**Executive Summary:**
This circular, effective immediately, amends the Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024, regarding the upload of Draft Scheme Information Documents (SID). It reduces the mandatory upload period on the SEBI website for public comment from 21 to 8 working days for SIDs on which SEBI has issued observations. Certain clauses of the Master Circular are deleted.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Amendment to SID Upload Duration:**
* Draft SIDs, with SEBI observations, must be available on the SEBI website for at least 8 working days for public comment.
* After this period, AMCs can launch the scheme and file final offer documents (SID and KIM).
* Validity of SEBI observation on SID will be in accordance with clause 1.3 of Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024.
* **Deletion of Clauses:**
* Clause 1.1.3.1.c and 1.1.3.1.d of the Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024, are deleted.
* **Authority:**
* The circular is issued under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and Regulation 77 of SEBI Mutual Funds Regulations, 1996.
**Impact Analysis:**
**Mutual Funds/Asset Management Companies (AMCs):**
* Impact: Reduced timeframe for draft SID to be available for public comment on the SEBI website (from 21 to 8 working days) after SEBI issues observation.
* Action Required: Comply with the revised upload duration and the deletion of clauses 1.1.3.1.c and 1.1.3.1.d of the Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024.
**Trustee Companies/Boards of Trustees of Mutual Funds:**
* Impact: Oversight responsibility for ensuring AMCs comply with the new SID upload requirements.
* Action Required: Ensure AMCs are adhering to the revised guidelines for SID uploads and are aware of the clauses that have been deleted.
**Investors:**
* Impact: Shorter timeframe to review and provide comments on draft SIDs.
* Action Required: Monitor the SEBI website for draft SIDs and provide comments within the revised 8-day window.
**Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI):**
* Impact: Responsible for disseminating the updated guidelines to its members.
* Action Required: Inform members about the changes to the SID upload process and ensure they understand the new requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI: Regulatory body for securities market in India, responsible for investor protection and market regulation.
Mutual Funds: Investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to purchase securities.
Asset Management Companies AMCs: Companies that manage investment funds, including mutual funds, on behalf of investors.
Association of Mutual Funds in India AMFI: Industry association of mutual funds in India.
Scheme Information Documents SID: Documents providing detailed information about a mutual fund scheme to potential investors.
SEBI Master Circular on Mutual Funds: Comprehensive set of guidelines and regulations issued by SEBI pertaining to the operations and management of mutual funds.
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992: Law establishing SEBI and defining its powers and functions.
Anupma Chadha: General Manager, Investment Management Department at SEBI.
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/IMD/IMD-RAC-1/P/CIR/2024/179 December 20, 2024
To
All Mutual Funds
All Asset Management Companies (AMCs)
All Trustee Companies/ Boards of Trustees of Mutual Funds
Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Subject: Upload of Draft Scheme Information Documents
1. Clause 1.1.3.1 of Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/IMD/IMD-PoD-1/P/CIR/2024/90
dated June 27, 2024 for Mutual Funds (‘Master Circular’) read with Circular No.
IIMARP/MF/CIR/06/793/98 dated March 31, 1998 inter alia, requires Asset
Management Companies (AMCs) to submit soft copy of the Draft Scheme
Information Documents with SEBI to be made available on SEBI’s website for 21
working days from the date of filing for receiving the public comment on the
adequacy of disclosures made in the document.
2. Since the issuance of the above requirement, over the years the structure and
content of SIDs has been standardized vide SEBI Circulars SEBI/IMD/CIR No.
5/126096/08 dated May 23 2008, SEBI/HO/IMD/DF3/CIR/P/2017/114 dated
October 06, 2017 and SEBI/HO/IMD/DF3/CIR/P/2017/126 dated December 04,
2017.
3. Further, the SID format was revised vide Circular SEBI/HO/IMD/IMD-RAC-
2/P/CIR/2023/000175 dated November 01 2023, in order to streamline the
dissemination of relevant information to investors, rationalizing the preparation of
Scheme Information Document (SID) and facilitating its periodic updation.
4. The requirement of uploading SID for 21 working days on SEBI website was
therefore reviewed.
5. Based on review and public consultation, henceforth, SID on which observations
are issued by SEBI shall be uploaded on the SEBI website for at least 8 working
days for receiving public comments on the adequacy of disclosures made in the
document. Thereafter, AMC may file final offer documents (SID and KIM) in line
with the provisions of clause 1.1.3.3 of SEBI Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated
June 27, 2024.
Page 1 of 26. Accordingly, the following has been decided:
6.1. Clause 1.1.3.1.a. of the Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27,2024,
stands modified as under:
“Draft SID on which SEBI observation letter has been issued shall be made
available on SEBI’s website – http:// www.sebi.gov.in for at least 8 working days
for receiving public comments on the adequacy of disclosures made in the
document after which AMC may launch the scheme and file final offer
documents (SID and KIM) in line with the provisions of clause 1.1.3.3 of SEBI
Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024.
Validity of SEBI observation on SID will be in accordance with clause 1.3 of
Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024.”
6.2. Clause 1.1.3.1. (c) and 1.1.3.1.(d) of the Master Circular on Mutual Funds dated
June 27, 2024 stand deleted.
7. The provisions of this circular shall come into force with immediate effect.
8. The circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred under Section 11(1) of
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, read with the provisions of
Regulation 77 of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, to protect the interest of
investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the
Securities Market.
Yours faithfully,
Anupma Chadha
General Manager
Investment Management Department
Tel: 022 - 26449319
Email: anupmac@sebi.gov.in
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