Investor Education Series

Portfolio Management
Services (PMS)

Advanced investment solutions providing specialized portfolio construction and professional oversight for the Indian market.

Strategy Tailored Approach
Execution Professional Mgmt
Compliance SEBI Regulated
₹ 50L
Minimum Ticket Size
PMS Definition

What is PMS?

Portfolio Management Services (PMS) is a professional service where qualified managers handle a focused investment portfolio tailored to specific objectives.

SEBI Regulated

Regulated under SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 2020 (Amended Feb 2025).

Direct Ownership

Investors own securities in their own Demat account, not a pooled unit structure.

Minimum Investment

Regulatory minimum ticket size of INR 50 Lakhs in cash or securities.

Fiduciary Duty

Mandated to prioritize client interests with strict segregation of firm and client assets.

Service Models

DiscretionaryManager decides & executes
Non-DiscretionaryManager suggests, Client approves
AdvisoryManager advises, Client executes
Product Comparison Matrix

PMS vs Mutual Funds vs Advisory

PMS

Portfolio Management Services

Structure

Segregated Portfolio. Direct ownership of securities in client’s own Demat account.

Min Investment

INR 50 Lakhs

Fees

Mgmt Fee + Performance Fee (HWM). Op expenses capped at 0.50%.

Suitability

HNI seeking customization and specific strategy exposure.

Focused Strategy

Mutual Funds

Pooled Investment Vehicle

Structure

Pooled Vehicle. Investors hold ‘Units’; underlying assets held by Trust.

Min Investment

Very Low (INR 500+)

Fees

Total Expense Ratio (TER) capped by SEBI. No performance fees.

Suitability

Retail to HNI seeking broad diversification with lower ticket size.

Retail Access

Inv. Advisory

Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)

Structure

Advice Only. Client executes trades personally. No RIA custody.

Min Investment

None (Fee-based)

Fees

Fixed fee or % of AUA. Strict caps apply. No distribution commissions.

Suitability

Investors wanting professional advice with execution control.

Execution Control
Reporting standards: PMS uses TWRR/XIRR, Mutual Funds use CAGR vs TRI Benchmarks.
Eligibility & Statutory Norms

Who is PMS For?

Advanced portfolio management for investors requiring direct ownership of assets and professional fiduciary oversight.

Minimum Investment

Regulatory ticket size of INR 50 Lakhs as per SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations.

Redemption & Liquidity

Open-ended structure with no regulatory lock-in. Subject to scheme-specific exit loads.

Direct On-boarding

Investors can opt for direct plans with Portfolio Managers to benefit from zero-commission structures.

Fiduciary Oversight

Managers adhere to strict code of conduct to ensure transparent and ethical wealth management.

Eligible Entities

Resident Individuals
NRIs / PIOs
HUFs
Corporates & LLPs
Partnerships & Proprietorships
Trusts & Societies
Note: Subject to RBI/FEMA guidelines where applicable.
Regulatory Framework

PMS Service Models & Operations

Discretionary

Manager independently manages the portfolio based on the agreed mandate.

Manager Decides
Auto Execution

Non-Discretionary

Manager suggests ideas; final decision rests with the client for every trade.

Client Consent
PM Executes

Advisory

Manager provides research only; client handles all execution personally.

Client Decides
Self-Execution
Taxation

Dividends (IDCW) taxed at slab rates. Capital gains (STCG/LTCG) based on holding periods.

SEBI Compliance

Mandatory independent Custodian for Discretionary & Non-Discretionary assets.

Commercial Framework

PMS Fee Structures & Expenses

Fixed Cost

Management Fee

Calculated as a percentage of the Assets Under Management (AUM).

Accrual: Daily / Monthly
Commonly ranges from 1% to 2.5% p.a.
Variable Cost

Performance Fee

Profit-sharing above a pre-agreed “Hurdle Rate.”

Computed: Annually
Aligns Manager interest with Client returns.
Statutory Caps

Other Expenses

Includes Custody, Audit, and Brokerage fees.

Capped at 0.50% p.a.
Excluding brokerage & statutory levies.
Process Workflow

Client Onboarding Journey

STEP 01

Disclosure

DD & MITC shared.

STEP 02

KYC/AML

Identity verified.

STEP 03

Risk Profile

Suitability check.

STEP 04

IPS Draft

Policy Statement.

STEP 05

Agreement

Signing PMS & PoA.

STEP 06

Account Setup

Bank/Demat open.

GO LIVE

Funding

INR 50L Min.

Direct On-boarding Commission-free plans available.
MITC Sign-off Mandatory term acknowledgement.
Regulatory Minimum Strict SEBI 50 Lakhs limit.
Operations Workflow

Portfolio Execution Process

01

Idea & Research

Team selects securities within the approved mandate via fundamental research.

02

Order Management

PM instructs the Dealing Desk via recorded lines or authorized internal channels.

03

Trade Execution

Execution via Broker (Pooled/Bulk vs. Individual account trades).

04

Compliance Check

Pre-trade limit checks and post-trade verification of best execution.

05

Allocation/Settlement

Trade allocation to individual clients and Custodian settlement (T+1).

06

Recordkeeping

Audit trail preservation including trade logs, contract notes, and order books.

Automated Systems Mandate

Portfolio Managers with AUM > INR 1,000 Crores must use an automated Order Management System (OMS) to ensure clear audit trails and fair allocation.

