SEBI, through Press Release No. 41/2026 dated July 17, 2026, announced that it has advised the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to further simplify the standards on the “Procedure to Claim Units / Proceeds upon death of a unit holder” to address operational challenges faced by the kin of deceased investors during the mutual fund transmission process. AMFI has accordingly amended the standards. The updated measures include permitting Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to rely on the latest available address details, supported by relevant documents, where there is a mismatch in the recorded address of the deceased unit holder. For name or signature mismatches, AMCs may adopt a framework similar to the guidelines prescribed for Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs) under the SEBI Master Circular dated February 06, 2026, including submission of self-certified documents such as Aadhaar or Passport for name mismatches and following appropriate procedures for signature mismatches. AMFI has also been advised to provide training to relevant entities to align transmission practices across AMCs with the regulatory guidelines.
Securities and Exchange Board of India
PR No. 41/2026
Streamlining of Mutual Fund Process for Ease of Transmission Claim
1. SEBI, as an ongoing investor friendly initiative has advised AMFI to further simplify the standards on “Procedure to Claim Units / Proceeds upon death of a unit holder” to address operational challenges faced by kin of deceased investors during transmission process for mutual funds. AMFI has accordingly amended these standards.
2. This would facilitate ease of transmission and align the practices with the regulatory objectives to safeguard investor interests. The updated standards on “Procedure to Claim Units/Proceeds upon death of a unit holder” shall include the following investor friendly measures:
- Resolution of Address Mismatches: In cases where there is a mismatch in the recorded address of the deceased unit holder, Asset Management Companies (AMCs) may rely on the latest available address details, provided they are supported by relevant documents.
- Harmonized Name/ Signature Mismatch Framework: To address discrepancies in the name or signature of the unit holder, AMCs may adopt a framework similar to the guidelines prescribed for RTAs vide SEBI Master Circular dated February 06, 2026. These guidelines inter alia provide that–
- in case of name mismatch, investor may submit self-certified documents such as Aadhaar, Passport, etc.
- in case of signature mismatch, RTAs may follow appropriate procedures basis the nature of mismatch.
For further details Annexure -10 of SEBI Master Circular for Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents dated February 06, 2026, may be referred.
3. AMFI has been advised to provide training to all relevant entities on the transmission process so that practices across AMCs are aligned with the regulatory guidelines.
Mumbai
July 17, 2026
