top 10 AIF funds in India

Top 10 AIF Funds in India (2026)

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have become an important part of the portfolio conversation for investors looking beyond traditional mutual funds and listed equities. With different strategies across private markets, equity and alternative investment approaches, choosing the right AIF requires more than simply looking at the highest return.

In this guide, we examine the Top AIF funds in India based on the supplied performance report, covering Long Only and Long Short strategies. The analysis compares performance across multiple time periods, explains how Category I, II and III AIFs differ, and looks at strategy, liquidity, fees and key risks. We also compare the reported AIF performance with the Nifty 50 and BSE 500 to provide broader market context.

The objective is simple: give investors a clear, data-backed framework to understand the leading AIF opportunities in India and evaluate which strategies may fit their portfolio.

How We Selected the Top 10 AIF Funds in India

Choosing the top AIF funds is not as simple as sorting schemes by their highest return. Alternative Investment Funds can follow very different strategies, invest across different asset classes and operate with different investment horizons. A fund delivering a high return over one period may have a completely different risk profile from a long-short or private-market strategy.

For this analysis, the selection is based on the AIF performance report provided for the period under review, covering Long Only and Long Short strategies. The report tracks returns across multiple periods, including 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year and Since Inception (SI) periods.

For the overall Top 10 AIF funds in India, we have deliberately included seven Long Only strategies and all three Long Short strategies covered in the report. This gives the list representation across both approaches rather than allowing the ranking to be dominated entirely by one strategy type.

How the Top AIF funds in India selection was approached

  • Since-Inception performance: Used as the primary long-term reference point because it captures the performance delivered over the fund's available operating history.
  • Multiple performance periods: 1M, 3M, 6M, 1Y, 2Y, 3Y and 5Y returns are retained to show how performance has evolved across different market periods.
  • Strategy type: Long Only and Long Short strategies are identified separately.
  • Long Short representation: All three Long Short strategies in the supplied report are retained in the Top 10 rather than excluding them simply because their SI returns are lower than the highest Long Only strategies.
  • Benchmark context: Nifty 50 and BSE 500 returns are used as market reference points, not as a ranking mechanism.
  • Data integrity: Where a return period is unavailable in the source report, it is shown as NA rather than estimated or substituted.

This distinction matters. A “top-performing AIF” based purely on historical return is not automatically the Best Alternative Investment Funds in India for every investor. Strategy, liquidity, risk, fees, portfolio construction and investment horizon all need to be considered before making an investment decision.

Top 10 AIF Funds in India at a Glance

The current AIF landscape presents a clear difference between Long Only and Long Short strategies. Long Only strategies dominate the highest reported Since-Inception returns in the supplied dataset, while Long Short strategies offer a different approach to managing market exposure through both long and short positions. The following table brings together the seven selected Long Only strategies and all three Long Short strategies.

10 Best AIF in India 2026

Type AMC & Scheme Name Inc. Date 3M 6M 1Y 3Y 5Y SI
Long Only WhiteOak Capital - India Equity Fund VI - CAT-III Nov-22 18.98% 0.44% -0.94% 13.29% NA 51.81%
Long Only Negen Undiscovered Value Fund Mar-26 32.33% 10.42% 10.87% NA NA 29.00%
Long Only First Water Capital Fund May-26 20.91% 2.82% -4.34% 21.20% 19.00% 27.70%
Long Only Abakkus Emerging Opportunities Fund-1 May-26 20.73% 1.07% 1.72% 17.35% 16.59% 27.43%
Long Only Alchemy Capital Management Emerging Leaders 2 May-26 33.35% 22.76% 19.14% 22.31% NA 27.33%
Long Only Carnelian Structural Shift Fund May-26 31.99% 13.70% 11.99% 22.21% NA 23.70%
Long Only Sundaram Alternate Opportunities Series - ACORN Feb-20 31.49% 30.40% 40.60% 27.97% 19.70% 23.13%
Long Short ICICI Prudential Long Short Fund Aug-18 -3.97% -3.58% 0.75% 14.39% NA 13.07%
Long Short ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd - Enhanced Dynamic CAT III Oct-22 -3.07% -4.79% -1.69% 13.93% NA 12.71%
Long Short ASK Long Short Fund Managers Pvt Ltd - ASK Absolute Return Fund CAT-II Jan-24 1.39% 2.32% 7.92% NA NA 11.79%

What the numbers tell us about the Best AIF funds in India

The headline figure is the 51.81% Since-Inception return reported by WhiteOak Capital - India Equity Fund VI - CAT-III. Negen Undiscovered Value Fund follows at 29.00%, while First Water Capital Fund and Abakkus Emerging Opportunities Fund-1 report SI returns of 27.70% and 27.43%, respectively.

