BUSINESS

AIF Registration in India

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are a type of pooled investment fund that invests in a variety of assets, including venture capital, real estate, private equity, hedge funds, and managed futures. In other words, an AIF is a sort of investment that is separate from standard investing options like stocks, bonds, and other debt securities.

Alternative Investment Funds [AIF] are not regulated by any Indian regulatory entity and are not classified as mutual funds under the SEBI’s mutual fund legislation. Under Regulation 2(1) (b) of the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulation, 2012, AIFs are described as a “privately held and managed pool of investment fund of either domestic or foreign origin, organised in the form of a body corporate, company, LLP (limited liability partnership), or trust.” An AIF can be created using any of the forms listed above.

IN India AIFs are regulated under SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulation, 2012, governed by SEBI.

In India AIF are categorized under three category

  1. Category I (it comprise of VCF, AF, IF, SCF, SME fund)
  2. Category II (it comprise of Private Equity Fund, Debt Fund, Funds of Fund)
  3. Category III (it comprise of Hedge Fund, PIPE)

AIF Certificate of Registration is issued.

1. When deciding whether or not to issue registration, SEBI will take into account the requirements set forth in the Regulations. If SEBI is satisfied that the applicant meets the Regulations’ requirements, the application will be approved and the applicant will be notified.

2. Upon receiving permission from SEBI, the applicant must pay a registration fee of Rs. 5,00,000/- (if the applicant is not a Venture Capital Fund) or a re- registration charge of Rs. 1,00,000/- (if the applicant is a Venture Capital Fund) to SEBI by bank Demand Draft in favour of “The Securities and Exchange Board of India,” due at Mumbai.

3. SEBI will issue the applicant a certificate of registration as an Alternative Investment Fund upon receipt of the registration/re-registration costs/Fees.