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Every mutual fund distributor in India needs an ARN — the unique code issued by AMFI that authorises you to sell mutual fund schemes. Here's the complete 2026 guide to eligibility, the NISM Series V-A exam, the application process, fees and renewal.
ARN stands for AMFI Registration Number. It's a unique alphanumeric identifier issued by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to every individual or entity authorised to distribute mutual fund schemes in India.
Think of it as the regulatory licence number that proves a distributor is qualified, certified by NISM, and bound by AMFI's code of conduct. Without a valid ARN, no one can legally sell, distribute, or earn commission from mutual fund products in India.
An ARN typically looks like ARN-123456 — the prefix "ARN-" followed by a 5–7 digit code unique to each distributor.
Anyone planning to sell, distribute or earn commission from mutual fund schemes in India must hold a valid ARN. This applies to:
From eligibility check to receiving your ARN — the complete process usually takes 30 to 45 days end-to-end.
Confirm you meet the basic criteria: minimum age 18 years, qualification of Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent, and an active PAN card. Senior citizens aged 50+ may opt for a CPE-only route without sitting the full NISM exam.
Create an account on the NISM portal, choose the Series V-A Mutual Fund Distributors Certification module, select a test centre and date, and pay the exam fee (currently around ₹1,500). The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours.
Pass with the prescribed minimum score (currently 50%). NISM issues your certificate immediately upon clearance — it's valid for 3 years and is the prerequisite for ARN application.
Download the AMFI ARN application form, attach your NISM certificate, PAN, Aadhaar, recent photograph, bank details and educational proof, and submit through any CAMS or KFintech (KFin) service centre.
Pay the prescribed registration fee at the time of submission. Fees vary by applicant category: individuals pay around ₹3,000; partnership firms, companies and corporates pay tiered amounts based on size.
AMFI processes and issues your ARN within 4 to 6 weeks. Once issued, you can empanel with any of the 45+ AMCs in India and begin distributing mutual fund schemes legally.
| NISM Series V-A Exam Fee | ~₹1,500 |
| AMFI ARN Registration (Individual) | ~₹3,000 |
| ARN Validity Period | 3 Years |
| CPE Renewal Programme | ~₹1,500 |
| Total Estimated Cost (Initial) | ~₹4,500 |
*Fees revised periodically by NISM and AMFI. Refer to amfiindia.com and nism.ac.in for current rates.
Regnum Wealth gives ARN holders single-window empanelment with every AMC in India, plus the technology, training and brand support to scale your distribution business.
Everything you need to know before applying for your AMFI Registration Number.
ARN stands for AMFI Registration Number. It is a unique alphanumeric identifier issued by the Association of Mutual Funds in India to individuals and entities authorised to distribute mutual fund schemes. Every mutual fund distributor in India must hold a valid ARN to sell mutual fund products.
Anyone who wants to distribute or sell mutual fund schemes in India needs an ARN. This includes individual financial distributors (IFAs), companies, partnership firms, LLPs, banks, NBFCs and online distribution platforms.
Individuals: minimum age 18 years, Class 12 (10+2) qualification or equivalent, and a valid NISM Series V-A certificate. Senior citizens aged 50 and above may be eligible through a CPE-only route. Corporates: a registered legal entity with a designated principal officer who holds the NISM certification.
Step 1: Register for and clear the NISM Series V-A Mutual Fund Distributors Certification exam. Step 2: Submit your ARN application to AMFI through CAMS or KFintech with KYC documents, NISM certificate, photo and bank details. Step 3: Pay the prescribed AMFI registration fee. Step 4: AMFI issues your ARN within 4 to 6 weeks.
The total cost is approximately ₹4,500. This includes the NISM Series V-A exam fee (around ₹1,500) and the AMFI registration fee (around ₹3,000 for individuals — higher for corporates). Fees are revised periodically; check amfiindia.com and nism.ac.in for current rates.
An ARN is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. To renew it, the holder must complete a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) refresher programme through NISM and pay the renewal fee to AMFI.
Yes. A valid ARN entitles you to distribute mutual fund schemes from every AMFI-registered AMC in India — subject to empanelment with each AMC. Regnum Wealth gives you single-window empanelment access to all 45+ AMCs.
No. ARN authorises distribution of mutual fund products only. A SEBI Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) licence is separate and authorises fee-based investment advice. The two registrations have different eligibility, capital and compliance requirements.
This guide is for general educational purposes about AMFI Registration Number and the process of becoming a mutual fund distributor in India. Fees, eligibility and procedural requirements are subject to change — always refer to the official notifications on amfiindia.com, nism.ac.in and sebi.gov.in before making any application or financial commitment. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks; distributors must read and disclose all scheme-related documents and adhere to AMFI's code of conduct.