Recent performance also tells a different story from SI returns. Negen delivered 9.60% over one month, while Alchemy Emerging Leaders 2 and Sundaram ATLAS, although not in this seven-fund Long Only selection, reported particularly strong three-month performance in the wider dataset.

The three Long Short strategies have lower SI returns than the seven Long Only selections. That should not automatically be interpreted as inferior performance. Their objective and portfolio construction can be materially different from a conventional long-only equity strategy.

The benchmark matters

The AIF numbers become more useful when viewed against the broader equity market.

Benchmark 1M 3M 6M 1Y 5Y SI
Nifty 50 1.67% 7.40% -8.10% -5.42% 9.99% 14.75%
BSE 500 1.73% 12.10% -3.53% -1.96% 12.21% 12.29%

The benchmark data provides an important piece of context. Over the reported 6-month and 1-year periods, both Nifty 50 and BSE 500 were negative, while several AIF strategies in the table remained positive over those periods. That does not establish that the Leading AIF funds in India will outperform in every market cycle, but it demonstrates why looking at strategy-level performance rather than the index alone can be useful.

Beyond benchmark returns, investors also need to compare strategy, risk, fees and liquidity—the video below brings these factors together through a quick look at five Alternative Investment Funds.

AIF Categories Explained: Category I, II and III

AIF categories in India are broadly classified into Category I, Category II and Category III based on the nature of their investments and permitted investment strategies. Each category has a different investment focus and risk profile. Category I generally includes sectors and activities considered economically or socially desirable, Category II covers a broad range of private-market strategies such as private equity and private credit, while Category III allows more flexible market-linked strategies, including long-only and long-short approaches.

AIF Categories at a Glance

AIF Category Broad Investment Orientation Common Strategy Areas Key Characteristic
Category I Development-oriented investments Infrastructure, SMEs, social ventures and other specified areas Focus on sectors considered economically or socially desirable
Category II Private-market investments Private Equity, Private Credit, Growth Capital, Special Situations Broad private-market opportunity set
Category III Market-linked and alternative strategies Long Only, Long Short and other complex strategies Greater flexibility in investment strategy

The category itself, however, does not tell an investor whether a fund is suitable. Two AIFs within the same category can have very different portfolios, risk levels, liquidity terms and return objectives.

That is particularly relevant when looking at the performance report used in this analysis. The detailed performance data supplied for this report is concentrated on Long Only and Long Short strategies, which are therefore discussed in greater depth under Category III.

Top Category I AIF funds in India

Category I AIFs are designed around investment areas that are considered economically or socially desirable. The category can provide exposure to themes such as infrastructure, SMEs and other development-oriented opportunities. However, there is an important distinction between explaining the Category I universe and producing a performance ranking. The performance report supplied for this analysis does not provide a comparable Category I fund-level performance table. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to manufacture a “Top Category I AIF Funds” ranking using figures that belong to other strategies. Rather take a look at the fundamental details about them:

Top Alternative Investment Funds in India - CAT I Top 10

Fund / AMC Name Type Tenure Target Size Drawdown Min. Commitment
Equentis Wealth Advisory Services Limited - Equentis Angel Fund Angel Investment 15 Years ₹500 Cr 100% ₹25 Lakh
Aikyam Capital Management LLP - Aikyam Stressed Assets Fund I Special Situations 12 Years ₹500 Cr 100% ₹10 Cr
Beyonseed India Private Limited - Beyonseed Angel Fund I Angel Investment 10 Years ₹500 Cr 100% ₹25 Lakh
Morphosis Venture Advisors LLP - Morphosis Venture Capital Fund I Venture Capital 8 Years ₹500 Cr 25% ₹1 Cr
Merisis Advisors Private Limited - Merisis Opportunities Fund Venture Capital 8 Years ₹61 Cr NA ₹50 Lakh
Equirus Wealth Pvt Ltd - Equirus InnovateX Fund Venture Capital 7 Years ₹250 Cr 25% ₹1 Cr
35North Ventures Pvt Ltd - India Discovery Fund II Angel Investment 7 Years ₹600 Cr 100% ₹25 Lakh
AlphaAIFs - Venture X Fund I SME 6 Years ₹1,000 Cr 20% ₹1 Cr
Getfive Assets Advisors Private Limited - Getfive Opportunity Fund I SME 5 Years ₹100 Cr 75% ₹1 Cr
Rockstud Capital LLP - Rockstud Capital Investment Fund - II Venture Capital 5 Years ₹300 Cr 100% ₹1 Cr

Instead, this section should establish what investors should look for when evaluating Category I opportunities.

