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 all securities market-related content posted on SMPs.

Summary

SEBI has issued circular HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC dated 26 February 2026 under its Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) initiative, requiring all SEBI-regulated entities and their agents to disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on Social Media Platforms (SMPs). The measure aims to help investors distinguish content posted by legitimate SEBI-registered entities from unregistered persons operating on social media.

Key Points

  • All SEBI-regulated entities must display their registered name and registration number on the home page of their social media handles used for securities market content.
  • The disclosure must also appear at the beginning of every video, short, or content piece related to the securities market uploaded on any SMP.
  • Platforms covered include YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Reddit, and similar platforms — including closed and public groups.
  • Entities with a single SEBI registration must state their registered name and number directly on the social media handle home page and in the beginning of each content piece.
  • Entities with multiple SEBI registrations must provide a weblink on the home page directing to their website listing all registrations; in individual content pieces, they must disclose the specific registration relevant to that content.
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., mutual fund distributors, PMS distributors) are also subject to these disclosure requirements.

Regulatory Changes

This circular introduces new social media conduct requirements for all intermediaries registered under Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992, supplementing existing codes of conduct under their respective regulations. The term ‘persons regulated by the Board’ is defined by reference to Chapter IIIA, Explanation 1 of Regulation 16A of SEBI (Intermediaries) Regulations, 2008.

Compliance Requirements

  • Stock Brokers (SBs): Display SEBI registration details on all social media handles and in all securities market content.
  • Depository Participants (DPs), RTAs, IAs, RAs: Same disclosure obligations on SMPs.
  • MFs/AMCs/AMFI, Portfolio Managers, AIFs, InvITs, REITs, SMREITs, CIS: Display registration details on social media home pages and in content.
  • Agents (MF distributors, PMS distributors, etc.): Must prominently disclose their own registered name and registration number in the same manner.
  • Entities with multiple registrations must maintain a dedicated webpage listing all SEBI registrations and link to it from each social media handle.

Important Dates

  • Circular Date: 26 February 2026
  • Effective Date: Not explicitly stated in the available text; entities should implement promptly upon receipt. Further details on timelines may be present in the full circular text beyond the excerpt provided.

Impact Assessment

This circular has broad operational impact across the entire SEBI-regulated intermediary ecosystem. All entities maintaining social media presence for securities market communication will need to update their profile pages and video/content templates to include mandatory registration disclosures. While there is no direct market or trading impact, the compliance burden is significant given the large number of regulated entities and agents active on multiple social media platforms. The measure strengthens investor protection by enabling investors to verify the credentials of entities providing securities market information online, reducing exposure to unregistered advisers and fraudulent content.

Impact Justification

Broad compliance directive affecting all SEBI-regulated intermediaries requiring operational changes to social media practices; no direct market or stock price impact but significant administrative compliance obligation across a large number of entities.