BAJAJ BROKING

Notification close image
No new Notification messages
card image
Aegis Vopak Terminals IPO is Open!
Apply for the Aegis Vopak Terminals IPO through UPI in just minutes.
delete image
card image
Open a Free Demat Account
Pay ZERO maintenance charges for the first year, get free stock picks daily, and more.
delete image
card image
Trade Now, Pay Later with up to 4x
Never miss a good trading opportunity due to low funds with our MTF feature.
delete image
card image
Track Market Movers Instantly
Stay updated with real-time data. Get insights at your fingertips.
delete image

SEBI Mutual Fund Categorization

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) serves as the regulatory authority for the securities market in India. In a 2017 circular, SEBI established a framework for mutual fund categorisation, dividing all existing and new mutual fund schemes into five primary categories: equity funds, debt funds, hybrid funds, solution-oriented funds and other funds, which include exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and fund of funds (FoFs). These broad categories are further subdivided into 39 distinct mutual fund scheme categories available in the market. This system helps ensure clarity and consistency, making it easier for investors to understand and compare different funds within the mutual fund categories.

Reasons behind the re-categorisation of mutual funds

SEBI has introduced mutual fund categorisation rules to standardise the operations of Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and address the confusion often caused by ambiguous fund names. These regulations mandate that AMCs assign names that accurately reflect a fund's objectives and asset allocation. This initiative aims to enhance transparency for investors, making it simpler to compare and choose funds. Furthermore, these changes, guided by SEBI regulations, help maintain the integrity and clarity of the mutual fund list by category.

What are the norms of mutual fund re-categorisation

SEBI has introduced updated mutual fund categorisation rules to enhance clarity for investors. The new regulations encompass the following changes:

  1. Refined classification: SEBI has established clear definitions for asset allocation, investment mandates and risk profiles, categorising mutual fund schemes into Equity, Debt, Hybrid, Solution-Oriented and Other categories.
  2. Clear and accurate naming: Funds are now required to have names that accurately represent their risk profiles. This change eliminates misleading terms like ‘opportunity’ or ‘advantage’ that could attract investors without a proper risk assessment.
  3. Lock-in period for certain schemes: For certain solution-oriented schemes, such as those focused on retirement or children's education, a lock-in period may be implemented to better align with their long-term objectives. Existing investors are expected to be unaffected by this adjustment.
  4. Revised scheme attributes: Fund houses must update the investment mandate, strategy and benchmarks used to assess fund performance to comply with the new regulations.

These revisions compel AMCs to realign their offerings according to the updated guidelines, thereby improving transparency and providing investors with clearer and more accurate information. Moreover, these norms, established by SEBI, help standardise mutual fund categories for better investor understanding.

Equity scheme

Equity scheme categories classify mutual funds into 12 categories that invest primarily in stocks. These include large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap and sector-specific funds, each tailored to different investor profiles and risk appetites.

Debt scheme

Debt schemes are classified into 16 categories, focusing on investments in the money market and debt securities. Money market instruments encompass commercial papers, certificates of deposit and treasury bills. Debt market securities include government bonds, PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) bonds and non-convertible debentures. The sub-categories of these schemes are determined by the type of investments and their respective maturity periods.

Hybrid scheme

Hybrid scheme categories refer to mutual funds that blend equity and debt investments. This includes balanced funds, aggressive hybrid funds, and conservative hybrid funds, designed to offer a mix of growth and income.

Solution-oriented schemes

Solution-oriented schemes are part of the mutual fund categories that focus on specific financial goals. They include Retirement Funds and Children’s Funds, which are open-ended and feature a minimum lock-in period of five years or until retirement (for Retirement Funds) and/or until the child reaches adulthood (for Children’s Funds). These are detailed in the mutual fund list by category.