Category I AIF Evaluation Framework

Factor What to Examine
Investment theme Which sector or development-oriented opportunity does the fund target?
Portfolio construction How is capital distributed across investments?
Manager expertise Track record in the specific sector or strategy
Investment horizon How long is capital expected to remain invested?
Liquidity When and how can investors exit?
Risk profile What are the key sector, business and execution risks?
Track record Historical performance where a sufficient history exists

For an investor, the important question is therefore not simply “Which Category I AIF has the highest return?” but rather “Which Category I strategy provides the right exposure for my portfolio and investment horizon?”

Top Category II AIF Funds in India: Private Equity and Private Credit

Category II represents a broad private-market opportunity set. Two strategies are particularly relevant when discussing this category with sophisticated investors: Private equity AIF funds India and Private credit AIF funds India.

Top 10 Category II AIF

AMC / Fund Name Type Fund Tenure Target Size (₹ Cr) Drawdown Min. Commitment
Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC - ABSL Structured Opportunities Fund Series 2 Private Credit 5.6 Years 2,500 100% 1 Cr
Equanimity Management Services LLP - Equanimity Ventures Trust III Venture Capital 8 Years 1,000 20% 2 Cr
Unicorn India Ventures LLP - IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund-I Venture Capital 10 Years 1,000 100% 3 Cr
InCred Alternative Investments Pvt Ltd - InCred Growth Partners Fund II Private Equity 6 Years 1,500 10% 1 Cr
Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited - Kotak Life Sciences Fund (KLSF I) Private Equity 8 Years 1,600 100% 1 Cr
Nine Rivers Capital Holdings Pvt Ltd - Nine Rivers Aurum Rising India Fund Private Equity 9 Years 450 10% 1 Cr
Nippon Life India AIF Management Ltd - Nippon India Digital Innovation AIF - Scheme 2A Venture Capital 9 Years 1,000 28% 1 Cr
Nuvama Asset Management Limited - Nuvama Crossover Opportunities Fund - Series 4A Private Equity - Pre IPO 6 Years 1,000 25% 1 Cr
PL Asset Management Pvt Ltd - PL Capital Performing Credit Fund Private Credit 8 Years 1,000 100% 1 Cr
Singularity AMC LLP - Singularity Fund of Funds II Private Equity 10 Years 500 40% 1 Cr

Although both involve private markets, their return drivers are fundamentally different.

Category II AIF fund comparison India: Private Equity vs Private Credit

Factor Private Equity Private Credit
Primary exposure Equity ownership in private businesses Debt or structured lending to businesses
Return driver Business growth, earnings expansion and exit valuation Interest income, fees and credit spreads
Typical objective Capital appreciation Income generation with credit-focused returns
Investment horizon Generally long term Generally medium to long term
Primary risk Business performance and valuation risk Credit/default and recovery risk
Liquidity Generally limited Generally limited
Key manager skill Sourcing, business selection and value creation Underwriting, structuring and risk management

Private equity AIF funds India

Private equity strategies typically seek to invest in businesses where the fund manager believes there is scope for operational improvement, earnings growth, market expansion or strategic transformation. The return is ultimately driven by the ability to build value and realise that value through an exit.

Private credit AIF funds India

Private credit takes a different route. Instead of taking an ownership position, the strategy generally provides capital through loans or structured credit arrangements. The focus therefore shifts towards credit quality, downside protection, security, covenants, pricing and repayment capacity. For HNI investors, this distinction is important. A private credit strategy should not be evaluated using exactly the same framework as a private equity fund or a listed equity strategy.

Top Category III AIF Funds in India: Long-Only and Long-Short

This is where the supplied performance report becomes most directly relevant. Category III strategies can use more flexible investment approaches, and the report provides performance data across two distinct approaches: Long-only AIF funds India and Long-short AIF funds India. A Long Only strategy generally seeks to benefit from appreciation in its selected investments. A Long Short strategy can combine long positions with short positions, allowing the manager to express both positive and negative views and potentially manage market exposure differently. The performance data therefore needs to be read with the strategy type in mind.

