Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors PMS is a boutique portfolio management service provider in India that has gained recognition for its differentiated investment philosophy and research-driven approach. Founded in 2019 by market veterans Vikas Khemani, Manoj Bahety, and Swati Khemani, the firm focuses exclusively on Indian equities and caters primarily to high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), family offices, and institutional investors. Headquartered in Mumbai, Carnelian has positioned itself as a high-conviction investment manager with a strong emphasis on long-term wealth creation.
A key differentiator of Carnelian PMS is its disciplined investment framework built on the “Quality Growth at Reasonable Price” (QGARP) philosophy. This approach combines growth investing with valuation discipline, ensuring that portfolios are not only positioned for long-term capital appreciation but also protected from overvaluation risks. The firm further strengthens its strategy through a proprietary forensic framework that evaluates corporate governance, accounting quality, and business sustainability—helping avoid potential risks before capital is deployed.
Carnelian offers a range of PMS strategies designed to suit different investor preferences, including multi-cap and flexi-cap portfolios. Popular offerings such as the Capital Compounder Strategy aim to identify structurally strong businesses capable of delivering consistent earnings growth over time. These portfolios are typically concentrated and high-conviction in nature, reflecting the firm’s belief in focused investing rather than excessive diversification. Risk management remains central to its process, with predefined limits on stock and sector exposure to maintain balance and control downside risk.
As of early 2026, Carnelian manages assets worth approximately ₹9,000–₹10,000 crore across its PMS and AIF strategies, indicating strong investor trust and growing scale. The firm’s client base continues to expand, supported by its consistent performance, transparent communication, and robust research ecosystem.
Overall, Carnelian Asset Management and Advisors PMS stands out as a modern, research-intensive investment firm that blends traditional investing principles with advanced risk analytics. Its focus on quality businesses, disciplined valuation, and forensic due diligence makes it a compelling choice for investors seeking long-term, risk-aware equity portfolio management in India.
| PMS Investment Approach(s) | Returns | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Approach | Category | 1 Yr Return | 2 Yr Return | 3 Yr Return | 5 Yr Return | Inception Date |
| Capital Compounder | Multi Cap & Flexi Cap | 5.94% | 23.10% | 24.25% | 23.57% | May 2019 |
| Shift Strategy | Small & Mid Cap | -3.10% | 22.40% | 30.40% | NA | Oct 2020 |
| Contra Strategy | Multi Cap & Flexi Cap | -15.15% | 25.86% | 32.23% | NA | Jan 2022 |
| Bespoke Strategy | Multi Cap & Flexi Cap | 2.73% | 24.68% | 29.34% | NA | Oct 2021 |
* Returns are as on 30th September 2025, * Returns over a 1 year period are annualized * Returns are calculated using the Time Weighted Rate of Return (TWRR) method and as provided by the respective AMCs. *ND (No Data) , * NA(Not Applicable) * Returns of the respective Benchmark Indices used are tabulated above. Benchmark(s) given are as per SEBI circular no. SEBI/HO/IMD/IMD-PoD-2/P/CIR/2022/172 dated December 16, 2022 and the APMI circular no. APMI/2022-23/02 dated 23rd March,2023 and Revised Annexure-1
| AIF Investment Approach(s) | Returns | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Approach | Category | 1 Yr Return | 2 Yr Return | 3 Yr Return | 5 Yr Return | Inception Date |
| Structural Shift Fund | Small & Mid Cap | -4.90% | 20.64% | 24.91% | NA | Apr 2022 |
| Capital Compounder Fund - 1 | Multi Cap & Flexi Cap | 8.76% | 28.64% | 29.47% | 27.35% | May 2019 |
| Bharat Amritkaal Fund-2 | Multi Cap & Flexi Cap | NA | NA | NA | NA | Apr 2025 |
| Bharat Amritkaal Fund | Multi Cap & Flexi Cap | -2.11% | NA | NA | NA | Apr 2024 |
* All performance above are as on 30th September 2025. * Above 1 year returns are in CAGR*
Principal officer , Fund Manager
Kunal Shah, a Chartered Accountant with an All India Rank, brings over 12 years of professional experience and is an integral member of the Fund Management team and Investment Committee at Carnelian. Associated with Carnelian since its inception, he has developed deep expertise in equity research across diverse sectors, including Banking, Insurance, Consumer, Auto, Capital Goods, Chemicals, and Pharmaceuticals. Kunal is deeply passionate about studying and understanding businesses across market capitalizations, continuously expanding his knowledge to identify long-term investment opportunities.
Co-Founder
Manoj is a Chartered Accountant and CFA Charter holder (USA) with nearly 26 years of extensive and diverse experience in the financial services industry, having worked with leading institutions such as Edelweiss Securities, Morgan Stanley, Reliance Industries, and HPCL. During his 11-year tenure at Edelweiss Securities as Deputy Head of Institutional Equity Research and Head of Forensic, Thematic, and Midcap Research, he gained recognition for his pioneering non-consensus approach. Manoj introduced the differentiated *“Analysis Beyond Consensus (ABC)”* research framework, which empowers investors worldwide to make informed decisions based on true financial insights rather than reported figures — aligning with Carnelian’s core virtue of “avoiding pitfalls.” His prudent investment philosophy and deep business acumen have led to the identification of several multi-bagger stocks such as PI Industries, VIP Industries, Supreme Industries, Balkrishna Industries, AIA Engineering, ICRA, SKF, and Gulf Oil. Manoj has also contributed to the CFA Institute through multiple leadership roles, including serving as Chairperson of the India Advocacy Committee and as a member of the US-based Global CDPC Committee.
1205/1206, One Lodha Place, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai – 400013 SEBI Reg No.: INP000006387