New Delhi: Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 witnessed strong Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) inflows into the Indian equity markets of Rs 2,74,034 crore, thus, reflecting steadfast confidence of foreign investors in the fundamentals of the Indian Economy. The robust FPI flows came on the back of faster than expected economic recovery supported by multiple tranches of innovatively designed stimulus packages. The Government and regulators had also undertaken major policy initiatives directed at improving ease of access and investment climate for FPIs in the recent past. These include simplification and rationalisation of the FPI regulatory regime, operationalisation of the online Common Application Form (CAF) for the purpose of registration with SEBI, allotment of PAN and opening of bank and Demat accounts etc. FY 2020-21 Net investment in Equity (in Rs Crs) April -6884 May 14569 June 21832 July 7563 August 47080 September -7783 October 19541 November 60358 December 62016 January 19473 February 25787 March 10952 Total for FY 20-21 274034 Up to 1st April 2021; source: NSDL The increase in aggregate FPI investment limit in Indian companies from 24% to the sectoral cap has been a catalyst for increase in weightage of Indian securities in major equity indices, thus mobilising massive equity inflows, both passive and active, into Indian capital markets. https://twitter.com/FinMinIndia/status/1379304516466565122 The growth forecast for India in FY 2021-22 have been pegged above 10% by the World Bank, IMF and several global research organisations underscoring that India will continue to remain an attractive investment destination in the near future.
