Description

SEBI requires all regulated entities and their agents to prominently disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on social media handles and in securities market content posted on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, Telegram, and others.

Summary

SEBI has issued a circular (HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC) dated February 26, 2026, under the Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) initiative, mandating all SEBI regulated entities and their agents to disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on Social Media Platforms (SMPs). This requirement applies to all securities market-related content posted on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Reddit, and similar platforms.

Key Points

  • All SEBI regulated entities must display their registered name and registration number on the home page of their social media handles
  • Disclosure is also required at the beginning of each video or content piece related to the securities market
  • Applies to both open/public groups and closed groups on SMPs
  • Entities with a single SEBI registration must state the registered name and registration number directly on the social media handle home page and at the start of each video/content
  • Entities with multiple SEBI registrations must provide a weblink on their home page directing to their website listing all registered names and registration numbers; individual content must disclose the specific registration applicable to the capacity in which that content is posted
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., mutual fund distributors, portfolio management services distributors) are also required to comply with the disclosure norms

Regulatory Changes

  • New disclosure requirement introduced for SEBI regulated entities under the EoDI framework
  • Obligations stem from the code of conduct under respective SEBI regulations for intermediaries registered under Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992
  • Definition of ‘persons regulated by the Board’ follows Chapter IIIA – Explanation 1 of Regulation 16A of SEBI (Intermediaries) Regulations, 2008

Compliance Requirements

  • All SEBI regulated entities (Stock Brokers, Depository Participants, RTAs, Investment Advisers, Research Analysts, InvITs, REITs, SMREITs, AIFs, Portfolio Managers, CIS, Mutual Funds/AMCs/AMFI) must update their social media handles to display SEBI registered name and registration number prominently on the home page
  • Single-registration entities: Display registered name and registration number on the SMP handle home page and at the beginning of every securities market-related video/content
  • Multiple-registration entities: Provide a weblink on home page to a page listing all registrations; disclose specific registration applicable at the start of each content item
  • Agents of regulated entities: Must similarly disclose their registered name and registration number as agents (e.g., mutual fund distributor code) on their social media handles and in content
  • Compliance extends to content posted in both public and private/closed groups

Important Dates

  • Circular date: February 26, 2026
  • Effective date: Not explicitly stated in the available excerpt; entities should refer to the full circular for implementation timelines

Impact Assessment

This circular has a broad but operational impact across the entire intermediary ecosystem in the Indian securities market. It primarily affects entities that use social media for investor communication, marketing, or content dissemination. The compliance burden is moderate — requiring updates to social media profile pages and addition of disclosure overlays or text at the beginning of video/content. There is no direct market or stock-specific impact. The measure is designed to protect retail investors from unregistered persons posing as SEBI regulated entities on social media, aligning with SEBI’s broader investor protection and transparency goals under the EoDI initiative.

Impact Justification

Broad compliance directive affecting all SEBI regulated entities requiring operational changes to social media presence; no direct market or stock price impact but significant compliance scope across the entire intermediary ecosystem.