Archives 2026

Ashika Group Secures SEBI’s In-Principle Approval to Launch Mutual Funds in India

Hyderabad, jan 1:- Ashika Group today announced that it has received in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to act sponsor and set up Ashika Mutual fund, marking a significant strategic milestone in its growth journey. This approval reinforces the Group’s long-standing commitment to building institution-led, research-driven financial platforms and further strengthens its position in India’s rapidly expanding asset management landscape.​

This significant regulatory milestone allows the company to proceed with establishing an Asset Management Company  and preparing for the launch of the mutual fund schemes, subject to fulfilling SEBI’s final registration requirements and conditions.

The approval is a decisive step towards Ashika’s vision of creating a future-ready asset management ecosystem anchored in disciplined investing, robust governance, and long-term wealth creation.

Ashika Group’s foray into mutual funds builds on its extensive experience across capital markets and financial services, including retail & Institutional broking, investment banking, research advisory, global family office services, Alternative Asset Management and Private Equity. The proposed fund house aims to offer a thoughtfully curated range of investment schemes tailored to diverse investor needs, supported by strong research capabilities, disciplined risk management, and a governance-first approach.​

Commenting on the development, Pawan Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Ashika Group, said

 “We are honoured to receive SEBI’s in-principle approval, which marks an important institutional milestone for Ashika Group and reinforces our long-standing belief in building enduring, governance-led financial platforms. The launch of Ashika Mutual Fund is a natural extension of our vision to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving asset management ecosystem. As sponsors, our responsibility goes beyond performance  it is about creating a culture anchored in strong research, prudent risk management, and unwavering accountability, with the singular objective of delivering sustainable, long-term value for investors.”​

IFFCO Launches ‘Dharamrut’ to Promote Sustainable Agriculture at Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference in Bengaluru

Bengaluru,  Jan 01: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) today launched Dharamrut, a natural botanical seaweed extract enriched with Amino Acids and Alginic Acids, at the Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference held at Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad International Auditorium, GKVK, Bengaluru. The product launch marks a significant step in IFFCO’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural practices.

The conference witnessed participation from nearly 2,000 farmers and cooperators from across Karnataka. In addition, the event was live telecast simultaneously across all districts of the state, enabling extensive outreach to the wider farming community. The programme focused on strengthening cooperative values while promoting the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies.

The event was graced by Shri Dileep Sanghani, Chairman, IFFCO, and Shri K. J. Patel, Managing Director, IFFCO, along with senior officials, cooperative leaders, and agricultural experts.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Dileep Sanghani highlighted the pivotal role played by cooperatives in India’s agricultural transformation.

“Cooperatives have been the backbone of India’s agricultural growth for decades. By continuously introducing farmer-centric innovations and strengthening cooperative institutions, we are enabling farmers to improve productivity while safeguarding soil health and sustainability,” he said.

He further added that initiatives like the Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference provide a valuable platform to directly engage with farmers, understand their evolving needs, and collectively work towards a resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri K. J. Patel, Managing Director, IFFCO, emphasized IFFCO’s focus on innovation-led and sustainable farming solutions.

“The launch of Dharamrut reflects IFFCO’s commitment to combining scientific advancement with natural, bio-based solutions. Products enriched with Amino Acids and Alginic Acids help improve nutrient efficiency, crop vigor, and overall farm performance,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of integrating modern technologies with natural inputs.

“By integrating Nano Fertilizers with botanical inputs like Dharamrut, farmers can achieve better yields with optimized input costs, while also improving soil health. This balanced approach is essential for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture,” he added. 

Dharamrut is a natural seaweed-based botanical extract formulated to enhance nutrient absorption, stimulate root and shoot development, and improve overall crop vigor. The product also supports long-term soil health and enhances crop resilience against environmental stress, making it well-suited for sustainable agricultural practices.

The launch of Dharamrut complements IFFCO’s existing portfolio of Nano Fertilizers and advanced bio-based agricultural inputs, reinforcing its farmer-first innovation strategy. Through such initiatives, IFFCO continues to enable farmers to achieve higher productivity while maintaining environmental responsibility.

The Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperatives, encouraging technology adoption, and building a future-ready, resilient agricultural sector for the nation.

Abakkus Mutual Fund raises INR 2,468 cr during NFO period of its maiden fund

Mumbai, Jan 1, 2026: Abakkus Mutual Fund has cited that the new fund offer (NFO) of their maiden fund – Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund, which opened on December 8, 2025 and closed on December 22, 2025, secured assets under management (AUM) with the subscription value of ₹2,468 crores. This is a reflection of strong interest from investors across the country, recording participation from nearly 5,518 pin codes from across 2,000 cities. About 36,688 retail and 1,060 institutional investors subscribed the flexi cap fund during the NFO period. To bring investment inclusivity and business scalability, Abakkus Mutual Fund has built an extensive network of 4,700 empanelled distributors.

Vaiibhavv Chugh, Chief Executive Officer, Abakkus Investment Managers Private Limited said, “Favourable reception from investors across the country for our maiden fund is a testament of strong brand capital of Abakkus Group and trust built through prudent advisory offered by our sales team & distributors during the NFO period of Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund. Our portfolio construction is true to label flexi cap product with diverse spread across market cap classifications and appropriate allocation to the conviction ideas. We will be aiming to launch more funds in the coming years.”

The Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund is managed by Sanjay Doshi, Head of Investments and Research, and re-opened for investments from December 30 2025, available in both regular and direct plans.

Sanjay Doshi, Head of Investments & Research, Abakkus AMC said, “Our flexi cap fund will be aligned to market conditions offering right balance of allocation across large, mid and small caps. The fund will have notable allocation to conviction ideas and will be supported by a well-defined risk management framework aligned to long term wealth creation.”

The equity scheme invests across large, mid and small cap stocks, offering portfolio flexibility across market capitalisations. The fund is benchmarked against the BSE 500 TRI and will invest a minimum of 65 percent of its assets in equities and equity-related instruments, with the balance allocated to debt, money market instruments, and up to 10 percent in REITs and InvITs.

All schemes under Abakkus Mutual Fund will follow the in-house MEETS framework, which focuses on Management pedigree and track record, Earnings quality and the ability of companies to multiply profits, Events/Trends that affect or disrupt operations, Timing of investment at reasonable pricing and Structural aspects like size of the opportunity and competitive positioning.