Guides
Guides for mutual fund distributors
Short, sourced answers to the questions distributors and their clients ask. Every figure has its source and date.
All guides
Research · MFD census
How many mutual fund distributors are there in India?2,07,273 ARNs were active on 23 October 2026. A state-by-state and city-by-city count of India's mutual fund distributors from AMFI's public register, with the data to download.
Guide · Fund categories
SEBI's equity fund categories, and the rule each one must keepLarge cap, mid cap, small cap, multi cap, flexi cap, ELSS, focused and more: what SEBI's categorisation rules require of each equity mutual fund, how large, mid and small cap are defined, and how to check a fund.
Guide · Costs
Regular vs Direct plans: what the difference costs over 10 and 20 yearsThe Regular and Direct plans of a mutual fund hold the same portfolio; only the expense ratio differs. Worked examples of what a 0.5% to 1% gap costs over 10 and 20 years, and how to explain it to a client.
Guide · Compliance
What a mutual fund distributor can and can't post on social mediaAMFI and SEBI rules for MFD posts on WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube: education only, no scheme or fund house names, no promised returns, no adviser titles, no freebies, and the SEBI risk line.