SEBI, India’s market regulator, released a consultation paper on March 24, 2026 proposing something genuinely exciting, Mutual Fund Gift Cards, also called Gift PPIs (Prepaid Payment Instruments). The idea is beautifully simple: instead of gifting someone a shopping voucher, you gift them an investment. And here is what is interesting, Sushant Akar, Certified Financial Planner and founder & partner of The Stotram Moneymart, has been championing this exact philosophy for years.
What Is a Mutual Fund Gift Card?
A Gift PPI works like a prepaid gift card – but instead of spending it at a store, the recipient uses it to invest in a mutual fund of their choice.
Here is exactly how it works, step by step:
- Step 1: The purchaser buys a Gift Card either physically or online, by paying through a bank account or UPI. The card value cannot exceed Rs 10,000 and cannot be reloaded.
- Step 2: The purchaser shares the Gift Card with the intended recipient, a family member, friend, or a young first-time earner.
- Step 3: The recipient claims ownership of the card and uses it on the AMC’s website to invest in a mutual fund scheme of their choice.
- Step 4: The full value of the card must be invested, no partial use, no leftover balance.
- Step 5: Any returns or redemption proceeds go directly to the recipient’s own registered bank account. Nobody else can touch it.
The purchaser can suggest a preferred fund scheme, but it is not binding on the recipient the final decision always belongs to the investor. If the recipient wants guidance, they can also take help from a registered mutual fund distributor like The Stotram Moneymart.
Key Safeguards SEBI Has Built In
SEBI has proposed a clean, well-protected framework:
- Rs 10,000 cap – keeps it appropriate for gifting, prevents misuse
- One-year validity – if unclaimed, the full amount is refunded to the purchaser’s verified bank account
- Rs 50,000 annual limit – falls under the existing e-wallet investment cap per AMC per financial year
- Only bank transfer or UPI – credit cards, cashbacks, and promotional credits are not allowed
- Third Party Validation (TPV) – the RTA verifies that the registered owner of the card and the folio investor are the same person before any transaction is processed
- No fees for the recipient – issuance costs are borne entirely by the AMC
- Full transparency – AMCs must clearly disclose validity, refund conditions, and grievance redressal details
What Sushant Akar and The Stotram Moneymart Bring to This
This SEBI initiative is about bringing more Indians into investing through trust, relationships, and a simple nudge. That is precisely what Sushant Akar has been doing since 2016.
After nearly two decades in capital markets, starting with Indiabulls Securities in 2005 and going on to work with Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC and L&T Asset Management, Sushant founded The Stotram Moneymart in Jaipur with one clear mission: financial inclusion for ordinary families, not just the wealthy few.
His belief is simple: every individual is unique, so every financial plan should be too. Whether it is a SIP for a young professional, an SWP for a retiree, a goal plan for a child’s education, or now, a mutual fund gift card for someone you care about the approach is always personalised and goal-driven.
The Stotram Moneymart & its Partner Sushant Akar, offering Mutual Funds, SIF (Specialized Investment Fund), PMS/AIF, NPS, Life & Health Insurance, Loan against Securities, and complete Investment Assistance.
The Bottom Line
SEBI’s Gift Card proposal is a small idea with a large impact, it makes investing as easy as gifting. If you want to introduce someone you care about to the world of mutual funds, or start your own investment journey with guidance you can trust, reach out today.
thestotrammoneymart@gmail.com 🌐 mutualfundsdekho.com 📍 D-36, Saket Colony, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur – 302004
Disclaimer: Mr Sushant Akar is Partner of The Stotram MoneyMart. The Stotram MoneyMart is a AMFI Register Mutual Fund & SIF distributor. ARN-347083,ARN valid till 01ts Dec 2029 & SIF Valid till 03rd Dec 2029. For complete disclaimer, bio & information click on https://mutualfundsdekho.com/bio
