India, Aug. 13 -- Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Thursday, August 13, proposed a new criterion for accredited investor status, under which individuals holding at least Rs 5 crore in securities-market assets could qualify regardless of existing income or net-worth thresholds, in a move aimed at widening the investor pool.

For body corporates and trusts other than family trusts, the SEBI proposed a threshold of Rs 20 crore in securities-market assets.

The regulator said the changes were intended to expand the pool of investors eligible for accredited status and encourage greater participation in alternative investment funds (AIFs), according to its consultation paper.

Sebi's analysis found that around ...