Description

SEBI issues compliance guidelines for regulated entities to ensure digital accessibility compliance with mandatory accessibility audits and remediation timelines.

Summary

SEBI has issued detailed compliance guidelines for implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 across all regulated entities’ digital platforms. This circular (SEBI/HO/ITD-1/ITD_VIAP/P/CIR/2025/131) dated September 25, 2025, provides specific timelines and mechanisms for ensuring digital accessibility compliance, including mandatory accessibility audits by IAAP certified professionals.

Key Points

  • All regulated entities must comply with digital accessibility requirements for investor-facing platforms
  • IAAP certified accessibility professionals must be appointed as auditors
  • Accessibility audits must be conducted for all digital platforms
  • Findings from audits must be remediated within specified timelines
  • Annual accessibility audits will be mandatory going forward
  • Different reporting mechanisms for stock brokers, depository participants, investment advisors, research analysts, and other regulated entities
  • Submissions to SEBI must be made via email to digital_acc@sebi.gov.in
  • Multiple digital platforms require consolidated audit reports

Regulatory Changes

This circular provides implementation guidelines for the previously issued circular dated July 31, 2025 (SEBI/HO/ITD-1/ITD_VIAP/P/CIR/2025/111) on Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The guidelines specify:

  • Structured compliance requirements in five phases
  • Reporting authority mechanism based on entity type
  • Standardized formats for compliance submission
  • Annual compliance reporting framework effective from FY 2026-27

Compliance Requirements

Phase 1 (By September 30, 2025)

  • Submit list of digital platforms provided to investors (Table-C1 format)

Phase 2 (By December 14, 2025)

  • Appoint IAAP certified accessibility professionals as auditors (Table-C2 format)

Phase 3 (By April 30, 2026)

  • Conduct accessibility audit for all digital platforms (Table-C3 format)
  • Submit consolidated initial audit reports for entities with multiple platforms

Phase 4 (By July 31, 2026)

  • Complete remediation of audit findings
  • Ensure full compliance with circular requirements (Table-C4 format)
  • Submit consolidated final audit reports

Phase 5 (Annually from April 30, 2027)

  • Conduct annual accessibility audits
  • Submit final audit reports within 30 days of each financial year end

Reporting Mechanism

  • Stock Brokers/Depository Participants: Report to Stock Exchanges/Depositories
  • Investment Advisors and Research Analysts: Report to BSE Limited
  • Market Infrastructure Institutions and other Regulated Entities: Report directly to SEBI

Important Dates

  • September 30, 2025: Submit list of digital platforms
  • December 14, 2025: Appointment of IAAP certified auditors
  • April 30, 2026: Complete accessibility audits and submit initial reports
  • July 31, 2026: Complete remediation and submit final audit reports
  • April 30, 2027 onwards: Annual compliance submission (within 30 days of each financial year)

Impact Assessment

Operational Impact

  • Regulated entities must allocate resources for hiring IAAP certified professionals
  • Technical teams will need to conduct comprehensive accessibility audits
  • Development teams must remediate identified accessibility issues
  • Ongoing annual compliance will require sustained investment in accessibility

Market Impact

  • Enhanced accessibility will improve market access for persons with disabilities
  • Increased investor inclusion and participation in securities markets
  • Standardization of digital accessibility across the securities industry

Compliance Impact

  • Multiple deadlines require careful project management
  • Entities with multiple platforms face consolidated reporting requirements
  • Non-compliance may result in regulatory action
  • Annual audits create ongoing compliance obligations

Investor Impact

  • Improved digital accessibility for investors with disabilities
  • Better user experience across regulated entity platforms
  • Increased ability to independently access securities market services

Impact Justification

Mandatory compliance requirements affecting all regulated entities with specific deadlines; non-compliance may impact investor access and regulatory standing