risk disclosures provided by the AMC. SIFs involve higher levels of market and strategy risk compared to traditional mutual funds, so a clear understanding is essential.

The introduction of Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) represents a major step in India’s evolving investment ecosystem. By combining flexibility with regulation, a SIF provides informed investors access to diversified, strategy-based portfolios managed by professionals.

Before making a SIF investment, it’s essential to evaluate your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. For experienced investors seeking a structured yet adaptable approach, specialised investment funds can complement existing holdings and add strategic depth to a portfolio within SEBI’s regulatory framework.

Find more about Titanium SIF - Titanium Hybrid Long-Short Fund