New Delhi, March 20 -- The number of accredited investors in India is steadily rising, increasing from just 649 in May last year to 2,181 as of February 2026. These investors now account for 30% of total investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).

AIFs are reserved for sophisticated investors to invest in non-traditional assets such as private equity, hedge funds, and real estate. These funds typically offer higher risk-return profiles than mutual funds and require high minimum investments.

Within AIF regulations, the investor accreditation framework introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) provides additional flexibilities and exclusive opportunities for those who qualify.

For individuals, the framework ...