Master Circular for Mutual Funds

Deputy General Manager
Investment Management Department
SEBI/IMD/MC No.2/836/2011
January 07, 2011

All Mutual Funds, Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Sub: Master Circular for Mutual Funds
For effective regulation of the Mutual Fund Industry, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been issuing various circulars from time to time. In order to enable the industry and other users to have an access to all the applicable circulars at one place, Master Circular for Mutual Funds has been prepared. This Master Circular is a compilation of all the circulars issued by SEBI on the above subject, which are operational as on date of this circular. Yours faithfully, Rakesh Bhanot

2 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
MASTER CIRCULAR FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
BY
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA

This Master Circular includes circulars issued upto December 31, 2010.
In case of any inconsistency between the master circular and the
applicable circulars, the contents of the relevant circular shall prevail.
Master Circular is a compilation of all the existing/applicable circulars
issued by Investment Management Department of SEBI issued to Mutual Funds. Efforts have been made to incorporate certain applicable provisions of existing circulars (as on December 31, 2010) issued by other Department/Division of SEBI relevant to Mutual Funds.

3 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
INDEX
ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................. 5
CHAPTER 1..................................................................................... 6
OFFER DOCUMENT FOR SCHEMES ................................................. 6
CHAPTER 2................................................................................... 16
CONVERSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF SCHEMES AND LAUNCH OF
ADDITIONAL PLAN ........................................................................ 16
CHAPTER 3................................................................................... 22
NEW PRODUCTS ........................................................................... 22
CHAPTER 4………………………………………………………………………….26
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM........................................................ 26
CHAPTER 5................................................................................... 29
DISCLOSURES & REPORTING NORMS ........................................... 29
CHAPTER 6................................................................................... 38
GOVERNANCE NORMS .................................................................. 38
CHAPTER 7................................................................................... 59
SECONDARY MARKET ISSUES ...................................................... 59
CHAPTER 8................................................................................... 63
NET ASSET VALUE ........................................................................ 63
CHAPTER 9................................................................................... 74
VALUATION .................................................................................. 74
CHAPTER 10................................................................................. 94
LOADS, FEES AND EXPENSES ....................................................... 94
CHAPTER 11................................................................................. 99
DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURE ....................................... 99
CHAPTER 12................................................................................102
INVESTMENT BY SCHEMES..........................................................102
CHAPTER 13................................................................................119
ADVERTISEMENTS ......................................................................119
CHAPTER 14................................................................................135

4 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
INVESTOR RIGHTS & OBLIGATIONS ............................................135
CHAPTER 15................................................................................142
CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF INTERMEDIARIES .......142
CHAPTER 16................................................................................146
TRANSACTION IN MUTUAL FUNDS UNITS .....................................146
FORMATS ------------------------------------------Refer the attachment ANNEXURES --------------------------------------Refer the attachment

5 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
ABBREVIATIONS
American Depository Receipt ADR
Association of Mutual Funds in India AMFI Asset Management Company AMC(s) Bombay Stock Exchange BSE Compliance Test Reports CTR(s) Contingent Deferred Sales Charge CDSC Fixed Maturity Plans FMP(s) Foreign Institutional Investor FII Global Depository Receipt GDR Gold Exchange Traded Fund GETF Hindu Undivided Family HUF Investor Service Center ISC Key Information Memorandum KIM Monthly Cumulative Report MCR National Stock Exchange NSE Net Asset Value NAV New Fund Offer NFO Non Performing Assets NPA(s) Permanent Account Number PAN Regulation Reg. SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations 1996 Regulations Securities and Exchange Board of India the Board Scheme Information Document SID Offer Statement of Additional Information SAI Document Systematic Investment Plan SIP Systematic Transfer Plan STP Systematic Withdrawal Plan SWP Trustee(s) Board of Trustee(s)/Trustee Company Uniform Client Code UCC

6 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 1
OFFER DOCUMENT FOR SCHEMES
1.1Filing of Offer Document with the Board1
1.1.1 The Offer Document shall have two parts i.e. Scheme Information
Document (SID) and Statement of Additional Information (SAI). SID shall incorporate all information pertaining to a particular scheme. SAI shall incorporate all statutory information on Mutual Fund.
1.1.2 The Mutual Funds shall prepare SID and SAI in the prescribed
formats2. Contents of SID and SAI shall follow the same sequence as prescribed in the format. The Board of the AMC and the Trustee(s) shall exercise necessary due diligence, ensuring that the SID/SAI and the fees paid3 are in conformity with the Mutual Funds Regulations4.

1.1.3 All offer documents (ODs) of Mutual Fund schemes shall be filed with
SEBI in terms of the Regulations5.
1.1.3.1 Filing of Draft SID:
a. Draft SID of schemes of Mutual Funds filed with the Board shall also be available on SEBI’s website – www.sebi.gov.in for 21 working days from the date of filing. b. AMC shall submit a soft copy of draft SID to the Board in HTML or PDF format. For this purpose, AMC shall be fully responsible for the contents of soft copies of the SID. AMC

1 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/ 126096/08 dated May 23,2008 and SEBI Circular No – SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/178129/09 dated September 29,2009 <,, 2 For format of SID & SAI, please refer to the Chapter on Formats 3 The filing fees was revised via gazette notification No. LAD-NRO/GN/2009-10/11/167759 on SEBI (Payment of Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 dated 29 June, 2009, The revised filing fee was applicable to those scheme(s) whose scheme information document(s) had been filed with SEBI on or after July 1, 2009.- SEBI Circular No - SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 5 / 169030 / 2009 dated July 8,2009 4 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/428/97 dated February 28, 1997. 5 Regulation 28 (1) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulation 1996

7 Master Circular for Mutual Funds shall also submit an undertaking to the Board while filing the soft copy of draft SID certifying that the information contained in the soft copy matches exactly with the contents of the hard copy filed with the Board.
c. In case of any inaccurate filing, the SID will be returned and
refiling will be required. 21 working days6 shall be calculated from the date of refiling;7 d. If any changes to the SID are made after filing, the 21 working day(s) period will recommence from the date of submission of the last additional statement(s)8
1.1.3.2 Filing of SAI
a. A single SAI (common for all the schemes) can be filed with Board along with first draft of SID or can be filed separately. After incorporating the comments/observations, if any, from the Board, AMC shall file a soft copy of SAI with the Board in PDF format alongwith printed copy of the same9, upload the SAI on its website and on AMFI website.
1.1.3.3 Filing of Final SID
a. Final SID (after incorporating comments of the Board) must reach the Board before it is issued for circulation. Soft copy of the final SID in PDF format along with a printed copy should be filed with Board two working days prior to the launch of the scheme. AMC shall also submit an undertaking to the Board while filing the soft copy that information contained in the soft

6 Regulation 29(3) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulation 1996 ,,,, 7 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/428/97 dated February 28, 1997. ,,,, 8 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/428/97 dated February 28, 1997, SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/07/844/97 dated May 5, 1997. 9 SEBI Circular No – SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/178129/09 dated September 29,2009

8 Master Circular for Mutual Funds copy of SID to be uploaded on SEBI website is current and relevant and matches exactly with the contents of the hard copy and that the AMC is fully responsible for the contents of the soft copy of SID. The soft copy of SID should also be uploaded on AMFI website two working days prior to launch of the scheme 10. Failure to submit the printed SID to the Board before it is issued for circulation shall invite penalties under the Mutual Funds Regulations11. b. In case of any difference, in nature of material alteration of the suggestions made by the Board12 between the printed SID and the SID filed with the Board, immediate withdrawal of the SID from circulation will be ordered and such withdrawal shall be publicized by the Board13.
1.2 Updation of SID & SAI
1.2.1 Updation of SID
1.2.1.1 For the schemes launched in the first half of a financial year, the
SID shall be updated within 3 months from the end of the financial year. However, for the schemes launched in the second half of a financial year, SID shall be updated within 3 months of the end of the subsequent financial year. (For example, for a scheme launched in May, 2008 the SID shall be updated by June 30, 2009 and for a

10 SEBI Circular No – SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/178129/09 dated September 29,2009 11 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/07/844/97 dated May 5, 1997. , 12Regulation 29(2) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 13The existing schemes shall adopt the SID and KIM format as soon as possible but not later than 12 months from the date of issuance of the circular- SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 5/126096/08 dated May 23, 2008. A confirmation in this regard shall be given in the half yearly trustee report.

9 Master Circular for Mutual Funds scheme launched in December 2008, the SID shall be updated by June 30, 2010) Thereafter, the SID shall be updated once every year.
1.2.1.2 The procedure to be followed in case of changes to the scheme shall
be as under:
a. In case of change in fundamental attributes in terms of Regulation14, SID shall be revised and updated immediately after completion of duration of the exit option. b. In case of other changes:

The AMC shall be required to issue an addendum and display it
on its website.
The addendum shall be circulated to all the
distributors/brokers/Investor Service Centre (ISC) so that the same can be attached to copies of SID already in stock, till the SID is updated.
In case any information in SID is amended more than once, the
latest applicable addendum shall be a part of SID. (For example, in case of changes in load structure the addendum carrying the latest applicable load structure shall be attached to all KIM and SID already in stock till it is updated).
A public notice shall be given in respect of such changes in one
English daily newspaper having nationwide circulation as well as in a newspaper published in the language of region where the Head Office of the Mutual Fund is situated.
The account statements issued to investors shall indicate the
applicable load structure.
1.2.1.3 A copy of all changes made to the scheme shall be filed with
Board within 7 days of the change. A soft copy of updated SID shall be filed with Board in PDF Format along with printed copy of the same. AMC shall also submit an undertaking to the Board while filing the soft copy that information contained in

14 Regulation 18 (15A) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulation, 1996

10 Master Circular for Mutual Funds the soft copy of SID to be uploaded on SEBI website is current and relevant and matches exactly with the contents of the hard copy and that the AMC is fully responsible for the contents of the soft copy of the SID15.
1.2.2 Updation of SAI
1.2.2.1 A printed copy of SAI shall be made available to the investor(s) on
request. SAI shall be updated within 3 months from end of financial year and filed with SEBI.
1.2.2.2 Any material changes in the SAI shall be made on an ongoing basis
by way of updation on the Mutual Fund and AMFI website. SEBI shall be intimated of the changes made in the SAI within 7 days. The effective date for such changes shall be mentioned in the updated SAI.
1.2.2.3 A soft copy of updated SAI shall be filed with SEBI in PDF format
along with printed copy of the same. AMC shall also submit an undertaking to SEBI while filing the soft copy that information contained in the soft copy of SAI to be uploaded on SEBI website is current and relevant and matches exactly with the contents of the hard copy and that the AMC shall be fully responsible for the contents of soft copy of SAI16.
1.3 Validity of SEBI Observations on SID
1.3.1The AMCs shall file their replies to the modifications suggested by SEBI on SID as required under Regulation 29 (2), if any, within six months from the date of the letter. In case of lapse of six-month period, the AMC shall be required to refile the SID alongwith filing fees.
1.3.2 The scheme shall be launched within six months from the date of the
issuance of final observations from SEBI. If the AMC intends to launch

15 SEBI Circular No – SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/178129/09 dated September 29,2009 16 SEBI Circular No – SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/178129/09 dated September 29,2009

11 Master Circular for Mutual Funds the scheme at a date later than six months, it shall refile the SID with SEBI under Regulation 28 (1) along with filing fees.
1.4 Undertaking from Trustees for new Scheme17
1.4.1 In the certificate submitted by Trustees with regard to compliance of
AMC with Regulations,18the Trustees are required to certify as follows:
“The Trustees have ensured that the (name of the scheme/Fund) approved by them is a new product offered by (name of the Mutual Fund) and is not a minor modification of any existing scheme/fund/product.”
1.4.2 This certification shall be disclosed in the SID along with the date of
approval of the scheme by the Trustees.
1.4.3 This certification is not applicable to close ended schemes except for
those close ended schemes which have the option of conversion into open ended schemes on maturity.
1.5 Standard Observations
1.5.1 Standard Observations have been prescribed to ensure minimum level
of disclosures in the SID and SAI19.

1.5.2 SEBI may revise the Standard Observations from time to time and in
that case the date of revision shall also be mentioned.
1.5.3 While filing the SID and SAI, AMC shall highlight and clearly mention
the page number of the SAI and SID on which each standard observation has been incorporated.

17 SEBI Cir No IMD/CIR No.5/70559/06 dated June 30,2006 18 Regulation 18 (4) of SEBI ( Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 19 For Standard Observations, please refer to the Chapter on Formats

12 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
1.6 KIM
1.6.1 Application forms for schemes of mutual funds shall be accompanied by
the KIM in terms of Regulation 29 (4). KIM shall be printed at least in 7 point font size with proper spacing for easy readability.
1.6.2 Format of KIM
1.6.2.1Mutual Funds shall prepare KIM in the prescribed format20. The contents of KIM shall follow the same sequence as prescribed in the format.
1.6.3 Frequency of updation
1.6.3.1 KIM shall be updated at least once a year and shall be filed with
SEBI.
1.6.3.2 In case of changes in the SID other than changes in fundamental
attribute in terms of Reg 18 (15A), the addendum circulated to all the distributors/brokers/investor Service Centre (ISC) shall be attached to KIM till the KIM is updated.
1.6.3.3 In case any information in SID is amended more than once, the
latest applicable addendum shall be a part of KIM (For example, in case of changes in load structure the addendum carrying the latest applicable load structure shall be attached to all KIM and SID already in stock till it is updated).
1.7 Easy Availability of Offer Document
1.7.1 Trustees and AMCs shall ensure that the SID of the schemes and SAI
are readily available with all the distributors/ISCs and confirm the same to SEBI in the half yearly trustee report.

20 For fomat of KIM please refer to the Chapter on Formats

13 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
1.8 Selection of Benchmarks21
1.8.1 In case of equity oriented schemes, mutual funds may appropriately
select any of the indices available, (e.g. BSE (Sensitive) Index, S&P CNX Nifty, BSE 100, BSE 200 or S&P CNX 500 etc.) as a benchmark index depending on the investment objective and portfolio.
1.8.2 Benchmarks for debt oriented and balanced fund schemes22 developed
by research and rating agencies recommended by the AMFI on a regular basis shall be used by the Mutual Funds.
1.8.3 In case of sector or industry specific schemes, Mutual Funds may select
any sectoral indices as published by the Stock Exchanges and other reputed agencies.
1.8.4 These benchmark indices may be decided by the AMC(s) and Trustees.
Any change at a later date in the benchmark index shall be recorded and reasonably justified23.
1.8.5 Examples of benchmarks are illustrated below24:
1.8.5.1 Growth funds maintaining minimum 65% of their investments in
equities shall always be compared against The Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. (BSE) Sensex or The National Stock Exchange Ltd. (NSE) Nifty or BSE 100 or CRISIL 500 or similar standard indices.
1.8.5.2 Income funds maintaining 65% or more of investments in debt
instruments shall be compared with a suitable index that is a representative of the fund’s portfolio.
1.8.5.3 Balanced funds with equity investments of 40%-60% shall be
compared with a tailored index having 50% of its weight selected

21 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/16/400/02 dated March 26, 2002, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/01/071/02 April 15, 2002. 22 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/01/071/02 dated April 15, 2002. , 23 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/16/400/02 dated March 26, 2002. Also please note that for review of scheme performance with benchmark indices please refer to section on governance norms. 24 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000

14 Master Circular for Mutual Funds from any equity index as above and the other 50% from an appropriate bond return index.
1.8.5.4 Money Market funds or liquid plans can be compared against a
suitable Money Market Instrument or a combination of such instruments.
1.9 New Fund Offer (NFO) Period25
1.9.1 In case of open ended and close ended schemes (except ELSS schemes),
the NFO should be open for 15 days (from 30 days in case of Open ended schemes and 45 days of close ended scheme).
1.9.2 The NFO period in case of ELSS schemes shall continue to be governed
by guidelines issued by Government of India.
1.9.3 Mutual Funds/AMCs shall make investment out of the NFO proceeds
only on or after the closure of the NFO period.
1.9.4 The mutual fund should allot units/refund of money and dispatch
statements of accounts within five business days from the closure of the NFO and all the schemes (except ELSS) shall be available for ongoing repurchase/sale/trading within five business days of allotment”
1.10 Discontinuation of the nomenclature – ‘Liquid Plus
Scheme(s)’26
1.10.1 The nomenclature “Liquid Plus Scheme(s)” has been discontinued from
January 2009 since it gives a wrong impression of added liquidity. Mutual funds have been advised to carry out appropriate change(s) in

25 SEBI circular no MFD/Cir.No 9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000. SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated March 15, 2010. The provisions mentioned shall be applicable for all NFOs launched on or after July 01, 2010. 26 SEBI/IMD/CIR No.13/150975 / 09 dated January 19, 2009

15 Master Circular for Mutual Funds the nomenclature of their scheme(s) designated as “Liquid Plus Scheme(s)”.
1.11 Fundamental Attributes27
1.11.1 The words "fundamental attributes"28 are elaborated below:
1.11.1.1 Type of a scheme
a. Open ended/Close ended/Interval scheme b. Sectoral Fund/Equity Fund/Balance Fund/Income Fund/Debt Fund/Index Fund/Any other type of Fund
1.11.1.2 Investment Objective(s)
a. Main Objective - Growth/Income/Both. b. Investment pattern - The tentative Equity/Debt/Money Market portfolio break-up with minimum and maximum asset allocation, while retaining the option to alter the asset allocation for a short term period on defensive considerations.
1.11.1.3 Terms of Issue
a. Liquidity provisions such as listing, repurchase, redemption. b. Aggregate fees and expenses charged to the scheme.
c. Any safety net or guarantee provided.

27 SEBI Circular No- IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/294/98 dated February 4, 1998 28 Clause (d) of sub-regulation (15) of Regulation 18 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

16 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 2
CONVERSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF SCHEMES AND LAUNCH OF ADDITIONAL PLAN
PART I - CONVERSION OF SCHEMES
2.1 Conversion of Close Ended Scheme(s) to Open Ended
Scheme(s)29
2.1.1 Although the procedure for conversion of close ended scheme(s) to open
ended scheme(s) has been clearly enumerated in the Mutual Funds Regulations30, following requirements are clarified again in the interests of investors:
2.1.1.1 Since the scheme(s) would reopen for fresh subscriptions, disclosures
contained in the SID shall be revised and updated. A copy of the draft SID shall be filed with the Board as required under Regulation 28(1) of the Mutual Funds Regulations along with filing fees prescribed under Regulation 28(2) of the Mutual Funds Regulations. Instructions issued by the Board31 for filing of the SID shall also be followed.
2.1.1.2 A draft of the communication to be sent to unit holders shall be
submitted to the Board which shall include the following:
a. Latest portfolio of the scheme(s) in the prescribed format32 b. Details of the financial performance of the scheme(s) since inception in the format prescribed in SID33 along with comparisons with appropriate benchmark(s)34.

29 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.22/2311/03 dated January 30, 2003. ,, 30 Regulation 33(3) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds), Regulations, 1996. ,, 31 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/Cir No 5/126096/08 dated May 23, 2008 , 32 Refer to format of half yearly portfolio disclosure under chapter on formats. , 33 Please refer to format of SID under chapter on Formats. 34 For examples of Benchmarks, refer to chapter on SID

17 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
c. The addendum to the SID detailing the modifications (if any) made
to the scheme(s).
2.1.1.3 The letter to unit holders and revised SID (if any) shall be issued only
after the final observations as communicated by the Board in terms of Regulation 29(3) of the Mutual Funds Regulations have been incorporated therein and final copies of the same have been filed with the Board.
2.1.1.4 Unit holders shall be given at least 30 days to exercise exit option.
During this period, the unit holders who opt to redeem their holdings in
part or in full shall be allowed to exit at the NAV applicable for the day on
which the request is received, without charging exit load.

18 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
<,
PART II – CONSOLIDATION OF SCHEMES
2.2 Consolidation of Schemes35
2.2.1 Any consolidation or merger of Mutual Fund schemes will be treated as a
change in the fundamental attributes of the related schemes and Mutual Funds shall be required to comply with the Mutual Funds Regulations in this regard36.

2.2.2 Further, in order to ensure that all important disclosures are made to the
investors of the schemes sought to be consolidated or merged and their interests are protected; Mutual Funds shall take the following steps:
2.2.2.1 Approval by the Board of the AMC and Trustee(s):
a. The proposal and modalities of the consolidation or merger shall be approved by the Board of the AMC and Trustee(s), after they ensure that the interest of unit holders under all the concerned schemes have been protected in the said proposal.
2.2.2.2 Disclosures:
a. Subsequent to approval from the Board of the AMC and Trustee(s), Mutual Funds shall file the proposal with the Board, along with the draft SID, requisite fees (if a new scheme emerges after such consolidation or merger) and draft of the letter to be issued to the unit holders of all the concerned schemes. b. The letter addressed to the unit holders, giving them the option to exit at prevailing NAV without charging exit load, shall disclose all

35 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.5/12031/03 dated June 23, 2003. , 36 Regulation 18(15A) of the Mutual Funds Regulations.

19 Master Circular for Mutual Funds relevant information enabling them to take well informed decisions. This information will include, inter alia:

Latest portfolio of the concerned schemes37.
Details of the financial performance of the concerned schemes since inception
in the format prescribed in SID38 along with comparisons with appropriate benchmarks.
Information on the investment objective, asset allocation and the main
features of the new consolidated scheme.
Basis of allocation of new units by way of a numerical illustration
Percentage of total NPAs and percentage of total illiquid assets to net assets of
each individual scheme(s) as well the consolidated scheme.
Tax impact of the consolidation on the unit holders.
Any other disclosure as specified by the Trustees.
Any other disclosure as directed by the Board.

2.2.2.3 Updation of SID shall be as per the requirements for change in
fundamental attribute of the scheme39.
2.2.2.4 Maintenance of Records:
a. AMC(s) shall maintain records of dispatch of the letters to the unit holders and the responses received from them. A report giving information on total number of unit holders in the schemes and their net assets, number of unit holders who opted to exit and net assets held by them and number of unit holders and net assets in the consolidated scheme shall be filed with the Board within 21 days from the date of closure of the exit option40.

37 Refer format of half yearly portfolio disclosure under chapter on Formats < 38 Please refer to SID Format under Chapter on Formats 39 Please refer to SID chapter for further details 40 SEBI Circular No- SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009

20 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
2.2.2.5 Merger or consolidation shall not be seen as change in fundamental
attribute of the surviving scheme if the following conditions are met41:
a. Fundamental attributes42 of the surviving scheme do not change. The ‘surviving scheme’ means the scheme which remains in existence after the merger. b. Mutual Funds are able to demonstrate that the circumstances merit merger or consolidation of schemes and the interest of the unitholders of surviving scheme is not adversely affected.
c. After approval by the Boards of AMCs and Trustees, the mutual funds
shall file such proposal with SEBI. SEBI would communicate its observations on the proposal within the time period prescribed43. d. The letter to unitholders shall be issued only after the final observations communicated by SEBI have been incorporated and final copies of the same have been filed with SEBI.

41 SEBI Circular No- Cir / IMD / DF / 15/ 2010 dated October 22, 2010 42 SEBI Circular No-IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/294/98 dated February 4, 1998 43 Regulation 29(3) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

21 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART III – LAUNCH OF ADDITIONAL PLANS44
2.3 Launch of Additional Plans
2.3.1 Additional plans sought to be launched under existing open ended
schemes which differ substantially from that scheme in terms of portfolio or other characteristics shall be launched as separate schemes in accordance with the regulatory provisions.
2.3.2 However, plan(s) which are consistent with the characteristics of the
scheme may be launched as additional plans as part of existing schemes by issuing an addendum. Such proposal should be approved by the Board(s) of AMC and Trustees. In this regard please note that:
2.3.2.1 The addendum shall contain information pertaining to salient
features like applicable entry/exit loads, expenses or such other details which in the opinion of the AMC/ Trustees is material. The addendum shall be filed with SEBI 21 days in advance of opening of plan(s).
2.3.2.2 AMC(s) shall publish an advertisement or issue a press release at
the time of launch of such additional plan(s).

