Mutual Fund Distributor Registration (AMFI ARN)
Mutual fund distributor registration means clearing the NISM Series V-A exam, completing KYD and getting your AMFI Registration Number (ARN). The ARN is valid for three years and needs renewal before it lapses. We prepare the application, set up your firm if you want one, and look after renewals.
What it is
Anyone who sells mutual fund units to investors for a commission needs an ARN, the AMFI Registration Number issued by the Association of Mutual Funds in India. You quote it on every Regular Plan transaction so the fund house knows whom to pay. Without it you cannot distribute.
The route has three parts. You pass NISM Series V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination. You complete Know Your Distributor (KYD) with Aadhaar and PAN, or an already KYC-validated status. Then you register with AMFI online and receive the ARN. AMFI’s Master Circular for Mutual Fund Distributors, dated 14 January 2026, sets out these rules.
Who it applies to
Individuals and proprietors
Think of a financial planner in Faridabad, or an insurance agent who now wants to offer mutual funds. You take the exam yourself and hold the ARN in your own name.
Firms and companies
Companies, LLPs and partnerships can hold an ARN. The firm needs at least one employee with a valid NISM certificate and EUIN. Our LLP registration and company registration work sets up the entity first.
Employees and sub-staff
Staff who deal with investors need an EUIN, the Employee Unique Identification Number. It travels with the ARN on each Regular Plan transaction.
Why it matters
It decides whether you get paid
Here is the catch: commission is paid only against a valid ARN. If the ARN lapses, commission is suspended. Not renewing within three months after expiry forfeits it.
It builds client trust
Investors can check an ARN. A registered distributor follows the code of conduct monitored by the fund houses you sell for.
Trail income builds over years
Distributors earn trail commission only. Upfront payments are not allowed, so your income grows as clients stay invested.
Documents required
For you
- PAN linked with Aadhaar
- Aadhaar for KYD
- Address proof and bank account proof
- Passport-size photograph
For the exam
- Valid NISM Series V-A certificate
- Exam registration details
- Certificate renewal proof, if renewing
For a firm
- Incorporation or registration certificate
- Firm PAN and address proof
- Details of the employee holding NISM certificate and EUIN
- Board resolution or partners’ authority
How it works
Pick who holds the ARN
Decide whether you register as an individual or through a firm. A firm suits you if staff will handle clients. We advise on the entity and set it up if needed.
Pass NISM Series V-A
The pass mark is 50%. The certificate is valid for three years from the exam date.
Clear KYD online
Give Aadhaar and PAN, or use your KYC-validated status. The earlier biometric visit has been dropped, so this step is now online.
File with AMFI and pay the fee
We prepare the application, upload the documents and pay the ARN fee on the AMFI portal. You receive your ARN once AMFI approves.
Add EUINs and start selling
Staff get EUINs. You then tie up with fund houses or platforms. We also set up your books, so commission income is tracked from day one.
Individual or firm: what changes
The ARN is the same. The people behind it are not.
| Point | Individual / proprietor | Firm or company |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs NISM | You | At least one employee with a valid certificate and EUIN |
| ARN held in | Your name | The entity’s name |
| Best when | You work alone or with a small book | You have staff, partners or plan to grow |
Timelines
ARN validity: three years
Renewal opens up to six months before expiry. Your NISM certificate must be renewed first, and the ARN and EUIN are renewed online.
NISM certificate: three years
Renew through the NISM CPE session in the last 12 months before expiry, or pass the exam again.
EUIN error: 30 days
If an EUIN is missing or invalid on a transaction, you get 30 days to correct it. After that the commission is permanently forfeited.
What happens if you miss it
ARN lapses the day after expiry
You cannot sell mutual funds and commission payments are suspended.
No renewal within three months
Commission is forfeited. Renew inside the window and you avoid this.
Wrong or missing EUIN
The transaction processes in the Regular Plan with a 30-day remediation window. Miss it and you lose the commission on it for good.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ARN in mutual funds?
An ARN is the AMFI Registration Number given to a registered mutual fund distributor. It must be quoted with every Regular Plan transaction so the fund house pays commission to the right distributor. It is valid for three years and renewed online. Without a valid ARN you cannot sell funds. We handle the application and later renewals.
What is the pass mark for the NISM Series V-A exam?
You need 50% or more to pass NISM Series V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination. The certificate is valid for three years. You renew it with the NISM CPE session in the last 12 months before expiry, or by passing the exam again. We keep a renewal date for you.
What is the ARN registration fee?
AMFI charges ₹3,000 plus GST for a new individual ARN, which is ₹3,540 at 18% GST. Renewal is ₹1,500 plus GST, or ₹1,770. These rates took effect on 1 October 2024. The exam fee is separate and paid to NISM. We tell you every payable before you start.
How long is an ARN valid and when should I renew?
An ARN is valid for three years. You can start renewal up to six months before it expires, and your NISM certificate must be renewed first. If the ARN lapses, you cannot sell and your commission stops. Our reminders start well before the window opens.
Can a company or LLP get an ARN?
Yes. Companies, LLPs and partnerships can hold an ARN, provided at least one employee has a valid NISM certificate and EUIN. Staff dealing with investors need their own EUINs. A firm helps when you plan to hire. We set up the entity first, then apply for the ARN.
What is an EUIN and who needs it?
An EUIN is the Employee Unique Identification Number given to the person who deals with the investor. It must appear with the ARN on Regular Plan transactions. If it is missing or invalid, you have 30 days to correct it or the commission is lost. We help you obtain and renew EUINs.
Can I earn upfront commission as a distributor?
No. Distributors receive trail commission only, and upfront payments are not allowed. Commission also stops while your ARN is invalid. Plan your cash flow around trail income. We also set up books and tax filing for it.
Is KYD still a physical process?
No. The physical biometric step was discontinued in September 2024, so KYD is completed online. You provide Aadhaar and PAN, or show a KYC-validated status. Non-individual entities also need an employee with NISM and EUIN. We check each document before you submit.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
AMFI fees at a glance (all plus 18% GST):
| Item | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| New ARN (individual) | ₹3,000 (₹3,540 with GST) | 3 years |
| ARN renewal (individual) | ₹1,500 (₹1,770 with GST) | 3 years |
Fees effective 1 October 2024. The NISM exam fee is separate.
Ready to begin?
Tell us whether your mutual fund distributor registration will be as an individual or a firm. We will map the exam, KYD and the AMFI application.