AMC & product-related updates
Jio BlackRock Mutual Fund has filed the Scheme Information Document (SID) for its Prism Hybrid Long-Short Fund. The scheme requires a minimum investment of ₹10 lakh, positioning it for high-net-worth investors. It is classified under a moderate risk category and benchmarked to a hybrid equity-debt index to reflect its balanced approach.
Axis Mutual Fund has launched the Axis Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund, offering passive exposure to India’s capital markets through the Nifty Capital Markets TRI at a relatively low investment threshold.
Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund has introduced limits on fresh investments in four of its overseas schemes. From April 30, 2026, investments will be capped at ₹1 lakh per PAN per month.
Regulatory & policy developments
SEBI has introduced a fast-track route for processing Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs) of non-LVF AIFs. The move is aimed at improving capital deployment efficiency and reducing procedural delays, as part of broader ease-of-doing-business initiatives.
A new SEBI circular mandates that Investment Advisors (IAs) and Research Analysts (RAs) can display historical performance only through the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA), which became operational on May 4, 2026.
SEBI chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated that C-KYC 2.0 is expected to be launched by July, highlighting the importance of a unified KYC framework for the financial sector.
The regulator has also proposed changes to securitised debt instrument (SDI) norms. These include permitting single-asset securitisation by RBI-regulated entities, allowing structured wind-down of transactions, and easing certain structural constraints to support market growth.
SEBI has flagged GST-related challenges in the commodity market and is working toward an IGST mechanism. It also plans to issue an advisory on risks linked to emerging AI models used in financial markets.
In addition, SEBI confirmed that it will not pursue allowing banks and insurers to participate in commodity derivatives at this stage, following reservations expressed by RBI and IRDAI.
Mutual fund & distribution signals
Indian ETFs recorded net inflows of over ₹1.81 lakh crore in FY26, marking the highest annual inflow to date, according to Zerodha Fund House.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continued to withdraw funds, pulling out ₹60,847 crore in April. Total outflows for 2026 have reached ₹1.92 trillion, exceeding the ₹1.66 trillion outflow recorded for the entire 2025 calendar year.
Markets & sectoral trends
Indian equity markets ended higher on May 4, 2026. The Sensex gained over 350 points and the Nifty remained above the 24,100 level.
The recovery was supported by buying across sectors, particularly in auto and domestic-focused segments, along with improved global sentiment despite continued volatility in crude oil prices.
Insurance & financial sector developments
Ajay Seth, Chairman of IRDAI, stated in an interview that the regulator is planning wide-ranging reforms to address mis-selling, with a specific focus on the bancassurance channel.
Data from the General Insurance Council shows that the health insurance segment collected ₹1.37 lakh crore in premiums in FY26, reflecting 15% growth. Motor insurance premiums grew 9% to ₹1.08 lakh crore during the same period.
Corporate actions, capital flows & business developments
Primary market activity remains active this week. Bagmane Prime Office REIT IPO is scheduled to open on May 5. OnEMI Technology Solutions’ ₹926 crore IPO will close on May 5, while Recode Studios’ SME IPO is also set to open on the same day.
NSE has scheduled an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on May 25 to consider governance-related changes, including amendments to its Articles of Association and a proposal to increase investment limits for NRIs and OCIs.
NSE has also launched electronic gold receipts aimed at formalising the gold market, improving price discovery, and increasing participation from stakeholders such as jewellers, refiners and institutional investors.
IFSCA has advised GIFT City entities to wait for further clarity following its recent circular on RBI’s FLA-related FAQs.
On the global front, US national debt has reached $31.27 trillion, exceeding the country’s total economic output.
Source: Moneycontrol, Business Standard, CNBC TV18, Cafemutual
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