44 SEBI Circular No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009

22 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 3
NEW PRODUCTS
3.1 Fund of Funds Scheme45
3.1.1 The SID and the advertisements pertaining to Fund of Funds Scheme46
shall disclose that the investors are bearing the recurring expenses of the scheme, in addition to the expenses of other schemes in which the Fund of Funds Scheme makes investments.
3.1.2 AMCs shall not enter into any revenue sharing arrangement with the
underlying funds in any manner and shall not receive any revenue by whatever means/head from the underlying fund. Any commission or brokerage received from the underlying fund shall be credited into concerned scheme’s account47. 3.1.3Fund of funds mutual fund schemes shall adopt either of the total expense structures laid out in Regulations48, which Asset Management Companies shall clearly indicate in the SIDs.
3.1.4 Fund of Fund schemes49, shall, with the approval of trustees, adopt either
of the total expense structures laid out in Regulation50 and change the total expense structure after giving the unitholders an option to exit in accordance with Regulation51.

45 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR. No.04/11488/2003 dated June 12, 2003. 46 Regulation 2(ma) of the Mutual Funds Regulations introduced vide Gazette Notification No. S.O 632(E) dated May 29, 2003. 47 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated March 15, 2010 48 Regulation 52(6)(a) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 49 existing as on July 29, 2010, Cir/IMD/DF/8/2010 dated August 6, 2010 50 Regulation 52 (6)(a) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 51 Regulation 18(15A) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

23 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
3.2 Gold Exchange Traded Fund Scheme52
3.2.2 A Gold Exchange Traded Fund (GETF) Scheme53 shall invest primarily in:
3.2.2.1 Gold and
3.2.2.2 Gold related instruments54. However investments in gold related
instruments shall be done only after such instruments are specified by the Board55
3.2.3 Valuation:
3.2.3.1 Gold shall be valued based on the methodology provided in Clause
3A of, Schedule Eight of the Mutual Funds Regulations56.
3.2.4 Determination of Net Asset Value57
3.2.4.1 The NAV of units under the GETF Scheme shall be calculated up
to four decimal points as shown below:
Market or Fair Value of Scheme's investments + Current Assets - Current Liabilities and Provision NAV (in Rs. terms) = ______________________________________________ Number of Units outstanding under Scheme on the Valuation Date

3.2.5 Recurring Expenses58

52 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR. No.4/58422/06 dated January 24, 2006, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/65348/06 dated April 21, 2006, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.14/84243/07 dated January 15, 2007. 53 Regulation 2(mb) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 introduced vide Gazette Notification No. S.O. 38(E) dated January 12, 2006. 54 Regulations 2(mc) of the Mutual Funds Regulations introduced vide Gazette Notification No. S.O. 38(E) dated January 12, 2006. 55 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 4/58422/06 dated January 24, 2006. 56 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.14/84243/07 dated January 15, 2007 read with Gazette Notification F. No. SEBI/LAD/DoP/82534/2006 dated December 20, 2006. 57 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/65348/06 dated April 21, 2006. 58 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/65348/06 dated April 21, 2006.

24 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
3.2.5.1The recurring expenses limits applicable to equity schemes59 shall be applicable to GETF Scheme(s).
3.2.6 Benchmarks for GETF Scheme60
3.2.6.1GETF Scheme(s) shall be benchmarked against the price of gold.
3.2.7 Half yearly report by Trustees61
3.2.7.1. Physical verification of gold underlying the Gold ETF units shall
be carried out by statutory auditors of mutual fund schemes and reported to trustees on half yearly basis.
3.2.7.2 The confirmation on physical verification of gold as above shall
also form part of half yearly report62 by trustees to SEBI.
3.3 Capital Protection Oriented Scheme63
3.3.1 The SID, KIM and advertisements pertaining to Capital Protection Oriented
Scheme64 shall disclose that the scheme is “oriented towards protection of capital” and not “with guaranteed returns.” It shall also be indicated that the orientation towards protection of capital originates from the portfolio structure of the scheme and not from any bank guarantee, insurance cover etc.
3.3.2 The proposed portfolio structure indicated in the SID and KIM shall be
rated by a Credit Rating Agency registered with the Board from the view point of assessing the degree of certainty for achieving the objective of capital protection and the rating shall be reviewed on a quarterly basis.

59 Regulation 52(6) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 60 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/65348/06 dated April 21, 2006. 61 SEBI Circular No. Cir/IMD/DF/20/2010 dated December 06, 2010 62 Please refer to the Chapter on Formats for the disclosures in the Half Yearly Trustee Report w.r.t physical verification of Gold. This will be effective from the half yearly report ending April 2011 by Trustees to SEBI. 63 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.9/74364/06 dated August 14, 2006. 64 Regulation 2(ea), 33(2A) and 38A of the Mutual Funds Regulations introduced vide Gazette Notification No. S.O. 1254(E) dated August 3, 2006.

25 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
3.3.3 The Trustees shall continuously monitor the portfolio structure of the
scheme and report the same in the Half Yearly Trustee Reports65 to the Board. The AMC(s) shall also report on the same in its bimonthly (CTR(s)66to the Board.
3.3.4 It shall also be ensured that the debt component of the portfolio structure
has the highest investment grade rating.
3.4 Real Estate Mutual Funds67:
3.4.1 A real estate mutual fund scheme68 can invest in real estate assets in the
cities mentioned in:

3.4.1.1 List of Million Plus Urban Agglomerations/Cities; or
3.4.1.2 List of Million Plus Cities
3.4.2 Such list appears in Census Statistics of India (2001) at
www.censusindia.gov.in. A printout of cities which appear in the foresaid categories taken from the said website is attached for ready reference at Annexure4.

65 For format of Half Yearly Trustee Report please refer Chapter on Formats < 66 For format of bimonthly CTR please refer Chapter on Formats 67 SEBI Circular No - SEBI/IMD/CIR No.4/124477/08 May 2,2008 68Regulation 49 A(a)(i) of SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations, 1996

26 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 4
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM69
4.1 An Operating Manual70 for Risk Management has been developed to
ensure minimum standards of due diligence and Risk Management Systems for all the Mutual Funds in various operational areas (for e.g. Fund Management, Operations, Customer Service, Marketing and Distribution, Disaster Recovery and Business Contingency, etc.) and is enclosed herewith as Annexure 2.
4.2 The Risk Management practices covered in the Operating Manual are under
three categories as detailed below:
4.2.1 Existing Industry Practices:
4.2.1.1 Under each head of risk, the Manual covers the exemplary
practices followed by some / most of Mutual Funds in India. However, the extent and degree of observance of these practices differs among the Mutual Funds. Mutual Funds shall accordingly develop their systems and follow these practices.
4.2.2 Practices to be followed on Mandatory Basis:
4.2.2.1 Mutual Funds shall follow the practices which have been
indicated as mandatory in the operating manual. These are Risk Management function that shall be assigned to Compliance Officer or Internal Risk Management Committee or to an external agency a. Disaster Recovery and Business Contingency plans, and b. Insurance cover against certain risks.

69 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/15/19133/2002 dated September 30, 2002. 70 The Manual has been developed by AMFI in association with Pricewaterhouse Coopers as a
part of Indo-US Financial Institutions Reforms and Expansion Project.

27 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
4.2.3 Best Practices to be followed by Mutual Funds:
4.2.3.1 Mutual Funds shall adopt these practices as a part of their
due diligence exercise after considering the size of their operations.
4.3 Implementation of the Risk Management System
4.3.1 Mutual Funds shall adopt the following approach to implement the
Risk Management System:
4.3.2 Identification of observance of each recommendation:
4.3.2.1 Mutual Funds shall identify areas of current adherence as well
as non-adherence of various Risk Management practices under each of the aforesaid three categories. They shall examine the areas where development or improvement of systems is required.
4.3.2.2 After identifying the same, Mutual Funds shall review the
progress made on implementation of the systems on a monthly basis and place the progress report in periodical meetings of the Board of the AMC and Trustees. 4.3.3Review of Progress of implementation by Board of AMC and Trustee(s):
4.3.3.1The Board of the AMC and Trustee(s) shall review the progress made by the Mutual Funds with regard to Risk Management practices and the same shall be reported to the Board at the time of sending CTR(s) and Half Yearly Trustee Reports. 4.3.4Review by Internal Auditors:
4.3.4.1 The review of Risk Management Systems shall be a part of
internal audit and the auditors shall check their adequacy on a continuing basis. Their reports shall be placed before the Board

28 Master Circular for Mutual Funds of the AMC and Trustee(s) who shall comment on the adequacy of systems in the CTRs and Half Yearly Reports filed with the Board.

29 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 5
DISCLOSURES & REPORTING NORMS
PART I - DISCLOSURES
5.1 Half Yearly disclosure of Portfolios71
5.1.1 Mutual Funds shall send a complete statement of Scheme Portfolio to the
unit holders before the expiry of one month from the closure of each Half Year (i.e. March 31 and September 30), if such statement is not published by way of advertisement72.
5.1.2 The Scheme Portfolio(s)73 shall also be disclosed on the Mutual Funds’ web
sites before the expiry of one month from the closure of each Half Year (i.e. March 31 and September 30) and a copy of the same shall be filed with the Board along with the Half Yearly Results74.
5.1.3 Disclosure of derivatives in Half Yearly Portfolios75
5.1.3.1 A format76 for the purpose of uniform disclosure of investments
in derivative instruments by Mutual Funds in half yearly portfolio disclosure, annual report or in any other disclosures is prescribed.
5.1.3.2 Further, while listing net assets, the margin amounts paid should
be reported separately under cash or bank balances.

71SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.010/024/00 dated January 17, 2000, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.10/310/01 dated September 25, 2001, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/18337/2002 dated September 19, 2002, SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR 8/132968/2008 dated July 24, 2008 72Regulation 59A of the Mutual Funds Regulations & SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.010/024/00 dated January 17, 2000. 73 For format of half yearly portfolio, please refer to the formats chapter 74 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.10/310/01 dated September 25, 2001. 75 SEBI Circular Cir/ IMD/ DF/ 11/ 2010 dated August 18, 2010. 76 For formats on disclosure of derivatives, please refer to the chapter on Formats

30 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
5.2 Unaudited Half Yearly Financials 77
5.2.1 The publication of the unaudited half-yearly results in news paper and
websites shall be made in the format prescribed in Twelfth Schedule in line with provisions of the Regulations78.
5.2.2 The half yearly results must be published before the expiry of one month
from the close of each half year. Copies of the advertisements carrying the results must be filed with SEBI within 7 days from the date of publication79.
5.3 Abridged Schemewise Annual Report Format80
5.3.1The Abridged Schemewise Annual Report81 may be mailed to the investors’ e-mail address if so mandated by the investor and the Scheme wise Annual Report shall be displayed on the website of the mutual fund. These websites should also be linked with AMFI website so that the investors and analyst(s) can access the annual reports of all mutual funds at one place82. However, as per the Regulations83, a copy of Scheme wise Annual Report shall be also made available to unitholder(s) on payment of nominal fees.
5.4 Disclosure of large unit holdings84
5.4.1 The number of investors holding over 25 % of the NAV85 in a scheme and
their total holdings in percentage terms shall be disclosed in the

77 SEBI Circular MFD/CIR/1/200/2001 dated April 20, 2001 & SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR No.8/132968/2008 dated July 24, 2008 78 Regulation 59 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 79 For format of Half Yearly Financials, please refer to the formats chapter 80 SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR No.8/132968/2008 dated July 24, 2008 81 For format of abridged schemewise report, please refer the formats chapter 82 SEBI Cir No – MFD/CIR/15/041/2002 dated March 14,2002 83 Regulation 56(1) & 56(3) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 84 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.3/211/2001 dated April 30, 2001. ,

31 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
Statement of Accounts issued after the NFO and also in the Half Yearly and Annual Results86.
5.5 Portfolio disclosure for debt oriented close-ended and
interval schemes/plans87
5.5.1 AMCs shall disclose the portfolio of such schemes in the prescribed
format88 on a monthly basis on their respective websites.
5.5.2 The said disclosure of the portfolio as on the last day of the month shall be
made on or before 3rd working day of succeeding month. For example, portfolio as of March 31, 2009 shall be disclosed by April 04, 2009 - April 3, 2009 being a non working day.
5.6 Annual report of the AMC 89
5.6.1 Annual report containing accounts of the asset management companies
should be displayed on the website of the mutual funds. It should also be mentioned in the annual report of the mutual fund schemes that the unitholders, if they so desire, may request for a copy of the annual report of the asset management company.
5.7 Submission of bio data of key personnel90
5.7.1 AMCs are required to submit the bio data of all key personnel to Trustees
and the Board. For this purpose, ‘key personnel’ would be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), fund manager(s), dealer(s) & heads of other departments of the AMC91. 85 For further details, refer Section II – Scheme Governance in the Chapter on Governance Norms , 86 Please refer the Chapter on Formats for requisite formats 87 SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR No.15/157701/2009 dated March 19, 2009 88 For portfolio format please refer to Chapter on Formats 89 MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000 90 IIMARP/CIR /08/845/97 DATED May 7,1997,IIMARP/MF/CIR/05/788/97 dated April 28,1997 91 For format of bio-data of key personnel, please refer the Chapter on Formats

32 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
5.8 Disclosure of investor complaints with respect to Mutual
Funds92
5.8.1 Mutual Funds shall disclose93 on their websites, on the AMFI website as
well as in their Annual Reports, details of investor complaints received by them from all sources. The said details should be vetted and signed off by the Trustees of the concerned Mutual Fund.
5.8.2 The Mutual Funds are advised to:
5.8.2.1. Upload the report for the year 2009-10 by June 30, 2010.
5.8.2.2. Upload the report for the following financial years within 2 months
of the close of the financial year.
5.8.2.3. Include the report in their annual reports, as part of the Report of
the Trustees, beginning with the annual report for the year 2009- 10.
5.9 Brokerage and commission paid to associates94
5.9.1 Regulations95 mandates payment of brokerage or commission if any,
to the sponsor or any of its associates, employees or their relatives.
5.9.2 Disclosures on brokerage and commission paid to associates/related
parties/group companies of sponsor/Asset Management Company in the unaudited half yearly financial results, the abridged scheme wise annual report and the SAI, shall be made in the format as prescribed96. 92 SEBI Circular No. Cir /IMD/DF/2/2010 dated May 13, 2010 93 For disclosure format please refer to chapter on Formats. 94 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18/198647/2010 dated March 15, 2010 95 Regulation 25 (8) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 96 Please refer to the chapter on Formats

33 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART II - REPORTS
5.10 Monthly Cumulative Report (MCR)97
5.10.1 Date and Mode Of Submission:
5.10.1.1 MCR98 shall be submitted to the Board by 3rd of each month by
way of an email. Hard copy should also be sent by hand delivery/courier.
5.10.2 Other Guidelines:
5.10.2.1Details of the new schemes launched shall be reported in the MCR for the month in which the allotment is done. For example, if an NFO closes in the month of July and the allotment is done in the month of August, then, the details of the new scheme shall be reported in the MCR for the month of August that will reach SEBI by 3rd of September.
5.10.2.2 Further, additional report on overseas investment99 by Mutual
Funds in ADRs/GDRs, foreign securities and overseas exchange traded funds (ETFs) shall also be provided as per the prescribed format. For format please refer to the chapter on formats.
5.10.2.3 Compliance officers of all the Mutual Funds are advised to take
due care while forwarding the MCR data to SEBI. Compliance Officers shall confirm that the data forwarded is correct and does not require any revision.

97 SEBI circular MFD/CIR/07/206/2001 dated July 19, 2001, SEBI circular No IMD/Cir No.15/87045/2007 dated February 22, 2007, SEBI circular SEBI/IMD/CIR No 3/124444/08 dated April 30, 2008. 98 For format of MCR please refer to Chapter on Formats. 99 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR NO 15/87045/07 dated February 22,2007

34 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
5.11 New Scheme Report (NSR)100
5.11.1 All Mutual Funds shall submit the NSR to SEBI complete in all respects
within 10 working days from the date of allotment in the prescribed format101.
5.12 Bi–monthly Compliance Test Reports102
5.12.1 AMCs’ shall do exception reporting on a bi-monthly basis. AMCs’ are
required to report only exceptions in the CTR to SEBI, i.e. AMCs’ shall report for only those points in the CTR where they have not complied with the same. The details sought in the annexures of the CTR shall be furnished to the Board in case of non-compliance only along with exception report. This exception report shall also be placed before the Trustee(s).
5.12.2 The CTRs103 should be submitted by the AMC to the Board once in every
two months so as to reach within 21 days of completion of the two months period. As a compliance of SEBI Regulations is a continuous process, AMCs are advised to incorporate the modifications/additions under the relevant sections of the format, based on amendments to the Regulations/guidelines issued in the future from time to time.

100 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR NO 13/118899/08 dated February 29, 2008, SEBI Circular No MFD/CIR/12/16588/02 dated August 28, 2002 & SEBI Circular No IIMARP/MF/CIR/05/788/97 dated April 28, 1997, SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/10772/93 dated July 14,1993, 101 For details on format of NSR please refer the Chapter on Formats. 102 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR NO 6/98057/07 dated July 5, 2007, SEBI Circular No MFD/CIR/11/36222/2005 dated March 16,2005,SEBI Circular No IIMARP/MF/CIR/10/1076/97 dated June 05,1997 & SEBI Circular No.MFD/CIR/5/360/2000 dated July 4, 2000, 103For CTR format, please refer the Chapter on Formats.

35 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
5.13 Annual Statistical Report (ASR)104
5.13.1 AMC should submit the annual statistical report to SEBI in the
prescribed format by 30th of April each year105.
5.14 Daily Transaction Report106
5.14.1 All Mutual Funds shall submit details of transactions in secondary
market on daily basis in the prescribed format107. Accordingly, Mutual Funds are advised to make necessary arrangements with their custodians for the submission of reports on a daily basis. The report is to be submitted to the Board in both hard as well as soft copy.
5.14.2 It must be ensured by the compliance officers of the custodians as well as
that of Mutual Funds that the information submitted is correct and reaches the Board by 3.00 p.m. on the following working day (T+1).
5.15 Responsibilities of AMC(s) and Trustees108
5.15.1 All information and documents relating to the compliance process shall
be authenticated and/or adopted by the Board of the AMC(s) to strengthen the compliance mechanism.

104 IIMARP/CIR /08/845/97 DATED May 7,1997, MFD/CIR/02/110/02 dated April 26,2002, SEBI Cir No- IMD/CIR No 6/72245/06 dated July 20,2006, 105 For format of ASR refer the Chapter on Formats Quarterly Movement of Net Assets- SEBI CIR – IIMARP/MF/CIR/05/788/97 dated April 28, 1997 required mutual funds to submit the statement for quarterly movement of net assets. However, SEBI circular MFD/CIR/12/16588/02 dated August 28,2002 stated that such Statement of movement of net assets /portfolios are no more to be submitted 106 SEBI Circular No.MFD/CIR/07/384/99 dated December 17, 1999 and MFD/CIR/08/23026/99 dated December 23, 1999 107 For format of daily transaction report, please refer the chapter on formats 108 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/09/014/2000 dated January 5, 2000, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR/10/039/2001 dated February 9, 2001.

36 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
5.15.2 The Trustee(s) shall also review all information and documents received
from the AMC(s) as required under the compliance process.
5.15.3 AMC(s) shall develop a suitable Management Information System for
reporting to the Trustees. The report shall contain specific comments on all issues related to the operation of the Mutual Fund as undertaken by the AMC including those provided in the format for reporting by AMC to Trustees109.
5.15.4 The half-yearly report on the activities of the mutual fund to be submitted
by the trustees to the Board under the Mutual Funds Regulations110 shall cover all issues mentioned in the prescribed format as well as any other issue relevant to the operation of the Mutual Fund111. The Trustees may mention in their report, if they so desire, that they have relied on the reports obtained from the independent auditor or internal/ statutory auditors or the Compliance Officer as the case may be. The report shall mention that the Trustees have satisfied themselves about the adequacy of compliance systems in the Mutual Fund.
5.15.5 AMC(s) and the Trustees shall update the reporting formats including
relevant provisions of amendments made to the Mutual Funds Regulations and/or guidelines and/or circulars issued by the Board and shall specifically comment on their compliance.
5.16 Filing of Annual Information Return by Mutual Funds112

109 Please refer the formats chapter for format for reporting by AMC to Trustees 110 Regulation 18(23)(a) of SEBI (MF) Regulations, 1996 111 For format of Trustee Report, please refer to the formats chapter. << 112 SEBI cir no IMD/CIR No.8/73580/06 dated August 4,2006 It may be noted that Annual Information Returns (AIRs) constitute an important source of information to Income Tax Department and, as such, it is imperative that the data furnished to them is complete and accurate in all respects. It is therefore advised that to re-check the accuracy of the data furnished by your office for the Financial Year 2004-05 and ensure that all the columns are correctly filled-in and submit a ‘Supplementary Information Report’, if need be, to the Income Tax Department. The AIRs for the financial year 2005-2006 are required to be filed before August 31, 2006.

37 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
5.16.1 Mutual Funds are required to submit the Annual Information Return
under section 285 BA in the Income-tax Act. As per this requirement, Trustees of Mutual Funds or such other person managing the affairs of the Mutual Funds (as may be duly authorized by the trustees in this behalf) have to report specified financial transactions in electronic media to Income Tax Department giving PAN of the transacting parties in an Annual Information Return (AIR).
5.16.2. Some common errors in these returns have been pointed out by the
Directorate of Income Tax (Systems) as:
5.16.2.1. Not mentioning PAN or mentioning invalid PAN.
5.16.2.2.Entering incomprehensible/ incomplete names of transacting parties, e.g. names of 2 or 3 letters. 5.16.2.3.Entering incomprehensible/ incomplete addresses of transacting parties, e.g. ‘Nil’, ‘N/A’, ‘_’, in all address fields, incomplete postal addresses, names of buildings split into separate fields, names of two cities in address fields, wrong PIN codes, etc.
5.16.2.4 Incorrect district and state codes.
5.16.2.5 Incorrect transaction codes.
5.16.2.6 Wrongly showing transaction as of ‘Govt.’ party.
5.16.3 In this regard, AIRs are required to be filed only by the Mutual Fund and
no separate AIR has to be furnished for each scheme of the Mutual Fund.

38 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 6
GOVERNANCE NORMS
PART I - FUND GOVERNANCE
6.1. Formation of Audit and Valuation Committees by the
Trustees and/or AMC113
6.1.1. Audit Committee
6.1.1.1. Trustees shall constitute an audit committee, comprising of the
Trustees and chaired by an Independent Trustee to review the internal audit systems and recommendations of the internal and statutory audit reports and ensure that the rectifications as suggested by internal and external auditors are acted upon.
6.1.2. Valuation Committee
6.1.2.1. The AMC shall constitute an in-house valuation committee
consisting of senior executives including personnel from accounts, fund management and compliance departments. This committee shall, on a regular basis review the systems and practices of valuation of securities.
6.2 Review and Reporting of Transactions114
6.2.1 Reporting of transactions
6.2.1.1 Transaction(s) by directors of the AMC

113 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.010/024/2000 dated January 17, 2000. < 114 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/09/014/2000 dated January 5, 2000, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.010/024/2000 dated January 17, 2000, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR/10/039/2001 dated February 9, 2001.

