SEBI, by way of a Circular dated February 14, 2025, has introduced relaxation in the timelines for dematerialisation of investment held by Alternative Investment Funds (‘AIF’), wherein, all investments made by AIFs on or after July 1, 2025, will have to be mandatorily in dematerialized form. Investments made by AIFs prior to this date are exempted from the dematerialization requirement unless: (i) the investee company of the AIF is mandated under law to facilitate dematerialization of shares; or (ii) where the AIF and/or other SEBI registered intermediaries which are mandated to hold their shares in dematerialized form, exercise control. In such cases, dematerialization is required to be completed by the AIF by October 31, 2025. Further, dematerialization requirements will not be applicable in cases wherein the schemes of AIFs are either: (i) on extended tenure as of February 14, 2025; or (ii) where the schemes of AIFs end on or before October 31, 2025.