To protect the interest of the investors, SEBI formulates policies and
regulates the mutual funds. It notified regulations in 1993 (fully
revised in 1996) and issues guidelines from time to time. MF either
promoted by public or by private sector entities including one promoted
by foreign entities are governed by these Regulations.
SEBI approved Asset Management Company (AMC) manages the funds by
making investments in various types of securities. Custodian, registered
with SEBI, holds the securities of various schemes of the fund in its
custody. The general power of superintendence and direction over AMC is
vested with the trustees.
According to SEBI Regulations, two thirds of the directors of trustee
company or board of trustees must be independent . They should not be
associated with the sponsors. 50% of the directors of AMC must be
independent. All mutual funds are required to be registered with SEBI
before they launch any scheme.
Increase of load more than the level mentioned in the offer document is
applicable only to prospective investments by the MFs. For original
investments, the offer documents has to be amended to make investors
aware of loads at the time of investments.
Click Here to check list of SEBI
registered MFs
FAQs Mutual Funds
Can a mutual fund change the asset
allocation while deploying funds of investors?
Considering the market trends, any prudent fund managers can change the
asset allocation i.e. he can invest higher or lower percentage of the
fund in equity or debt instruments compared to what is disclosed in the
offer document. It can be done on a short term basis on defensive
considerations i.e. to protect the NAV. Hence the fund managers are
allowed certain flexibility in altering the asset allocation considering
the interest of the investors. In case the mutual fund wants to change
the asset allocation on a permanent basis, they are required to inform
the unitholders and giving them option to exit the scheme at prevailing
NAV without any load.
How long will it take for transfer of
units after purchase from stock markets in case of close-ended schemes?
According to SEBI Regulations, transfer of units is required to be done
within thirty days from the date of lodgment of certificates with the
mutual fund.
Can a mutual fund change the nature of
the scheme from the one specified in the offer document?
Yes. However, no change in the nature or terms of the scheme, known as
fundamental attributes of the scheme e.g.structure, investment pattern,
etc. can be carried out unless a written communication is sent to each
unitholder and an advertisement is given in one English daily having
nationwide circulation and in a newspaper published in the language of
the region where the head office of the mutual fund is situated. The
unitholders have the right to exit the scheme at the prevailing NAV
without any exit load if they do not want to continue with the scheme.
The mutual funds are also required to follow similar procedure while
converting the scheme form close-ended to open-ended scheme and in case
of change in sponsor.
If mutual fund scheme is wound up, what
happens to money invested?
In case of winding up of a scheme, the mutual funds pay a sum based on
prevailing NAV after adjustment of expenses. Unitholders are entitled to
receive a report on winding up from the mutual funds which gives all
necessary details.
How can the investors redress their
complaints?
Investors would find the name of contact person in the offer document
of the mutual fund scheme whom they may approach in case of any query,
complaints or grievances. Trustees of a mutual fund monitor the
activities of the mutual fund. The names of the directors of asset
management company and trustees are also given in the offer documents.
Investors can also approach SEBI for redressal of their complaints. On
receipt of complaints, SEBI takes up the matter with the concerned
mutual fund and follows up with them till the matter is resolved.
Investors may send their complaints to:
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Mutual Funds Department
Mittal Court 'B' wing, First Floor,
224, Nariman Point,
Mumbai - 400 021.
Phone: 2850451-56, 2880962-70
What is the procedure for registering a
mutual fund with SEBI ?
An applicant proposing to sponsor a mutual fund in India must apply in
Form A with a fee of Rs.25,000. The application is examined and once the
sponsor satisfies certain conditions such as being in the financial
services business and possessing positive net worth for the last five
years, having net profit in three out of the last five years and
possessing the general reputation of fairness and integrity in all
business transactions, it is required to complete the remaining
formalities for setting up a mutual fund. These include inter alia,
executing the trust deed and investment management agreement, setting up
a trustee company/board of trustees comprising two- thirds independent
trustees, incorporating the asset management company (AMC), contributing
to at least 40% of the net worth of the AMC and appointing a custodian.
Upon satisfying these conditions, the registration certificate is issued
subject to the payment of registration fees of Rs.25.00 lacs For
details, see the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.
What is the procedure for redressal of
investor grievances?
When investors send complaints to SEBI, SEBI takes up the matter with
the concerned mutual funds and follows up with them till they are
resolved.
In case of complaints, investors may write to :
Securites And Exchange Board of India,
Mutual Fund Dept.,
Mittal Court 'B' Wing,
Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021