Jio BlackRock Asset Management has made its formal entry into India’s fast-emerging Specialised Investment Fund (SIF) segment with the launch of the Prism Hybrid Long-Short Fund, its first offering under the new regulatory framework created by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The new fund offer opened on June 29 and will remain available for subscription until July 13, marking a significant expansion for the joint venture between Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Financial Services and BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. SIFs, introduced by SEBI in late 2024 and operationalised in 2025, are designed to bridge the gap between traditional mutual funds and portfolio management services, targeting more sophisticated investors with a minimum investment threshold of ₹10 lakh.
Unlike conventional mutual funds, SIFs can deploy derivative-based strategies, giving fund managers greater flexibility to navigate volatile markets. Jio BlackRock’s Prism fund uses a hybrid long-short structure, combining long equity positions with limited short exposure through derivatives, alongside debt and alternative opportunities such as merger arbitrage, collars, REITs and InvITs. The strategy aims to generate long-term capital appreciation while reducing portfolio volatility and cushioning drawdowns during market stress. The fund also offers twice-weekly redemption windows, positioning it as a relatively liquid option within the alternative investment universe.
The launch comes at a time when Indian equities have delivered uneven returns amid geopolitical tensions, sticky inflation concerns and broad market volatility. According to industry data, hybrid long-short strategies now account for over 70% of total SIF assets under management, with industry AUM reaching ₹13,813 crore by the end of May 2026. Jio BlackRock believes this category could attract investors seeking steadier, risk-adjusted returns in the 9–11% range without taking full equity-like risk. The firm’s push into SIFs also aligns with its broader growth plans, including expansion of its mutual fund lineup and an upcoming entry into GIFT City, where it plans to launch both inbound and outbound investment products for global and India-focused investors