Lately I’ve been getting this odd feeling that Indian markets are becoming less friendly for smaller investors, even the serious ones.
First it was complex products being pushed quietly. Now with things like **SIFs having a ₹10L minimum**, it feels like the line is being drawn more on *how much money you have* rather than *how well you understand risk*.
Not everyone with under ₹10L is reckless.
And not everyone above ₹10L is disciplined or informed.
A lot of people I know invest carefully, read annual reports, avoid leverage — but still won’t put ₹10L into a single instrument. That doesn’t make them “unsophisticated”.
I get the argument about protecting retail investors, but sometimes it feels like:
risk is being used as an excuse
while access is quietly being restricted
Markets are supposed to reward knowledge, patience and discipline — not just ticket size.
Maybe I’m overthinking it, but curious:
Do you think higher minimums actually protect investors?
Or are we slowly normalising a market that’s only meant for high capital participants?
Would love to hear how others see this.