SIF vs Mutual Fund vs PMS vs AIF: Key Differences, Benefits & Comparison Table

Here’s a comparison table summarizing the core features of SIF, Mutual Funds, PMS and AIF:

Feature SIF Mutual Fund PMS AIF (CAT III)
Minimum Investment ₹10 lakh (₹1 lakh for accredited) ₹100 & above ₹50 lakh ₹1 crore
Target Investor HNI, Institutional Retail, HNI, Institutional HNI, Institutional Sophisticated HNI, Inst.
Regulatory Oversight High High Moderate Moderate
Transparency High High Moderate Moderate
Taxation MF-like: equity LTCG 12.5% MF: equity LTCG 12.5% Taxed per transaction LTCG 12.5%, STCG 20%, BI 30%
Leverage No leverage, shorts up to 25% No leverage Permitted (gross up to 200%) Permitted
Investment Flexibility High Low Moderate Very High
Strategy Long-short, systematic, dynamic Long-only (mainly) Customized Diverse (hedge, PE, etc)
Typical Diversification Moderate-High High Moderate Low-Moderate
Entry Point Lower than PMS/AIF Widest access Higher than MF, lower than AIF Only for large investors

SIF vs Mutual Fund vs PMS vs AIF

Why Choose SIF Over Others?

  • Access to Alternatives: SIFs let investors benefit from global-style alternative strategies (long-short, derivatives) with lower entry thresholds and high regulatory safeguards.
  • Better Risk Management: The ability to short can help reduce drawdowns during market corrections, offering more stable returns versus purely long-only funds.
  • Tax Efficiency: Tax treatment is similar to mutual funds, which is more investor-friendly compared to AIF/PMS structures.
  • Systematic, Active Management: SIFs blend systematic analytics (high-frequency, data-driven) with the experience of proven fund managers for dynamic asset allocation.

Ideal for Whom?

SIFs are best suited for HNIs and sophisticated investors seeking advanced, actively managed portfolios, but now with lower entry amounts and mutual fund-like transparency.

Conclusion

As India’s capital market evolves, the SIF framework offers a middle path: advanced strategies for more investors, lower minimums, superior risk control, and SEBI oversight—ensuring that next-generation wealth creation strategies are more accessible than ever before.