India's asset management industry is positioned for significant expansion, with mutual fund companies expected to adopt diverse business models as the market matures. According to reports from NDTV Profit Ignite 2026, Dinshaw Irani, CEO and MD of Helios India, projected that asset management could become a $1 trillion space in India in the coming years. Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, emphasized that India did not need to follow a single model of asset management, stating that the country would likely see multiple types of AMCs emerge as the market expands. The latest developments show Sandeep Tandon, Founder and CIO of Quant Mutual Fund, expressing hope that the worst is over for investors, noting that the market looks better now than it did two years ago after a challenging period for India.
Fund managers highlighted important differences between mutual fund investing and individual stock selection. As reported by NDTV Profit Ignite 2026, Irani drew a distinction between investing through mutual funds and buying individual stocks, noting that while the principle of 'buy right, sit tight' can work in mutual funds, it may not work as well for individual stocks due to businesses and market conditions changing quickly. Vikas Khemani, founder and CIO of Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors, emphasized that an investor's job was to identify stocks that could outperform the broader market and pushed back against narratives suggesting consumption in India was slowing, calling it 'far from truth'. The latest conversations revealed that Khemani highlighted that consumption is not slowing down, however, new age players are doing well, indicating a shift in market dynamics.
On market valuations, industry leaders acknowledged the presence of froth while offering practical investment guidance. According to NDTV Profit Ignite 2026, Khemani acknowledged that froth would always exist but emphasized that investors needed to learn to maneuver through it. He offered a simple response when asked about market timing: 'Jab aapke paas ho' - when you have it. The latest discussions featured Vijay Kedia believing the worst is over for stock markets, advising investors to remain patient and emphasizing that people made huge returns between 2022-24 now excess returns are averaging out. Raamdeo Agrawal added that you need patience and noted that 'The best time to invest was in 1991. The second-best time is now'.
Industry leaders highlighted improvements in corporate governance standards and recognized innovative developments in the mutual fund sector. As reported by NDTV Profit Ignite 2026, Gupta described SIPs as one of the most innovative ideas in the mutual fund industry and noted that corporate governance standards had improved meaningfully. She also emphasized that smaller players were now challenging established incumbents in the market, indicating increased competition and innovation in the asset management space. The latest event featured Radhika Gupta explaining that the wind has changed when it comes to AMCs in the Indian market and highlighting that the narrative around smallcaps needs to change.