39 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Directors of the AMC shall file with the trustees on a quarterly basis details of transactions in securities exceeding Rs. 1 lakh115.
6.2.1.2 Trustee(s) Directors
a. Trustees are required to report to Mutual Funds only those transactions in securities that exceed Rs. 1 lac in value116.
6.2.2 Review of transactions
6.2.2.1 Trustees shall review all transactions of the Mutual Fund with
the associates as defined below on a regular basis and ensure that Regulations are complied with117.
6.3 Role of Independent Director on the Board of the AMC and
Independent Trustees118
6.3.1 An Independent Trustee shall not be associated in any manner with
the Sponsor(s)119. The independent directors on the Board of the AMC shall not be associate of, or associated in any manner with, the sponsor or any of its subsidiaries or the trustees120.
6.3.2 An ‘associate’ shall be defined as:
6.3.2.1 Relatives121 of Sponsor(s) or directors of the Sponsor Company or
relatives of Associate Directors of the AMC(s) and Trustee.

115 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR/10/039/2001 dated February 9, 2001. 116 Regulation 18(11) of SEBI (MF) Regulations, 1996 and SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/09/014/2000 dated January 5, 2000. 117 Regulations 18(6) and 18(7) of SEBI (Mutual Funds), Regulations, 1996 and SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.010/024/2000 dated January 17, 2000. ,, 118 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/11/354/2001 dated December 20, 2001, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/13/16799/2002 dated August 29, 2002, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/17/21105/2002 dated October 28, 2002. 119 Regulation 16(5) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 120 Regulation 21(d) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 121 As defined under Section 6 of the Companies Act 1956.

40 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.3.2.2 Persons providing any type of professional service to the Mutual
Funds, the AMC and the Trustees and the Sponsor(s). Also, persons having a material pecuniary relationship with the above mentioned entities that may, in the judgment of the Trustees, affect their independence.
6.3.2.3 Nominees of the companies who are stakeholders in the Sponsor
company or AMC(s) (even if they are not deemed sponsors by virtue of holding less than 40% of net worth of AMC(s)).
6.3.3 Cooling off Period
6.3.3.1 An “Associate”122 as defined above cannot be appointed as
Independent Director even after he ceases to be an “Associate” unless a cooling off period of three years has elapsed from the date of his disassociation. For example, an employee of the Sponsor(s) or their associate companies or AMC(s) or Trustees resigns on December 1, 2001 then he cannot be appointed as an Independent Director till December 1, 2004. During this intervening period, he can be appointed only as Associate Director. However, if he is taken as an Associate Director, say on December 2, 2001, then he cannot be considered as “Independent” from December 2, 2004. There must be a cooling off period of 3 years from the date he ceases to be an Associate Director.
6.3.4 Mutual Funds are required to have a minimum of 50 per cent. and
two-third independent directors on the Board of the AMC(s) and Trustees respectively123. In case the composition of the directors does not meet these requirements, Mutual Funds are required to inform the Board along with the steps proposed to ensure compliance.

122 Regulation 2(c) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. < 123 Regulation 21(d) and Regulation 16(5) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.

41 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.3.5 AMC(s) or Trustees shall appoint Independent Directors in place of the
resigning director(s) within a period of 3 months from the date of resignation. Where Mutual Funds are unable to meet this time limit, they shall report to the Board explaining the reasons for non compliance. Mutual Funds may maintain a panel of eligible persons who can be appointed as Independent Directors124 as and when required. They may also consider appointing more than the required minimum number of Independent Directors to enhance the standards of corporate governance and also to meet the regulatory requirements in case of resignation of an independent director.
6.3.6 On appointment of new directors of the AMC or Trustee, their biodata125 shall be filed with the Board for information or approval
respectively.
6.4 Investment and/or for / Trading in Securities by the
employees of the AMC(s) and Trustee(s)126 6.4.1The Board of the AMC and Trustees shall ensure compliance with these Guidelines on a continuous basis and shall report any violations and remedial action taken by them in the periodical reports submitted to the Board127.
6.4.2 The guidelines enumerated below specify the minimum requirements
that have to be followed. The AMC(s) and Trustees are free to set more stringent norms for investment and/or trading in securities by their employees.

124 For biodata of directors (AMC and Trustee), please refer to Chapter on Formats 125 For biodata of directors (AMC and Trustee), please refer to Chapter on Formats 126 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.4/216/2001 dated May 8, 2001, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.7/13391/03 dated July 11, 2003. 127 Regulation 25(9) & 23(b) of SEBI (MF) Regulations, 1996

42 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.4.3 Guidelines for Investment and/or Trading in Securities by
Employees of AMC(s) and Trustees
6.4.3.1 Applicability
a. These Guidelines shall be applicable to all employees of AMC(s) and Trustees and shall form a part of the Code of Conduct for employees adopted by the AMC(s) and/or Trustees. New employees shall be bound by these Guidelines from the date of joining the AMC(s) and/or Trustees. b. These Guidelines shall cover transactions for sale or purchase of securities made in the employees’ name, either individually or jointly, and in the name of the employees’ spouse and/or dependent children and transactions as a member of HUF.
6.4.3.2 The objectives and principles of these Guidelines are:
a. To ensure that all securities transactions made by employees in their personal capacity are conducted in consonance with these Guidelines and in such manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility. b. The employees of AMC(s) and Trustees especially Access Persons shall not take undue advantage of any price sensitive information that they may have about any company. Access Person for the purpose of these Guidelines shall mean the Head of the AMC (designated as CEO/Managing Director/President or by any other name), the Fund Managers, Dealers, Research Analysts, all employees in the Fund Operations Department, Compliance Officer and Heads of all divisions and/or departments or any other employee as decided by the AMC(s) and/or Trustees.

43 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
c. To guide employees of AMC(s) and Trustees in maintaining a
high standard of probity that one would expect from an employee in a position of responsibility.
6.4.4 General
6.4.4.1Investments Covered:
a. These Guidelines cover transactions for purchase or sale of any securities such as shares, debentures, bonds, warrants, derivatives and units of Mutual Fund schemes. b. These Guidelines do not apply to the following investments by the employees:

Investments in Fixed Deposits with banks and/or
Financial Institutions and/or companies, Life Insurance Policies, Provident Funds (including Public Provident Fund) or investment in savings schemes such as National Savings Certificates, National Savings Schemes, Kisan Vikas Patra, or any other similar investment.
Investments of a non-financial nature such as gold
etc.,128 where there is no likely conflict between the Mutual Fund’s interest and the employees’ interest.
Investments in government securities, Money Market
instruments and Money Market Mutual Fund schemes.
6.4.4.2 No employee shall pass on information to anybody inducing him to
buy/sell securities which are being bought and/or sold by the Mutual Fund of which the AMC is the investment manager.

128 Real Estate has been deleted pursuant to the amendment to the Mutual Funds Regulations launching the Real Estate Mutual Funds Schemes wherein guidelines have been prescribed for employee investment in Real Estate.

44 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.4.4.3 Prior approval of personal investment transactions:
a. All access persons except Compliance Officer shall apply in the form prescribed by the AMC(s) and/or Trustees to the Compliance Officer for prior approval of transactions for sale or purchase of securities other than those expressly stated to be exempt under these guidelines. The Compliance Officer shall apply to the Head of the AMC(s). The decision of the Compliance Officer shall be final and binding on the employee. b. In these Guidelines, in the case of the Compliance Officer’s own transactions for purchase or sale of securities or disclosure or any other related matter, the term "Compliance Officer" wherever it appears, shall be read as "Head of the AMC."
c. The Compliance Officer may coordinate with the Fund
Management Department of the Mutual Fund, wherever necessary, to clear requests of investment and/or trading in securities by the employees. d. The approval of Compliance Officer for carrying out a transaction of sale or purchase of a security by the access person shall not be valid for more than seven calendar days from the date of approval129. e. If a transaction approved by Compliance Officer has not been effected within seven130 calendar days from the date of its approval, the access person shall be required to obtain approval once again from Compliance Officer prior to effecting the transaction.

129 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.7/13391/03 dated July 11, 2003. 130 SEBI Circular No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009

45 Master Circular for Mutual Funds f. All employees shall refrain from profiting from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of any security within a period of 30 calendar days from the date of their personal transaction131. However, in cases where it is done, the employee shall provide a suitable explanation to the Compliance Officer, which shall be reported to the Board of the AMC and the Trustees at the time of review.
6.4.5 Investments in Shares and/or Debentures and/or Bonds and/or
Warrants and/or Derivatives - Investments in securities shall broadly be classified into investments through (a) primary markets and (b) secondary markets
6.4.5.1 Investments through the primary markets:
a. An employee including access person is permitted to apply to a public issue of shares and/or debentures and/or bonds and/or warrants of any company, as long as the application is made in the normal course of the public issue. Such an application may be made without seeking the clearance from the Compliance Officer. Employees of AMC(s) and Trustees are prohibited from applying in any reserved quota such as promoters’ quota, employees’ quota etc. Employees shall not participate in any private placement of equity by any company. b. Notwithstanding anything stated in (a) above, an employee of an AMC(s) and/or Trustees may apply for shares and/or debentures and/or bonds and/or warrants in a preferential offer, in cases where such a preferential offer is being made by a company that belongs to the same industrial group as the company in which the employee already has an investment,

131 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.7/13391/03 dated July 11, 2003.

46 Master Circular for Mutual Funds provided that such a preferential offer is made to all shareholders and/or debenture holders of such companies. Details of such applications made shall be intimated to the Compliance Officer.
c. The employees of the AMC(s) and/or Trustees including access
person may apply for any rights offer of any company in which they are already shareholders. Applications for additional rights (over and above the normal rights entitlement) shares may be made by the employees including access person without getting the clearance from the Compliance Officer. An employee including access person may also sell and/or renounce his rights entitlement without getting the clearance from the Compliance Officer. However, if an access person wishes to purchase the “Rights renunciations” he shall get the clearance of the Compliance Officer for the same. Such purchases shall be done only at market prices. Details of any applications made in any rights issue, whether in the normal course, or through purchase of rights renunciations, shall be intimated to the Compliance Officer.
6.4.5.2 Investments through the secondary markets:
a. An access person who wishes to make a secondary market transaction shall submit a written application to that effect to the Compliance Officer. Such an application shall specify the name of the company whose securities the employee wishes to buy and/or sell, type of security, and the number of shares and/or debentures and/or bonds and/or warrants and/or derivatives that the access person wishes to buy/sell. b. The Compliance Officer shall clear these requests if the following conditions are met:

47 Master Circular for Mutual Funds

If the shares and/or debentures and/or bonds and/or
warrants of the company or derivatives specified by the access person are not held by any scheme of the Mutual Fund of which the AMC is the investment manager;
If such shares and/or debentures and/or bonds and/or
warrants of the company or derivatives specified by the employee are held by any scheme of the Mutual Fund of which the AMC is the investment manager, there should be a “cooling off” period of 15 calendar days. The Compliance Officer shall ensure that the last transaction in that particular security was done by the Mutual Fund at least 15 calendar days prior to the date of the written application by the access person. In other words, an application for a purchase /sale transaction on a personal basis would be cleared only if the Mutual Fund has not transacted in that particular security for at least 15 calendar days.
c. The Compliance Officer shall keep a track of the transactions of
the employees and transactions of the Mutual Fund to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between them i.e. the Compliance Officer should track whether the Mutual Fund has transacted in the same securities either before or after the employee’s transaction(s). d. The Compliance Officer shall maintain a record of all requests for pre clearance regarding the purchase or sale of a security, including the date of the request, the name of the access person, the details of the proposed transaction and whether the request was approved or denied and waivers given, if any, and its reasons.

48 Master Circular for Mutual Funds e. No employee shall purchase any security (including derivatives) on a “Carry Forward” basis or indulge in “Short Sale” of any security (including derivatives) i.e. employees who effect any purchase transaction(s) shall ensure that they take delivery of the securities purchased, before selling them. f. Any transaction of Front Running by any employee directly or indirectly is strictly prohibited. For this purpose, “Front Running” means any transaction of purchase and/or sale of a security carried by any employee whether for self or for any other person, knowing fully well that the AMC also intends to purchase and/or sell the same security for its Mutual Fund operations. To ascertain that the employee had no prior knowledge of the Mutual Fund's intended transactions, the Compliance Officer may take a declaration in this regard from the employee. Such declaration may be included in the application form itself. g. Any transaction of self dealing by any employee either directly or indirectly, whether alone or in concert with another person is prohibited. For this purpose, “Self Dealing’ means trading in the securities based on price sensitive information to which the employee has access by virtue of his office. Declaration to this effect may be taken from the employee while clearing the proposals for investment. h. The employees shall not insist or suggest to the concerned brokers to charge reduced brokerage, or accept any contract with a clause on reduced brokerage charge.
6.4.6 Investments in units of Mutual Fund Schemes
6.4.6.1 Access persons as well as other employees do not require prior
permission of the Compliance Officer for purchase or sale of units of Mutual Fund schemes. However, details of each such

49 Master Circular for Mutual Funds transaction, excluding transactions in Money Market Mutual Fund schemes shall be reported by them to the Compliance Officer within 7 calendar days from the date of transaction.
6.4.6.2 In case of investments in SIP of any Mutual Fund scheme, the
employees may report only at the time of making the first installment of the SIP.
6.4.6.3 Notwithstanding anything mentioned earlier, in the following
cases employees of AMC & Trustees shall not purchase or sell /or repurchase or redeem units of any scheme, including Money Market Mutual Fund scheme of their Mutual Fund:
a. There is a likelihood of a change in the investment objectives of the concerned Mutual Fund Scheme(s) and this has not been communicated to the investors; b. There is a likelihood of a rights and/or bonus issue in the concerned Mutual Fund Scheme(s) and this has not been communicated to the investors;
c. The concerned Mutual Fund Scheme is contemplating to
issue dividend to the unit holders and this has not been communicated to the investors; d. There is a likelihood of a change in the accounting policy, or a significant change in the valuation of any asset, or class of assets and the same has not been communicated to the investors; e. There is a likelihood of conversion of a close ended scheme to an open ended scheme and vice versa and this has not been communicated to the investors.
6.4.7 Periodic Disclosures

50 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.4.7.1 All access persons shall submit, in the form prescribed by the
Mutual Fund of which the AMC is the investment manager, details of their personal transactions of purchase or sale of securities to the Compliance Officer. The details to be submitted are as follows:
a. Details of transactions effected for purchase and/or sale of securities including transactions in rights entitlements through the secondary market within 7 calendar days from the date of transaction; b. Details of allotment received against application for public and rights issues within 7 calendar days from the date of receipt of the allotment advice;
c. A statement of holding in securities as on March 31
within 30 calendar days from the end of every financial year ending March 31.
6.4.7.2 All employees other than access persons shall submit, in the
form prescribed by the Mutual Fund, to the Compliance Officer:
a. Details of each of their transactions for purchase or sale of securities including allotment in public and rights issues within 7 calendar days in tandem with SEBI (Insider Trading) Regulations. b. A statement of holding in securities as on March 31 within 30 calendar days (in tandem with SEBI (Insider Trading) Regulations) from the end of every financial year ending March 31.

51 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
c. A declaration shall also be included in the reporting
form on the lines of clause 6.4.5.2. (f) and 6.4.5.2. (g) regarding Front Running and Self Dealing.
6.4.8 Review by the Board of Directors of AMC and the Trustee(s)
6.4.8.1 The Board of the AMC and the Trustees shall review the
compliance of these Guidelines in their periodic meetings. They shall review the existing procedures and recommend changes in procedures based on the AMCs experience, industry practices and/or developments in applicable laws and regulations. They shall report compliance and any violations and remedial action taken by them in their reports submitted to the Board.
6.5 Responsibilities of AMC & Trustees132

6.5.1 For effective discharge of their responsibilities under the Mutual
Funds Regulations, the AMC(s) shall provide infrastructure and administrative support to the Trustees. The Mutual Fund may decide to appoint independent auditors and/or may have separate full fledged administrative set up for the Trustees. However, the expenditure incurred in this regard shall be within the limits as specified in Regulation 52(6) of the Mutual Funds Regulations. AMC(s) shall place correspondence and reports submitted to SEBI before the Trustees.
6.6 Applicability of Insider Trading Regulations133
6.6.1 Securities and Exchange Board of India (Insider Trading) (Amendment)
Regulations, 2002 shall be followed strictly by the trustee companies, asset management companies and their employees and directors.

132 MFD/CIR/09/014/2000 dated January 5, 2000 133 SEBI Cir MFD/CIR/05/432/2002 June 20, 2002

52 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART II -SCHEME GOVERNANCE
6.7 Minimum Number of investors134
6.7.1 Applicability for an open-ended scheme
6.7.1.1 The Scheme/Plan shall have:
a. a minimum of 20 investors and b. no single investor shall account for more than 25% of the corpus of the Scheme/Plan(s).
6.7.1.2 If either/both of such limit(s) is breached during the NFO of the
Scheme, it shall be ensured that within a period of three months or the end of the succeeding calendar quarter from the close of the NFO of the Scheme, whichever is earlier, the Scheme complies with these two conditions.
6.7.1.3 In case the Scheme / Plan(s) does not have a minimum of 20
investors in the stipulated period, the provisions of Regulation135 would become applicable automatically without any reference from SEBI and accordingly the Scheme / Plan(s) shall be wound up and the units would be redeemed at applicable NAV.

6.7.1.4 If there is a breach of the 25% limit by any investor over the
quarter, a rebalancing period of one month would be allowed and thereafter the investor who is in breach of the rule shall be given 15 days notice to redeem his exposure over the 25 % limit. Failure on the part of the said investor to redeem his exposure over the 25 % limit within the aforesaid 15 days would lead to automatic redemption by the Mutual Fund on the applicable

134 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/22701/03 dated December 12, 2003, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.1/42529/05 dated June 14, 2005. <<, 135 Regulation 39(2)(c) of the SEBI (MF) Regulations, 1996

53 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
Net Asset Value on the 15th day of the notice period.
6.7.1.5 The two conditions mentioned above shall also be complied
within each subsequent calendar quarter thereafter, on an average basis, as specified by SEBI.
6.7.1.6 The Fund shall adhere to the requirements prescribed by SEBI
from time to time in this regard.
6.7.2 Applicability for a Close ended scheme/Interval scheme
6.7.2.1 The Scheme(s) and individual Plan(s) under the Scheme(s) shall
have:
a. A minimum of 20 investors and b. No single investor shall account for more than 25% of the corpus of the Scheme(s)/Plan(s).
6.7.2.2 These conditions will be complied with immediately after the
close of the NFO itself i.e. at the time of allotment.
6.7.2.3 In case of non-fulfillment with the condition of minimum 20
investors, the Scheme(s)/Plan(s) shall be wound up in accordance with Regulation136 automatically without any reference from SEBI.
6.7.2.4 In case of non-fulfillment with the condition of 25% holding by a
single investor on the date of allotment, the application to the extent of exposure in excess of the stipulated 25% limit would be liable to be rejected and the allotment would be effective only to the extent of 25% of the corpus collected. Consequently, such

136 Reg. 39 (2) (c) of SEBI (MF) Regulations, 1996

54 Master Circular for Mutual Funds exposure over 25% limits will lead to refund within 6 weeks of the date of closure of the New Fund Offer.
6.7.2.5 For interval scheme the aforesaid provision will be applicable at
the end of NFO and specified transaction period.
6.7.2.6 Requisite disclosure in this regard shall be made in the SID.
6.7.3 Determination of breach:
6.7.3.1 The average shall be calculated, at the end of each quarter, on
the basis of number of investors at the end of the business hours of the scheme on a daily basis.
6.7.3.2 To determine breach of 25% holding limit by an investor, net
assets under the scheme shall be calculated daily and the daily holding limit shall be determined accordingly. At the end of the quarter, average daily holding by each investor shall be calculated and any breach of the 25% holding limit will be accordingly determined.
6.7.4 Applicability
6.7.4.1 These Guidelines are applicable at the Portfolio level.
6.7.4.2 These Guidelines are not applicable to Exchange Traded Funds
(ETFs).
6.7.5 Redemptions
6.7.5.1 Redemptions effected pursuant to these Guidelines shall be
completed within 10 days from the day of winding up of the scheme(s) and/or plan(s).

55 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.7.6 Reporting to the Board
6.7.6.1 Compliance with these Guidelines shall be reported in
Compliance Test Reports (CTRs) and Half Yearly Trustee Reports.
6.8 Scheme Performance Review
6.8.1 AMCs and Trustees shall review the performance of their schemes on
periodic basis137. Such review can take place by comparing the performance of the schemes with benchmark indices as well as in light of the performance of the entire Mutual Funds industry by relying on data published from time to time by independent research agencies and financial newspapers and journals. Corrective action if required may be taken in case of unsatisfactory performance. Its compliance should be reported in the bimonthly CTRs of AMCs and half-yearly reports of the Trustees to SEBI (while reporting compliance of Regulation 25(2) on exercise of due diligence in investment decisions).

137 SEBI Circular No. dated July 27, 2000 & SEBI Cir 16/400/02 dated March 26, 2002.

56 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART III -SYSTEMS AUDIT OF MUTUAL FUNDS138
6.9 Mutual funds shall have a systems audit conducted by an independent
CISA/CISM qualified or equivalent auditor.
6.10 The systems audit should be comprehensive encompassing audit of
systems and processes inter alia related to examination of integration of front office system with the back office system, fund accounting system for calculation of net asset values, financial accounting and reporting system for the AMC, Unit-holder administration and servicing systems for customer service, funds flow process, system processes for meeting regulatory requirements, prudential investment limits and access rights to systems interface.
6.11 Mutual Funds/ AMCs should get the above systems audit conducted once
in two years.
6.12 The Systems Audit Report and compliance status should be placed before
the Trustees of the mutual fund.
6.13 The systems audit report/findings alongwith trustee comments should be
communicated to SEBI.
6.14 For the financial years April 2008 – March 2010, the systems audit should
be completed by September 30, 2010.

138 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 9/176988/2009 dated September 16, 2009

57 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART IV – ROLE OF MUTUAL FUNDS IN CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE OF PUBLIC LISTED COMPANIES139
6.15 Mutual Funds should play an active role in ensuring better
corporate governance of listed companies.
6.16 AMCs shall disclose their general policies and procedures for
exercising the voting rights in respect of shares held by them on the website of the respective AMC as well as in the annual report distributed to the unit holders from the financial year 2010-11.
6.17 AMCs are required to disclose on the website of the respective AMC
as well as in the annual report distributed to the unit holders from the financial year 2010-11, the actual exercise of their proxy votes in the AGMs/EGMs of the investee companies in respect of the following matters.
6.17.1. Corporate governance matters, including changes in the state
of incorporation, merger and other corporate restructuring, and anti takeover provisions. 6.17.2.Changes to capital structure, including increases and decreases of capital and preferred stock issuances. 6.17.3.Stock option plans and other management compensation issues;
6.17.4. Social and corporate responsibility issues.
6.17.5. Appointment and Removal of Directors.

139 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated March 15, 2010

58 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
6.17.6. Any other issue that may affect the interest of the
shareholders in general and interest of the unit-holders in particular.
6.18 The format140 for disclosure of voting by mutual funds in general
meetings of listed companies is provided.

