₹1.81 Lakh Crore Invested, GIFT City’s Big Leap: India’s New Gateway Ready to Compete with Singapore; Investors from Over 70 Countries Commit ₹3.17 Lakh Crore
GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is no longer merely a centre for financial services. It is emerging as an important global business hub for managing international investors’ capital, fund management and investment activities.
The fund management sector at GIFT IFSC has witnessed rapid growth, particularly during the past three years. In March 2023, GIFT IFSC had only 65 Fund Management Entities. By March 2026, this number had increased to 217. The number of funds and schemes also rose from 50 to 360.
According to IFSCA Director Dipesh Shah, funds operating from GIFT IFSC have currently committed approximately $39 billion, equivalent to around ₹3.73 lakh crore, for investment. Of this amount, approximately $19.66 billion, or around ₹1.88 lakh crore, has already been invested.
These investments are being made in listed and unlisted Indian companies as well as in markets outside India.
First, Let Us Understand What Fund Management Means
Investors from around the world invest significant amounts of capital in funds. A fund manager is responsible for deciding where and how this capital should be invested.
Special fund structures are established in GIFT IFSC for this purpose. Investors contribute capital to these funds, while a Fund Management Entity, or FME, manages the money.
The funds can subsequently be invested in Indian companies, startups, listed and unlisted businesses or markets outside India.
Therefore, GIFT City does not merely facilitate fund registration. The entire process—from collecting capital from international investors to managing and investing it—can be carried out from GIFT City.
During the same period, the number of funds and schemes increased from 50 to 360. This means that within three years, the number of Fund Management Entities grew more than threefold, while the number of funds and schemes increased more than sevenfold.
Actual investments have also increased rapidly. In March 2023, cumulative investment stood at only $1.13 billion. By March 2026, it had increased to $19.66 billion.
According to Dipesh Shah, this capital is being invested in listed and unlisted Indian companies as well as in markets outside India.
9,594 Investors from More Than 70 Countries Join GIFT IFSC
GIFT IFSC funds are now attracting not only Indian investors but also investors from several countries worldwide.
By March 2026, 9,594 investors from more than 70 jurisdictions were associated with funds operating from the IFSC. This figure indicates that fund management activities conducted through GIFT City are now reaching an international scale.
According to Dipesh Shah, the Government of India has established regulations for GIFT IFSC that are aligned with international financial services standards.
The fund management regulations have been designed to make it easier for global investors to establish and manage funds from GIFT IFSC.
How Many Companies and Institutions Currently Operate in GIFT City?
GIFT City’s fund management ecosystem is now an integral part of its broader business ecosystem.
According to GIFT City’s official information, more than 1,000 entities are currently operational, and over 20,000 employment opportunities have already been created.
Available figures from March 2026 mention that GIFT City has more than 1,500 entities, with approximately 27,000 professionals working there.
GIFT City’s official website identifies companies such as Google, IBM, Capgemini, Oracle, TCS, Bank of America, HSBC, Standard Chartered, J.P. Morgan and Barclays as marquee occupants of its technology and financial ecosystem.
A Major Hub for Technology and GCCs Beyond Finance
GIFT City is no longer limited to banking and fund management. Its ecosystem for technology companies and Global Capability Centres, or GCCs, is also developing rapidly.
GIFT City has recently been viewed as a potential hub for the expansion of GCC operations by global companies.
Factors such as state-of-the-art infrastructure, business-friendly policies, operational costs and access to skilled professionals are attracting international companies to GIFT City.
The Biggest Question Now: What Comes Next?
According to Dipesh Shah, GIFT IFSC’s fund management regulations and framework are still relatively new. Nevertheless, the number of FMEs and funds, as well as the total value of investments, has increased significantly within just a few years.
GIFT City Is Evolving from a Financial Hub into a Complete Global Ecosystem
GIFT City’s growth story is no longer limited to fund commitments worth $39 billion.
Alongside finance, the city is developing an ecosystem for technology, fintech, Global Capability Centres, insurance, capital markets, aircraft leasing, ship leasing, bullion and other international business activities.
The expectation that approximately 1,500 food and beverage brands will participate in the National Food Delivery Summit also reflects GIFT City’s changing character.
Relaxed regulations, a growing business ecosystem and expanding lifestyle infrastructure are creating new opportunities for national and international food and beverage companies.
This means that GIFT City is developing not only office spaces and financial services infrastructure but also a complete urban ecosystem that integrates work, business, residential living, food, retail and lifestyle facilities.
Improved Connectivity Will Further Accelerate GIFT City’s Growth
Infrastructure being developed around GIFT City is also strengthening its future potential.
Infrastructure associated with the Commonwealth Games, Ahmedabad–Mumbai bullet train connectivity and expanding metro links could play an important role in connecting GIFT City to a stronger transportation network.
This connectivity will not only make local travel easier but will also improve GIFT City’s accessibility for domestic and international companies, investors, professionals and businesses.
