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...

SEBI Proposes Manager-Led Accreditation For Investors, Adds ₹5 Crore Securities Asset Criterion

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed simplifying the onboarding process for Accredited Investors through manager-led accreditation, in addition to the existing Accreditation Agency route.SEBI has issued a consultation paper for a comprehensive review of the Accredited Investor framework, based on suggestions received from stakeholders and recommendations of its Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC).Under the proposal, manager-led accreditation would...

SEBI Proposes Wider FPI Participation In Non-Agricultural Commodity Derivatives

On 11 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed expanding Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) participation in Exchange Traded Commodity Derivatives (ETCDs) by allowing them to participate in non-agricultural index derivatives and non-cash-settled non-agricultural commodity derivatives. Currently, FPIs can participate only in cash-settled non-agricultural commodity derivatives. Under the proposed framework, SEBI would allow FPIs to trade in non-agricultural index...

SEBI Amends Municipal Debt Rules, Allows ₹10,000 Face Value For Private Placements

On 11 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) amended the regulatory framework for municipal debt securities, allowing issuers to offer privately placed municipal debt securities with a face value of Rs. 10,000 or Rs. 1 lakh. It introduced the changes through a circular dated 11 August 2026, following recommendations from a Working Group that SEBI constituted in August 2024 and public comments on the proposed amendments. Under the revised framework, issuers may offer...

SEBI Proposes Raising ISIN Limit For Privately Placed Debt Securities From 14 To 17

On 10 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed increasing the maximum number of International Securities Identification Numbers (ISINs) maturing in a financial year for privately placed debt securities from 14 to 17 to facilitate fund raising and improve issuers' asset liability management. Under the existing framework, issuers can have a maximum of 14 ISINs maturing in a financial year, comprising nine ISINs for plain vanilla debt securities and five for structured...

SEBI Mandates Joint Inspections Of Stock Brokers, Depository Participants From This Financial Year

The Securities and Exchange Board of India on Friday announced an enhanced approach for inspecting market intermediaries, which will come into effect from the financial year 2026-27.SEBI said the framework, formulated after consultations with Market Infrastructure Institutions and the Supervisory Body for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts, provides for joint inspections of stock brokers and depository participants by stock exchanges and depositories.To strengthen regulatory oversight...

SEBI Proposes Allowing REITs, InvITs To Invest In Third-Party Under-Construction Projects

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Thursday issued a consultation paper proposing a series of ease of doing business measures for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs).One of the key proposals is to permit them to invest in third-party under-construction projects without acquiring a controlling interest.The proposals are based on inputs received from industry associations, including the Indian REITs Association and Bharat InvITs...

India Power MD Raghav Raj Kanoria Settles SEBI Proceedings Over Financial Statement Misstatements

Raghav Raj Kanoria, the Managing Director of India Power Corporation Limited (IPCL), has settled adjudication proceedings with SEBI regarding alleged financial misstatements by paying ₹24.70 lakh. The matter was settled under SEBI's settlement regulations without Kanoria admitting or denying any findings. Following the payment, SEBI Adjudicating Officer Jai Sebastian officially disposed of the proceedings.The proceedings arose from a Show Cause Notice issued on May 28, 2025, alleging that...

SEBI Proposes Depository Receipts Framework For REIT And InvIT Units To Attract Foreign Capital

On 5 August, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed a framework to allow issuance of Depository Receipts (DRs) against units of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and publicly listed Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), based on the recommendations of its Hybrid Securities Advisory Committee. SEBI said the Depository Receipts Scheme, 2014 permits issuance of DRs, which are foreign currency denominated instruments issued by a foreign depository against eligible...

SEBI Appoints Prasanta Mahapatra As Executive Director

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Monday announced that Prasanta Mahapatra has assumed charge as Executive Director. He will oversee the Corporation Finance Investigation Department and the Recovery and Refund Department of the market regulator.Prior to his elevation, Mahapatra served as Chief General Manager at SEBI. Having joined the regulator in April 1999, he has worked across several departments, including Market Regulation, Investigation, Enquiries and Adjudication,...

SEBI Bars ZEE, Punit Goenka, Subhash Chandra From Securities Market Over Unauthorised Property Pledge

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has restrained Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), former Managing Director and CEO Punit Goenka, and former Chairman Subhash Chandra from accessing the securities market.ZEEL has been restrained for two months, while Goenka and Chandra have each been debarred for one year after the regulator found that the company's Hyderabad property was unauthorizedly pledged to secure loans taken by promoter-linked entities without the approval of...