140 For disclosure of voting by mutual funds in general meetings of listed companies, please refer to the chapter on formats

59 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 7
SECONDARY MARKET ISSUES
7.1 Non Applicability of Listing Deposit141
7.1.1 The requirement of collecting listing deposit as specified under
Circular Letter No. SE/12936 dated April 6, 1992 shall not be applicable to Mutual Fund schemes seeking listing on the Stock Exchanges.
7.2 Payment of Margins142
7.2.1 The applicable margins shall be paid as per the guidelines issued by
SEBI and as directed by stock exchanges from time to time.
7.3 Unique Client Codes143
7.3.1 Mutual Funds are not permitted to operate in the securities market
without furnishing a valid Unique Client Code (UCC).144 Mutual Funds are required to obtain UCC from the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. (BSE) or The National Stock Exchange Ltd. (NSE) whenever a new scheme(s) or plan(s) (wherever the portfolio of the plans is different) is launched145. Such UCC should be obtained before commencing the trading on behalf of the scheme(s)/plan(s). At the time of entering an order, the UCC pertaining to the parent

141 SEBI Circular No. SMD-II(N)/2113/94 dated April 12, 1994. Further, in this regard, circulars issued by SEBI from time to time may be considered. < 142 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/230/2001 dated August 14, 2001 143 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.8/290/01 dated July 30, 2001, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/SMD/SE/11/2003/31/03 dated March 31, 2003, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.01/1756/04 dated January 27, 2004, SEBI Circular No. MRD/DoP/SE/Cir-35/2004 dated October 26, 2004, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/46603/05 dated August 10, 2005. Further, in this regard, circulars issued by SEBI from time to time may be considered 144 SEBI Circular No. SMDRP/Policy/Cir-39/2001 dated July 18, 2001. 145 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.01/1756/04 dated January 27, 2004.

60 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
Mutual Fund shall be provided and the allocation to individual schemes shall be done in the post closing session.146 The UCC can be shared with the unit holders to facilitate tax benefits linked to payment of Securities Transaction Tax (STT).
7.4 Trading in Exchange Traded Derivatives Contracts147
7.4.1 For trading in Exchange Traded Derivatives Contracts, following should be
observed:
7.4.1.1. Mutual Fund schemes can participate in derivatives market as per
the guidelines issued by SEBI in this regard from time to time.148
7.4.1.2 The Mutual Funds shall be treated at par with a registered FII in
respect of position limits in index futures, index options, stock options and stock futures contracts. The Mutual Funds will be considered as trading members like registered FIIs and the schemes of Mutual Funds will be treated as clients like sub-accounts of FIIs.
7.4.1.3 Appropriate disclosures shall be made in the offer document
regarding the extent and manner of participation of the schemes of the Mutual Funds in derivatives and the risk factors, which should be explained by suitable numerical examples.
7.4.1.4 The participation of existing schemes of the Mutual Funds in the
derivatives market shall be subject to the following conditions:
a. The extent and the manner of the proposed participation in derivatives shall be disclosed to the unit holders.

146 SEBI Circular No. MRD/DoP/SE/Cir-35/2004 dated October 26, 2004. 147 SEBI Circular No. DNPD/Cir-29/2005 dated September 14, 2005; SEBI Circular No. DNPD/Cir-30/2006 dated January 20, 2006, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/DNPD/Cir-31/2006 dated September 22, 2006. 148 SEBI Circular No. DNPD/Cir-29/2005 dated September 14, 2005.

61 Master Circular for Mutual Funds b. The risks associated with such participation shall be disclosed and explained by suitable numerical examples.
c. Positive consent shall be obtained from majority of the unit holders.
d. An exit option shall be provided to the dissenting unit holders. Such option shall be kept open for a period of one month prior to the scheme commencing trading in derivatives. e. No exit load shall be charged to the unit holders exercising such exit options.
7.4.1.5 Positions limits as specified by SEBI for Mutual Funds and its schemes
from time to time shall be applicable149.
7.5 Trading in Interest Rate Derivatives150
7.5.1 Mutual Fund schemes are permitted to undertake transactions in Forward
Rate Agreements and Interest Rate Swaps with banks, PDs & FIs as per applicable RBI Guidelines151, mutual funds can also trade in interest rate derivatives through the Stock Exchanges subject to requisite disclosures in the SID152.
7.6 Transactions of mutual funds in Government Securities in
dematerialised form153
7.6.1 According to Regulation154, the Mutual Funds having an aggregate of
securities worth Rs. 10 crore or more are required to settle their transactions only through dematerialised securities. All Mutual Funds

149 Please refer SEBI Circular No DNPD/Cir – 29/2005 Dated September 14, 2005 for position limits and subsequent circulars issued in this regard from time to time. 150 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.03/158/03 dated June 10, 2003. 151 RBI Circular dated November 1, 1999. 152 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.03/158/03 dated June 10, 2003. 153 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/05/432/2002 dated June 20, 2002 154 Regulation 44(1A) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

62 Master Circular for Mutual Funds should enter into transactions relating to government securities only in dematerialised form.

63 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 8
NET ASSET VALUE155
8.1 Disclosure of Net Asset Value156
8.1.1 The NAV of schemes shall be published on a daily basis by the Mutual
Funds at least in two daily newspapers157.
8.1.2 NAV and sale/repurchase price of all Mutual Fund schemes except for
Fund of Fund Schemes shall be updated on AMFI’s website and the Mutual Funds’ websites by 9 p.m. of the same day158.
8.1.3 Fund of Fund Schemes shall have an extended time up to 10 a.m. the
following business day in this regard159 and the NAVs shall be published in newspapers with an asterisk to indicate the one day time lag/or the actual time lag.
8.1.4 Delay beyond 10 a.m. of the following business day in case of Fund of
Fund schemes and 9 p.m. on the same day for all other schemes shall be explained in writing to AMFI and the Board and shall also be reported in

155 Regulation 48(1) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 156 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/07/844/97 dated May 5, 1997, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.11/171/01 dated February 9, 2001, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/13/087/2001 dated March 28, 2001; SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/63714/06 dated March 29, 2006, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/96576/2007 dated June 25, 2007, SEBI Cir No. SEBI/IMD/Cir No.12/147132/08 dated December 11,2008 < 157 Regulation 48(2) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 158 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/63714/06 dated March 29, 2006. 159 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/96576/2007 dated June 25, 2007.

64 Master Circular for Mutual Funds the CTR(s)160 in terms of number of days of non adherence of time limit for uploading NAV on AMFI’s website and the reasons for the same. Corrective steps taken by AMC to reduce the number of occurrences shall also be disclosed161.
8.1.5 In case the NAVs are not available before the commencement of business
hours on the following day due to any reason, Mutual Funds shall issue a press release giving reasons for the delay and explain when they would be able to publish the NAVs162.
8.2 Rounding off NAVs163
8.2.1 To ensure uniformity, Mutual Funds shall round off NAV up to four
decimal places for index funds and all types of debt & liquid/money market schemes.
8.2.2 For all equity oriented and balanced fund schemes, Mutual Funds shall
round off NAVs up to two decimal places. However, Mutual Funds can round off the NAVs up to more than two decimal places in case of equity oriented and balanced fund schemes also, if they so desire164. Relevant disclosure in this regard shall be made in the SID/SAI165.
8.3 Uniform Cut off Timings for applicability of Net Asset Value
of Mutual Fund scheme(s) and/ or plan(s)166
8.3.1 Mutual Funds should follow the Guidelines enumerated below with respect
to uniform Cut -off Timings:

160 For format of CTR, please refer to chapter on formats ,,, 161 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/63714/06 dated March 29, 2006. ,, 162 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.5/63714/06 dated March 29, 2006. , 163 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/08/514/2002 dated July 22, 2002, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/11/16159/2002 dated August 22, 2002. ,, 164 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/11/16159/2002 dated August 22, 2002. , 165 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/08/514/2002 dated July 22, 2002. 166 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 11/78450/06 dated October 11, 2006. ,

65 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
8.3.2 Definitions:
8.3.2.1 In these Guidelines, unless the context otherwise requires:
a. ‘Cut-off Timing’, in relation to an investor making an application to a Mutual Fund for purchase or sale of units, shall mean, the outer limit of timing within a particular day which is relevant for determination of the NAV applicable for his transaction; b. ‘International scheme’ means a Mutual Fund scheme having substantial investments in foreign securities valued as per time zones other than Indian Standard Time zone;
c. ‘Liquid fund schemes and plans’ shall mean the schemes and plans of
a Mutual Fund as specified in the guidelines167 issued by SEBI in this regard168.
8.3.3 Applicability
8.3.3.1 The Guidelines on Cut off Timings for applicability of Net Asset Value of
Mutual Fund scheme(s) and/ or plan(s) shall be applicable to all schemes and plans of Mutual Funds except:
a. International schemes and b. Transactions in Mutual Fund units undertaken on a recognized Stock Exchange.
8.3.4 Fixation of uniform Cut-off Timings
8.3.4.1 Mutual Funds shall reckon the Cut-off Timings for their schemes and
plans in compliance with these Guidelines and the same shall be uniformly implemented for all investors.

167 Please refer to the Section on liquid schemes 168 SEBI Circular No.SEBI/IMD/CIR No.13/150975/09 dated January 19, 2009

66 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
8.3.4.2 Mutual Funds shall ensure that each payment instrument for
subscription or purchase of units is deposited in a bank expeditiously by utilization of the appropriate banking facility, so as to comply with the requirement in Clause 8.3.4.1 above.
8.3.4.3 AMCs shall compensate any loss occasioned to any investor or to the
scheme and/or plan on account of non compliance with Clause
8.3.4.2 above.
8.3.5 Cut-off Timings for liquid fund schemes and plans
For determining the applicable NAV169:
8.3.5.1. The following cut-off timings shall be observed by a mutual fund in
respect of purchase of units in liquid fund schemes and their plans, and the following NAVs shall be applied for such purchase:
a. where the application is received upto 2.00 p.m. on a day and funds are available for utilization before the cut-off time without availing any credit facility, whether, intra-day or otherwise – the closing NAV of the day immediately preceding the day of receipt of application; b. where the application is received after 2.00 p.m. on a day and funds are available for utilization on the same day without availing any credit facility, whether, intra-day or otherwise – the closing NAV of the day immediately preceding the next business day ; and
c. irrespective of the time of receipt of application, where the funds are
not available for utilization before the cut-off time without availing any credit facility, whether, intra-day or otherwise – the closing NAV of the day immediately preceding the day on which the funds are available for utilization.

169 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/DF/15/2010 dated November 26, 2010

67 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
8.3.5.2. For allotment of units in respect of purchase in liquid schemes, it
shall be ensured that:
a. Application is received before the applicable cut-off time. b. Funds for the entire amount of subscription/purchase as per the application are credited to the bank account of the respective liquid schemes before the cut-off time.
c. The funds are available for utilization before the cut-off time without
availing any credit facility whether intra-day or otherwise, by the respective liquid schemes.
8.3.5.3. For allotment of units in respect of switch-in to liquid schemes from
other schemes, it shall be ensured that:
a. Application for switch-in is received before the applicable cut-off time. b. Funds for the entire amount of subscription/purchase as per the switch-in request are credited to the bank account of the respective switch-in liquid schemes before the cut-off time.
c. The funds are available for utilization before the cut-off time without
availing any credit facility whether intra-day or otherwise, by the respective switch-in schemes.
8.3.5.4 The following Cut-off Timings shall be observed by Mutual Funds with
respect to repurchase of units in liquid fund schemes and plans and the following NAVs shall be applied for such repurchase:
a. Where the application is received up to 3.00 pm – the closing NAV of day immediately preceding the next business day; and b. Where the application is received after 3.00 pm – the closing NAV of the next business day.
8.3.5.5 Mutual Funds shall calculate NAV for each calendar day for their
liquid fund schemes and plans.

68 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Explanation: “Business Day” does not include a day on which the Money Markets are closed or otherwise not accessible.
8.3.6 Cut-off Timings for schemes and plans other than liquid fund
schemes and plans
8.3.6.1 A Mutual Fund shall reckon only prospective NAV, in accordance with
this clause, in respect of all their schemes and plans i.e. for other than liquid fund schemes and plans
8.3.6.2 The following Cut-off Timings shall be observed by Mutual Funds in
respect of purchase of units in other schemes and plans and following NAVs shall be applied for such purchase:
a. Where the application is received up to 3.00 pm with a local cheque or demand draft payable at par at the place where it is received – closing NAV of the day on which the application is received; b. Where the application is received after 3.00 pm with a local cheque or demand draft payable at par at the place where it is received – closing NAV of the next business day; and
c. Where the application is received with an outstation cheque or demand
draft which is not payable on par at the place where it is received – closing NAV of day on which the cheque or demand draft is credited. 8.3.6.3.In respect of purchase of units in Income/ Debt oriented schemes (other than liquid fund schemes and plans) with amount equal to or more than Rs. 1 crore, irrespective of the time of receipt of application, the closing NAV of the day on which the funds are available for utilization shall be applicable170.

170 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 11/142521/08 dated October 24, 2008

69 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. For allotment of units in respect of purchase in income/debt oriented mutual fund schemes/plans other than liquid schemes, it shall be ensured that171:
i. Application is received before the applicable cut-off time (3 pm).
ii. Funds for the entire amount of subscription/purchase as per
the application are credited to the bank account of the respective schemes before the cutoff time (3 pm).
iii. The funds are available for utilization before the cut-off time (3
pm) without availing any credit facility whether intra-day or otherwise, by the respective scheme. b. For allotment of units in respect of switch-in to income/debt oriented mutual fund schemes/plans other than liquid schemes from other schemes, it shall be ensured that:
i. Application for switch-in is received before the applicable cut-off
time.
ii. Funds for the entire amount of subscription/purchase as per the
switch-in request are credited to the bank account of the respective switch-in income/debt oriented mutual fund schemes/plans before the cut-off time.
iii. The funds are available for utilization before the cut-off time
without availing any credit facility whether intra-day or otherwise, by the respective switch-in income/debt oriented mutual fund schemes/plans.
8.3.6.4 The following Cut-off Timings shall be observed by Mutual Funds in
respect of repurchase of units in its other schemes and their plans, and the following NAVs shall be applied for such repurchase:

171 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/DF/15/2010 dated November 26, 2010

70 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Where the application is received up to 3.00 pm – closing NAV of the day on which the application is received; and b. An application received after 3.00 pm – closing NAV of the next business day.
8.3.7 Switch and Sweep Transactions
8.3.7.1 Paragraphs 8.3.5 and 8.3.6 shall apply to ‘switch in’ transactions as if
they were purchase transactions and to ‘switch out’ transactions as if they were repurchase transactions.
8.3.7.2 Paragraphs 8.3.5 and 8.3.6 shall apply to ‘sweep’ transactions as if
they were purchase transactions and to ‘reverse sweep’ transactions as if they were repurchase transactions.
8.3.7.3 In case of ‘switch’ transactions from one scheme to another, the
allocation shall be in line with redemption payouts.
8.3.8. Time Stamping
8.3.8.1 Application from investors shall be received by Mutual Funds only at
official points of acceptance, addresses of which shall be disclosed in the SID and on Mutual Funds’ websites.
8.3.8.2 Cut off timings as prescribed under Paragraphs 8.3.5 and 8.3.6 shall
apply with reference to the point of time at which the applications are received at such official points of acceptance.
8.3.8.3 Time stamping machines at all official points of acceptance shall be in
compliance with the requirements mentioned in Section 8.4.
8.3.9 Compliance Reporting

71 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
8.3.9.1 Status of compliance with these Guidelines shall be reported to the
Board in the CTR(s)172 of the AMC(s) and the Half Yearly Trustee Reports173.
8.3.9.2 The Half Yearly Trustee Reports shall contain a declaration on
whether the Trustees are satisfied with the systems and procedures of the Mutual Fund designed for the purpose of compliance with these Guidelines.
8.3.9.3 Further, the substance of these Guidelines shall be disclosed to
investors in the SID or in any addendum thereto.
8.3.9.4 Encumbrance of the scheme property174
Regulations175 provides that the AMC shall not acquire any of the assets out of the scheme property which involves the assumption of any liability which is unlimited or which may result in encumbrance of the scheme property in any way. AMC’s are advised to strictly adhere to the said provision.
8.4 Requirements with respect to time stamping machines
[pursuant to Clause 8(3)]
8.4.1 For every machine, running serial number shall be stamped from the
first number to the last number as per its capacity before repetition of the cycle.
8.4.2 Every application for purchase shall be stamped on the face and the
corresponding payment instrument shall be stamped on the back indicating the date and time of receipt and running serial number. The application and the payment instrument shall contain the same serial number.

172 for CTR format, please refer to the chapter on formats ,,,,, 173 For Trustee report, please refer to the chapter on formats ,

174 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/DF/15/2010 dated November 26, 2010 175 Fourth Schedule of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

72 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
8.4.3 Every application for redemption shall be stamped on the face thereof
and on the investor’s acknowledgment copy (or twice on the application if no acknowledgment is issued) indicating the date and time of receipt and running serial number.
8.4.4 Different applications shall not be bunched together with the same
serial number.
8.4.5 Blank papers shall not be time stamped. Genuine errors, if any, shall be
recorded with reasons and the corresponding applications requests shall also be preserved.
8.4.6 The time stamping machine shall have a tamper proof seal and the
ability to open the seal for maintenance or repairs must be limited to vendors or nominated persons of the mutual fund, to be entered in a proper record.
8.4.7 Breakage of seal and/or breakdown of the time stamping process shall
be duly recorded and reported to the Trustees.
8.4.8 Every effort should be made to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the
time stamping machine. In case of breakdown, the Mutual Funds shall take prompt action to rectify the situation. During the breakdown period, Mutual Funds shall adopt an alternative time stamping method that has already been approved by the Board of the AMC and the Trustee(s). An audit trail shall be available to check and ensure the accuracy of the time stamping process during the said period.
8.4.9 Any alternate mode of application that does not have any physical or
electronic trail shall be converted into a physical piece of information and time stamped in accordance with these Guidelines.

73 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
8.4.10 Mutual Funds shall maintain and preserve all applications/ requests,
duly time stamped as aforesaid, at least for a period of eight years176 to be able to produce them as and when required by the Board or auditors appointed by the Board.
8.5 Uniformity in calculation of sale and repurchase price177
8.5.1 The following method is being prescribed
8.5.1.1 To streamline the calculation of sale and repurchase price of mutual
fund units178,

8.5.1.2 To avoid variation in the amounts payable to investors and/or
number of units allotted to them, and

8.5.1.3 To make the calculations more comprehensible to the investors.
8.5.2 Exit loads shall be charged as a percentage of the NAV i.e. applicable load
as a percentage of NAV will be subtracted from the NAV to calculate the repurchase price.
8.5.3 The formula for the same is as follows:

8.5.3.1 Sale Price = Applicable NAV
8.5.3.2 Repurchase Price = Applicable NAV *(1 – Exit Load, if any)

176 Regulation 50(2) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 177 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/08/514/2002 dated July 22, 2002 & SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 4/ 168230/09 dated June 30, 2009 ,, 178 Regulation 49(3) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.

74 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 9
VALUATION
9.1Definitions179
9.1.1Non Traded Securities180
9.1.1.1When a security (other than Government Securities) is not traded on any Stock Exchange for a period of thirty days prior to the valuation date, the scrip shall be treated as a non traded security.
9.1.2 Thinly Traded Securities
9.1.2.1 Thinly traded equity/ equity related securities:181
a. When trading in an equity and/or equity related security (such as convertible debentures, equity warrants etc.) in a month is both less than Rs. 5 lacs and the total volume is less than 50,000 shares, the security shall be considered as thinly traded security and valued accordingly. b. In order to determine whether a security is thinly traded or not, the volumes traded in all recognized Stock Exchanges in India may be taken into account.
c. For example, if the volume of trade is 1,00,000 and value is Rs.
4,00,000, the shares do not qualify as thinly traded. Also if the volume traded is 40,000, but the value of trades is Rs. 6, 00,000, the shares do not qualify as thinly traded.

179 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/088/2001 dated March 28, 2001 and SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. <, 180 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000. , 181 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/088/2001 dated March 28, 2001.

75 Master Circular for Mutual Funds d. Where a Stock Exchange identifies the thinly traded securities by applying the above parameters for the preceding calendar month and publishes or provides the required information along with the daily quotations, the same can be used by the Mutual Funds. e. If the shares are not listed on the Stock Exchanges which provide such information, then Mutual Funds shall make their own analysis in line with the above criteria to check whether such securities are thinly traded or not and then value them accordingly.

9.1.3Thinly traded Debt Securities182
9.1.3.1 A debt security (other than Government Securities) shall be
considered as a thinly traded security if, on the valuation date, there are no individual trades in that security in marketable lots (currently applicable) on the principal Stock Exchange or any other Stock Exchange.
9.2. Valuation of Securities
9.2.1 Traded Securities:183
9.2.1.1 When a security (other than debt securities) is not traded on any
Stock Exchange on a particular valuation day, the value at which it was traded on the selected Stock Exchange, as the case may be, on the earliest previous day may be used provided such date is not more than thirty days prior to valuation date.
9.2.1.2 When a debt security (other than Government Securities) is not traded
on any Stock Exchange on any particular valuation day, the value at which it was traded on the principal Stock Exchange or any other Stock Exchange, as the case may be, on the earliest previous day

182 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. , 183 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002.

76 Master Circular for Mutual Funds may be used provided such date is not more than fifteen days prior to valuation date. When a debt security (other than Government Securities) is purchased by way of private placement, the value at which it was bought may be used for a period of fifteen days beginning from the date of purchase.
9.2.2 Non-Traded /and/or Thinly Traded Securities:184
9.2.2.1 AMCs shall value non traded and/or thinly traded securities “in
good faith” based on the Valuation norms prescribed below:
9.2.3 Non-traded/ and/or thinly traded equity securities:
9.2.3.1 Based on the latest available Balance Sheet, Net Worth shall be
calculated as follows:
a. Net Worth per share = [Share Capital+ Reserves (excluding Revaluation Reserves) – Miscellaneous expenditure and Debit Balance in Profit and Loss Account] / Number of Paid up Shares. b. Average Capitalization rate (P/E ratio) for the industry based upon either BSE or NSE data (which shall be followed consistently and changes, if any, noted with proper justification thereof) shall be taken and discounted by 75 per cent i.e. only 25 per cent. Of the industry average P/E shall be taken as Capitalization rate (P/E ratio). Earnings per share (EPS) of the latest audited annual accounts shall be considered for this purpose.
c. The value as per the Net Worth value per share and the capital
earning value calculated as above shall be averaged and further discounted by 10 per cent. for illiquidity so as to arrive at the fair value per share. d. In case the EPS is negative, EPS value for that year shall be taken as zero for arriving at capitalised earning.

184 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000.

77 Master Circular for Mutual Funds e. In case where the latest Balance Sheet of the company is not available within nine months from the close of the year, unless the accounting year is changed, the shares of such companies shall be valued at zero. f. In case an individual security accounts for more than 5 per cent. of the total assets of the scheme, an independent valuer shall be appointed for the valuation of the said security. To determine if a security accounts for more than 5 per cent. of the total assets of the scheme, it shall be valued by the procedure above and the proportion which it bears to the total net assets of the scheme to which it belongs will be compared on the date of valuation185. g. In case trading in an equity security is suspended up to thirty days, then the last traded price shall be considered for valuation of that security. If an equity security is suspended for more than thirty days, then the AMC(s) or Trustees shall decide the valuation norms to be followed and such norms shall be documented and recorded.
9.2.4 Non traded/thinly Traded Debt security
9.2.4.1 A thinly traded debt security as defined above shall be valued
as per the norms for non traded debt security. a. Valuation186 of money market and debt securities with residual maturity of upto 91 days:

All money market and debt securities, including floating rate
securities, with residual maturity of upto 91 days shall be valued at the weighted average price at which they are traded on the particular valuation day. When such securities are not traded on a particular valuation day they shall be valued on amortization basis. It is further clarified that in case of floating

185 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/088/2001 dated March 28, 2001 186 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.16/ 193388/2010 dated February 02, 2010

78 Master Circular for Mutual Funds rate securities with floor and caps on coupon rate and residual maturity of upto 91 days then those shall be valued on amortization basis taking the coupon rate as floor.

b. Valuation of money market and debt securities with residual maturity of over 91 days:

All money market and debt securities, including floating rate
securities, with residual maturity of over 91 days shall be valued at weighted average price at which they are traded on the particular valuation day. When such securities are not traded on a particular valuation day they shall be valued at benchmark yield/ matrix of spread over risk free benchmark yield obtained from agency(ies) entrusted for the said purpose by AMFI. 2.The approach in valuation of non traded debt securities is based on the concept of using spreads over the benchmark rate to arrive at the yields for pricing the non traded security.
The Yields for pricing the non traded debt security would be
arrived at using the process as defined below.
Step 1: A Risk Free Benchmark Yield is built using the government securities as the base. Government securities are used as the benchmarks as they are traded regularly; free of credit risk; and traded across different maturity spectrums every week. Step 2: A Matrix of spreads (based on the credit risk) are built for marking up the benchmark yields. The matrix is built based on traded corporate paper on the wholesale debt segment of an appropriate stock exchange and the primary market issuances. The matrix is restricted only to investment grade corporate paper.

