Description

SEBI mandates all regulated entities and their agents to prominently disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on social media handles and at the beginning of each securities-market-related content/video uploaded on SMPs.

Summary

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

Key Points

  • All SEBI-regulated entities must display their registered name and registration number prominently on the home page of their social media handles
  • Disclosure is also required at the beginning of each video, short, or content related to the securities market uploaded on any SMP
  • Applies to a wide range of platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Reddit, and others
  • Entities with a single SEBI registration must state their registered name and registration number directly on the handle home page
  • Entities with multiple SEBI registrations must provide a weblink on their home page directing to their website listing all registrations; individual content/videos must disclose the specific registration relevant to that content
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., mutual fund distributors, portfolio management services distributors) are also covered and must disclose their agent registration details

Regulatory Changes

  • New disclosure obligations introduced under the Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) framework
  • Obligation grounded in the existing code of conduct under Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992 and respective regulations for each category of intermediary
  • ‘Persons regulated by the Board’ is defined as per Chapter IIIA, Explanation 1 of Regulation 16A of SEBI (Intermediaries) Regulations, 2008
  • Content covered includes any material published, broadcasted, uploaded, or posted on SMPs, whether in closed groups or publicly available groups

Compliance Requirements

  • Stock Brokers (SBs): Must display SEBI registration on all social media handles and securities-market content
  • Depository Participants (DPs): Same as above
  • Registrar to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs): Same as above
  • Investment Advisers (IAs): Must prominently disclose IA registration number
  • Research Analysts (RAs): Must prominently disclose RA registration number
  • InvITs, REITs, SMREITs, AIFs, Portfolio Managers, CIS, MFs/AMCs/AMFI: All must comply with disclosure norms on SMPs
  • Agents (e.g., MF distributors, PMS distributors): Must disclose their agent registration details on home pages and in content
  • For entities with multiple registrations: provide a consolidated weblink on the SMP home page and disclose the specific relevant registration in each piece of content

Important Dates

  • Circular date: February 26, 2026
  • Reference number: HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC
  • Effective/implementation date: Not explicitly stated in the extracted content; entities should refer to the full circular for any specified compliance deadline

Impact Assessment

This circular has moderate compliance impact across the entire ecosystem of SEBI-regulated intermediaries and their agents who are active on social media. It does not affect trading, pricing, or market operations directly. The primary operational impact involves updating social media profiles and video/content production workflows to incorporate mandatory disclosures. For large intermediaries managing multiple social media accounts or producing high volumes of content, this may require systematic process changes. The measure strengthens investor protection by enabling investors to verify the credentials of entities providing securities market information on social media, thereby reducing the risk of misinformation from unregistered entities.

Impact Justification

This circular introduces a new compliance obligation for all SEBI-regulated entities active on social media, enhancing investor protection and transparency, but does not directly affect market trading or pricing.