India@100 – From Freedom to Financial Powerhouse, Together

The Freedom Parallel

This week, India celebrated its 79th Independence Day — a reminder of how far we’ve come since 1947, when our GDP stood at around $20 billion, less than the market cap of a single large-cap stock today. The nation was young, its economy fragile, but its ambition — boundless.

Today, we are a $4 trillion economy, among the world’s top five, home to over 100 unicorns, a thriving startup ecosystem, and deepening capital markets.

The Journie from political freedom to economic force is more than a historical arc — it’s a masterclass in long-term compounding. We owe this progress to the forces, farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, and nation-builders who have shaped and continue to shape our India.

With 2047 marking our 100th year of freedom, the next 21 years promise to be a defining chapter in India’s growth story.

The Golden Tailwinds to 2047

As we look ahead to India’s 100th year of independence, the next phase of our Journie is powered by tailwinds few large economies can match:
  • Demographic Dividend: By 2040, we will still have one of the youngest, most productive workforces globally, fueling both innovation and consumption.

  • Manufacturing & Financial Hubs: PLI schemes, GIFT City, and supply-chain diversification are positioning India as a global manufacturing and financial centre.

  • Digital Scale: From UPI to ONDC, India’s tech stack is driving efficiency and inclusion at a pace few nations can match.

  • Domestic Capital Strength: Indian households are becoming the backbone of market resilience, reducing dependence on foreign flows.

The Compounding Perspective

Just as independence was won through persistence and belief, financial independence is achieved by staying the course. The numbers tell the story:

  • In 1991, the BSE Sensex hovered near 1,000 points.

  • Today, it’s above 75,000 — a ~13% CAGR over three decades, achieved despite wars, crises, and political shifts.

  • Extend that discipline to 2047, and even conservative compounding could see indices multiply several times over.

The Global Lens

Other nations — from the US after WWII to China post-1978 economic reforms — saw explosive growth when structural reforms met favourable demographics.

India now stands at a similar inflection point, with democracy, demographics, and digital convergence creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

India at 2047

As we reflect on our 79th Independence Day, we’re reminded that freedom was hard-won and preserved through discipline. The same applies to financial freedom.

When we stand at India@100, your portfolio will tell the story of a nation that converted its economic rise into enduring prosperity.

Independence gave us the right to dream.

Disciplined investing gives us the means to live those dreams.

Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳

Disclaimer: This update is for informational purposes only. Please consult a SEBI-registered advisor before investing.

Recent Blogs

The Silent Drain: When Smart Cash Management Triggers a Tax Surprise

The treasury team has one simple brief: “Don’t let that cash sit idle.”

So, the company parks surplus liquidity into low-risk corporate cash alternatives — liquid funds, overnight and ultra-short debt funds, short-term debt funds.

Low risk. Decent yield. Smart move.

Until the GST review.

An unexpected line item appears on the reconciliation sheet.

The finance head frowns: “How did managing our own cash turn into a tax adjustment?”

The answer lies in a rarely discussed GST provision that turns an otherwise smart treasury move into a hidden cost.

This week’s Shot uncovers a silent drain on corporate returns — one that hides in plain sight.

Across industries, companies flush with surplus cash turn to debt mutual funds for steady returns. But beneath the surface, a little-known GST provision — the ‘deemed exempt supply’ rule — can quietly eat into those gains.

This rule values mutual fund redemptions at 1% for tax purposes, triggering a proportionate reversal of input tax credit (ITC) on certain expenses.

We break down how it works, why even seasoned CFOs miss it, and how to structure treasury moves without sacrificing valuable credits.

The Case of a Healthcare Company

Recently, a large healthcare manufacturer approached the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) with what they thought was a routine question:

We pay GST on services like accounting, legal, and compliance support. Some of these help us with our mutual fund transactions. Can we claim ITC on them?”

The answer from the AAR? No ITC on those inputs for the investment activity, and a proportionate reversal was required for the common input services used across the business.

