SEBI Aligns Cyber Incident Reporting Portal With FSB's FIRE Framework

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 24 August aligned its Cyber Incident Reporting Portal with the Format for Incident Reporting Exchange (FIRE) framework developed by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to standardise and streamline cyber incident reporting. SEBI said cyber incidents in the securities market are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, making timely reporting essential to contain attacks, undertake mitigation measures and strengthen cyber defences. Under the...

SEBI Proposes Fixed Income Channel Partners To Expand Bond Access In Smaller Cities

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 21 August proposed a framework to introduce Fixed Income Channel Partners (FICPs) to facilitate the distribution of fixed income securities through Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs), with the aim of expanding access to such investments in Tier II, Tier III and rural areas. Under the proposed framework, an FICP may be an individual or entity enlisted with a stock exchange and appointed by an OBPP to distribute fixed income securities and...

SEBI Proposes Stricter Advertising Rules For Online Bond Platforms

On 21 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed a revised Advertisement Code for Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs), seeking to standardise disclosures and regulate promotional practices to ensure that advertisements enable investors to make fair, balanced and informed investment decisions. In a consultation paper, SEBI noted that the online bond platform ecosystem has witnessed significant growth in investor participation, while advertisements by OBPPs have...

SAT Mumbai Dismisses Appeal Against SEBI Refusal To Relax Competing Offer Timeline

The Mumbai Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) on 19 August ruled that a competing acquirer must make a public announcement within 15 working days of the Detailed Public Statement issued by the first acquirer, and cannot seek relaxation of the timeline at a later stage. A Bench comprising Presiding Officer Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar with Technical Members Meera Swarup and Dr. Dheeraj Bhatnagar dismissed businessman Digvijay Laxhamsinh Gaekwad's appeal against the Securities and Exchange Board of...

SEBI Allows IFSCA-Regulated Entities Access To KRA System For KYC

On 20 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) specified the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to facilitate information sharing between SEBI registered KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs) and entities regulated by IFSCA, enabling interoperability between the KRA system and IFSCA regulated entities. The circular referred to Regulation 16A(1) of the SEBI KYC Registration Agency Regulations, 2011. The provision allows entities regulated by specified...

SEBI Permits Digitally Signed PoAs For FPI Onboarding Without Notarisation

On 20 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) permitted Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to submit digitally signed Powers of Attorney (PoAs) to custodians in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, removing the need for notarisation, apostillisation or consularisation. SEBI amended Para 9(B)(iv) of Part B of the FPI Master Circular to allow custodians to accept PoAs that are either notarised, apostilled or consularised, or digitally signed in accordance with...

SEBI Finds Prima Facie Sensex Closing Price Manipulation By Copthall Mauritius And Mansi

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 13 August, prima facie held that Copthall Mauritius Investment Limited and Mansi Share and Stock Broking Private Limited manipulated the Sensex closing price during the Closing Auction Session (CAS) to benefit from their expiry-day Sensex options positions. Whole Time Member Kamlesh Chandra Varshney passed an ex-parte interim order against the entities, finding prima facie that they placed large and aggressive buy and sell orders in Sensex...

SEBI Modifies OBPP Framework, Eases Compliance And Expands Permitted Offerings

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 14 August modified the regulatory framework for Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) to promote ease of doing business. It said the changes address suggestions received from stakeholders and amend provisions of its Master Circular dated 15 October 2025 concerning OBPPs. Under the revised framework, OBPPs can offer products, securities and services regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), as well as...

SEBI Cautions Investors Against Trusting 'Live Trading Strategies' On Social Media

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Monday cautioned investors against “live trading strategies/real-time strategies” being offered on social media platforms. It urged investors to remain vigilant while carrying out transactions in the securities market.Referring to its May 8, 2026 circular, SEBI said market price data can be shared for investor education purposes only without monetary incentives and with a thirty-day delay. Those engaged only in educational activities cannot...

SEBI Proposes Digital KYC For NRIs, OCIs, Foreign Nationals Without Physical Presence In India

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently proposed easing the Know Your Client (KYC) process for individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs). This includes Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and foreign nationals.The proposal would allow individual PROI clients in Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-compliant countries to complete digital onboarding without being physically present in India. Intermediaries would be allowed to accept KYC...

SEBI Proposes Fast-Track Settlement For Certain Violations, Cases Up To ₹10 Lakh

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a fast-track settlement mechanism for specified securities law violations and cases where the settlement amount is up to ₹10 lakh. Eligible matters meeting the prescribed conditions would be able to bypass the high-powered advisory committee.The proposal forms part of SEBI's draft Securities and Exchange Board of India (Settlement of Proceedings) Regulations, 2026. It follows a review of the existing settlement framework.The...

Only SEBI Can Initiate Criminal Complaint For Front-Running Under SEBI Act: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has reiterated that a criminal complaint for an offence under the SEBI Act can be initiated only by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It ruled that a court cannot take cognizance of such an offence on the basis of an FIR lodged by a private complainant. Justice Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale held that Section 26 of the SEBI Act bars a court from taking cognizance of an offence punishable under the Act unless the complaint is made by the SEBI Board. ...