CAMS Receives IFSCA Approval for KYC Operations in GIFT City

Computer Age Management Services (CAMS) has secured official authorization from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to operate as a KYC Registration Agency (KRA) within GIFT City, marking a strategic expansion for the financial infrastructure provider.

GANDHINAGAR — Computer Age Management Services (CAMS), a leading financial infrastructure and services provider, has received formal approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to undertake the activities of a KYC Registration Agency (KRA) within the GIFT Special Economic Zone (GIFT SEZ) in Gandhinagar.

This development, announced in July 2026, allows CAMS to extend its centralized digital repository services to the growing ecosystem of international financial institutions and global funds operating within India’s only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

Strengthening Financial Infrastructure in GIFT City

The approval signifies a pivotal step for CAMS as it integrates its deep domain expertise into the GIFT City regulatory framework. As a KRA, the firm will be responsible for the collection, verification, and centralized storage of investor KYC records for entities operating within the IFSC. By establishing this unit, CAMS aims to streamline onboarding processes for international investors, offering a "plug-and-play" model for regulatory compliance.

According to officials, the authorization enables CAMS to provide full-spectrum services to the alternatives sector, which has seen significant growth in GIFT City over the past few years. The presence of a dedicated KRA within the SEZ is expected to reduce operational redundancies, providing a seamless identity verification experience for both domestic and international market participants.

Impact on Regulatory Compliance

CAMS has long served as a dominant player in the Indian mutual fund industry’s record-keeping and KYC space. With this new approval, the company will apply its proprietary technology and compliance frameworks to meet the stringent requirements of the IFSCA.

• Centralized Verification: The new KRA unit will maintain an up-to-date, secure database of investor information, facilitating faster compliance checks for financial entities.

• Operational Efficiency: By standardizing the KYC process, the unit aims to help fund houses and global asset managers reduce the time and cost associated with investor onboarding.

• Cross-Border Capability: As GIFT City continues to attract global interest, CAMS’s ability to manage multi-currency and multi-geography KYC requirements will be critical in supporting the hub's goal of becoming a global financial gateway.

Expanding the GIFT City Ecosystem

The GIFT SEZ environment provides a business-friendly regulatory framework and competitive tax incentives that have attracted hundreds of Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and global service providers. CAMS, which has maintained a presence in GIFT City for over four years, has been a key partner in this growth, supporting investor onboarding and fund administration for a vast roster of financial clients.

"The authorization from IFSCA allows us to deepen our footprint in the IFSC, ensuring that our international clients benefit from the same robust compliance and verification standards we provide in the domestic market," organizers stated.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Official Approval: CAMS has been authorized by the IFSCA to act as a KYC Registration Agency (KRA) within the GIFT SEZ.

• Strategic Role: The KRA unit will act as a centralized digital repository for investor KYC records, ensuring adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) guidelines.

• GIFT City Growth: The expansion aligns with the broader objective of GIFT City to serve as a world-class hub for offshore funds and alternative investments.

• Compliance Standard: The unit will operate under the regulatory oversight of the IFSCA, maintaining high standards of data security and cyber resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the significance of CAMS getting KRA approval in GIFT City?

It allows CAMS to perform centralized KYC verification for international investors and funds operating within the IFSC, simplifying regulatory compliance and investor onboarding.

2. What is a KYC Registration Agency (KRA)?

A KRA is a SEBI-registered entity that maintains a centralized database of verified KYC records, preventing investors from having to submit documents repeatedly to different financial institutions.

3. How does this benefit global investors in GIFT City?

Global investors and fund houses can utilize CAMS’s infrastructure to complete identity verification more efficiently, reducing paperwork and accelerating the time required to start investment activities.

4. Will this service follow Indian regulatory standards?

Yes, the operations will comply with the guidelines set by the IFSCA, which are aligned with international financial standards to ensure integrity and transparency.

Source: International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), CAMS Official GIFT City Brochure