Why the Law Says No — Without the Legalese

  • Business vs Treasury: Your core operations are taxable supplies — ITC applies. Parking surplus in mutual funds is a capital allocation move, not a taxable supply “in furtherance of business.”
  • Securities = Exempt: Under GST, mutual fund units are treated as securities, outside the scope of taxable goods/services, and classed as exempt supplies.
  • The 1% Rule:  GST rules deem 1% of the redemption value as exempt turnover — not 1% of the gain, but 1% of the full sale value.
  • Proportionate Reversal: Once exempt supply exists, Rule 42 and Section 17 require proportionate ITC reversal on shared inputs.

Put simply: treasury investments are not taxable supplies; GST treats a small fraction (1%) as exempt for valuation — and that fraction forces a slice of your ITC to be given up.

How the 1% Deemed Exempt Supply Affects ITC — An Example

ITC Reversal = Value of Exempt Supply/Total Turnover × Total ITC

Say:

  • Redemption Value of Mutual Fund Units = ₹15 crore
  • Total Turnover of Business = ₹150 crore (including all taxable and exempt sales)
  • Total ITC* available = ₹10 lakh

Calculate:

  • Value of Exempt Supply = 1% × ₹15 crore = ₹15 lakh
  • Ratio = ₹15 lakh / ₹150 crore = 0.01 (or 1%)
  • ITC Reversal= 0.01 × ₹10 lakh = ₹10,000

* Under GST, any service costs tied directly to investment activity — such as accounting, advisory, or legal — are ineligible for ITC

Why Corporates Miss This

In practice, treasury teams focus on ROI and liquidity — not the nuances of GST reversals. Tax teams may not be involved in investment choices.

The 1% deemed value rule is buried deep in legislation, and the reversal often appears as a minor reconciliation item, surfacing only during audits.

At a Glance: The Rulebook

Provision

What It Does

Section 17(2)

No ITC on inputs for exempt supplies

Section 17(3)

Treats securities as exempt

Rule 42

Requires proportional ITC reversal

Rule 45(2)(b)

Deems 1% of mutual fund value as exempt for ITC purposes

Treasury Moves to Stay Ahead

  • Integrate Tax & Treasury: Loop tax, GST, and compliance teams into treasury policy decisions.
  • Track & Accrue: Regularly compute and accrue ITC reversals tied to treasury investments to avoid surprises at period-end.
  • Evaluate Net Yield: When choosing between inflows (overnight funds, ultra-short, short-term debt), compare net yield after ITC reversal — not just headline yield.
  • Document Usage: Maintain records linking which input services support treasury activity (time sheets, internal memos, invoices).
  • Consider Alternatives: If ITC erosion is meaningful, explore cash tools or structures with better GST treatment.
  • Periodic Review: Build ITC reversal checks into internal audits and GST compliance reviews.
The Bottom Line

Idle cash can earn you extra returns.

But if you’re not factoring in GST reversals, your real yield could be lower than you think. In treasury management, the smartest move isn’t just chasing returns — it’s protecting the credits that sustain them.

Because in corporate finance, what you keep matters as much as what you earn. And sometimes, keeping more starts with looking closer at the fine print.

Disclaimer: This update is for informational purposes only. Please consult a SEBI-registered advisor before investing.

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Income Plus Arbitrage FoF - A Quite Revolution in Low-Risk Investing

Welcome to this week’s shot from Journie.

Before we dive in, thank you for the love and support you have shown to Sunday Shots. Your trust inspires us to keep finance thoughtful and human.

And as Operation Sindoor continues, we pause to salute those who serve —men and women in uniform who stand tall, so we can stand free.

The Silent Shift

Not long ago, conservative investors had a simple formula:

Fixed Deposits (FDs) or Debt Mutual Funds for capital safety — and the occasional equity mutual fund for a growth kicker. But the rules of the game have changed.

Since April 2023, a subtle shift has been unfolding. Fund houses have been quietly launching a new breed of funds – Income Plus Arbitrage Fund of Funds (FoFs). 

But, why the sudden buzz? Let’s walk you through the story.

The Tax Domino Effect

Imagine you’re an investor who parked ₹10 lakh in a traditional debt mutual fund, aiming for stable returns and lower taxes after 3 years. Until recently,

that plan made tax sense — thanks to the long-term capital gains (LTCG) benefit with indexation. But the 2023 Finance Bill rewrote the rules.

