GIFT City IFSC
India's first International Financial Services Centre — a purpose-built global financial hub in Gujarat offering world-class regulatory infrastructure and preferential tax treatment for institutional investors.
- Established 2015
- Regulator IFSCA (GIFT IFSC)
- Special Status Special Economic Zone
- Currency USD & Multi-currency
- Time Zone IST (GMT+5:30)
What is GIFT City?
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is a planned business district and smart city under development in Gujarat, India. Its IFSC (International Financial Services Centre) is a dedicated zone where global financial regulations apply, enabling entities to operate in international currency and under a globally competitive regulatory framework.
Unified Regulator
The IFSC Authority (IFSCA) acts as a single regulator overseeing banking, capital markets, insurance, and fund management within GIFT IFSC.
Global Standards
Operations aligned with international best practices, enabling seamless cross-border transactions and multi-currency settlements.
Growth Trajectory
Home to 500+ entities including global banks, fund managers, stock exchanges, and insurance companies as of 2024.
World-Class Infrastructure
State-of-the-art physical and digital infrastructure with 24×7 operations, data centers, and global connectivity.
Tax Advantages
No Goods & Services Tax
Financial services conducted in GIFT IFSC are exempt from GST, significantly reducing the cost of structuring and operating funds.
Minimal Stamp Duty
Transactions within GIFT IFSC attract negligible stamp duty obligations compared to onshore Indian structures, enabling cost-efficient operations.
No Securities Transaction Tax
Securities Transaction Tax is not levied on trades executed through exchanges at GIFT IFSC, improving net returns for fund investors.
Preferential Income Tax
Fund managers operating from GIFT IFSC benefit from a 10-year tax holiday on income earned from eligible transactions and activities.
Eligible Entities
Fund Vehicles
- check_circle Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)
- check_circle Mutual Funds (specified)
- check_circle Exchange Traded Funds
- check_circle Fund of Funds
Institutional Investors
- check_circle Family Offices
- check_circle Endowment Funds
- check_circle Pension Funds
- check_circle Sovereign Wealth Funds
Financial Services
- check_circle Banking Units (IBUs)
- check_circle Insurance & Reinsurance
- check_circle Capital Market Intermediaries
- check_circle Fintech Entities
Fund Types at GIFT City
Restricted Schemes (AIF equivalent)
Similar to Category I and II AIFs onshore, these funds pool capital from institutional and sophisticated investors for deployment into private equity, infrastructure, debt, and real estate strategies.
- check_circleClose-ended structure
- check_circleMin ₹1 Crore commitment
- check_circleIFSCA regulated
- check_circlePass-through taxation
Retail Schemes
Open-ended fund structures accepting broader investor participation within GIFT IFSC. Typically invest in listed securities across global markets with daily liquidity provisions.
- check_circleOpen-ended structure
- check_circleLower minimum investment
- check_circleDaily NAV publication
- check_circleBroad market exposure
Special Situation Funds
Sophisticated vehicles targeting stressed and distressed asset opportunities, merger arbitrage, corporate restructuring, and event-driven strategies with defined exit frameworks.
- check_circleOpportunistic mandates
- check_circleFlexible structure
- check_circleEvent-driven strategy
- check_circleExpert managers only
Ready to Structure Your GIFT City Strategy?
Our experts can guide you through entity selection, regulatory compliance, and fund structuring within the GIFT IFSC framework.