79 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
Step 3: The yields as calculated above are Markedup/Marked-down for ill-liquidity risk Step 4: The Yields so arrived are used to price the portfolio
9.3. Methodology:
9.3.1 Construction of Risk Free Benchmark187
9.3.1.1 Using Government of India dated securities; the Benchmark shall
be constructed as below:
a. Government of India dated securities will be grouped into various duration buckets such as 0.25- 0.5 yrs188, .5-1 year, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 5-6 years and 6 years and the volume weighted yield would be computed for each bucket. These duration buckets may be changed to reflect the market value more closely by any agency suggested by AMFI giving benchmark yield/ matrix of spreads over benchmark yield. b. The benchmark as calculated above will be set at least weekly, and in the event of any significant movement in prices of Government Securities on account of any event impacting interest rated on any day such as a change in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policies, the benchmark will be reset to reflect any change in the market conditions.
9.3.2 Building a Matrix of Spreads for Marking-up the Benchmark Yield189
9.3.2.1 Mark up for credit risk over the risk free benchmark YTM as calculated
in 9.3.1 above, will be determined using the trades of corporate debentures/bonds of different ratings. All trades on appropriate stock exchange during the fortnight prior to the benchmark date will be used in building the corporate YTM and spread matrices. Initially these

187 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. ,, 188 SEBI/IMD/CIR No.16/ 193388/2010 dated February 02, 2010 189 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000.

80 Master Circular for Mutual Funds matrices will be built only for corporate securities of investment grade. The matrices are dynamic and the spreads will be computed every week. The matrix will be built for all duration buckets for which the benchmark GOI matrix is built to effectively link the corporate matrix with the GOI securities matrix. Accordingly:
a. All traded paper (with minimum traded value of Rs. 1 crore) will be classified by their ratings and grouped into 7 duration buckets; for rated securities, the most conservative publicly available rating will be used; b. For each rating category, average volume weighted yield will be obtained both from trades on the appropriate stock exchange and from the primary market issuances
c. Where there are no secondary trades on the appropriate stock
exchange in a particular rating category and no primary market issuances during the fortnight under consideration, then trades on appropriate stock exchange during the 30 day period prior to the benchmark date will be considered for computing the average YTM for such rating category; d. If the matrix cannot be populated using any or all of the above steps, then credit spreads from trades on appropriate stock exchange of the relevant rating category over the AAA trades will be used to populate the matrix; e. In each rating category, all outliers will be removed for smoothening the YTM matrix; f. Spreads will be obtained by deducting the YTM in each duration category from the respective YTM of the GOI securities; g. In the event of lack of trades in the secondary market and the primary market the gaps in the matrix would be filled by extrapolation. If the spreads cannot be extrapolated for the reason of practicality, the gaps in the matrix will be filled by carrying the spreads from the last matrix.

81 Master Circular for Mutual Funds h. Accordingly, all Mutual Funds shall provide transaction details of various types of debt securities like NCDs, Mibor linked floaters and CPs on daily basis in the prescribed format enclosed at Annexure 3 to the agency recommended by AMFI. Submission of data would help in daily matrix generation, would improve uniformity and accuracy of valuation in the Mutual Funds industry190.
9.3.3 Mark-up/Mark-down Yield
9.3.3.1 The Yields calculated would be marked-up/marked-down to
account for the illiquidity risk, promoter background, finance company risk and the issuer class risk. As the level of illiquidity risk would be higher for non rated securities the marking process for rated and non rated securities would be differentiated as follows:
a. Adjustments for Securities rated by external rating agencies191 Category Discretionary mark up/mark down

-
Rated instruments with duration upto 2 years 100 bps 50 bps Rated instruments with duration over 2 years 75 bps 25 bps

The rationale for the above discount structure is to take cognizance
of the differential interest rate risk of the securities. This structure will be reviewed periodically. b. Adjustments for Internally Rated Securities192

190 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR.No 23 / 066 /2003 dated March 7,2003 191 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. 192 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. ,,,,,

82 Master Circular for Mutual Funds

To value an un-rated security, the fund manager shall assign
an internal credit rating, which will be used for valuation. Since un-rated instruments tend to be more illiquid than rated securities, the yields would be marked up by adding discretionary discount as under:
The benchmark yield/ matrix of spreads over risk free benchmark yield
obtained from any agency suggested by AMFI, must be applied for valuation of securities on the day of release of such bench mark yield/ matrix of spreads by the aforesaid agency.193
9.3.3.2 Chief Executive Officer ( whatever his designation may be ) of the AMC
shall give prior approval to the use of discretionary mark up or down limit
9.4 Valuation of securities with Put/Call Options:194
9.4.1 The option embedded securities would be valued as follows:
9.4.1.1 Securities with call option
The securities with call option shall be valued at the lower of the value
as obtained by valuing the security to final maturity and valuing the

193 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. , 194 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000. Category Discretionary discount Unrated instruments with duration upto 2 years Discretionary discount of upto +50 bps over and above mandatory discount of +50 bps Unrated instruments with duration over 2 years Discretionary discount of upto +50 bps over and above mandatory discount of +25 bps

83 Master Circular for Mutual Funds security to call option. In case there are multiple call options, the lowest value obtained by valuing to the various call dates and valuing to the maturity date is to be taken as the value of the instrument.
9.4.1.2. Securities with Put option

The securities with put option shall be valued at the higher of the
value as obtained by valuing the security to final maturity and valuing the security to put option. In case there are multiple put options, the highest value obtained by valuing to the various put dates and valuing to the maturity date is to be taken as the value of the instruments.
9.4.1.3 Securities with both Put and Call option on the same day
The securities with both Put and Call option on the same day would
be deemed to mature on the Put/Call day and would be valued accordingly.
9.5 Valuation of Government Securities
9.5.1. Government securities will be valued at prices for government
securities released by an agency suggested by AMFI to ensure uniformity in calculation of NAVs195.
9.6. Illiquid Securities196

195 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/442/2002 dated February 20, 2002. <,, 196 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000.

Provided that in case any scheme has illiquid securities in excess of 15% of total
assets as on September 30, 2000 then such a scheme shall within a period of two years bring down the ratio of illiquid securities within the prescribed limit of 15 per cent. in the following time frame:
a. All the illiquid securities above 20 per cent. of total assets of the scheme shall be assigned zero value on September 30, 2001. b. All the illiquid securities above 15 per cent. of total assets of the scheme shall be assigned zero value on September 30, 2002.
In respect of closed ended funds, for the purposes of valuation of illiquid
securities, the limits of 15 per cent. and 20 per cent. applicable to open ended funds should be increased to 20 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively.

84 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
9.6.1 Aggregate value of “illiquid securities” under a scheme, which are
defined as non-traded, thinly traded and unlisted equity shares, shall not exceed 15 per cent of the total assets of the scheme and any illiquid securities held above 15 per cent. of the total assets shall be assigned zero value.
9.6.2 All Mutual Funds shall disclose as on March 31 and September 30 the
scheme wise total illiquid securities in value and percentage of the net assets while disclosing Half Yearly Portfolios to the unit holders. In the list of investments, an asterisk mark shall be given against all such investments which are recognised as illiquid securities.
9.6.3 Mutual Funds shall not be allowed to transfer illiquid securities among
their schemes.
9.7 Guidelines for Identification and Provisioning for Non
Performing Assets (Debt Securities)197
9.7.1 Definition of a Non Performing Asset (NPA)
9.7.1.1 An ‘asset’ shall be classified as NPA if the interest and/or principal
amount have not been received or remained outstanding for one quarter from the day such income and/or installment was due.
9.7.2 Effective date for classification and provisioning of NPAs
9.7.2.1 The definition of NPA may be applied after a quarter past due date of the
interest. For e.g. if the due date for interest is 30.06.2000, it will be classified as NPA from 01.10.2000.

Where a scheme has illiquid securities as at September 30, 2001 not exceeding
15% in the case of an open-ended fund and 20% in the case of closed fund, the concessions of giving time period for reducing the illiquid security to the prescribed limits would not be applicable and at all time the excess over 15% or 20% shall be assigned nil value 197 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/8/92/2000 dated September 18, 2000.

85 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
9.7.3 Treatment of income accrued on the NPA and further accruals
9.7.3.1 After the expiry of the 1st quarter from the date the income has fallen
due, there will be no further interest accrual on the asset i.e. if the due date for interest falls on 30.06.2000 and if the interest is not received, accrual will continue till 30.09.2000 after which there will be no further accrual of income. In short, taking the above example, from the beginning of the 2nd quarter there will be no further accrual on income.
9.7.3.2 On classification of the asset as NPA from a quarter past due date of
interest, all interest accrued and recognized in the books of accounts of the Mutual Fund till the date shall be provided for. For e.g. if interest income falls due on 30.06.2000, accrual of interest will continue till
30.09.2000 even if the income as on 30.06.2000 has not been received.
Further, no accrual will take place from 01.10.2000 onwards. Full provision will be made for interest accrued and outstanding as on 30.06.2000.
9.7.4 Provision for NPAs – Debt Securities
9.7.4.1 Both secured and unsecured investments, once they are recognized as
NPAs, call for provisioning in the same manner and where these are related to close ended schemes, the phasing would be such that to ensure full provisioning prior to the closure of the scheme or the scheduled phasing which ever is earlier.
9.7.4.2 The value of the asset shall be provided in the following manner or earlier
at the discretion of the Mutual Fund. Mutual Funds will not have discretion to extend the period of provisioning. The provisioning against the principal amount or installments shall be made at the following rates irrespective of whether the principal is due for repayment or not. a. 10 percent of the book value of the asset shall be provided for after 6 months past due date of interest i.e. 3 months form the date of classification of the asset as NPA.

86 Master Circular for Mutual Funds b. 20 percent of the book value of the asset should be provided for after 9 months past due date of interest i.e. 6 months from the date of classification of the asset as NPA.
c. Another 20 percent of the book value of the assets shall be provided for
after 12 months past due date of interest i.e. 9 months from the date of classification of the asset as NPA. d. Another 25 percent of the book value of the assets shall be provided for after 15 months past due date of interest i.e. 12 months from the date of classification of the asset as NPA. e. The balance 25 percent of the book value of the asset shall be provided for after 18 months past due date of the interest i.e. 15 months from the date of classification of the assets as NPA.
9.7.4.3 Book value for the purpose of provisioning for NPAs shall be taken as a
value determined as per the prescribed valuation method.
9.7.4.4. This can be explained by an illustration:
a. Let us consider that interest income is due on a half yearly basis and the due date falls on 30.06.2000 and the interest is not received till 1st quarter after due date i.e. 30.09.2000. The provisioning will be done in the following phased manner:

b. Thus, one and half years past the due date of income or one year and three months from the date of classification of the ‘asset’ as an NPA, the ‘asset’ will be fully provided for. If any installment is fallen due, during the 10% provision 01.01.2001 6 months past due date of interest i.e. 3 months from the date of classification of asset as NPA (01.10.2000) 20% provision 01.04.2001 20% provision 01.07.2001 25% provision 01.10.2001 25% provision 01.01.2002

87 Master Circular for Mutual Funds period of interest default, the amount of provision shall be the installment amount or above provision amount, whichever is higher.
9.7.5 Reclassification of assets
9.7.5.1 Upon reclassification of assets as ‘performing assets’:
a. In case a company has fully cleared all the arrears of interest, the interest provisions can be written back in full. b. The asset will be reclassified as performing on clearance of all interest arrears and if the debt is regularly serviced over the next two quarters.
c. In case the company has fully cleared all the arrears of interest, the
interest not credited on accrual basis shall be credited at the time of receipt. d. The provision made for the principal amount can be written back in the following manner

100% of the asset provided for in the books will be written back at the
end of the 2nd quarter where the provision of principal was made due to the interest defaults only.
50% of the asset provided for in the books will be written back at the
end of the 2nd quarter and 25% after every subsequent quarter where both installments and interest payment were in default earlier.
i. Explanation: The words “2nd quarter” wherever appear, shall mean 2nd
calendar quarter.198 e. An asset is reclassified as 'standard asset' only when both, the overdue interest and overdue installments are paid in full and there is satisfactory performance for a subsequent period of 6 months.
9.7.6 Receipt of past dues:
9.7.6.1 When the Mutual Fund has received income/ principal amount after
their classifications as NPAs:

198 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/14/088/2001 dated March 28, 2001.

88 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. For the next 2 quarters, income shall be recognized on cash basis and thereafter on accrual basis. The asset will be continued to be classified as NPA for these two quarters. b. During this period of two quarters although the asset is classified as NPA no provision needs to be made for the principal if the same is not due and outstanding.
c. If part payment is received towards principal, the asset continues to be
classified as NPA and provisions are continued as per the norms set at
9.7.4 above Any excess provision will be written back.
9.7.7 Classification of Deep Discount Bonds as NPAs
9.7.7.1 Investments in Deep Discount Bonds can be classified as NPAs, if any
two of the following conditions are satisfied:
a. If the rating of the Bond comes down to Grade ‘BB’ (or its equivalent) or below b. If the company is defaulting in their commitments in respect of other assets, if available.
c. Full Net worth erosion.
9.7.7.2 Provision should be made as per the norms set at 9.7.4 above as soon as
the asset is classified as NPA.
9.7.7.3 Full provision can be made if the rating comes down to Grade ‘D’ (or its
equivalent).
9.7.8 Reschedulement of an asset
9.7.8.1 In case a company defaults in payment of either interest or principal
amount and the Mutual Fund has accepted a rescheduling of the
schedule of payments, then the following practice shall be adhered to:
a. In case it is a first reschedulement and only payment of interest is in default, the classification of the asset as NPA shall be continued and existing provisions shall not be written back. This practice shall be

89 Master Circular for Mutual Funds continued for two quarters of regular servicing of the debt. Thereafter, this be classified as ‘performing asset’ and the interest provided can be written back. b. If the reschedulement is done due to default in interest and principal amount, the asset shall continue as NPA for a period of 4 quarters, even though the asset is continued to be serviced during these 4 quarters regularly. Thereafter, the asset can be classified as ‘performing asset’ and all the interest provided till such date shall be written back.
c. If the reschedulement is done for a second/ third time or thereafter, the
characteristics of NPA should be continued for eight quarters of regular servicing of the debt. The provision shall be written back only after the asset is reclassified as ‘performing asset’.
9.7.9 Disclosure in the Half Yearly Portfolio Reports
9.7.9.1 Mutual Funds shall make scrip wise disclosures of NPAs on Half Yearly
basis along with the Half Yearly Portfolio Disclosure in the format prescribed199.
9.7.9.2 The total amount of provisions made against the NPAs shall be disclosed
in addition to the total quantum of NPAs and their proportion to the assets of the Mutual Fund scheme. In the list of investments and asterisk mark shall be given against such investments which are recognized as NPAs. Where the date of redemption of an investment has lapsed, the amount not redeemed shall be shown as ‘Sundry Debtors’ and not investment, provided, that where an investment is redeemable by installments, that will be shown as an investment until all installments have become overdue.
9.8 Investment in Unlisted Equity Shares200

199 For formats of Half yearly disclosure, please refer to the Chapter on Formats 200 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/03/526/2002 dated May 9, 2002.

90 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
9.8.1 To ensure uniformity in calculation of NAV the following guidelines are
issued:
9.8.1.1 Methodology for Valuation - unlisted equity shares of a company shall be
valued "in good faith" as below:
a. Based on the latest available audited balance sheet, Net Worth shall be calculated as the lower of item (1) and (2) below:

Net Worth per share = [Share Capital + Free Reserves (excluding
revaluation reserves) - Miscellaneous expenditure not written off or deferred revenue expenditure, intangible assets and accumulated losses] / Number of Paid up Shares.
After taking into account the outstanding warrants and options, Net
Worth per share shall again be calculated and shall be = [Share Capital + consideration on exercise of Option and/or Warrants received/receivable by the Company + Free Reserves (excluding Revaluation Reserves) - Miscellaneous expenditure not written off or deferred revenue expenditure, intangible assets and accumulated losses] / Number of Paid up Shares plus Number of Shares that would be obtained on conversion and/or exercise of Outstanding Warrants and Options.
The lower of (1) and (2) above shall be used for calculation of Net
Worth per share and for further calculation in (c) below. b. Average capitalisation rate (P/E ratio) for the industry based upon either BSE or NSE data (which shall be followed consistently and changes, if any, noted with proper justification thereof) shall be taken and discounted by 75 per cent. i.e. only 25 per cent of the industry average P/E shall be taken as capitalisation rate (P/E ratio). Earnings per share (EPS) of the latest audited annual accounts will be considered for this purpose.

91 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
c. The value as per the Net Worth value per share and the capital earning
value calculated as above shall be averaged and further discounted by 15 per cent for illiquidity so as to arrive at the fair value per share.
9.8.1.2 The above valuation methodology shall be subject to the following
conditions:
a. All calculations shall be based on audited accounts. b. If the latest Balance Sheet of the company is not available within nine months from the close of the year, unless the accounting year is changed, the shares of such companies shall be valued at zero.
c. If the Net Worth of the company is negative, the share would be marked
down to zero. d. In case the EPS is negative, EPS value for that year shall be taken as zero for arriving at capitalised earning. e. In case an individual security accounts for more than 5 per cent of the total assets of the scheme, an independent valuer shall be appointed for the valuation of the said security. To determine if a security accounts for more than 5 per cent of the total assets of the scheme, it shall be valued in accordance with the procedure as mentioned above on the date of valuation.
9.8.2 At the discretion of the AMCs and with the approval of the Trustees,
unlisted equity shares may be valued at a price lower than the value derived using the aforesaid methodology.
9.8.3 Due Diligence
9.8.3.1 Mutual Funds shall not make Investment in unlisted equity shares at a
price higher than the price obtained by using the aforesaid methodology. However, this restriction is not applicable for investment made in the Initial Public Offers (IPOs) of the companies or firm allotment in public issues where all the regulatory requirements and formalities pertaining

92 Master Circular for Mutual Funds to public issues have been complied with by the companies and where the Mutual Funds are required to pay just before the date of public issue.
9.8.3.2 The Board of the AMC and Board of Trustees shall lay down the
parameters for investing in unlisted equity shares. They shall pay specific attention as to whether due diligence was exercised while making such investments and shall review the performance of such investments in their periodical meetings201.
9.8.4 Reporting of Compliance
9.8.4.1 Comments on compliance of these Guidelines shall be indicated by the
AMCs and Trustees in their CTRs202 and Half Yearly Reports203 filed with the Board.
9.9 Valuation of securities not covered under the current
valuation policy204:
9.9.1In case of securities purchased by mutual funds do not fall within the current framework of the valuation of securities then such mutual fund shall report immediately to AMFI regarding the same. Further, at the time of investment AMCs shall ensure that the total exposure in such securities does not exceed 5% of the total AUM of the scheme. 9.9.2AMFI has been advised that the valuation agencies should ensure that the valuation of such securities gets covered in the valuation framework within six weeks from the date of receipt of such intimation from mutual fund. 9.9.3In the interim period, till AMFI makes provisions to cover such securities in the valuation of securities framework, the mutual funds

201 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/6/73/2000 dated July 27, 2000. 202 For CTR format please refer to the chapter on formats 203 For Half Yearly Reports, please refer to the chapter on formats 204 SEBI/IMD/CIR No.16/193388/2010 dated February 02, 2010 and Cir/IMD/DF/4/2010 dated June 21, 2010

93 Master Circular for Mutual Funds shall value such securities using their proprietary model which has been approved by their independent trustees and the statutory auditors.
9.10 Dissemination of information:
9.10.1 All mutual funds shall provide transaction details, including inter
scheme transfers, of money market and debt securities on daily basis to the agency entrusted for providing the benchmark yield/ matrix of spread over risk free benchmark yield. Submission of data205 would help in daily matrix generation and would improve uniformity and accuracy of valuation in the mutual funds industry.
9.11 Consistency
9.11.1 All AMC’s shall ensure that similar securities held under its
various schemes shall be valued consistently.
9.12 The aforesaid valuation would be applicable with effect from August
1, 2010. However, those mutual funds which voluntarily propose to implement the valuation under the aforesaid circular before August 1, 2010 are permitted to do so.

205 SEBI Circular No.MFD/CIR/23 /066 / 2003 dated March 7, 2003. For disclosure of transaction details, please refer to the chapter on Formats

94 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 10
LOADS, FEES AND EXPENSES
10.1 Limits on fees and expenses charged to schemes206
10.1.1 Mutual Funds may charge certain expenses to a scheme, as specified
under Regulations.207 Apart from the these expenses, any other expense as may be approved by SEBI under clause (xiii) of Sub Regulation 52(4) can also be charged to the Mutual Fund schemes. Other expenses directly attributable to a scheme may be charged with the approval of trustees within the overall limits as provided in the Regulation 52(6).208
10.1.2 The following expenses cannot be charged to the schemes of Mutual
Funds:
10.1.2.1 Penalties and fines for infraction of laws.
10.1.2.2 Interest on delayed payment to the unit holders.
10.1.2.3 Legal, marketing, publication and other general expenses not
attributable to any scheme(s).
10.1.2.4 Fund Accounting Fees.
10.1.2.5 Expenses on investment management/general management.
10.1.2.6 Expenses on general administration, corporate advertising and
infrastructure costs.

206 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/428/97 dated February 28, 1997, SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/07/826/98 dated April 15, 1998, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000. 207 Regulation 52(4) of the Mutual Funds Regulations,1996 208 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000.

95 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
10.1.2.7 Depreciation on fixed assets and software development expenses.
10.1.2.8 Such other costs as may be prohibited by the Board.
10.1.3 The expenditure and/or fee payable by Mutual Funds to the
Depositories may either be capitalized or included as part of recurring expenditure within the limits prescribed under Regulation 52(6) of the Mutual Funds Regulations209.
10.1.4 Further, each item of expenditure accounting for more than 10% of
total expenditure shall be disclosed in the accounts or the notes thereto of the schemes210.
10.1.5 Provision of charging of additional management fees by the Asset
Management Companies in case of schemes launched on no load basis211.
10.1.5.1 AMC shall not collect any additional management fees referred
to in Regulation212.
10.1.5.2Mutual Fund Schemes to be launched including those for which observation letter have been issued under Regulation213 would be required to carry out the changes in SID and file the same with SEBI before the launch.
10.2 Restriction on paying brokerage or commission214

209 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/07/826/98 dated April 15, 1998. ,,, 210 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000. 211 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated March 15, 2010 212 Regulation 52(3) of SEBI Mutual Funds Regulation, 1996 and SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 4/ 168230/09 dated June 30, 2009 213 Regulation 29 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 214 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.3/211/2001 dated April 30, 2001, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.5/153/2001 dated May 24, 2001.

