What is an 'alpha' in a portfolio? Why is it important?

Learn about the importance of alpha in investing and how it relates to active management. Chirag Muni of Anand Rathi Wealth explains how alpha measures excess returns against benchmarks, emphasizing the value it adds to investment decisions. Muni says alpha on a standalone basis may not be enough as one also needs to factor in risk, this is where beta comes into the picture.