Description

SEBI mandates all regulated entities and their agents to prominently display their registered name and SEBI registration number on social media handles and at the beginning of each securities-market-related video or content posted online.

Summary

SEBI has issued circular HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC dated February 26, 2026, under the Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) initiative. It requires all SEBI-regulated entities and their agents to disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on social media platforms (SMPs) to help investors distinguish authenticated content from unregistered persons.

Key Points

  • All SEBI-regulated intermediaries (Stock Brokers, DPs, RTAs, IAs, RAs, InvITs, REITs, SMREITs, AIFs, Portfolio Managers, CIS, MFs/AMCs/AMFI, and all SEBI-registered persons) are covered.
  • Regulated entities must display their SEBI registered name and registration number on the home page of their social media handles.
  • For each video/short/content relating to the securities market, the registration details must appear at the beginning of the content.
  • Entities with single SEBI registration: State the registered name and registration number directly on the SMP home page and at the start of each video.
  • Entities with multiple SEBI registrations: Provide a weblink on the home page directing to their website listing all registrations; disclose the specific registration relevant to each video/content at the beginning of that content.
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., mutual fund distributors, PMS distributors) are similarly required to disclose their registration details.
  • Covered SMPs include YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Reddit, and any other platform (public or closed groups).

Regulatory Changes

  • New disclosure obligations introduced under the EoDI initiative to strengthen investor protection and transparency on social media.
  • Derived from conduct obligations under Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992, and respective intermediary regulations.
  • ‘Persons regulated by the Board’ defined per Chapter IIIA – Explanation 1 of Regulation 16A, SEBI (Intermediaries) Regulations, 2008.

Compliance Requirements

  • Home page of all social media handles: Prominently display SEBI registered name and registration number (or a weblink to registration details for multi-registered entities).
  • Each video/content upload: Display SEBI registered name and registration number at the beginning, in the capacity relevant to that content.
  • Applies to content in both closed and publicly available groups across all SMPs.
  • Agents must disclose their own registration details as agents of SEBI-regulated entities.

Important Dates

  • Circular date: February 26, 2026
  • Effective date and implementation timeline not explicitly stated in the available extract; entities should refer to the full circular for any specified compliance deadline.

Impact Assessment

  • Operational impact: All SEBI-regulated intermediaries maintaining social media accounts for securities-market content must review and update their profile pages and content templates.
  • Investor benefit: Investors can more easily verify whether content is from a legitimate SEBI-registered entity, reducing exposure to unregistered advisors and fraudulent channels.
  • Agents affected: Distributors and agents of regulated entities (e.g., MF distributors) must also update their social media profiles, expanding compliance obligations beyond direct registrants.
  • No direct market or trading impact; effect is reputational and investor-trust oriented.

Impact Justification

Broad compliance obligation affecting all SEBI-registered intermediaries with social media presence; operationally significant but does not alter trading rules or market structure.