SEBI says mutual fund distributors act as ‘behavioural anchor’ for investors

SEBI whole-time member Amarjeet Singh said mutual fund distributors help investors stay invested through market volatility. He called them a 'behavioural anchor' that prevents impulsive decisions like stopping SIPs. The remark came at the NJ Partners Business Training 2026 organised in association with FICCI on 13 August.

India's mutual fund AUM has grown to about Rs 85 lakh crore, from Rs 10 lakh crore in 2014. Around 71% of retail and HNI assets still come through distributors. Singh said distributors are key to expanding reach in B-30 cities, which now account for 19% of industry AUM.

SEBI has simplified the certification framework for Specialised Investment Funds, allowing distributors with relevant certification to distribute both mutual funds and SIFs. The regulator is also consulting on a mutual fund-only PMS framework with a proposed minimum investment of Rs 25 lakh.