Now, for investments made after April 1, 2023, all gains from debt mutual funds — whether held for 3 days or 3 years, are taxed at your income slab rate, and indexation benefits are gone. Debt funds no longer enjoy their historical tax edge.

In contrast, arbitrage funds—while carrying debt-like risk—are structured as equity, and still benefit from favorable equity taxation:

    • 20% for short-term gains (held < 1 year)
    • 12.5% for long-term gains (held > 1 year, gains above ₹1.25 lakh)

Fund houses saw an opportunity: What if you could blend arbitrage returns with the stability of income assets—and still retain equity-style taxation?

Enter: Income Plus Arbitrage Fund of Funds.

What Is This Fund?

At its core, it’s a basket fund that invests primarily in:
  • Arbitrage funds (to maintain equity exposure for equity taxation)
  • Short-term debt, overnight, and income funds (to enhance liquidity and cushion volatility)
    • The result is a product that behaves like a low-volatility debt fund, but gets taxed like an equity fund. And because this is a Fund of Funds, it doesn’t invest directly in securities — it invests in handpicked mutual funds, across both these strategies, dynamically rebalanced by expert managers to reflect evolving conditions.

    A Strategy That Shields and Seeks

    In every market cycle, there’s a space between panic and potential. This is where this fund operates – silently, efficiently.
  • Hedged arbitrage positions neutralize equity swings
  • Short-duration debt exposure reduces interest rate and credit risks
  • FoF structure adds diversification across top-performing schemes
  • Tactical rebalancing keeps the fund nimble, not reactive

    • Tax Efficiency: The Real Game-Changer

    A well-built fund should do more than grow — it should endure. Here’s how it stacks up against traditional choices:

    image-3

    *Estimated for a 30% tax bracket; subject to market volatility.

    Income Plus Arbitrage FOFs delivers upto 6.3%, post-tax annualised returns, depending on market volatility and fund efficiency.

    Compare that with FDs at ~4.6%–4.9% annualized returns (post-tax) —and the edge becomes clear, especially when you factor in tax efficiency:

    So, What’s the Catch?

  • Returns Are Not Fixed – Unlike FDs, these funds don’t guarantee returns. Arbitrage spreads can compress in volatile or low-liquidity markets.
  • Short-Term Performance May Vary – If redeemed within 2 year, gains are taxed at slab rate, and market timing may affect returns slightly.
  • Fund Manager Execution – Returns depend on the manager ’s ability to balance arbitrage and income fund exposure efficiently.

    • Who Should Consider This?

    It ’s designed for investors who prefer measured movement over market fluctuation:
  • Those seeking low-volatility, post-tax-efficient returns
  • Portfolios needing a buffer without compromising growth
  • Investors with a 2–3 year horizon and moderate risk appetite
  • Comfortable with market-linked returns but prefer stability over high growth
    • Final Thoughts: The Portfolio Peacekeeper

    In a world where tax rules shift , and safe instruments struggle to beat inflation, innovation matters.

    Income Plus Arbitrage FoFs are not magic bullets—but they are smart, tax-efficient vehicles in the new investment landscape.

    If you want the stability of debt with a tax twist, these FoFs might just be worth a closer look. It may not be the hero of your portfolio. But it might just be the reason your portfolio sleeps better at night

    “The best investment strategies don’t chase—they position”

    Disclaimer: This update is for informational purposes only. Please consult a SEBI-registered advisor before investing.

    Recent Blogs

    The Nifty Illusion: Why Index Investing Is More Than Just Nifty or Sensex

    A growing number of investors are embracing index investing — but for many, it begins and ends with the Nifty 50 or Sensex Index Fund.

    This has become a popular trend in recent years, driven by branding, the illusion of safety, sheer familiarity and the social media influencers.

    But this belief is not only limiting, it may seriously hamper long-term wealth creation and risk diversification.

    Let’s debunk the myth in this week’s Sunday Shots — that “index investing = Nifty/Sensex” — with hard data, and provide a more nuanced understanding of Indian indices and efficient investing strategies.

    What Is an Index? Understanding the Foundation

    An index is simply a basket of securities grouped together by a shared trait.

