The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has introduced a new framework allowing mutual fund investors to temporarily lock their folios, preventing any withdrawals or debits. This facility, effective from April 30, is now offered by PPFAS Mutual Fund and 15 other Asset Management Companies (AMCs). Investors can freeze their mutual fund holdings, ensuring that no units can be redeemed, switched, or debited until the lock is removed. The lock-in facility applies to both demat and non-demat mutual fund holdings, covering accounts maintained directly with AMCs and those held in demat accounts. The facility is accessible to both Resident and Non-Resident Individual Investors, including minor accounts managed by guardians. Investors must comply with KYC requirements and have a registered email and mobile number. The process for locking and unlocking folios involves multiple steps through the MF Central platform, ensuring security through OTP-based authentication. While the folios are locked, certain non-investor initiated transactions remain permissible, but most financial transactions will require unlocking the folios first.