Description

SEBI mandates that all regulated entities and their agents prominently disclose their registered name and registration number on social media platforms (SMPs) when posting securities market-related content, to help investors distinguish regulated from unregistered entities.

Summary

SEBI has issued circular HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC dated 26-02-2026 under the Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) initiative. It requires all SEBI-regulated entities and their agents to prominently disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on their social media handles and at the beginning of each securities market-related video or content they post. This is intended to help investors distinguish content posted by regulated entities from that posted by unregistered persons.

Key Points

  • All SEBI-registered intermediaries (stock brokers, DPs, RTAs, IAs, RAs, InvITs, REITs, SMREITs, AIFs, portfolio managers, CIS, MFs/AMCs/AMFI, and all other SEBI-regulated persons) are covered.
  • Regulated entities must display their SEBI registered name and registration number on the home page of their social media handles.
  • The disclosure must also appear at the beginning of each video/short/content related to the securities market.
  • Entities with a single SEBI registration must state the registered name and registration number directly on their SMP home page.
  • Entities with multiple SEBI registrations must provide a weblink on their home page to a webpage listing all registrations, and disclose the relevant registration in the beginning of each piece of content.
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., mutual fund distributors, PMS distributors) are also required to disclose their registered name and registration number.
  • Platforms covered include YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Reddit, and similar platforms — whether content is in closed or public groups.

Regulatory Changes

  • New disclosure obligations introduced for all SEBI-regulated entities and their agents regarding social media content.
  • Requirement applies to all content related to the securities market uploaded/posted on any SMP, including closed groups.
  • Builds upon existing code of conduct obligations under respective SEBI regulations and Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992.

Compliance Requirements

  • Home page disclosure: Display SEBI registered name and registration number prominently on the home page of all social media handles used for securities market content.
  • Content disclosure: At the beginning of each video, short, or content piece related to the securities market, state the SEBI registered name and registration number.
  • Multiple registrations: Provide a weblink to a comprehensive list of all SEBI registrations on the home page; disclose the specific capacity/registration relevant to each content piece at the start of the content.
  • Agents: Must similarly disclose their registered name and registration number as agents of SEBI-regulated entities on their social media handles and content.
  • All regulated entities must ensure their agents comply with these requirements.

Important Dates

  • Circular date: 26-02-2026
  • Effective/compliance date: Not explicitly stated in the extracted content (refer to full circular for implementation timeline).

Impact Assessment

  • Operational impact: All SEBI-regulated entities and their agents with a social media presence must update their profiles and content production workflows to include mandatory disclosures.
  • Investor protection: Enhances investor ability to verify the regulatory status of entities posting securities market content, reducing risk of misleading content from unregistered persons.
  • Market impact: No direct trading or price impact; purely a compliance and disclosure requirement.
  • Scope: Very broad — covers virtually all SEBI intermediaries and their agents across all major social media platforms, including private/closed groups.

Impact Justification

Broad compliance directive affecting all SEBI-regulated entities active on social media; no direct market or trading impact but requires operational changes to social media practices across a wide range of intermediaries.