Top Category III AIF Strategies: Long Only and Long Short

Type AMC & Scheme Name Inc. Date 3M 6M 1Y 3Y 5Y SI
Long Only WhiteOak Capital - India Equity Fund VI - CAT-III Nov-22 18.98% 0.44% -0.94% 13.29% NA 51.81%
Long Only Negen Undiscovered Value Fund Mar-26 32.33% 10.42% 10.87% NA NA 29.00%
Long Only First Water Capital Fund May-26 20.91% 2.82% -4.34% 21.20% 19.00% 27.70%
Long Only Abakkus Emerging Opportunities Fund-1 May-26 20.73% 1.07% 1.72% 17.35% 16.59% 27.43%
Long Only Alchemy Capital Management Emerging Leaders 2 May-26 33.35% 22.76% 19.14% 22.31% NA 27.33%
Long Only Carnelian Structural Shift Fund May-26 31.99% 13.70% 11.99% 22.21% NA 23.70%
Long Only Sundaram Alternate Opportunities Series - ACORN Feb-20 31.49% 30.40% 40.60% 27.97% 19.70% 23.13%
Long Short ICICI Prudential Long Short Fund Aug-18 -3.97% -3.58% 0.75% 14.39% NA 13.07%
Long Short ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd - Enhanced Dynamic CAT III Oct-22 -3.07% -4.79% -1.69% 13.93% NA 12.71%
Long Short ASK Long Short Fund Managers Pvt Ltd - ASK Absolute Return Fund CAT-II Jan-24 1.39% 2.32% 7.92% NA NA 11.79%

At the same time, the benchmark should not be treated as a universal hurdle rate for every AIF. A Long Only equity strategy may have a more direct relationship with an equity index, while a Long Short strategy may deliberately seek to reduce directional market exposure. Comparing both against the same index without considering the mandate can therefore be misleading.

Long-only AIF funds India

Invests in selected stocks with the aim of benefiting from their price appreciation. The strategy remains primarily exposed to the market's direction.

Long-short AIF funds India

Combines long positions with short positions to take advantage of both rising and falling opportunities while managing overall market exposure.

One number deserves particular attention

The 51.81% SI return reported for WhiteOak Capital - India Equity Fund VI - CAT-III stands significantly above the benchmark SI figures of 14.75% for Nifty 50 and 12.29% for BSE 500 in the supplied report.

That is a useful observation, but it should be presented as historical reported performance, not a promise of future outperformance. The same principle applies throughout the table: the numbers help identify strategies worth examining, but they do not by themselves establish which AIF is right for a particular investor.

How the Top 10 AIF funds in India Differ by Strategy

The Top 10 AIF funds in India brings together two distinct approaches: Long Only and Long Short. While both can invest in equities and seek to generate market-linked returns, the way they take risk is different.

A Long Only strategy generally seeks to benefit from the appreciation of selected securities. The manager's primary decision is what to own and how much to own. When markets or the selected companies perform well, the portfolio can benefit; when markets fall, the portfolio remains exposed to the downside unless the manager uses other permitted risk-management tools.

A Long Short strategy has greater flexibility to express both positive and negative views. Alongside long positions, the manager can take short positions, allowing the strategy to potentially benefit from relative mispricing or declining securities. The objective is therefore not necessarily to replicate the direction of the broader market.

Long Only vs Long Short

Parameter Long Only Long Short
Core approach Invests primarily in securities expected to appreciate Combines long and short positions
Primary return driver Security selection and market appreciation Security selection, relative value and market positioning
Market exposure Generally more directional Can be more flexible
Downside management Primarily through portfolio construction and security selection Can potentially use short positions and other permitted tools
Best viewed as Equity-oriented return strategy More flexible alternative equity strategy
Key risk Market and concentration risk Market, short-position, leverage and strategy risk

The performance data reinforces why the two categories should not be evaluated solely on headline returns. The three Long Short strategies in the report have lower reported SI returns than the seven selected Long Only strategies, but their investment objectives and portfolio construction are different. For an investor, the more useful question is therefore not “Which strategy has the highest return?”, but “Which strategy's return profile fits the role I want it to play in my portfolio?”

Minimum Commitment, Fees, Tenure and Liquidity Compared

Performance is only one part of evaluating an AIF. For HNI investors, the investment structure can be equally important.An AIF may generate attractive historical returns but still be unsuitable if its minimum investment, fee structure, lock-in period or liquidity terms do not fit the investor's requirements.

