🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📌 The Question:

With reference to investments, consider the following:
I. Bonds
II. Hedge Funds
III. Stocks
IV. Venture Capital

How many of the above are treated as Alternative Investment Funds?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

✅ Correct Answer: (b) Only two

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🧠 Curiosity Raiser

Why would serious investors go beyond stocks and bonds into AIFs?
Because AIFs offer access to unlisted markets + specialized strategies, aiming for diversification and higher (but riskier) returns.

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📘 Enrichment Notes (Prelims Gold)

What are AIFs?

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are pooled investment vehicles regulated under SEBI (AIF) Regulations, 2012, investing beyond traditional instruments like stocks and bonds (and other than mutual funds). Typical AIF examples: venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, real estate.

Category snapshot (very testable)

• Category I: Start-ups/early-stage/social/SME/infra/distressed
  ✅ Example: Venture Capital Funds
• Category II: Private equity style, no leverage except operational needs
  ✅ Example: Private Equity Funds
• Category III: Complex strategies, may use leverage/derivatives
  ✅ Example: Hedge Funds

Applying to the question

• Bonds ❌ traditional instrument
• Stocks ❌ traditional instrument
• Hedge Funds ✅ AIF (Category III)
• Venture Capital ✅ AIF (Category I)

Hence, only two.

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🧘‍♂️ IAS Monk Whisper

When capital grows, it seeks not just safety, but new terrain. AIFs are that terrain, rewarding vision and punishing carelessness.