2025-02-20

Clarification regarding Investor Education and Awareness Initiatives

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued this circular to clarify that financial inclusion initiatives approved by the regulator qualify as Investor Education and Awareness activities. This clarification applies to the mandatory annual allocation of at least two basis points of daily net assets by Mutual Fund schemes, as required under Chapter 10 of the SEBI Master Circular dated June 27, 2024. The directive is issued under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, to protect investor interests and promote the development of the securities market.

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CIRCULAR SEBI/HO/IMD/PoD1/P/CIR/2025/21 February 20, 2025 To, All Mutual Funds All Asset Management Companies (AMCs) All Trustee Companies / Boards of Trustees of Mutual Funds Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) Sir/ Madam, Subject: Clarification regarding Investor Education and Awareness Initiatives.

  1. Chapter 10 of the SEBI Master Circular dated June 27, 2024 on Mutual Funds (“Master Circular”), which specifies the provisions for loads, fees, charges and expenses charged by Mutual Fund schemes, inter alia requires AMCs to annually set apart atleast 2 basis point on daily net assets within the maximum limit of total expense ratio, as per regulation 52 of SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations, 1996, for investor education and awareness initiatives.
  2. In this regard, it is clarified that initiatives under ‘Investor Education and Awareness’ include financial inclusion initiatives, as may be approved by SEBI from time to time.
  3. This circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 11 (1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, read with the provision of Regulations 52 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
  4. This Circular is available at www.sebi.gov.in under the link “Legal ---Circulars”. Yours faithfully, Peter Mardi Deputy General Manager +91 - 22 - 26449233 peterm@sebi.gov.in