1 SEBI Exam Sells SIFs Now: Is Your ₹10L Safe?
SEBI now allows one single certification exam to cover both mutual funds and high-risk SIF products. This means your MF distributor can now pitch complex, high-minimum investment products to you — with the same basic qualification.
A SIF needs ₹10 lakh minimum — that's 83 months of an average Indian's SIP savings pooled together.
Your SIF investment starts here — sold by the same exam-certified distributor as your ₹500 SIP
Key Takeaways
Ask your distributor directly: 'Are you recommending a mutual fund or an SIF?' — these are very different risk products.
Check your distributor's AMFI registration number on amfiindia.com to verify their credentials before investing in any new product they pitch.
Avoid investing ₹10 lakh or more in any new product without reading the SIF offer document and confirming your own risk appetite in writing.
SEBI now allows one single certification exam to cover both mutual funds and high-risk SIF products. This means your MF distributor can now pitch complex, high-minimum investment products to you — with the same basic qualification.
Here's what happened: SEBI has merged MF and SIF distribution eligibility into one new certification exam, replacing the standalone NISM Series V-A qualification.. Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) require a minimum ₹10 lakh investment and carry significantly higher risk than regular mutual funds.. A distributor passing this single combined exam is now legally qualified to sell both low-risk SIPs and complex high-value SIF products to investors..
What you should do: Ask your distributor directly: 'Are you recommending a mutual fund or an SIF?' — these are very different risk products.. Check your distributor's AMFI registration number on amfiindia.com to verify their credentials before investing in any new product they pitch.. Avoid investing ₹10 lakh or more in any new product without reading the SIF offer document and confirming your own risk appetite in writing..
SIFs can invest in riskier instruments like unlisted bonds and high-yield debt — unlike regular MFs. One combined exam does not mean equal risk. Always ask: 'Is this SEBI-registered as an MF or SIF?' before signing.
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- [1]“SEBI introduces single certification examination for distribution of MFs, SIFs” Personal Finance News in CNBCTV18, Personal Finance Latest News, Personal Finance News · 21 Jul 2026
This article is reported by GoCredit's Editorial Team based on the source above. GoCredit synthesises, contextualises, and adds India-borrower-relevant analysis. We are not the original publisher.