    In India, we have over 100 equity indices, with themes spanning across:

      • Market-cap based: Nifty 50, Nifty Midcap 150, Nifty Smallcap 250
      • Sectoral: Nifty IT, Nifty FMCG, Nifty Bank
      • Thematic: Nifty India Consumption, Nifty ESG, Nifty Infrastructure
      • Factor-based: Nifty Low Volatility 30, Nifty Alpha 50, Nifty Quality 30
      • Strategy indices: Equal Weight, Dividend Yield, GARP, etc.

    Each index is designed to serve a different purpose or capture a distinct market segment.

    ❝ Sticking only to the Nifty or Sensex is like owning just one ingredient in a vast kitchen — you are missing out on the richness and balance that true diversification brings. ❞

    The Illusion of Safety: Why Nifty/Sensex Is Not Truly Diversified

    Nifty 50 and Sensex represent the largest blue-chip companies, but they are heavily concentrated in a few sectors and companies:

      • Financials and conglomerates dominate, leaving you exposed to cyclical downturns
      • 60–70% of the index is driven by just 10 names, mostly in BFSI, Energy, and Tech, definitely it does not make it bad, but just too concentrated
      • It’s market-cap weighted (Free Float) — meaning overvalued stocks can become even more dominant
      • There’s very little sectoral diversification — manufacturing, digital innovation, and consumer segments are underrepresented
      • In volatile phases, it becomes top heavy — often tracking momentum more than strength

    Each index is designed to serve a different purpose or capture a distinct market segment.

    The result? You’re not really buying broader India’s growth story. You’re just buying its biggest stocks — on autopilot.

    The Data Tells the Real Story

    To ensure a fair comparison, we analyzed funds from a few larger AMC’s in the same large-cap and hybrid/balanced categories (which are inherently less volatile) with UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund (The oldest Index fund in India) for the last 20 years (May 2005- June 2025) — and the outcome led us to write this week’s Sunday Shot.

    Even funds with hybrid allocation or balanced advantage — like ICICI Equity & Debt or HDFC BAF — delivered better 5-year performance than Nifty 50, with far lower downside.

    The myth that lower equity means lower returns simply doesn’t hold. And all other major large cap funds were able to beat UTI Nifty 50 Index fund with decent margins.

    Despite being “just” a hybrid or large-cap strategy, ICICI Pru Equity & Debt not only delivered higher average returns, but also cushioned downside better than the Nifty 50.

    HDFC BAF, while more conservative, managed to cut drawdowns by more than half, and also the outperformance of the other active Large-Cap funds continued even in the shorter time frame, with technically similar drawdowns.

    But the real results revealed when the period was cut down to 1 year rolling performance.

    In the short term, volatility spares no one — but surprisingly Nifty 50 shows the highest drawdowns, compared to any other active large cap fund, and a few funds like DSP and HDFC Large caps showed 10% lesser drawdown as compared to Nifty 50 Index Fund.

    In deep market crashes like 2011 or choppy phases like 2022, the active Large-caps and Hybrids did much better as compared to a Nifty Index Fund.

    And even in bullish years like 2014, 2017, 2023 the out performance of the Active Funds is visible.

    The Opportunity We’re Ignoring

    Despite all the hype and marketing around the Nifty 50, the data tells a quieter truth:

    Strategic allocation across broader indices — hybrid, factor-based, sectoral, or even active large-cap — hasn’t just delivered more wealth.
    It’s delivered smoother, less nerve-wracking journeys.

    You wouldn’t bet your future on a single stock.
    So why bet it all on a single index?

    Why This Matters for Wealth Creation

    Index investing is a great foundation, but not a full wealth-building strategy.

    Building real wealth requires indexing across themes, factors, and even balanced mandates. Static Nifty/Sensex investing may underperform and expose you to similar equity risks, but doesn’t account for risk adjusted returns completely.

    The data proves: No one index fund is always the best performer. Diversification—across styles, factors, assets and time—is the real secret.

    The Bottom Line: Rethinking “Safe” Index Investing​

    The myth that “index means Nifty/Sensex” limits your long-term potential and leaves risk unaddressed.