96 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
10.2.1 In case of investments made by the Sponsor(s), no brokerage or
commission shall be paid.
10.3 Restriction on charging Service Tax215
10.3.1 AMC(s) can charge Service Tax, as per applicable Taxation Laws, to the
scheme(s) within the limits prescribed under Regulations216
10.4 Empowering investors through transparency in payment
of commission and load structure217
10.4.1 In order to empower investors in deciding the commission paid to
distributors in accordance with the level of service received, it has been mandated that:
10.4.1.1 There shall be no entry load218 for all Mutual Fund schemes.
10.4.1.2 The scheme application forms shall carry a suitable disclosure to
the effect that the upfront commission to distributors will be paid by the investor directly to the distributor, based on his

215 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/04/430/2002 dated June 19, 2002. 216 Reg.52(6) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 217, 219 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 4/ 168230/09 dated June 30, 2009 218 Waiver of load for direct applications - Vide SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.10/112153/07 dated December 31, 2007,SEBI mandated w.e.f January 4,2009 no entry load shall be charged for applications received directly by the AMC(s) through internet or submitted directly to the AMC(s) or Collection Center/Investor Service Centre and not routed through any distributor or agent or broker. This waiver was applicable to both additional purchases under the same folio and ‘switch in’ to a scheme from other schemes also done directly by the investor. AMCs shall follow the provisions pertaining to informing the unitholders upon a change in load structure as per clause 3(d) of standard observations.

97 Master Circular for Mutual Funds assessment of various factors including the service rendered by the distributor.
10.4.1.3 Of the exit load or CDSC charged to the investor, a maximum of
1% of the redemption proceeds shall be maintained in a separate account which can be used by the AMC to pay commissions to the distributor and to take care of other marketing and selling expenses. Any balance shall be credited to the scheme immediately.
10.4.1.4 The distributors should disclose all the commissions (in the form
of trail commission or any other mode) payable to them for the different competing schemes of various Mutual Funds from amongst which the scheme is being recommended to the investor.
10.4.2 The above guidelines became applicable for:
10.4.2.1. Investments in mutual fund schemes (including additional
purchases and switch-in to a scheme from other schemes) w.e.f August 1, 2009
10.4.2.2. Redemptions from mutual fund schemes (including switchout from other schemes) w.e.f August 1, 2009
10.4.2.3. New mutual fund schemes launched on or after August 1,
2009
10.4.2.4. Systematic Investment Plans (SIP) registered on or after
August 1, 2009219.
10.4.4 The AMCs are required to bring the contents of these guidelines to the
notice of their distributors and monitor compliance.

98 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
10.5 No Load on Bonus Units and Units allotted on
Reinvestment of Dividend220
10.5.1 AMC(s) shall not charge entry and/or exit load on bonus units and units
allotted on reinvestment of dividend. Necessary disclosures in this regard shall be made in the SID filed with the Board221.
10.6 Filing fees 222
10.6.1 Revised filing fee223 as per the SEBI (Payment of Fees ) Amendment
Regulations 2009 would be applicable to those scheme(s) whose SID has been filed with SEBI on or after July 01, 2009.
10.7 Exit load parity
10.7.1 While charging exit loads, no distinction among unit holders should
be made based on the amount of subscription224. While complying with the same, Mutual Funds should ensure that “any imposition or enhancement in the load shall be applicable on prospective investments only.225
10.7.2 Further, the parity among all classes of unit holders in terms of
charging exit load shall be made applicable at the portfolio level.226

220,
221 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 14/120784/08 dated March 18, 2008. 222 SEBI Cir No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 5 / 169030 / 2009 dated July 8, 2009 223 Gazettee Notification No. LAD-NRO/GN/2009-10/11/167759 on SEBI (Payment of Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 dated 29 June, 2009 224 SEBI Circular No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 6 /172445/ 2009 dated August 7,2009 All Mutual Funds shall ensure compliance with this circular on or before August 24, 2009 225 SEBI Circular No - SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 7 /173650 / 2009 dated August 17,2009 and SEBI circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 5/126096/08 dated May 23, 2008 (clause 16 of the standard observations) 226 SEBI Circular No - SEBI / IMD / CIR No. 7 /173650 / 2009 dated August 17,2009

99 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 11
DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURE227, 228
11.1 Regulations229 permit Mutual Funds to distribute returns including
dividend. To introduce uniform practices in dividend distribution, the following guidelines should be followed:
11.2 These guidelines are applicable to all Mutual Fund schemes/plans which
intend to declare the dividend irrespective of their dates of launch.230

11.2.1 Unlisted Scheme(s)/ Plan(s)
11.1.1.1 The Trustees shall decide the quantum of dividend and the
record date in their meeting231. Dividend so decided, shall be paid, subject to availability of distributable surplus.
11.2.1.2 Record date shall be the date which will be considered for the
purpose of determining the eligibility of investors whose names appear on the register of unit holders for receiving dividends. The NAV shall be adjusted to the extent of dividend distribution and statutory levy, if applicable, at the close of business hours on record date.
11.2.1.3 Within one calendar day of the decision of the Trustees with
respect to the dividend to be distributed, the AMC(s) shall issue a notice to the public communicating the decision including the record date. The record date shall be five calendar days from the issue of public notice.

227 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.1/64057/06 dated April 4, 2006. 228 For details on advertisement on dividend please refer to Chapter on ‘Advertisements’ 229 Regulation 53(a) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 230 SEBI Circular No SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 3/65370/06 dated April 21,2006 231 Clause 20 of Third Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

100 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
11.2.1.4 Before the issue of such notice, no communication whatsoever
indicating the probable date of dividend declaration shall be issued by any Mutual Fund or its distributors of its products.
11.2.1.5 Such notice shall be given in at least one English daily
newspaper having nationwide circulation as well as in a newspaper published in the language of the region where the head office of the Mutual Fund is situated.
11.2.1.6 The notice shall, in font size 10, bold, categorically state that
pursuant to dividend distribution, NAV of the scheme would fall to the extent of payout and statutory levy (if applicable).
11.2.2 Liquid / Debt Schemes with frequent dividend distribution
11.2.2.1 The requirement of giving notice is not mandatory for scheme(s)/
plan(s)/ option(s) with dividend distribution frequency ranging from daily up to monthly distribution if requisite disclosures in this regard are made in the SID.
11.2.3 Listed Schemes/Plans
11.2.3.1 Listed scheme(s)/ plan(s) shall follow the requirements
stipulated in the Listing Agreement for dividend declaration and distribution.
11.3 Non availability of Unit Premium Reserve for dividend distribution232
11.3.1 Regulations233 provide the accounting policies to be followed for
determining distributable surplus and accounting the sale and repurchase of units in the books of the Mutual Fund. The format for

232 SEBI circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated March 15, 2010 233 Ninth and Eleventh Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

101 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
Scheme Balance Sheet (including Abridged) provides for disclosure of Unit Premium Reserve.
11.3.2 Unit Premium Reserve, which is part of the sales price of units that is
not attributable to realized gains, cannot be used to pay dividend. Therefore:
11.3.2.1.When units of an open-ended scheme are sold, and sale price is higher than face value of the unit, part of sale proceeds that represents unrealised gains shall be credited to a separate account (Unit Premium Reserve) and shall be treated at par with unit capital and the same shall not be utilized for the determination of distributable surplus.
11.3.2.2. When units of an open-ended scheme are sold, and sale price is
less than face value of the unit, the difference between the sale price and face value shall be debited to distributable reserves and the dividend can be declared only when distributable reserves become positive after adjusting the amount debited to reserves as per Regulations234.

234 Paragraph 2(a) (ix) of Eleventh Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

102 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 12
INVESTMENT BY SCHEMES235
12.1 Investments by Index Funds:236
12.1.1 Investments by index funds shall be in accordance with the weightage of
the scrips in the specific index as disclosed in the SID237 In case of sector or industry specific scheme, the upper ceiling on investments may be in accordance with the weightage of the scrips in the representative sectoral index or sub index as disclosed in the SID or 10% of the NAV of the scheme, whichever is higher.
12.2 Investments by Liquid Schemes and plans238
12.2.1 The ‘liquid fund schemes and plans’ shall make investment in /purchase
debt and money market securities with maturity of upto 91 days only 239. This shall also be applicable in case of inter scheme transfer of securities 240
12.2.1.1 Explanation:

235 Investments in Money Market instruments (MMIs) In case of the existing schemes ( i.e. existing on date of issue of SEBI Circular No - SEBI / IMD / CIR No.3 / 166386 / 2009 dated June 15, 2009) where the investments in money market instruments of an issuer are not in compliance with the Gazette Notification No. LAD – NRO/GN/2009-10/07/165404 dated June 5, 2009, AMC shall ensure compliance within a period of 3 months from the date of notification. << 236 SEBI Circular No - MFD/CIR/09/014/2000 dated January 5, 2000 237 See Clause 10, Seventh Schedule of Mutual Funds Regulations. < 238 SEBI Circular No - SEBI/IMD/CIR No.13/150975 / 09 dated January 19, 2009 239 With effect from February 01, 2009 make investment in /purchase debt and money market securities with maturity of upto182 days only. 240 Transition provision:
Inter-scheme transfers of securities having maturity upto 365 days and held in other schemes as on February 01, 2009 shall be permitted till October 31, 2009. With effect from November 1, 2009 the requirements stated at paragraph 12.2.1 above shall apply to such inter-se scheme transfers also. <

103 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. In case of securities where the principal is to be repaid in a single payout the maturity of the securities shall mean residual maturity. In case the principal is to be repaid in more than one payout then the maturity of the securities shall be calculated on the basis of weighted average maturity of security. b. In case of securities with put and call options (daily or otherwise) the residual maturity of the securities shall not be greater than 91 days241
c. In case the maturity of the security falls on a non-business day then
settlement of securities will take place on the next business day.
12.2.2 The above requirements shall be disclosed in the SID and shall form part
of the investment allocation pattern. Any deviation from these requirements shall be viewed as violation of investment restrictions.
12.3 Investments by close ended debt schemes:
12.3.1 Close ended debt schemes shall invest only in such securities which
mature on or before the date of the maturity of the scheme242
12.4 Stock Lending Scheme243

12.4.1 The following guidelines are issued to facilitate lending of securities by
Mutual Funds through intermediaries approved by the Board in accordance with the Stock Lending & Borrowing Scheme.244
12.4.2 Disclosure Requirements
12.4.2.1 The following information shall be disclosed in the SID to enable
the investors and unit holders to take an informed decision:

241 w.e.f May 01, 2009.
242 SEBI Circular No IMD/CIR No 12/147132/08 dated December 11, 2008. 243 SEBI Circular No MFD/CIR/01/047/99 dated February 10, 1999. , 244 Regulation 44(4) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.

104 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Intention to lend securities belonging to a particular Mutual Fund scheme in accordance with the guidelines on securities lending and borrowing scheme issued by SEBI from time to time.245 b. Exposure limit with regard to securities lending, both for the scheme as well as for a single intermediary.
c. Risks factors such as loss, bankruptcy etc. associated with such
transactions.
12.4.3 Reporting Requirement
12.4.3.1 The AMC(s) shall report to the Trustees on a quarterly basis about the
level of lending, in terms of value, volume and intermediaries and also earnings and/or losses, value of collateral security etc.
12.4.3.2 The Trustees shall periodically review the securities lending contract
and take reasonable steps to ensure that the same is not, in any way, detrimental to the interests of the unit holders of the scheme.

12.4.3.3 The Trustees shall offer their comments on the above aspects in the
Half Yearly Trustee Report filed with the Board.246

12.4.4 Existing schemes
12.4.4.1 In case an existing SID does not provide for lending of securities,
Mutual Funds may still lend securities belonging to the scheme, in accordance with the SEBI Guidelines, provided approval is obtained from the Trustees and the intention to lend securities is conveyed to the unit holders.
12.5 Approval for Investment in Unrated Debt Instruments247

245 SEBI Circular No - SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009 246 Regulation 18(23)(a) of the Mutual Funds Regulations. Further, for format of Half Yearly Trustee Report please refer to chapter on Formats.

105 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.5.1 Mutual Funds may, for the purpose of operational flexibility, constitute
committees to approve investment proposals in unrated instruments. However, detailed parameters for investment in unrated debt instruments have to be approved by the Board of the AMC and Trustees. Details of such investments shall be communicated by the AMCs to the Trustees in their periodical reports, along with clear indication as to how the parameters set for investments have been complied with. Prior approval of the Board of the AMC and Trustees shall be required in case investment is sought to be made in an unrated security falling outside the prescribed parameters.

12.6 Investments in Units of Venture Capital Funds248
12.6.1 Mutual Fund schemes can invest in listed or unlisted securities or units
of Venture Capital Funds within the prescribed investment limits as applicable.249
12.7 Investment limits for Government guaranteed debt
securities250
12.7.1Prudential investment norms as per Regulations stipulating limits for investments in debt securities251 issued by a single issuer are applicable to all debt securities issued by public bodies or institutions such as electricity boards, municipal corporations, state transport corporations etc. guaranteed by either State / Central Government. Government securities issued by Central and/or State Government or on its behalf, by the RBI are however exempt from these limits. 247 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000. 248 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/230/2001 dated August 14, 2001. ,,, 249 Clauses 10 and 11, Seventh Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds), Regulations, 1996. ,, 250 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.8/18944/03 dated October 6, 2003. , 251 Clauses 1 and 1A, Seventh Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds), Regulations, 1996. ,,

106 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.8 Investment Restrictions for Securitised Debt252
12.8.1 For investments made in Securitised Debt (mortgage backed securities
and asset backed securities), restrictions as per Clause 1 of Seventh Schedule253 shall not apply at the originator level.
12.9 Investments in Short Term Deposits of Scheduled
Commercial Banks254
12.9.1 The guidelines for deployment of funds in short term deposits of
commercial banks for schemes are as under:
12.9.1.1 “Short Term” for parking of funds by Mutual Funds shall be treated as
a period not exceeding 91 days.255
12.9.1.2 Such deposits shall be held in the name of the concerned scheme.
12.9.1.3 Mutual Funds shall not park more than 15% of their net assets in
short term deposits of all scheduled commercial banks put together. This limit however may be raised to 20% with prior approval of the Trustees. Also, parking of funds in short term deposits of associate and sponsor scheduled commercial banks together shall not exceed 20% of the total deployment by the Mutual Fund in short term deposits.
12.9.1.4 Mutual Funds shall not park more than 10% of the net assets in short
term deposits with any one scheduled commercial bank including its subsidiaries.

252 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.6/63715/06 dated March 29, 2006. 253 Clause I of Schedule VII of SEBI (Mutual Fund), Regulations, 1996 254 SEBI Circulars No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.9/20306/03 dated November 12, 2003, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/Cir No.1/91171/07 dated April 16, 2007, SEBI and Clause 8 of Seventh Schedule of Mutual Funds Regulations, 1996. ,,, 255 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/Cir No.1/91171/07 dated April 16, 2007.

107 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.9.1.5 Trustees shall ensure that funds of a particular scheme are not
parked in short term deposit of a bank which has invested in that scheme.
12.9.1.6 In case of liquid and debt oriented schemes, AMC(s) shall not charge
any investment management and advisory fees for parking of funds in short term deposits of scheduled commercial banks.

12.9.1.7 Half Yearly portfolio statements shall disclose all funds parked in
short term deposit(s) under a separate heading. Details shall also include name of the bank, amount of funds parked, percentage of NAV.
12.9.1.8 Trustees shall, in the Half Yearly Trustee Reports certify that
provisions of the Mutual Funds Regulations pertaining to parking of funds in short term deposits pending deployment are complied with at all points of time. The AMC(s) shall also certify the same in its CTR(s).
12.9.1.9 Investments made in short term deposits pending deployment of
funds256 shall be recorded257 and reported to the Trustees including the reasons for the investment especially comparisons with interest rates offered by other scheduled commercial banks.258 12.9.1.10Except for clause (12.9.1.7) the above guidelines shall not apply to term deposits placed as margins for trading in cash and derivatives market259. However, duration of such term deposits shall be disclosed in the Half Yearly Portfolio260.

256 Clause 8, Schedule Seven, SEBI (Mutual Funds), Regulations, 1996. ,,,,,, 257 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/6/73/2000 dated July 27, 2000. ,, 258 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.9/20306/03 dated November 12, 2003. , 259 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/Cir No.7/129592/08 dated June 23, 2008. 260 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/Cir No.7/129592/08 dated June 23, 2008

108 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.10 Reconciliation Procedure for Investment in Government
Securities261
12.10.1 According to the RBI guidelines262 issued to all SGL account holders,
to make transactions in government securities transparent, a monthly reconciliation system has been introduced between RBI and Mutual Funds maintaining SGL/CSGL accounts with respect to Government Securities on an ongoing basis.
12.10.2 Mutual Funds shall reconcile the balances reported in the monthly
statements furnished by RBI with the transactions undertaken by them.
12.10.3 The reconciliation procedure shall be made part of internal audit and
the auditors shall on a continuous basis, check the status of reconciliation and submit a report to the Audit Committee. These reports shall be placed in the meetings of the Board of the AMC and Trustees. Mutual Funds shall submit, on a quarterly basis to the RBI, a certificate confirming compliance with these requirements and any other guidelines issued by the RBI from time to time in this regard. Compliance shall also be reported to the Board in the CTRs of AMC(s) and Half Yearly Trustee Reports.
12.11 Overseas Investment263
12.11.1 Applicable limits:
12.11.1.1 Aggregate ceiling for overseas investments is US $ 7 billion264 and
within this overall limit, Mutual Funds can make overseas investments subject to a maximum of US $ 300 million per Mutual Fund.

261 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/19/22474/2002 dated November 20, 2002. ,, 262 RBI Circular No.P.D.O.SGL.CIRR/1945/2002-2003 dated November 1, 2002. 263 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.7/104753/07 dated September 26, 2007 & SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/122577/08 dated April 8, 2008. 264 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/122577/08 dated April 8, 2008.

109 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.11.1.2 Aggregate ceiling for investment by Mutual Funds in overseas
Exchange Traded Fund (ETF(s)) that invest in securities is US $ 1 billion subject to a maximum of US $ 50 million per Mutual Fund.
12.11.2 Permissible investments:
12.11.2.1 ADR(s) and/or GDR(s) issued by Indian or foreign companies.
12.11.2.2 Equity of overseas companies listed on recognized Stock Exchanges
overseas.
12.11.2.3 Initial and Follow on Public Offerings for listing at recognized Stock
Exchanges overseas.
12.11.2.4 Foreign debt securities in the countries with fully convertible
currencies, short term as well as long term debt instruments with rating not below investment grade by accredited/ registered credit rating agencies.
12.11.2.5 Money Market Instruments rated not below investment grade.
12.11.2.6 Repos in form of investment, where the counterparty is rated not
below investment grade; repo shall not however involve any borrowing of funds by Mutual Funds
12.11.2.7 Government securities where the countries are rated not below
investment grade.
12.11.2.8 Derivatives traded on recognized stock exchanges overseas only for
hedging and portfolio balancing with underlying as securities.
12.11.2.9 Short term deposits with banks overseas where the issuer is rated not
below investment grade.
12.11.2.10 Units / securities issued by overseas Mutual Funds or unit trusts
registered with overseas regulators and investing in

110 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Aforesaid Securities b. Real Estate Investment Trusts listed on recognized Stock Exchanges overseas or
c. Unlisted overseas securities, not exceeding 10% of their net assets
12.11.3 Other Conditions:
12.11.3.1 Apart from the Mutual Funds Regulations and guidelines issued
from time to time, Mutual Funds shall adhere to the following specific guidelines while making overseas investments:
12.11.3.2 Appointment of a Dedicated Fund Manager:
a. A dedicated fund manager shall be appointed for making the above overseas investments stipulated under clause 12.11.2.1 to 12.11.2.9.
12.11.3.3 Due Diligence:
a. The Board of the AMC and Trustees shall exercise due diligence in making investment decisions and record the same.265 They shall make a detailed analysis of risks and returns of overseas investment and how these investments would be in the interest of investors. Investment shall be made in liquid actively traded securities /instruments. b. The Board of the AMC and Trustees may prescribe detailed parameters for making such investments which may include identification of countries, country rating, country limits etc. They shall satisfy themselves that the AMC has experienced key personnel, research facilities and infrastructure for making such investments. Other specialized agencies and service providers associated with such investments e.g. custodian, bank, advisors etc.

265 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/6/73/2000 dated July 27, 2000.

111 Master Circular for Mutual Funds shall also have adequate expertise and infrastructure facilities. Their past track record of performance and regulatory compliance record, if they are registered with foreign regulators, should also be considered. Necessary agreements may be entered into with them as required.
12.11.3.4 Mandatory Disclosure Requirements for Mutual Fund schemes
proposing overseas investments:
a. Intention to invest in foreign securities and/or ETF(s) shall be disclosed in the SID. The attendant risk factors and returns ensuing from such investments shall be explained clearly in the SID. Mutual Funds shall also disclose as to how such investments will help in the furtherance of the investment objectives of the scheme(s). Such disclosures shall be in a language comprehensible to an average investor b. Mutual Funds shall disclose the name of the Dedicated Fund Manager for making overseas investments as stipulated under paragraph 12.11.3.2 above.
c. Mutual Funds shall disclose exposure limits i.e. the percentage of assets of
the scheme they would invest in foreign securities / ETF(s). d. Such investments shall be disclosed while disclosing Half Yearly portfolios in the prescribed format under a separate heading "Foreign Securities and/or overseas ETF(s)." Scheme wise percentage of investments made in such securities shall be disclosed while publishing Half Yearly Results in the prescribed format266 as a footnote.
12.11.3.5 Investment by Existing Schemes:
a. Existing schemes of Mutual Funds where the SID provides for investment in foreign securities and attendant risk factors but which have not yet invested, may invest in foreign securities, consistent with the investment

266 For Half Yearly Results, please refer to the Chapter on Formats

112 Master Circular for Mutual Funds objectives of the schemes, provided a Dedicated Fund Manager has been appointed as stipulated in paragraph 12.11.3.2. Additional disclosures specified above shall be included by way of addendum and unit holders will be informed accordingly. b. In case the SID of an existing scheme does not provide for overseas investment, the scheme, if it so desires, may make such investments in accordance with these Guidelines, provided that prior to the overseas investments for the first time, the AMC shall ensure that a written communication about the proposed investment is sent to each unit holder and an advertisement is given in one English daily newspaper having nationwide circulation as well as in a newspaper published in the language of the region where the Head Office of the Mutual Fund is situated. The communication to unit holders shall also disclose the risk factors associated with such investments.
12.11.3.6 Detailed periodic reporting to Trustees by AMC(s) shall include:
a. Performance of overseas investments b. Amount invested in various schemes and any breach of the exposure limit laid down in the SID.
12.11.3.7 Review of Performance:
a. The Board of the AMC and Trustees shall review the performance of schemes making overseas investments with appropriate benchmark(s) as disclosed in the SID.
12.11.3.8 Reporting to the Board:
a. The Trustees shall offer their comments on the compliance of these guidelines in the Half Yearly Reports filed with the Board.
12.11.3.9 Prudential Investment Norms:

113 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Investment restrictions specified in Schedule Seven of the Mutual Funds Regulations are applicable to overseas investments stipulated under paragraph 12.11.2.1- 12.11.2.9 b. However, Clause 4 of the Seventh Schedule of the Mutual Funds Regulations that restricts investments in Mutual Fund units up to 5% of net assets and prohibits charging of fees, shall not be applicable to investments in Mutual Funds in foreign countries made in accordance with these Guidelines.
c. Management fees and other expenses charged by the Mutual Funds in
foreign countries along with the management fee and recurring expenses charged to the domestic Mutual Fund scheme shall not exceed the total limits on expenses as prescribed under Regulation 52(6) of the Mutual Funds Regulations. Where the scheme is investing only a part of the net assets in overseas Mutual Funds, the same principle shall be applicable for that part of investment. Details of calculation for charging such expenses shall be reported to the Board of the AMC and the Trustees and shall also be disclosed in the Annual Report of the scheme d. The application267 for seeking approval for investing in foreign securities, ADR/GDR/overseas ETF(s) shall be made in advance of making investments. On receipt of approval from the Board, intimation may be sent by the AMC(s) to Overseas Investment Division, Foreign Exchange Department, RBI.
12.12 Investments in Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs)268

267 Please refer the chapter on formats for format of proposal for investments in foreign securities and ETFs 268 SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR. No.1/165935/2009 dated June 09, 2009

114 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.12.1 Mutual funds can invest in Indian Depository Receipts269 [Indian
Depository Receipts as defined in Companies (Issue of Indian Depository Receipts) Rules, 2004] subject to compliance with SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations 1996 and guidelines issued there under, specifically investment restrictions as specified in the Seventh Schedule of the Regulations.
12.1 3 Investment Restrictions270
12.13.1 All investment restrictions as contained in the Regulations271 shall
be applicable at the time of making investment.
12.14Recording of Investment Decisions272
12.14.1 AMC(s) shall exercise due diligence and care in all investment
decisions as would be exercised by other persons engaged in the same business.273 Further AMC(s) shall maintain records in support of each investment decision which will indicate data, facts and opinion leading to that decision. While broad parameters for investments can be prescribed by the Board of Directors of the AMC, the basis for taking individual scrip wise investment decision in equity and debt securities shall be recorded. A detailed research report analyzing various factors for each investment decision taken for the first time shall be maintained and the reasons for subsequent purchase and sales in the same scrip shall also be recorded. The contents of the research reports may be decided by the AMC(s) and the Trustees.

