“In the current environment, arbitrage funds are uniquely positioned to capture the potential benefits of market volatility while shielding investors from direct equity risks. Elevated roll spreads and sustained volatility have enabled arbitrage funds to deliver reasonable returns, even as traditional income avenues have become less attractive. For investors seeking equity tax returns, arbitrage funds offer a suitable proposition,” said Sailesh Jain, Fund Manager, Tata Asset Management.  

According to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), arbitrage funds attracted Rs 43,077 crore between April and June 2025, surpassing inflows into other hybrid and equity categories. This surge underscores investor preference for instruments that can deliver relatively reasonable returns while minimising equity risk during periods of heightened uncertainty. However, profit is not guaranteed. 

Reflecting the broader industry trend, the Tata Arbitrage Fund too saw inflows of Rs 5,217 crore between April and June 2025, with Rs 356 crore coming from Pune. The fund had assets under management of Rs 14,274 crore as of June 30, 2025.

The environment is especially conducive for arbitrage strategies, as elevated volatility and strong roll spreads have opened potential return opportunities. The Reserve Bank of India’s recent easing measures—cutting the repo rate by 50 basis points and the Cash Reserve Ratio by 100 basis points—have further boosted the appeal of arbitrage funds over traditional fixed income avenues. The upcoming corporate earnings and a positive monsoon outlook are also expected to lift market sentiment.  

As global and domestic uncertainties continue to cloud the market outlook, arbitrage funds are a choice for investors to help them navigate choppy waters. With interest rates on a downward trend and savings account returns declining, traditional fixed-income options have become relatively less attractive in terms of returns. At the same time, factors such as the anticipated Indo-US trade deal, tariff negotiations, and ongoing geopolitical tensions are keeping the market volatility elevated. Although the US dollar index remains subdued for now, any spike in global risk aversion may trigger fresh market swings. In this backdrop, arbitrage funds seek to offer investors a low-risk way to capitalise on volatility without direct equity exposure. 

Arbitrage funds also offer tax efficiency, as they are taxed like equity mutual funds, giving them an edge over short-term debt instruments, particularly for high-income investors looking to optimise post-tax returns. For those seeking a low-risk hedge against equity market exposure, along with the potential for competitive returns vis-a-vis traditional savings options, arbitrage funds present a potential investment opportunity in today’s volatile environment. 

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CHENNAI: SWITCH Mobility Ltd, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, and a leading manufacturer of electric buses and light commercial vehicles today unveiled its contemporary electric bus platform SWITCH EiV12 – the low-floor electric city bus for the Indian market. It is India’s First Low-Floor City Bus with Chassis-mounted batteries, featuring a scalable battery capacity of over 400+ kWh.

The vehicle was launched by Shri Nitin Gadkari Hon’ble Minister for Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, in the presence of Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman of Hinduja Group Companies (India), other dignitaries, and industry leaders.

On the occasion, SWITCH E1, engineered for the European Market, was flagged off virtually. Both these buses share common design philosophies and EV architecture.

The purpose-built SWITCH EiV12 platform is indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured for urban city commutes, offering global standards in performance, safety, reliability, and comfort. With seating for up to 39 passengers, the SWITCH EiV12 leads its segment, offering maximum revenue potential for operators.

Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group of Companies (India) observed while launching these vehicles “These buses are a tribute to the PM’s Make in India vision: made in India, for India and the World. Switch Mobility is inspired to launch newer vehicles with cutting-edge technology and zero carbon emissions, only because of the wonderful road infrastructure that is coming up in India, owing to visionaries like Modi Ji and implementers like Gadkari Ji.”

Mr. Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman of SWITCH Mobility, said, “The launch of the SWITCH EiV12 and the flagging off of the SWITCH E1 for Spain is a proud milestone for the Hinduja Group and Ashok Leyland, underscoring our commitment to sustainable mobility. In addition to the EiV12 and E1, SWITCH is developing a range of new products to expand our global offerings. At SWITCH Mobility, we are driving a greener future and advancing our long-term vision to democratize electric mobility worldwide.”

Mr. Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, of SWITCH Mobility, said, “ At SWITCH Mobility, we’re excited to unveil two new products for India and Europe, both built on our Global EV architecture. These innovations harness cutting-edge EV technology to deliver superior efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort. Our low-floor electric city bus, designed for optimal energy performance and accessibility, has garnered an overwhelming 1,800 orders—proof of the market’s confidence in SWITCH Mobility’s vision for a sustainable urban transport future.”

The Indian electric city bus market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21% by 2030 with an EV penetration of 70%. The total parc for electric city buses is likely to cross 70,000 units by 2030.

The SWITCH EiV12 sets a new benchmark in passenger comfort, safety, and technology, reshaping the EV landscape. Its low-floor entry with a kneeling mechanism ensures easy ingress and egress, while the automated wheelchair ramp and dedicated spaces make it accessible for differently abled passengers. Designed with women’s safety in mind, it is equipped with 5 CCTV cameras with no blind spots and includes 5 dedicated seats for women. The expansive panoramic glass area, the largest in its segment, offers superior visibility, naturally lit interiors, and enhanced safety. Powered by SWITCH iON, our proprietary telematics system, the SWITCH EiV12 offers real-time vehicle health monitoring, ITMS, and efficient fleet management. It’s efficient rear-end dual-gun charging interface not only ensures rapid recharging but also optimizes depot spaces, while an IP67-rated battery lets the bus deal with flooded roads with ease.

The SWITCH E1, our latest innovation designed specifically for the European market, showcases cutting-edge engineering with a lightweight monocoque construction, ensuring optimal efficiency and performance. The SWITCH E1 features in-wheel motors and a flat gangway layout throughout the bus, providing seamless movement and accessibility for passengers. With its triple-door configuration (front, center, and rear), the bus offers unmatched convenience for quick boarding and alighting, perfectly suited for urban transit systems. Capable of accommodating up to 93 passengers, including standees, the SWITCH E1 sets a new benchmark in sustainable, passenger-centric public transportation.

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