India eases overseas listing norms as investors seek global assets

The Indian government has amended rules to allow companies to list convertible debentures and preference shares on international exchanges in GIFT City, expanding the previous focus on equity shares. Under the new Companies (Listing of Equity Instruments in Permissible Jurisdictions) Amendment Rules, 2026, unlisted public companies and those with a negative net worth may also pursue overseas listings, provided at least 75 per cent of the net offer is allotted to qualified institutional buyers.

This regulatory shift coincides with a surge in Indian retail investors seeking international exposure. International investments by Indian individuals more than doubled year-on-year to nearly $2.3 billion in the first half of 2026. Major fund managers, including the JioBlackRock joint venture, have launched new global funds to meet this demand, as investors seek assets such as AI-related technologies to offset domestic market underperformance.

Industry experts note that global assets are increasingly viewed as a permanent component of portfolio construction rather than a tactical move. The growth in overseas fund-of-funds assets, which rose 42 per cent year-on-year to ₹488 billion in September, highlights the scale of the shift toward international markets.