269 Regulation 43(1) of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 270 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/09/014/2000 dated January 5, 2000. 271 Seventh Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996. 272 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/6/73/2000 dated July 27, 2000. 273 Regulation 25(2) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.

115 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.14.2 The Board of the AMC shall develop a mechanism to verify that
due diligence is being exercised while making investment decisions especially in cases of investment in unlisted and privately placed securities, unrated debt securities, NPAs, transactions where associates are involved and instances where the performance of the scheme(s) is poor.
12.14.3 AMC(s) shall report compliance with these requirements in their
periodical reports to the Trustees and the Trustees shall report the same to the Board in the Half Yearly Trustee Reports274. Trustees shall also check compliance with these Guidelines through independent auditors or internal and/or statutory auditors or other systems developed by them.
12.15 Norms for investment and disclosure by Mutual Funds in
derivatives275
12.15.1 Exposure Limits
12.15.1.1. The cumulative gross exposure through equity, debt and
derivative positions should not exceed 100% of the net assets of the scheme.
12.15.1.2. Mutual Funds shall not write options or purchase
instruments with embedded written options.
12.15.1.3 The total exposure related to option premium paid must not
exceed 20% of the net assets of the scheme.

274 For Half Yearly Trustee Report please refer to the chapter on Formats 275 SEBI Circular No. Cir/ IMD/ DF/ 11/ 2010 dated August 18, 2010

116 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.15.1.4 Cash or cash equivalents with residual maturity of less than
91 days may be treated as not creating any exposure.
12.15.1.5 Exposure due to hedging positions may not be included in
the above mentioned limits subject to the following:
a. Hedging positions are the derivative positions that reduce possible losses on an existing position in securities and till the existing position remains. b. Hedging positions cannot be taken for existing derivative positions. Exposure due to such positions shall have to be added and treated under limits mentioned in Point 12.15.1.1.
c. Any derivative instrument used to hedge has the same
underlying security as the existing position being hedged. d. The quantity of underlying associated with the derivative position taken for hedging purposes does not exceed the quantity of the existing position against which hedge has been taken.
12.15.1.6 Mutual Funds may enter into plain vanilla interest rate
swaps for hedging purposes. The counter party in such transactions has to be an entity recognized as a market maker by RBI. Further, the value of the notional principal in such cases must not exceed the value of respective existing assets being hedged by the scheme. Exposure to a single counterparty in such transactions should not exceed 10% of the net assets of the scheme.
12.15.1.7 Exposure due to derivative positions taken for hedging
purposes in excess of the underlying position against which

117 Master Circular for Mutual Funds the hedging position has been taken, shall be treated under the limits mentioned in point 12.15.1.1. Definition of Exposure in case of Derivative Positions
12.15.1.8 Each position taken in derivatives shall have an associated
exposure as defined under. Exposure is the maximum possible loss that may occur on a position. However, certain derivative positions may theoretically have unlimited possible loss. Exposure in derivative positions shall be computed as follows:
Position Exposure
Long Future Futures Price * Lot Size * Number of Contracts Short Future Futures Price * Lot Size * Number of Contracts Option bought Option Premium Paid * Lot Size * Number of Contracts.
12.15.1.9 The provisions shall be applicable for all new schemes
launched post the issue of the aforementioned guidelines. For all existing schemes, compliance with the guidelines shall be effective from October 01, 2010.
12.16 Interval Schemes/Plans276
12.16.1 Certain SIDs provide that the subscription to the scheme can be made
during a specific period (known as specified transaction period) and the repurchase of units is permitted on all business days subject to applicable loads (except for redemption during specified transaction period when no load is charged). These schemes are generally referred to as ‘interval schemes’.

276 SEBI Circular No. CIR/IMD/DF /19/2010 dated November 26, 2010

118 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
12.16.2 For all interval schemes/plans277:
12.16.2.1. The units shall be mandatorily listed.
12.16.2.2. No redemption/repurchase of units shall be allowed except during
the specified transaction period (the period during which both subscription and redemption may be made to and from the scheme). The specified transaction period shall be of minimum 2 working days. 12.16.2.3.Minimum duration of an interval period in an interval scheme/plan shall be 15 days.
12.16.2.4. Investments shall be permitted only in such securities which
mature on or before the opening of the immediately following specified transaction period. a. Explanation:
In case of securities with put and call options the residual time for exercising the put option of the securities shall not be beyond the opening of the immediately following transaction period.

277 Applicability:
The AMC shall ensure compliance with the requirements mentioned in Clause 12.16.2 from the date of next specified transaction period or April 1, 2011 whichever is later. Schemes for which observations (final) under Regulation 29 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 have been issued but are yet to be launched would be required to carry out the changes in Scheme Information Document and file the same with SEBI before the launch.

119 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 13
ADVERTISEMENTS278
13.1 The following guidelines are supplementary to the existing Advertisement
Code279 and shall apply to all forms of advertisements, sales literature and communications howsoever released.
13.2 Definitions:
13.2.1Communication includes all advertisements through any media, sales literature, TV interview public speaking, presentation at seminars, freelance writing and websites.
13.2.2 Advertisement shall have the same meaning as defined under
Regulations280 and would include any material published or designed to be published, in which a Mutual Fund has no control over the audience and which is broadly distributed. The purpose of such communication shall be either to sell Mutual Fund units or to convey the performance of the schemes or to influence the opinion or behavior of those who receive such communication. All material contained in such advertisements must be verified or substantiated with the disclosures made in the Scheme Information Document (SID).
13.2.3 Sales Literature means any written communication not amounting to
"advertisement" and distributed to sell or induce sale of units of a mutual fund scheme or convey periodic performance of the schemes and disclosure of their portfolios or to influence the opinion or behavior of those who receive such communication. It includes leaflets, newsletters, brochures, mailers, performance reports or summaries,

278 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.6/12357/03 dated June 26, 2003 and SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 12/118340/08 dated February 26, 2008. 279 Advertisement Code – Sixth Schedule of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 280 Regulation 2(b) of the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

120 Master Circular for Mutual Funds circulars, seminars/workshop materials,281 fund fact sheets, research reports, telemarketing scripts, press releases and reprints or excerpts of any other advertisements or published article, etc.282 but will not include motivational letters written to marketing intermediaries and agents. 13.2.4.Advertisements or distribution of Sales Literature must be accompanied or preceded by issue of a SID and SAI, unless stated otherwise283 and shall be substantiated with the disclosures made in the SID and SAI.
13.3 Standards of Communications284
13.3.1 The following standards of communication shall be followed. These
shall also be followed in case of activities organized to promote Mutual Funds, the AMC(s) or their schemes:
13.3.1.1 Communications shall be fair and in good faith.
13.3.1.2 No material fact shall be omitted, if such omission will cause the
communication to be misread and misunderstood.
13.3.1.3 The fact that Mutual Fund investments are prone to risks of
fluctuation in NAV, uncertainty of dividend distributions, etc. shall be adequately brought to the notice of unit holders or public in all communications.
13.3.1.4 When engaged in public speaking, seminars, TV or Radio shows,
interview to the press etc., Mutual Funds and their employees shall observe these Guidelines, even though some of such forms of

281 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000. 282 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.6/12357/03 dated June 26, 2003. 283 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 14/187175/2009 dated December 15, 2009 284 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000.

121 Master Circular for Mutual Funds communications may not amount to advertisement and/or distribution of Sales Literature.
13.3.1.5 Use of exaggerated or unwarranted claims, superlatives and
opinions, not substantiated by available public data shall be refrained from and future forecasts and estimates of growth shall be avoided.
13.3.1.6 Disclosure of risks as required by the Mutual Funds Regulations
shall not be treated as a hedge in communications with investors or customers.
13.3.1.7 Statistical information, charts, graphs, etc., when used, shall be
supported by their source, if any.

13.3.1.8 Comparisons shall be refrained from unless essential to the form
and content of the advertisement. If used, such comparisons must be clear and unambiguous.
13.4 Misleading Advertisement or Sales Literature or
Communication285
13.4.1 An Advertisement or Sales Literature or Communication is misleading
if it:
13.4.1.1 Contains an untrue statement.

13.4.1.2 Omits a fact, material to an investor’s decision to buy/hold/sell
units
13.4.1.3 Does not contain appropriate explanation or limitations to make the
statements made therein clear.

285 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000.

122 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
13.4.1.4 Portrays part incomes, returns, growth in NAV unless such incomes,
returns or growth are computed according to these Guidelines.
13.4.1.5 Contains forecasts of growth in NAVs or promises returns that is not
backed by adequate reserve funds or sponsors’ or third party guarantees.
13.4.1.6 Contains unwarranted or unexplained comparisons.
13.4.1.7 Contains claims about management capability where such capability
is not supported by a track record of minimum 3 years.
13.5 Applicability
13.5.1 These guidelines apply to T.V. interviews, public speaking,
presentations in seminars and workshops, and any forum used by Mutual Funds to market or convey the performance of their schemes. However these guidelines will not be applicable for communications that carry general messages or public speaking that is a general discourse on Mutual Funds with no references to a fund scheme or performance.
13.6 Forms of Advertisement286
13.6.1 Tombstone Advertisement287
13.6.1.1 This form of advertisement can only give basic information
about a:
a. Mutual fund registered with SEBI whose Statement of Additional Information is filed with SEBI or

286 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000. 287 SEBI Circular No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009

123 Master Circular for Mutual Funds b. Scheme which is already launched and is in existence and whose Scheme information document is available.
13.6.1.2 These advertisements must contain the following minimum
information:
a. Name of the Mutual Fund and the Asset Management Company (AMC). b. Scheme name and classification (i.e. income/growth etc.) indicating investment objectives of the scheme.
c. Logo or trademark or corporate symbol, if any.
d. General services offered i.e. frequency of Net Asset Value (NAV) disclosure, liquidity etc. e. Contact details for further information and scheme literature, etc. f. Entry and/or exit loads, if applicable if the advertisement is for a scheme.

13.6.1.3 The following information is prohibited in this form of
advertisement:
a. Declaration of NAV and performance of the scheme. b. Promise of any returns except in case of assured returns schemes.
c. Comparisons and usage of ranking given by a third party.
d. Product Launches - mean and include all advertisements issued during the period in which the NFO is open.
13.6.1.4 In such advertisements, risk factors may not be mentioned.
However, a general statement to refer to the SID for details is

124 Master Circular for Mutual Funds necessary. Tombstone advertisement could be through any media and would cover hoardings, bus panels, kiosks, web – display etc.
13.6.2 Product Launch Advertisement:
13.6.2.1 This form of advertisement shall be used only for launch and/
or re-launch of schemes. These advertisements must contain the following minimum information:
a. Name of the Mutual Fund and the AMC. b. Scheme name and classification (i.e. income/growth etc.)
c. Investment objective, asset allocation or highlights thereof.
d. Terms of issue and mode of sale and redemption of units. e. Investor benefits and general services offered i.e. frequency of NAV disclosure etc. f. In case of assured return schemes, the resources that back such assurances. g. Logo or trademark or corporate symbol, if any. h. Risk factors as stated in the SID with a font equal to that of the text of the highlights.
i. Applicable load structure
j. Contact information of person from whom a copy of SID and SAI and Key Information Memorandum along with an application form may be obtained. k. The statement that an investor should read the SID and SAI before investing in the scheme
l. In addition, any other information as may be required by the
Advertisement Code or voluntarily disclosed by the Mutual Fund as long as such information is not specifically prohibited by these Guidelines. .

125 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
13.6.2.2 The following information is prohibited in this form of
advertisement:
a. Declaration of NAV and performance figures of any of the previous schemes unless such performance statements conform to these Guidelines. b. Comparisons with other Mutual Funds or schemes.
c. Ranking by any ranking entity as defined under these Guidelines.
13.6.2.3 All that is stated in the Product Launch advertisement should
be substantiated with the SID & SAI,
13.6.3 Performance Advertisement:
13.6.3.1 If Mutual Funds use performance figures in their
advertisements and/ or sales literature or issue exclusive performance advertisements, such advertisements shall adhere to the following Guidelines:
a. Such advertisements shall identify the nature of the scheme and its basic investment objective. b. The dividends declared or paid shall also be mentioned in Rupees per unit along with the face value of each unit of that scheme and the prevailing NAV at the time of declaration of the dividend.
c. Only compounded annualized yield shall be advertised,
calculated using the procedure detailed in the Standard Format of the SID288, if the scheme has been in existence for more than 1 year. All performance calculations shall be based only on NAV and payouts to the unit holders. The calculation of returns shall assume that all payouts during the period

288 For SID format please refer Chapter on Formats

126 Master Circular for Mutual Funds have been reinvested in the scheme at the then prevailing NAV and this shall be clarified in the advertisements. The type of plan or option of the scheme for which yield is advertised shall also be mentioned. d. The aforesaid annualized yields when used shall be shown for the, last 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and since the launch of the scheme. For Funds in existence for less than one year, performance may be advertised in terms of total returns and such return shall not be annualized. e. In case of Money Market schemes or cash and liquid plans, wherein investors have very short investment horizon, the performance can be advertised by simple annualisation of yields if a performance figure is available for at least 7 days289, 15 days290 and 30 days291 provided it does not reflect an unrealistic or misleading picture of the performance or future performance of the scheme.292 f. All advertisements displaying returns or yields must disclose in the main body of the advertisement, immediately after the returns or yields and in the same font that past performance may or may not be sustained in future. If the returns or yield are unrealistically higher due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g. rise or fall in interest rates etc.), the same shall be clarified in the advertisement. g. All performance data contained in the advertisement must be of most recent practicable date depending upon the type of communication. In any case, the data used must not be older

289 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 14/187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009 290 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.6/12357/03 dated June 26, 2003. , 291 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000. , 292 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000.

127 Master Circular for Mutual Funds than the most recent calender quarter ended prior to the release of the advertisement. h. Appropriate benchmark(s) and identical time periods shall be used for comparisons.293
i. Impact of Distribution Taxes: While advertising returns by
assuming reinvestment of dividends, if distribution taxes are excluded while calculating the returns, this fact shall also be disclosed. 294 j. Pay out of Dividend: While advertising pay out of dividends, all advertisements shall disclose, immediately below the dividend
figure (in percentage or in absolute terms) and in the same
font size that the NAV of the scheme, pursuant to payment of dividend would fall to the extent of payout and statutory levy (if applicable).295
13.7 Advertisements through Hoardings and/or Posters296
13.7.1 It is essential for the investors to read the SID and SAI and risk
factors before investing in Mutual Fund schemes to arrive at a well informed investment decision. Considering that investors get very little time to read the advertisements through hoardings or posters etc. while passing by, it is clarified that such advertisements shall carry only the following statement besides the copy of advertisement:
“Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read the Offer Document carefully before investing.”
13.7.2 The above statement shall be displayed in black letters of at least 8
inches height or covering 10% of the display area, on a white

293 For examples of benchmarks and other details refer Chapter on Scheme Information Document. ,, 294 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.6/12357/03 dated June 26, 2003. 295 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.1/64057/06 dated April 4, 2006. 296 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.6/12357/03 dated June 26, 2003.

128 Master Circular for Mutual Funds background. The Compliance Officers of the Mutual Funds/ AMC shall ensure that the statements appearing in such advertisements are in legible font.
13.8 Advertisements through Audio-Visual Media297
13.8.1 In audio-visual media based advertisements, the statement “Mutual
Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully” shall be displayed in a clearly legible font size covering at least 80% of the total screen space. The remaining 20% space can be used for the name of the Mutual Fund or logo or name of the scheme, etc. Both the visual and the voice over of the standard warning will be run for at least 5 seconds298 and in an easily understandable manner.
13.8.2 Further, no addition or deletion of words shall be made in the
standard warning299.
13.8.3 Advertisements through audio media like radio, cassettes, CDs etc.
shall read the above statement in a manner easily understandable to the listeners over a period of five seconds300.
13.9 Sales Literature
13.9.1 All statements made and facts reported in sales literature of a
scheme should be substantiated with the disclosures made in the SID & SAI.301
13.9.2 Sales Literature containing information on performance of schemes
must adhere to the ‘performance advertisement’ guidelines.

297 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.6/12357/03 dated June 26, 2003. ,, 298 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 12/118340/08 dated February 26, 2008. 299 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 17/ 193751/2010 dated February 04, 2010 300 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No. 12/ 118340/08 dated February 26, 2008. 301 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000.

129 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
13.10 Use of Rankings in Advertisements and Sales
Literature302
13.10.1 Definition of "Ranking Entity":
13.10.1.1 For purposes of these Guidelines, the term “Ranking Entity” refers
to an entity that:
a. Provides general information about AMC(s) or Mutual Funds to the public; and b. Is independent of the AMC(s) or Mutual Fund and its affiliates, and
c. Whose services have not been procured by the AMC(s) or
Mutual Fund or any of its affiliates to assign a ranking to the AMC(s) or Mutual Fund.
13.10.2 No AMC(s) or Mutual Fund shall use rankings except those
developed and produced by entities meeting the “Ranking Entity” criteria detailed above and which conform to these guidelines.

13.10.3 Required Disclosures:

13.10.3.1 Headlines/Prominent Statements:
a. A headline or other prominent statement must not state or imply that an AMC(s) and/or Mutual Fund is the best performer in a category unless it is actually ranked first in the category. b. Prominent disclosure of the AMC(s)/Mutual Fund’s ranking, the total number of AMC(s)/Mutual Funds in the category, the name of the category and that the ranking is based upon category created

302 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/4/51/2000 dated June 5, 2000.

130 Master Circular for Mutual Funds by the AMC/ MF, and the time period on which the ranking is based (i.e., the length of the period and the ending date; or, the first day of the period and the ending date), shall appear in close proximity to any headline or other prominent statement that refers to a ranking.
13.10.3.2 All advertisements and Sales Literature containing an
AMC(s)/Mutual Fund ranking must disclose, with respect to the ranking:
a. The name of the category (e.g. income/growth). b. The number of AMC(s)/Mutual Funds in the category.
c. The name of the Ranking Entity.
d. The length of the period and the ending date, or the first day of the period and the ending date. e. Criteria on which the ranking is based. f. For schemes assessing front-end sales loads, whether the ranking takes into account sales charge. g. In case the ranking is for a period where fees/expenses have been waived and the waiver or advancement had a material effect on the yield for that period, the same should be disclosed in the advertisement.303 h. The publisher of the ranking data.
13.10.3.2 The above disclosures must be set forth prominently in the body of
the advertisement and/or Sales Literature.
13.10.3.4 If the ranking consists of a symbol (for e.g., a star system) rather
than a number, the advertisement or Sales Literature must disclose the meaning of the symbol (for e.g., a four-star ranking indicates that the fund is in the top 30% of all Mutual Fund schemes).

303 SEBI Circular No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009

131 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
13.10.3.5All advertisements and/ or Sales Literature containing rankings must disclose prominently in the main body of such communication that past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
13.10.4 Time Periods:
13.10.4.1All ranking set forth in an advertisement and/ or Sales Literature must be current to the most recent calendar quarter ended, in case of advertising prior to the submission for publication or in case of Sales Literature prior to use.
13.10.4.2 Except for Money Market Mutual Funds:

a. Advertisements and/ or Sales Literature must not use rankings based on yield for a period of less than one year. b. A ranking based on compounded annualized yield must be based on rankings supplied by the same Ranking Entity, relating to the same category and the same time period and based on returns for

One year period for scheme in existence for at least one year;
One and five year periods for schemes in existence for at least
five years, and
One, five and ten year periods for scheme in existence for at
least ten years. provided that, if rankings for such one, five and ten year time periods are not published by the Ranking Entity, then rankings representing short, medium and long term performance must be provided in place of rankings for the required time periods.
13.10.5 Categories:

132 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
13.10.5.1 The choice of category (including a subcategory) on which the
rankings are based must be such that it provides a sound basis for evaluating the performance of the Mutual Fund.
13.10.5.2 Subject to the standards mentioned below, a ranking must be
based only on a. Published category or subcategory created by a Ranking Entity; or b. Category or subcategory created by AMC(s)/ Mutual Fund which is based on the performance measurements prescribed by a Ranking Entity. In such cases, the advertisement and/ or Sales Literature shall prominently disclose

The fact that the ranking category has been created by the
AMC/Mutual Fund.
The number of schemes in the category.
The basis for selecting the category and
The name of the Ranking Entity that has developed and/or
prescribed the criteria on which the ranking is based.
13.10.5.3 When the ranking is based on a subcategory, the advertisements
and/ or Sales Literature shall disclose the name of the main category, the ranking and the number of schemes in the main category. This requirement does not apply if:
a. The subcategory is based solely on the investment objectives of the schemes included and b. The subcategory is created by a Ranking Entity. This disclosure may be included in a footnote.
13.10.5.4 The advertisements and/or Sales Literature must not use any
category or subcategory that is based upon the asset size of the

133 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
AMC or Mutual Fund, whether created by the Ranking Entity or not.
13.10.6 Multiple class or Two-Tier Funds:

13.10.6.1 Rankings for more than one class of AMC(s)/Mutual Fund
schemes with the same portfolio must be accompanied by prominent disclosure of the fact that the scheme or class of schemes have a common portfolio.
13.11 Indicative portfolios and yields in mutual funds
schemes304
13.11.1 Mutual Funds shall not offer any indicative portfolio and indicative
yield. No communication regarding the same in any manner whatsoever, shall be issued by any Mutual Fund or distributors of its products. The compliance of the same shall be monitored by the AMC and Trustees and reported in their respective reports to SEBI.
13.12 Disclosure of risk factors in the advertisements305
13.12.1 Regarding disclosure of risk factors in the advertisements by the mutual
funds as mentioned Regulations306, it is clarified that :
13.12.1.1 All advertisements announcing the launch of a scheme and
those which solicit subscription to the scheme shall disclose all the risk factors as required by the advertisement code.