    India’s markets are full of indices and funds that let you diversify easily — sectoral, thematic, balanced, and factor-based.

    Optimal wealth creation comes from a smart blend of indices, not blind faith in the headlines.

    Stop following the crowd. Start building your own winning, diversified index portfolio. The numbers, and your future self — will thank you.

    Index investing isn’t about comfort — it’s rooted in clarity. Build wealth with strategy, not trends.

    Until Next Sunday!

    Disclaimer: This update is for informational purposes only. Please consult a SEBI-registered advisor before investing.

    Recent Blogs

    The Optional Life: Structuring Income, Not Stepping Back

    What happens when wealth is no longer the goal — but the tool?

    Each week, we decode funds, market shifts, and macro events.
    But this Sunday, we’re answering a recurring question from many of our investors — especially those who are no longer working for money, but letting their money work for them:

    “Do we still need a retirement plan? Isn’t retirement… for someone else?”

    For today’s CXOs, founders, and HNIs — retirement isn’t about stopping. It’s about simplifying. Not a finish line, but a format shift. Not stepping back, but stepping into a more intentional phase of life. So, this week, we’re laying out what it means to build a life beyond active income — not for limitation, but for liquidity, access, and peace of mind.

    Let’s dive in.

    Rethinking Retirement

    Retirement isn’t a pause — it’s a personal operating system shift.

    For the wealth-first generation — those who’ve spent decades building companies, closing deals, and scaling success — the next chapter isn’t defined by slowing down.It’s defined by choice.

    “What does a well-structured life look like when work is optional?”

    What Changes When You Have Wealth?

    Many affluent individuals today hold significant net worth — ₹25 Cr+, ₹50 Cr+, or more.
    But is it monthly-income ready?

    That’s where the real shift begins. Once active income slows, your wealth needs to:

    ✅ Replace cash flow — without forcing illiquid moves

    ✅ Adapt to new needs — global access, legacy, lifestyle upgrades

    ✅ Protect downside — because now, preservation matters as much as growth

    The good news? Structuring for all three is possible. But it doesn’t happen by default. It needs design.

    Wealth ≠ Income

    We often meet investors who are:

  • Highly diversified, but not income-ready
  • Illiquid or concentrated in startups, PE, or real estate
  • Earning strong returns on paper — but without predictable drawdowns
  • Without mapped plans for contingencies, liquidity, or succession

    • This is where structure beats size. Not just assets — but access, control, and clarity.

    Building Your Income Engine

    Think of it like a personal operating system — not just a portfolio. A well-structured income plan could include:

  • Core income – SWPs, annuities, rentals, dividends
  • Liquidity – 12–18 months of lifestyle expenses in safe, visible assets
  • Growth – Equities and alternatives, staggered for future drawdowns
  • Contingency – Healthcare, family needs, buffers
  • Legacy – Wills, nominations, intergenerational clarity

    • It’s not about complexity. It’s about clarity, purpose, and alignment.

    The Silent Risk: Timing Matters

    Even strong portfolios can falter if withdrawals begin during market downturns — a phenomenon called sequence risk.

    Which is why a strong retirement-income framework must balance:

    Stability

    Tax Efficiency

    Inflation Protection

    Withdrawal Control

    From Wealth-Building to Life-Design

    The old script went: work → save → retire. Today’s wealth-holders are writing a different story.

    After decades of building businesses, managing capital, and scaling impact, the lens begins to shift:

    🔹 From capital creation → to cashflow design
    🔹 From performance → to purpose
    🔹 From 24/7 hustle → to the optional life

    Full retirement may never be the goal.
    But a life by design — with time, flexibility, and freedom — absolutely is.

    Final Thought

    Wealth is a business in itself. It deserves the same strategic oversight you give your company.

    You wouldn’t run your business without dashboards or visibility. The same applies to your capital.

    At this stage, the priority shifts from growth → to clarity, liquidity, and peace of mind.

    The optional life isn’t about stepping away. It’s about stepping into alignment — with a strategy that quietly funds your next chapter.

    You’ve built the wealth. Now let it work — for the life you choose to live.

    Disclaimer: This update is for informational purposes only. Please consult a SEBI-registered advisor before investing.

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