Transparency Standards

Reporting & Disclosures

TYPE
DOCUMENT / REPORT
FREQUENCY
KEY CONTENTS & MANDATES
Disclosure Document Foundation for Informed Choice
Pre-Onboarding

Mandatory provision at least 2 days before agreement signing.

Part I: Strategy & Risks
Part II: Performance & Financials
CA Certified Financials
Periodic Client Reports Portfolio Performance
Quarterly (Min)

Comprehensive view of portfolio health, returns, and total cost of ownership.

Composition & Value
TWRR Net of Fees
Expense Audit
Holdings & Dividends
Contract Notes & Statements Operational & Custody Audit
Event Based / Monthly

Direct proof of trade execution and asset tracking via third-party custodians.

Broker Contract Notes
DP Statements
Bank & Margin Records
Annual Audit Certificate Independent Verification
Annually

Statutory requirement where an external CA verifies all portfolio transactions.

Independent CA Audit
Asset Verification
Audit Trail Integrity
Website Disclosures Public Transparency Standards
Ongoing / Monthly

Mandatory public accessibility to manager metrics and complaints data.

Direct Onboarding Option
SCORES Link
Monthly AUM Data
Cost Transparency

Fees & Expenses Structure

ICON
FEE COMPONENT
RATE / CAP
DETAILS & REGULATIONS
Management Fee Fixed Operating Cost
Fixed % of AUM

Charged on average daily Assets Under Management.

Quarterly / Monthly Accrual
Fixed or Slab-based
Performance Fee Success-Based Sharing
% of Profits

Profit-sharing above a pre-agreed Hurdle Rate.

High Water Mark (HWM)
No Catch-up Clause
Operating Expenses Administrative & Legal
Max 0.50% P.A.

Statutory cap on general expenses (excluding brokerage).

Fund Accounting
Audit & Legal Fees
Exit Load Early Redemption Charges
SEBI Capped

Max permissible loads based on redemption tenure.

Yr 1: Max 3%
Yr 2: Max 2%
Yr 3: Max 1%
Upfront Fees Entry Load / Setup Fees
PROHIBITED

No upfront charges allowed directly or indirectly.

Zero Entry Load
Direct Onboarding is Free
All fee disclosures follow SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations.
Risk Intelligence

Risk Matrix

Market & Systemic

GDP shifts, interest rates, and geopolitical volatility.

Concentration

Heavy exposure to single stocks or specific sectors.

Liquidity

High impact costs and depth issues in Mid/Small-caps.

Operational

System failures, cyber threats, and human error.

Counterparty

Broker/Custodian default or settlement failures.

Regulatory/Tax

Changes in SEBI norms or LTCG/STCG tax laws.

Mitigation Safeguards:
Diversification Exposure Limits Liquidity Bands Annual Audits
Investor Protection

Grievance Redressal

Internal Matrix

Resolution Mechanism

We are committed to resolving investor queries within a specified turnaround time. Our structured process ensures your concerns are handled with priority.

1
Relationship Manager

Your primary point of contact for operational and account-related assistance.

2
Compliance Officer

Escalation for unresolved grievances. Direct email access for formal compliance-related complaints.

External Redressal

SEBI SCORES Portal

If your grievance remains unaddressed by the Portfolio Manager, you may lodge a complaint with SEBI through their centralized web-based system.

Lodge Complaint via SCORES

Access the SEBI Complaints Redress System (SCORES) for a transparent and time-bound resolution of your concerns.

Visit SCORES Website
Prospecting to Exit

End-to-End PMS Lifecycle

Phase I: Onboarding & Suitability
01

Discovery

Needs Analysis

02

Disclosures

DD & MITC Provision

03

KYC & Risk

AML & Profiling

04

Suitability

IPS & Strategy

05

Agreements

Contract & PoA

Phase II: Execution & Operations
06

Setup

Bank & Demat

07

Funding

≥INR 50 Lakhs

08

Execution

Trade Placement

09

Allocation

Trade Settlement

10

Reporting

Quarterly Statements

Phase III: Monitoring & Settlement
11

Performance

HWM & Hurdle

12

Monitoring

Rebalancing

13

Exit

Withdrawal Request

14

Settlement

Final Audit & Transfer

Knowledge Hub

FAQ & Glossary

Is there a lock-in period?

No regulatory lock-in period exists for PMS. Exit Loads (3%, 2%, 1%) apply for early redemption within 3 years.

How are returns reported?

Manager performance uses TWRR, while individual account returns are reported via XIRR.

Can NRIs invest in PMS?

Yes, NRIs can invest subject to RBI/FEMA guidelines. A PIS (Portfolio Investment Scheme) account is typically required.

Are there upfront fees?

No. SEBI regulations strictly prohibit Portfolio Managers from charging any upfront fees or entry loads, directly or indirectly.

PMS

Customized professional management of a segregated portfolio of securities.

AUM

Assets Under Management. Total market value of all assets managed by the PM.

TWRR

Time-Weighted Return. Eliminates the distortion of investor cash flows.

XIRR

Actual return considering the specific timing of all inflows and outflows.

HWM

High Water Mark. Performance fees only on new profits above the peak value.

Hurdle Rate

The minimum threshold return required before performance fees are charged.

MITC

Most Important Terms and Conditions. A summary of fees, risks, and terms.

SCORES

SEBI’s centralized online platform for tracking investor complaints.

ODR

Online Dispute Resolution. Digital conciliation and arbitration (SMART ODR).

Fiduciary Duty

The legal obligation of the PM to act solely in the client’s best interest.

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