304 SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR No. 14/1510/2009 dated January 19, 2009 305 SEBI Circular No IIMARP/MF/CIR/01/294/98 dated February 4,1998 306 Clauses 10, 13 and 14 of the Advertisement Code of SEBI ( Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996

134 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
13.12.1.2 All advertisements containing performance information,
advertising yield/return etc. shall also disclose all the risk factors.
13.12.1.3 Any advertisement which discloses only the latest NAV, sale
and/or repurchase price without any reference to the corresponding past figures may not disclose all the risk factors. However, it shall include a statement that ‘investors are advised to read the offer document before investing in the scheme’.
13.12.1.4 Disclosures as stated in Clauses 10, 13 and 14 of Schedule VI of
SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 on Advertisement Code shall be printed in bold307.

307 SEBI Circular SEBI/IMD/CIR No.15/191378 /2010 dated January 18, 2010

135 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 14
INVESTOR RIGHTS & OBLIGATIONS
PART I – INVESTOR RIGHTS
14.1 Payment of interest for delay in dispatch of redemption
and/or repurchase proceeds and/or dividend308
14.1.1 In the event of failure to dispatch:
a. Redemption or repurchase proceeds within 10 working days from the date of receipt of such requests and/ or b. Dividend within the stipulated 30 day period309,
14.1.2 The AMC(s) shall be liable to pay interest @ 15 per cent per annum to
the unit holders.310 AMC(s) must ensure that the interest amount due for the period of delay in dispatch of repurchase or redemption and/or dividend is added to the proceeds when such payments are made to the investors. Such interest shall be borne by the AMC(s).
14.1.3 Details of such payments shall be sent to the Board along with the
CTR(s).311 Investors shall also be informed about the rate and amount of interest paid to them. Non compliance with these directions may invite action under the Mutual Funds Regulations.
14.2 Unclaimed Redemption Amount312

308 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR/2/266/2000 dated May 19, 2000. , 309 SEBI Circular No. SEBI / IMD / CIR No 14 / 187175/ 2009 dated December 15,2009 , 310Regulation 53(c) of the SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations, 1996. 311 For CTR format please refer to Chapter on Formats 312SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000

136 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
14.2.1 Unclaimed redemption and dividend amounts may be deployed by
Mutual Funds in Call Money Market or Money Market instruments, as may be permitted by RBI from time to time.
14.2.2 Investors claiming these amounts within three years from the due
date shall be paid at the prevailing NAV. At the end of three years, the amount can be transferred to a pool account and investors can claim the amount at the NAV prevailing at the end of the third year.
14.2.3 Income earned on such funds can be used for the purpose of investor
education.
14.2.4 The AMC shall make a continuous effort to remind the investors
through letters to take their unclaimed amounts.
14.2.5 The investment management and advisory fee charged by the AMC
for managing unclaimed amounts shall not exceed 50 basis points.
14.2.6 Disclosures on above provisions shall be made in the SAI /SID.
Disclosure on the unclaimed amounts and the number of such investors for each scheme shall be made in the Annual Report also.313

14.3 Dispatch of Statement of Accounts314
14.3.1 Mutual Funds shall dispatch Statement of Accounts within 5
business days from the closure of the NFO.
14.3.2 Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) or Systematic Transfer Plan
(STP) or Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) 315

313 Please refer to Schedule XI of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 314 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000, SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR/12/80083/2006 dated November 20, 2006 315 SEBI Circular No. IMD/CIR/12/80083/2006 dated November 20, 2006

137 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. Mutual Funds may dispatch the Statement of Accounts to the unit holders under SIP or STP or SWP, once every quarter ending March, June, September and December within 10 working days of the end of the respective quarter. The first Statement of Accounts shall however be issued within 10 working days of the initial transaction. b. Mutual funds shall also provide Statement of Accounts to unit holders within 5 working days, without any charges, if specific requests are received from the investors. Further, if so mandated, a soft copy of the Statement of Accounts shall be emailed to the unit holders on a monthly basis.
14.3.3 Dormant Accountholders
14.3.3.1 Mutual Funds shall also provide Statement of Accounts to those
unit holders who have not transacted during the last six months prior to the date of generation of the Statement of Accounts. In such cases, the Statement of Accounts may be issued along with the scheme’s Portfolio Statement or Annual Report and should reflect the last closing balance and value of the units prior to the date of generation of the Statement of Accounts. Further, if so mandated, a soft copy of the Statement of Accounts shall be emailed to the unit holders instead of a physical statement.
14.4 AMC’s Annual Reports for unitholders316
14.4.1 The annual report containing accounts of the AMCs should be
displayed on the website of Mutual Fund. It should also be mentioned in the Annual Report of Mutual Funds schemes that the unitholders, if they so desire may request for the Annual Report of the AMC.

316 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/9/120/2000 dated November 24, 2000

138 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
14.5 Distribution of Proceeds realized from illiquid securities/
NPAs 317
14.5.1 Some of the investments made by Mutual Funds may become nonperforming assets (NPAs) or illiquid at the time of maturity/winding
up of the scheme(s). In due course of time i.e. after the maturity/ winding up of the scheme(s), these NPAs and illiquid securities may be realized by the Mutual Funds. Mutual Funds shall distribute such amounts to the old investors if such amounts are substantial and realized within two years. If the amounts realized are not substantial or are realized after two years, the same may be transferred to the Investor Education Fund maintained by each Mutual Fund. The decision as to the determination of substantial amount shall be taken by the trustees of mutual funds after considering the relevant factors.
14.6 Change of Mutual Fund Distributor
14.6.1 Incase an investor wishes to change his distributor or wishes to go direct,
Mutual Funds/AMC’s shall ensure compliance with the instruction of the investor informing his desire to change his distributor and / or go direct, without compelling that investor to obtain a ‘No Objection Certificate’ from the existing distributor.318
14.7 Additional mode of payment through Applications
Supported by Blocked Amount (hereinafter referred to as “ASBA”) in Mutual Funds319

317 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/05/432/2002 dated June 20, 2002. , 318 SEBI Circular No -SEBI/IMD/CIR No./ 13/187052 /2009 December 11, 2009 319 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No 18 / 198647 /2010 dated March 15, 2010

139 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
14.7.1 ASBA facility which investors have been enjoying for subscription to
public issue of equity capital of companies has been extended to the investors subscribing to New Fund Offers (NFOs) of mutual fund schemes. It shall co-exist with the current process, wherein cheques/ demand drafts are used as a mode of payment. 14.7.2The banks which are in SEBI’s list shall extend the same facility in case of NFOs of mutual fund schemes to all eligible investors in Mutual Fund units. 14.7.3Mutual Funds shall ensure that adequate arrangements are made by Registrar and Transfer Agents for the implementation of ASBA. Mutual Funds/AMCs shall make all relevant disclosures in this regard in the SAI. 14.7.4SEBI circulars320 related to ASBA shall be followed to the extent applicable.
14.7.5 The Mutual Funds/AMCs have to compulsorily provide ASBA facility
to the investors for all NFOs launched on or after October 1, 2010.

320 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/CFD/DIL/DIP/31/2008/30/7 dated July 30, 2008, SEBI/CFD/DIL/2008/25/09 dated September 25, 2008, SEBI/CFD/DIL/MB/IS/5/2009/05/08 dated August 5, 2009 and SEBI/CFD/DIL/ASBA/1/2009/30/12 dated December 30, 2009 and CIR/CFD/DIL/7/2010 dated July 13, 2010

140 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART II – INVESTOR’S OBLIGATIONS
14.7 Mandatory mentioning of PAN Number321
14.7.1 For, the requirement of mentioning PAN Number by investors of
mutual fund schemes, the applicable SEBI guidelines may be referred322
14.8 Mandatory mentioning of Bank Account by Investors323
14.8.1 It shall be mandatory for the investors of the Mutual Funds schemes
to mention their bank account numbers in their applications/request for redemption. For this purposes Mutual Funds shall provide space in applications and redemption request forms.

321 SEBI Circular No. MRD/DoP/Cir-05/2007 dated April 27, 2007, SEBI Circular No. MRD/DoP/Cir-08/2007 dated June 25, 2007, SEBI Circular No. MRD/DoP/MF/Cir08/2008 dated April 3, 2008. ,,, 322 SEBI Circular No. MRD/DoP/MF/Cir-08/2008 dated April 3, 2008. <, 323 SEBI Circular No. IIMARP/MF/CIR/07/826/98 dated April 15, 1998.

141 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
PART III– INVESTOR EDUCATION
14.9 SEBI Investors Education Programme – Investments
in Mutual Funds324
14.9.1 Board has prepared a brochure in question-answer format explaining the
fundamental issues pertaining to mutual funds. The same is enclosed at Annexure 5. The same is also available at our website www.sebi.gov.in under the "Mutual Funds" section.
14.9.2 AMCs are advised to circulate copies of the brochure among their
distributors and agents (including brokers, banks, post offices) and the investors.
14.9.3 AMCs may publish the same as small booklets. In such a case, while the
booklets must bear SEBI name and logo, AMC may give their name as publisher.This may also be displayed prominently on their web sites
14.9.4 AMFI may consider including the brochure as a part of study material for
their training programmes for investors and for their certification programme conducted for agents and distributors.
14.9.5 Board may be kept informed about the steps taken by the AMCs in this
regard from time to time.

324 SEBI Cir No. MFD/CIR NO -13/370/02 dated January 16,2002

142 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 15
CERTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION OF INTERMEDIARIES325, 326
15.1 No Mutual Fund shall deal with any intermediary (i.e. distributors, agents,
brokers, sub brokers or called by any other name, whether individuals or belonging to any other organization structure) in relation to selling and marketing of Mutual Fund units unless they have cleared the certification examination.
15.2 No Mutual Fund shall engage/employ employee(s) interacting with
investors (i.e. those working in investors relations, call centers, employees engaged in sales and marketing etc) unless they have cleared the certification examination.
15.3 Further, such intermediaries and employees shall also adhere to the
Guidelines specified by the Board and AMFI.327
15.4 Code of Conduct:
15.4.1 Mutual Funds are required to monitor the activities of their
distributors, agents, brokers to ensure that they do not indulge in any malpractice or unethical practice while selling or marketing Mutual Funds units. Any non compliance with the Mutual Funds Regulations and Guidelines pertaining to Mutual Funds especially

325 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.10/310/01 dated September 25, 2001, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/20/23230/2002 dated November 28, 2002, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/MFD/CIR No.01/6693/03 dated April 3, 2003, SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.2/254/04 dated February 4, 2004, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/06/210/2002 dated June 26, 2002. < 326 Exemption for Senior Citizens: Senior citizens with experience in distributing Mutual Funds units are exempt from the mandatory certification examination if they have completed 50 years of age and have experience of at least 5 years as on September 30,
2003.326 They are also required to follow the guidelines prescribed by the Board and
AMFI. They had to attend a mutual fund training programme and a certificate to that effect endorsed by a mutual fund should be submitted to AMFI. << 327 SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR No.10/310/01 dated September 25, 2001, SEBI Circular No. MFD/CIR/20/23230/2002 dated November 28, 2002.

143 Master Circular for Mutual Funds guidelines on advertisements and/ or sales literature and/or Code of Conduct shall be reported in the periodic meetings of the Board of the AMC and the Trustee(s) and shall also be reported to the Board by the AMC(s) in their CTR(s) and by the Trustees in their Half Yearly Reports.
15.4.2 AMFI has prescribed a Code of Conduct for Mutual Fund
intermediaries enclosed herewith as Annexure 1328. All intermediaries shall follow the Code of Conduct strictly and not indulge in any practice contravening it directly or indirectly.
15.4.3 Non compliance with the Code of Conduct shall be reported by the
Mutual Funds to the Board and AMFI. Further, no Mutual Fund shall deal with intermediaries contravening the prescribed Code of Conduct.
15.5 Empanellment of Intermediaries by Mutual Funds
15.5.1 Empanelment of intermediaries by Mutual Funds, payment of
commissions, brokerage and/or sub-brokerage etc. shall be in accordance with parameters and guidelines specified by the Board and AMFI from time to time. Mutual Funds shall monitor the compliance of these guidelines and Code of Conduct by their intermediaries in terms of business done across all Mutual Funds. In case of non-compliance, Mutual Funds shall suspend further business and payment of commissions, etc. until full compliance by the empanelled intermediary.
15.6 Certification Programme for sale and/ or distribution of
mutual fund products329

328 Refer Annexure and Reports for details on Code of Conduct 329 SEBI Circular No. Cir/IMD/DF/5/2010 dated June 24, 2010

144 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
15.6.1 With effect from June 01, 2010, the certification examination for
distributors, agents or any other persons employed or engaged or to be employed or engaged in the sale and/or distribution of mutual fund products, would be conducted by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)330.
15.6.2 Under the existing instructions, the agent/ distributor was exempted
from the AMFI certification examination if he had completed fifty years of age and had at least five years of experience in distribution of mutual fund units. As per regulation 4(3) of the Certification Regulations, persons who have attained the age of fifty years or who have at least ten years experience in the securities markets in the sale and/ or distribution of mutual fund products as on May 31, 2010, will be given the option of obtaining the certification either by passing the NISM certification examination or qualifying for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) by obtaining such classroom credits as may be specified by NISM from time to time.
15.6.3 The Certification Regulations require the persons referred to in
paragraph 15.6.1 above to comply with the requirements for CPE as specified by NISM within the validity period of the certificate obtained by passing the certification examination. However, to facilitate the transition process from AMFI to NISM, it has been decided that a person holding a valid AMFI certification whose validity expires between June 01, 2010 and December 31, 2010, would be required to comply with the CPE requirements as laid down by NISM under the relevant clauses of the Certification Regulations, by December 31, 2010.

330 For Notification under regulation 3 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Certification of Associated Persons in the Securities Markets) Regulations, 2007 please refer
Chapter on Annexure

145 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
15.6.4. An associated person holding a valid AMFI/NISM certification whose
validity expires anytime after December 31, 2010, would be required to comply with the CPE requirements as laid down by NISM under the relevant clauses of the Certification Regulations, prior to the expiry of the validity of the certification. 15.6.5.The requirement of obtaining registration from AMFI after obtaining certification, as per the Circular dated November 28, 2002, would continue.

146 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
CHAPTER 16
TRANSACTION IN MUTUAL FUNDS UNITS
16.1 Maintenance of documents331
16.1.1 As per the requirements specified by Board in respect of “Anti Money
Laundering (AML) Standards/Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT) / Obligations of Securities Market Intermediaries under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and Rules framed thereunder”332, maintenance of all documentation pertaining to the unitholders/ investors is the responsibility of the AMC.
16.1.2 Accordingly, vide SEBI Circular No - SEBI/IMD/CIR No.12 /186868
/2009 dated December 11, 2009, AMCs were advised to confirm whether all the investor related documents were maintained/ available with the AMC. If not, and to the extent of and relating to such investor accounts/folios where investor related documentation was incomplete/inadequate/not available or was stated to be maintained by the distributors, then the Trustees were advised to ensure the following:
16.1.2.1 No further payment of any commissions, fees and / or
payments in any other mode should be made to such distributors till full compliance/ completion of the steps enumerated herein.
16.1.2.2 Take immediate steps to obtain all investor/ unit holders
documents in terms of the AML/ CFT, including KYC documents/ PoA as applicable
16.1.2.3 Take immediate steps to obtain all supporting documents in
respect of the past transactions.

331 SEBI Circular No - SEBI/IMD/CIR No.12 /186868 /2009 dated December 11,2009 332 SEBI Circular No ISD/AML/CIR-1/2008 dated December 19, 2008

147 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
16.1.2.4 On a one time basis, send statement of holdings and all
transactions since inception of that folio in duplicate to the investor and seek confirmation from the unit holders on the duplicate copy.
16.1.2.5 Set up a separate customer services mechanism to handle/
address queries and grievance of the above mentioned unitholders.
16.1.3 Pending completion of documentation, exercise great care and be
satisfied of investor bonafides before authorizing any transaction, including redemption, on such accounts/ folios.
16.1.4 The Trustees were required forthwith to confirm to Board that the
steps had been taken to address the above and also send a status to the Board as and when process was completed to their satisfaction.
16.1.5 All mutual funds/ AMCs are directed that333:
16.1.5.1 All new folios/ accounts shall be opened only after ensuring
that all investor related documents including account opening documents, PAN, KYC, PoA (if applicable), specimen signature are available with AMCs/RTAs and not just with the distributor.
16.1.5.2 For existing folios, AMCs shall be responsible for updation of
the investor related documents including account opening documents, PAN, KYC, PoA (if applicable), specimen signature by November 15, 2010.
16.1.5.3 The trustees shall submit a confirmation after they receive
certification from an Independent auditor on completion of the said process latest by November 22, 2010.

333 SEBI Circular No Cir /IMD/DF/9 / 2010 dated August 12, 2010

148 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
16.2 Facilitating transactions in Mutual Fund schemes through
the Stock Exchange infrastructure334
16.2.1 Stock Exchange terminals can be used for facilitating
transactions in mutual fund schemes. The Stock Exchange mechanism would also extend the present convenience available to secondary market investors to mutual fund investors.
16.2.2 Units of mutual fund schemes may be permitted to be transacted
through registered stock brokers of recognized stock exchanges and such stock brokers will be eligible to be considered as official points of acceptance335.
16.2.3 The respective stock exchange would provide detailed operating
guidelines to facilitate the same.
16.2.4 In this regard, Mutual Funds/AMC are advised that:
16.2.4.1 Empanelment and monitoring of Code of Conduct for
brokers acting as mutual fund intermediariesa. The stock brokers intending to extend the transaction in Mutual Funds through stock exchange mechanism shall be required to comply with the requirements of passing the AMFI certification examination336.All such stock brokers would then be considered as empanelled distributors with mutual fund/AMC. b. These stock brokers shall also comply with Code of Conduct337 for intermediaries of Mutual Funds, and applicable SEBI

334 SEBI Circular No - SEBI /IMD / CIR No.11/183204/ 2009 dated November 13,2009 335 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.11/78450/06 dated October 11, 2006 336 Please refer Chapter 15 on Certification and Registration of Mutual Funds intermediaries 337 For Code of Conduct, please refer to Annexure I

149 Master Circular for Mutual Funds guidelines338, applicable to intermediaries engaged in selling and marketing of mutual fund units.
c. It is clarified that, stock exchanges shall monitor the
compliance of the code of conduct specified regarding empanelment of intermediaries by mutual funds339.
16.2.4.2 Time stamping
a. Time stamping as evidenced by confirmation slip given by stock exchange mechanism to be considered sufficient compliance with clause for cut–off timing for liquid scheme and plans, cut-off timing for other schemes and plans and time stamping provisions mandated by Board340.
16.2.4.3 Statement of Account
a. Where investor desires to hold units in dematerialised form, demat statement given by depository participant would be deemed to be adequate compliance with requirements for account statement prescribed by SEBI 341.
16.2.4.4 Investor grievance mechanism
a. Stock exchanges shall provide for investor grievance handling mechanism to the extent they relate to disputes between brokers and their client.
16.2.4.5 Dematerialization of existing units held by investors

338 Please refer Chapter 15 on Certification and Regiatration of Mutual Funds intermediaries 339Please refer Chapter 15 on Certification and Regiatration of Mutual Funds intermediaries ,, 340 Please refer to Chapter 8 – Net Asset Value for details on cut off timing provisions 341 For details on dispatch of statement of accountts. refer to Chapter 14- Investor Rights and services

150 Master Circular for Mutual Funds a. In case investors desire to convert their existing physical units (represented by statement of account) into dematerialized form, mutual funds / AMCs shall take such steps in coordination with Registrar and Transfer Agents, Depositories and Depository participants (DPs) to facilitate the same.
16.2.4.6 Know your client (KYC).
a. Where investor desires to hold units in dematerialised form, the KYC performed by DP in terms of SEBI requirements342 would be considered compliance with applicable requirements specified in this regard343 by Mutual Funds/AMCs.
16.2.4.7 Stock exchanges and mutual funds/AMCs, based on the experience
gained may improve the mechanism in the interest of investors.
16.2.4.8 In addition to the existing facilities of purchasing and redeeming
directly with the Mutual Funds and Stock Brokers, the following be noted344:
a. Units of mutual funds schemes may be permitted to be transacted through clearing members of the registered Stock Exchanges. b. Permit Depository participants of registered Depositories to process only redemption request of units held in demat form.
16.2.4.9 The following be noted with respect to investors having demat
account and purchasing and redeeming mutual funds units through stock brokers and clearing members:
a. Investors shall receive redemption amount (if units are redeemed) and units (if units are purchased) through broker/clearing member’s pool account. Mutual Funds(MF)/ Asset management

342 SEBI Circular No - MRD/DoP/Dep/Cir-29/2004 dated August 24, 2004 343 SEBI Circular No - ISD/AML/CIR-1/2008 dated December 19, 2008 344 SEBI Circular No CIR/IMD/DF/17/2010 dated November 9, 2010

151 Master Circular for Mutual Funds
Companies(AMC) would pay proceeds to the broker/clearing member (in case of redemption) and broker/clearing member in turn to the respective investor and similarly units shall be credited by MF/AMC into broker/clearing member’s pool account (in case of purchase) and broker/clearing member in turn to the respective investor. b. Payment of redemption proceeds to the broker/clearing members by MF/AMC shall discharge MF/AMC of its obligation of payment to individual investor. Similarly, in case of purchase of units, crediting units into broker/clearing member pool account shall discharge MF/AMC of its obligation to allot units to individual investor.
16.2.4.10 The following may be noted in this regard:
a. Clearing members and Depository participants will be eligible to be considered as official points of acceptance345 and conditions stipulated346 Viz. AMFI /NISM certification, code of conduct prescribed by SEBI for Intermediaries of Mutual Fund, shall be applicable for such Clearing members and Depository participants as well. b. Stock exchanges and Depositories shall provide investor grievance handling mechanism to the extent they relate to disputes between their respective regulated entity and their client and shall also monitor the compliance of code of conduct specified347 regarding empanelment and code of conduct for intermediaries of Mutual Funds.
16.2.4.11 The respective stock exchanges and Depositories would provide
detailed operating guidelines to facilitate the above and ensure

345 SEBI Circular No. SEBI/IMD/CIR No.11/78450/06 dated October 11, 2006 346 SEBI Circular dated November 13, 2009 for stock brokers 347SEBI Circulars MFD/CIR/20/23230/02 dated November 28, 2002 and SEBI/IMD/08/174648/2009 dated August 27, 2009

152 Master Circular for Mutual Funds that timelines prescribed348 shall be adhered to with regard to allotment of units and receipt of redemption proceeds at the investor’s level.
16.2.4.12 Transferability of Mutual Fund units349
a. Regulations350 states that “a unit unless otherwise restricted or prohibited under the scheme, shall be freely transferable by act of parties or by operation of law.” The spirit and intention of this regulation is not to prohibit transferability of units as a general rule or practice. b. All AMCs shall clarify by way of an addendum that units of all mutual fund schemes held in demat form shall be freely transferable from the date of the issue of said addendum which shall be not later than October 1, 2010. However, restrictions on transfer of units of ELSS schemes during the lock-in period shall continue to be applicable as per the ELSS Guidelines.
16.2.5 Stock exchanges and mutual funds/AMCs, based on the experience
gained may further improve the mechanism in the interest of investors. Necessary clarifications, if any, would be issued at appropriate time by SEBI in this regard.

348 SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 349 SEBI Circular No - CIR/IMD/DF/10/2010 dated August 18, 2010 350 Regulation 37(1) of SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations, 1996

Master Circular for Mutual Funds

Lineage: In force