SIFs vs MFs: 5 key differences investors should know before investing

Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs), which offer differentiated strategies compared with plain-vanilla mutual funds, are gaining popularity among investors, with the industry reaching 95,000 folios as of July 31, 2026.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EQUITY MUTUAL FUND AND AN EQUITY LONG-SHORT SIF?

While an equity mutual fund is primarily a long-only product, an equity long-short SIF can take both long and short positions. This ability to take short positions gives the SIF more flexibility to manage market cycles and potentially generate returns even when some stocks or sectors decline.


While a typical equity fund is generally fully invested or holds a small portion in cash, an equity SIF can short up to 25% of its net assets using unhedged derivative positions.

Within equity SIFs, the strategies launched include the Equity Long-Short SIF, which must invest a minimum of 80% of its assets across a mix of large-, mid- and small-cap stocks. The Ex Top 100 Long-Short SIF must invest a minimum of 65% in stocks ranked below the top 100 by market capitalisation, while the Sector Rotation Long-Short Fund must concentrate at least 80% of its equity portfolio in a maximum of four sectors chosen from a broader market universe.

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WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT IN EACH CATEGORY?

Most equity mutual fund schemes allow investors to start investing through a systematic investment plan (SIP) with as little as Rs 500, while many allow lump-sum investments starting from Rs 1,000 or Rs 5,000. Investors can also opt for a systematic transfer plan (STP) from a debt-oriented scheme to an equity-oriented scheme within the same fund house.

In comparison, the minimum amount an investor needs to have in a SIF is Rs 10 lakh, though this amount can be split across SIF schemes of the same fund house. Once the minimum investment threshold of Rs 10 lakh is met, investors can start a SIP with a minimum contribution of Rs 1,000 per month.

However, investors cannot make an STP from a debt or equity mutual fund to a SIF, even within the same asset management company (AMC).

HOW MUCH ASSETS DO SIFS MANAGE?

SIFs, which were introduced in September 2025, managed assets worth Rs 23,177 crore as of July 31, 2026. Within this, there are 11 Equity Long-Short strategies, seven Equity Ex Top 100 Long-Short strategies and one Sector Rotation Long-Short strategy, which cumulatively manage Rs 6,654 crore.

WHO SHOULD OPT FOR A SIF?

Wealth managers believe equity SIFs are not meant for first-time equity investors. They can be used to complement existing mutual fund portfolios and are generally

suggested for investors who already have substantial equity exposure, want a strategy that can actively manage market exposure, are comfortable with short selling and derivatives, and are looking for an alternative strategy to traditional equity mutual funds.