If you have built meaningful wealth over the years, you may have come across investment opportunities in PMS (Portfolio Management Services) or AIF (Alternative Investment Funds), only to find that the minimum investment threshold puts them just out of reach.
The Accredited Investor framework, introduced by SEBI, is designed to change exactly that. It recognizes sophisticated investors with the financial means to participate in a wider range of investment products, often at significantly lower entry points.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is an official certification issued by SEBI-recognised agencies (Stock Exchanges and Depositories such as BSE, NSE, NSDL, and CDSL) that confirms you meet certain financial thresholds.
Think of it as a formal stamp of recognition — from a regulatory standpoint — that you are a financially sophisticated investor. It is voluntary, and once obtained, it unlocks a new tier of investment access.
Who Is an Accredited Investor?
An Accredited Investor is an individual, HUF, or body corporate that has been certified by an accreditation agency as meeting SEBI's prescribed income or net worth criteria.
This isn't just a label. It comes with real, tangible benefits in how you can invest.
How to Qualify: The 3 Criteria
For individuals and HUFs, SEBI offers three ways to qualify. You only need to meet one of them.
Option 1 — Income-Based
Annual income of ₹2 crore or more (in the previous financial year)
This is the most straightforward route. If your taxable income in the last financial year crossed ₹2 crore, you qualify, regardless of your net worth.
Option 2 — Net Worth-Based
Net worth of ₹7.5 crore or more, with at least ₹3.75 crore in financial assets
Your net worth includes both physical and financial assets, but SEBI requires that at least half of it be in financial assets - equities, mutual funds, fixed deposits, bonds, and similar instruments.
Option 3 — Combined Income + Net Worth
Annual income of ₹1 crore or more AND net worth of ₹5 crore or more, with at least ₹2.5 crore in financial assets
This option is designed for investors who are strong on both income and assets but may not individually clear the thresholds in Options 1 or 2. Meeting both conditions together qualifies you.
All accreditation certificates are valid for: 2/3 years (depending on the option you choose)
What Do You Gain? The Benefits of Getting Accredited
1. Access to PMS at Lower Minimums
Portfolio Management Services (PMS) typically require a minimum investment of ₹50 lakh. As an accredited investor, you can access PMS strategies at meaningfully lower entry points, giving you more flexibility in how you allocate your capital.
2. Access to AIFs at Lower Minimums
Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) - which include Category I, II, and III funds covering private equity, real estate debt, hedge strategies, and more, normally require a minimum investment of ₹1 crore. Accredited investors can access these funds at a minimum of just ₹25 lakh.
3. A Broader Universe of Investment Products
Accreditation opens doors beyond just PMS and AIFs. SEBI's framework allows accredited investors to participate in other specialised and structured products that are either unavailable to or more restricted for general investors.
4. More Flexibility, More Customisation
With lower minimums, you can spread your capital across multiple strategies and asset classes rather than concentrating it in a single product. This means better diversification and a portfolio built more precisely around your goals.
Ready to Get Accredited?
If you believe you meet any of the above criteria, getting accredited is a straightforward process.
At MIRA Wealth, we guide our clients through the entire accreditation process and help them identify the right investment opportunities that this status unlocks.
Whether you want to know if you qualify, understand the application process, or explore PMS and AIF strategies suited to your portfolio, we're here to help.
Get in touch with us today. A conversation costs nothing. The right investment, at the right time, could change everything.