SEBI

In a sweeping interim directive, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has barred noted market commentator Sanjiv Bhasin and 11 associates from the capital markets, alleging their involvement in a front-running scheme that yielded unlawful gains of Rs. 11.37 crore. The regulator’s investigation, which spanned over four years, found that Bhasin used his media influence to manipulate stock prices for personal enrichment. The accused have been ordered to freeze assets, deposit impounded gains in lien-marked accounts, and await further proceedings.

Shares of BSE Ltd. plunged over 6% to an intraday low of Rs. 2,500 on June 18, following a regulatory move by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) that is set to reshape competition in India’s derivatives market. SEBI has approved the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) proposal to move its weekly equity derivatives expiry day from Thursday to Tuesday, effective September 1, 2025.

In a significant move toward enhancing market transparency and investor protection, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has issued a consultation paper mandating special purpose distinct entities (SPDIs) and their trustees to furnish comprehensive half-yearly disclosures on securitised debt instruments (SDIs). These filings, to be submitted within 21 days of the end of March and September each year, are expected to cover detailed insights into asset performance, structure, credit quality, and risk exposure.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has urged investors to utilize the Centralized Fee Collection Mechanism (CeFCoM) for paying registered investment advisers (IAs) and research analysts (RAs). Although optional, the system aims to foster greater transparency, security, and trust in financial advisory transactions. Developed to curb unregulated entities posing as financial professionals, CeFCoM has processed over Rs. 5 crore in investor payments since its operational launch on October 1, 2024.

India’s capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has tightened compliance norms for commodity derivatives exchanges by mandating more frequent meetings of Product Advisory Committees (PACs). Effective immediately, all exchanges with commodity segments must ensure their PACs convene at least twice annually, with agricultural commodities requiring a minimum of one meeting per year. The updated directive follows market feedback and internal consultations aimed at improving governance and responsiveness within the commodity derivatives ecosystem.

Three former officials of Brightcom Group Ltd (BGL), including two ex-compliance officers and an independent director, have collectively paid Rs. 35.4 lakh to settle a case with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) concerning alleged financial reporting irregularities spanning six financial years from 2014–15 to 2019–20. The individuals submitted settlement applications without admitting or denying guilt. As part of the agreement, all three are barred from engaging with BGL or its affiliates for periods ranging from one to two years.

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to introduce monthly electricity futures contracts. This significant move aims to provide market participants with effective tools to hedge against electricity price volatility, encourage more accurate price signals in the power sector, and attract capital investments in various segments of the electricity value chain, including generation, transmission, and retail.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has introduced a new Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism to strengthen the security and transparency of financial transactions within the securities market. Effective from October 1, 2025, all registered intermediaries will be required to implement this system, which aims to address rising concerns over fraudulent activities and impersonation. The new framework will include a revamped UPI address structure and a feature called "Sebi Check," allowing investors to authenticate intermediaries through verified UPI IDs.

Jio BlackRock Investment Advisers Pvt Ltd—a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services Ltd (JFSL) and global asset management giant BlackRock Inc—has received formal approval from both the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to commence operations as an investment adviser. This milestone follows prior regulatory clearance for its mutual fund business.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has levied a Rs. 3 lakh penalty on Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd for breaching stock brokers' norms related to trading terminals and oversight of authorized persons. The violations were uncovered during a thematic inspection focused on the broker's control over authorized persons for the period spanning April 2022 to January 2024. Sebi found multiple instances of trading from unapproved locations and terminals, along with fund-based relationships between authorized persons and clients, contravening established regulations.