ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company has issued an important update regarding its international mutual fund schemes. Here is the complete update, fund risks, and best ICICI Prudential fund details.
On March 2, 2026, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company will no longer accept new members for three of its international schemes, the fund firm announced in a notification.
ICICI Prudential Stops Fresh Investments in International Schemes
ICICI Prudential US Bluechip Equity Fund, ICICI Prudential Nasdaq 100 Index Fund, and ICICI Prudential Strategic Metal and Energy Equity Fund of Funds are all affected by the change.
After a protracted break, the asset management company (AMC) only recently started making new investments in these foreign programs in January 2026. According to the most recent ruling, the fund house has suspended fresh inflows since the headroom under the overseas investment limits has once again been fully utilized.
🌍 ICICI Prudential International Fund Update
- Effective Date: March 2, 2026
- Affected Schemes: US Bluechip Equity Fund, Nasdaq 100 Index Fund, Strategic Metal and Energy Equity Fund of Funds
- Reason: Overseas investment limit fully utilized
- Fresh SIP/STP/Lump Sum: Suspended
- Existing SIP/STP: Continue till cutoff date
- Redemptions: No impact
Restrictions on Lump Sum, SIP and STP
The AMC has stopped accepting new contributions via the lump sum mechanism, including transfers from other plans, as part of the restrictions. Additionally, it has stopped accepting new registrations under Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs), Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), and other unique facilities where these three schemes are the target schemes.
Subject to the rules specified in the relevant scheme papers and relevant regulatory standards, however, previously registered systematic transactions will continue until the cutoff date.
No Impact on Redemptions and RBI Overseas Limit
There will be no impact on redemptions or switch-outs, including active Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) and STP-Out registrations. The fund company stated that if overseas investment limitations are increased or made available, or if authorities provide further explanation, it may reopen subscriptions.
The Reserve Bank of India’s $7 billion ceiling on mutual fund industry investments in foreign securities, plus an additional $1 billion for international exchange-traded funds, is the source of the restrictions. Since 2022, these caps have caused a number of fund firms to halt new investments in foreign schemes.
📊 Key Regulatory Background
- RBI Industry Limit: $7 billion for foreign securities
- ETF Limit: Additional $1 billion
- Impact Since: 2022
- Result: Several AMCs paused international fund inflows
- Future Possibility: Reopening if limits increase
ICICI Prudential Fund Risks
The capital markets’ price and volume volatility, interest rates, currency exchange rates, modifications to tax laws, government policies, or any other relevant authority policies, and other political and economic developments that could have a detrimental effect on specific assets.
One or more sectors, such as the debt and equity markets, may have an effect on the value of the investments made by the Scheme. The NAV of the Scheme’s Units may therefore fluctuate, either increasing or decreasing.
Interest Rate and Liquidity Risk
Changes in the current interest rates are expected to have an impact on the scheme’s net asset value (NAV) to the extent that there is investment in debt and money market instruments.
Compared to securities that are listed on stock exchanges or provide investors with other exit options, such as a put option, securities that are not quoted on stock exchanges are by their very nature illiquid and carry a higher level of liquidity risk.
Market and Unforeseen Event Risk
The AMC may decide to invest in unlisted assets with appealing yields, as long as it stays within regulatory bounds. However, this could make the portfolio riskier.
Although the liquidity risk of assets listed on stock exchanges is reduced, the volume of activity on stock exchanges as a whole limits the capacity to sell these investments. Despite being reasonably liquid, money market securities do not have a strong secondary market, which could limit the Scheme(s)’s ability to sell and cause losses until the instrument is eventually sold.
Unexpected events such as natural disasters, political upheavals, and shifts in interest rates or currency exchange rates will have an impact on the scheme’s performance.
Based on a specific historical statistical trend, fund managers attempt to produce returns. If the aforementioned tendency changes, it could have an impact on the scheme’s performance. There is no guarantee that such past patterns will persist.
What is the Best ICICI Prudential Fund?
1) Direct-Growth ICICI Prudential Infrastructure
ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct-Growth is an open-ended equity mutual fund that focuses on investing in businesses in the infrastructure and related industries in order to produce long-term capital appreciation. With more than ₹8,000 crore in assets under management (AUM) as of February 2026, it is a sizable fund in its category.
2) ICICI Prudential Direct-Growth BHARAT 22 FOF
The ICICI Prudential BHARAT 22 FOF Direct-Growth is an equity-based Fund of Funds (FOF) that makes long-term capital appreciation investments in the Bharat 22 ETF. With low cost ratios (around 0.12%), no exit load, and a high-risk, large-cap emphasis, it provides exposure to a diversified portfolio of 22 important CPSEs, PSU banks, and SUUTI holdings.
3) ICICI Prudential Direct Plan-Growth for Large and Mid Cap Funds
On January 1, 2013, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund introduced the ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund Direct Plan-Growth, an open-ended equity mutual fund scheme. Investors that want to invest in a diverse portfolio of large- and mid-cap companies in order to achieve long-term capital appreciation are the target audience.
4) Value Discovery (ICICI Prudential Value Fund)
An open-ended equity strategy, the ICICI Prudential Value Discovery Fund (formerly Value Fund) focuses on investing in undervalued stocks, or quality companies at discounted rates. Founded in 2004, it invests in cheap companies with the goal of long-term capital appreciation. It frequently outperforms during market recoveries and provides significant, long-term returns.
5) ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt / Multi-Asset Funds / Multicap
Designed for moderate-risk investors looking for long-term prosperity, the ICICI Prudential Multi-Asset Fund is a large ₹80,768 Cr AUM hybrid plan that invests across equity, debt, and commodities as of January 2026. It provides diversification and, historically, has kept its equity allocation at about 64%, making it appropriate for a time horizon of five to eight years.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How Can I Invest in Direct Growth of ICICI Prudential Infrastructure?
Groww makes it simple and hassle-free to invest in ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth. The procedure is incredibly easy, fast, and entirely paperless. Spend a few minutes doing the following:
2) How does ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth yield returns?
Since its launch on January 1, 2013, the ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth fund has generated average annual returns of 21.06%.
3) What is ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s expenditure ratio?
When referring to ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth or any other mutual fund, the phrase “expense ratio” refers to the yearly fees that you must pay the mutual fund firm in order to have your investments managed.
As of February 28, 2026, ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s expense ratio stands at 1.15%.
4) In terms of ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth, what is the AUM?
As of February 28, 2026, ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s AUM, or assets under management, was ₹8,076.55Cr.
5) How Can I Redeem Direct Growth in ICICI Prudential Infrastructure?
Simply click on your holding on the app or website if you wish to sell your ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth investment. There are two alternatives available to you: either click “Redeem” and input the amount you want to redeem, or choose “Redeem all” if you want to redeem the entire holding amount.
6) Can I put money into ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth Lump Sum and SIP?
Depending on your investment goal and risk tolerance, you can choose between an ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth SIP or lump sum investment.
7) What is ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s net asset value?
As of February 27, 2026, ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s NAV was ₹214.21.
8) What is ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s PE to PB ratio?
Divide the market price by earnings per share to calculate ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Direct Growth’s PE ratio, and divide the stock price per share by book value per share (BVPS) to calculate the company’s PB ratio.
Conclusion
The ICICI Prudential international schemes suspension reflects regulatory overseas investment limits and highlights the importance of understanding mutual fund risks, NAV fluctuations, and market volatility before investing.
Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.