AIF Structure: What Investors Need to Compare

Parameter What the Investor Should Evaluate
Minimum commitment Minimum capital required to enter the fund or strategy
Management fee Annual fee charged for managing the portfolio
Performance fee Incentive fee linked to investment performance, where applicable
Hurdle rate Return threshold that may apply before performance fees are charged
High-water mark Mechanism that can prevent performance fees being charged twice on the same gains
Tenure Expected period for which the capital remains invested
Lock-in Period during which redemption may not be available
Liquidity Frequency and conditions under which investors can exit
Exit terms Notice period, exit charges and other redemption conditions

There is no single fee, tenure or liquidity structure that applies uniformly across every AIF. These terms are fund- and strategy-specific and should be reviewed in the relevant scheme documents before investment.

This is particularly important when comparing Category II private-market strategies with Category III market-linked strategies. A private equity fund may require investors to remain committed for several years, whereas a Category III strategy may have a different redemption structure.

For this reason, minimum commitment and liquidity should be assessed alongside returns rather than after them.

What HNIs should look beyond

A sophisticated AIF evaluation should consider:

  1. Net returns rather than headline returns
  2. AIF fees and performance charges
  3. Lock-in and redemption conditions
  4. Fund tenure and remaining investment period
  5. Concentration of the portfolio
  6. Manager's investment philosophy and track record
  7. Role of the strategy within the overall portfolio

Top AIF Funds vs Top-Performing AIFs

The terms “top AIF funds” and “top-performing AIFs” sound interchangeable, but they are not.

A top-performing AIF is generally identified through a particular performance metric. A top AIF, on the other hand, requires a broader assessment of performance, consistency and how HNI investors compare AIF funds across strategy, risk, liquidity, fees and portfolio suitability.

Top AIF vs Top-Performing AIF

Factor Top-Performing AIF Top AIF for an Investor
Primary consideration Historical return Overall portfolio fit
Performance Usually the starting point One of several factors
Risk May receive less weight in a simple ranking Critical consideration
Liquidity May not affect the ranking Important depending on investor needs
Fees Often excluded from headline rankings Must be evaluated
Strategy May not be considered in a return-only ranking Central to selection
Investment horizon Often overlooked Must match investor's time horizon
Portfolio role Not necessarily defined Should have a clear purpose

This distinction is particularly relevant to the Top 10 table in this report.

The list is designed to highlight seven Long Only and three Long Short strategies from the supplied performance dataset. It should therefore be viewed as a performance and strategy snapshot, not as a universal ranking of the best AIFs for every investor.

For example, a strategy with a high Since-Inception return may have a very different risk profile, liquidity structure or investment horizon from a Long Short fund. Likewise, a newer fund may show strong short-term numbers without having the same length of track record as an established strategy.

The better question

Instead of asking:

“Which AIF has generated the highest return?”

an investor should ask:

“Which AIF has the right strategy, risk profile, liquidity and return objective for my portfolio?”

That is the difference between performance chasing and portfolio construction.

Key Risks Across the Top 10 AIF funds in India

Alternative investments can provide access to strategies and opportunities that may not be available through conventional investment products. They can also involve risks that investors need to understand before committing capital.

The risks vary considerably depending on whether the strategy is Long Only, Long Short, Private Equity or Private Credit.

Key AIF Risks

Risk What It Means Most Relevant To
Market risk Portfolio value can decline when markets or securities move against the strategy Long Only
Short-selling risk A short position can generate losses if the security rises instead of falls Long Short
Concentration risk Large exposure to a limited number of securities, sectors or themes can amplify losses Strategy-dependent
Liquidity risk Investors may not be able to exit immediately when they want to Private-market AIFs
Credit risk A borrower or issuer may fail to meet its obligations Private Credit
Valuation risk Unlisted or less-liquid assets can be harder to value accurately Private Equity, Private Credit
Leverage risk Borrowing or derivatives can amplify both gains and losses Certain alternative strategies
Manager risk Investment outcomes depend significantly on the fund manager's decisions All AIFs
Strategy risk A strategy may perform differently from expectations under changing market conditions All AIFs
Regulatory risk Changes in regulations can affect fund structures or investment strategies All AIFs

Why the benchmark does not eliminate risk

The benchmark data in the report provides useful market context, but it does not remove the need to evaluate fund-specific risk.