Other schemes

Other Schemes in the mutual fund categories are divided into two main sub-categories: Index Funds/ETFs and FoFs. Index Funds/ETFs invest at least 95% of their assets in securities of a particular index. FoFs invest a minimum of 95% in underlying funds and are classified into Domestic and Overseas types. These schemes are listed in the comprehensive mutual fund list by category.

Equity Scheme Categories

Scheme Category Key Features
Large-cap fund Invests 80% in equity and related securities of large-cap companies.
Mid-cap fund Invests 65% in equity and related securities of mid-cap companies.
Small-cap fund Invests 65% in equity and related securities of small-cap companies.
Multi-cap fund (also known as Diversified Equity Funds) Invests 65% in equity and related securities across various market capitalisations.
Large and mid-cap fund Allocates 35% to large-cap equity and 35% to mid-cap equity.
Flexi Cap fund Invests in equity across all market capitalisations.
Dividend yield fund Focuses primarily on dividend-paying stocks, with at least 65% invested in equity.
Value fund Adopts a value investment approach, investing 65% in equity.
Contra fund Utilises a contrarian investment strategy, investing 65% in equity.
Sectoral/thematic fund Invests at least 80% in a specific sector or thematic area.
Focused fund Invests 65% in equity, with a concentration on a maximum of 30 stocks.
ELSS (equity-linked savings scheme) Invests 80% in equity and related securities, providing tax benefits.

Debt scheme categories

Scheme category Key Features
Low-duration fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a Macaulay duration of 6 to 12 months.
Ultra-short duration fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a Macaulay duration of 3 to 6 months.
Liquid fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a maturity of up to 91 days.
Overnight fund Invests in overnight securities with a 1-day maturity.
Short-duration fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a Macaulay duration of 1 to 3 years.
Medium Duration fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a Macaulay duration of 3 to 4 years.
Money Market fund Invests in money market securities with a maturity of up to 1 year.
Medium- to long-duration fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a Macaulay duration of 4 to 7 years.
Long-duration fund Invests in money market and debt securities with a Macaulay duration of over seven years.
Corporate bond fund Allocates 80% of its assets to highly-rated corporate bonds.
Dynamic bond fund Invests across various durations depending on market conditions.
Banking & PSU fund Invests 80% in debt securities of banks, public sector undertakings, and public financial institutions.
Credit risk fund Invests 65% in corporate bonds with an AA rating or lower.
Floater fund Invests 65% in floating rate instruments.
Gilt fund Invests 80% in government securities.
Gilt fund with 10-year constant duration Invests 80% in government securities, maintaining a constant Macaulay duration of 10 years.

Hybrid Scheme Categories

Scheme Category Key Features
Balanced hybrid fund Allocates 40-60% in equity and related securities; and 40-60% in debt securities. No arbitrage permitted.
Aggressive hybrid fund Invests 65-80% in equity and 20-35% in debt securities.
Conservative hybrid fund Allocates 10-25% in equity and 75-90% in debt securities.
Dynamic asset allocation/balanced advantage fund Manages equity and debt securities with flexible allocations.
Multi-asset allocation fund Invests in at least three asset classes, with a minimum of 10% in each.
Equity savings fund Allocates at least 65% in equity and 10% in debt securities.
Arbitrage fund Employs an arbitrage strategy, investing at least 65% in equity and related securities.

Solution-oriented Schemes Categories

Scheme Category Key Features
Children’s fund Minimum lock-in period of 5 years or until the child reaches majority, whichever comes first.
Retirement fund Minimum lock-in period of 5 years or until retirement age, whichever comes first.

Other Schemes Categories

Scheme Category Key Features
Index funds/ETFs Track the performance of a specific market index.
Fund of funds (FoFs) Invests at least 95% of assets in other underlying funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

No Data Found

search icon

Related News & Articles

banner-icon

Start your SIP with just ₹100

Choose from 4,000+ funds on Bajaj Broking

+91

|

Please Enter Mobile Number

Start your SIP with just ₹100

Choose from 4,000+ funds on Bajaj Broking

+91

|