For example, the supplied data shows:

  • Nifty 50: -8.10% over 6 months and -5.42% over 1 year
  • BSE 500: -3.53% over 6 months and -1.96% over 1 year

Several AIF strategies remained positive over these periods. However, this should not be interpreted as evidence that AIFs are inherently safer than equity markets.

An AIF can outperform an index during a particular period and still experience significant drawdowns at another point in its lifecycle.

The benchmark is therefore best used to provide context, while fund-level risk metrics, portfolio construction and historical consistency should be examined separately.

How ALTPORT Facilitates Access to Available AIF Funds

Finding an AIF is only the first step. For an HNI investor, the more important task is identifying a strategy that fits the portfolio and then evaluating its structure, manager, risk and liquidity before committing capital.

ALTPORT can act as an access and selection layer for investors evaluating available AIF opportunities.

Understand Your Goals → Explore AIF Opportunities → Shortlist Strategies → Compare Funds → Invest → Monitor 

From Opportunity to Investment

  1. Understand your requirement

Identify the role the investment needs to play in the portfolio - growth, diversification, income generation, alternative market exposure or a specific investment theme.

  1. Explore relevant strategies

Review AIF funds available in India across categories, strategies and investment approaches.

  1. Compare the opportunity

Evaluate the fund's:

  • Historical performance
  • Investment strategy
  • Fund manager
  • Portfolio approach
  • Minimum commitment
  • Fees
  • Tenure
  • Liquidity
  • Risk considerations
  1. Complete the investment process

Once an appropriate opportunity has been identified, investors can proceed with the required documentation, KYC and investment formalities.

  1. Monitor the portfolio

An AIF should be viewed as part of the broader investment portfolio rather than as a standalone return product. Its performance and role should be reviewed alongside the investor's overall asset allocation.

Why the selection process matters

The objective should not be to simply identify the AIF with the highest historical return.

A more useful approach is to ask:

  • Does the strategy fit the portfolio?
  • Does the liquidity match the investment horizon?
  • Is the risk acceptable for the expected return?
  • Are the fees justified by the strategy and potential value?
  • Does the fund manager have the expertise required for the opportunity?

That is where an informed selection process can add value.

ALTPORT and AIF Access

ALTPORT helps investors evaluate available alternative investment opportunities and navigate the process of identifying strategies aligned with their investment requirements. For investors considering AIFs, the focus should ultimately remain on strategy fit, manager quality, risk, liquidity and long-term portfolio objectives - not simply the highest number in a performance table.

Disclaimer

This blog is for information purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. AIF investments involve market, liquidity and strategy-specific risks. Investors should review the relevant fund documents and assess suitability before investing.

 

Section: Help & Support
Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about fund investments, performance, portfolio strategy, and investor services.

Which are the top 10 AIF funds in India in 2026? +

The list includes seven Long Only and three Long Short strategies from the supplied performance report, selected based primarily on their reported Since-Inception performance.

How were the AIF funds in this list selected? +

The selection considers Since-Inception performance along with 1M, 3M, 6M, 1Y, 2Y, 3Y and 5Y returns. Strategy type was also considered to include both Long Only and Long Short funds.

Is there one best AIF fund in India for every investor? +

No. The right AIF depends on the investor's goals, risk appetite, investment horizon, liquidity needs and portfolio requirements.

Which AIF categories are represented in the Top 10 list? +

The performance-based Top 10 list represents Category III AIFs, covering Long Only and Long Short strategies.

What is the minimum commitment for the AIF funds compared here? +

Minimum investment varies by fund. The supplied performance report does not provide the minimum commitment for each fund, so investors should refer to the respective fund documents.

What fees and lock-in terms apply to these AIF funds? +

Fees, lock-in periods, tenure and redemption terms vary by fund and strategy. Investors should review the respective fund documents before investing.

How can investors verify whether an AIF is registered with SEBI? +

Investors can check the fund's registration details against SEBI's official AIF records and verify that they match the fund's official documents.

Are top AIF funds the same as top-performing AIFs? +

No. Top-performing AIFs are generally identified by historical returns, while top AIFs should also be assessed on strategy, risk, fees, liquidity and suitability.

What risks should investors compare across AIF funds? +

Key risks include market, liquidity, concentration, manager, valuation and strategy risks. Long Short strategies may also involve short-selling and leverage-related risks, while Private Credit involves credit risk.

Does past performance guarantee future AIF returns? +

No. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. Historical returns should be considered alongside the fund's strategy, risks, fees and investment objectives.