Description

NSE requires all Trading Members to submit their readiness and compliance status for accessibility requirements on investor-facing digital platforms by March 31, 2026, pursuant to SEBI circular on Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Summary

NSE has issued a reminder circular requiring all Trading Members to submit their status of readiness and compliance with accessibility requirements for investor-facing digital platforms by March 31, 2026. This is mandated under SEBI Circular No. HO/13/19/13(2)2025-ITD-1_VIAP/I/187/2025 dated December 8, 2025, and aligns with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

Key Points

  • All Trading Members must submit compliance status via the Member Portal (New ENIT > Compliance > Compliance with RPwD Act, 2016 > RPwD Submission)
  • Members engaged only in Proprietary Trading can submit a simplified declaration
  • Members with client-facing business must report compliance status for their website and mobile applications
  • Members must declare whether they have appointed an IAAP Certified Accessibility Professional as Auditor
  • Submission deadline is March 31, 2026
  • MIS/reporting functionality is available for members to review and download their submissions

Regulatory Changes

This circular references a series of prior NSE circulars (NSE/COMP/71706, 70464, 69938, 69870, 69612) and SEBI’s December 2025 circular on mandatory accessibility compliance for regulated entities under the RPwD Act, 2016. No new regulatory changes are introduced; this is a compliance reminder with a firm deadline.

Compliance Requirements

  • Proprietary-only Trading Members: Select “Yes” for proprietary trading flag and submit via ENIT portal
  • Members with client business: Must report compliance status for all digital platforms (website URLs and mobile applications previously submitted to the Exchange)
  • IAAP Auditor Appointment: Members must declare if an IAAP Certified Accessibility Professional has been appointed as auditor; this field can be updated later from “No” to “Yes” once an auditor is appointed
  • Digital Platform details once submitted cannot be changed; only the IAAP auditor response can be updated
  • Submission portal: Member Portal – New ENIT > Compliance > Compliance with RPwD Act, 2016 > RPwD Submission

Important Dates

  • March 31, 2026 – Deadline for submitting readiness and compliance status for investor-facing digital platforms
  • December 8, 2025 – SEBI Circular mandating compliance (HO/13/19/13(2)2025-ITD-1_VIAP/I/187/2025)
  • March 24, 2026 – Date of this NSE circular (NSE/COMP/73451, Circular Ref. No. 22/2026)

Impact Assessment

This circular primarily impacts Trading Members who operate investor-facing digital platforms (websites and mobile applications). Members must ensure their platforms meet accessibility standards under the RPwD Act, 2016 and complete the ENIT portal submission before the deadline. Non-compliance could result in regulatory action from NSE/SEBI. There is no direct impact on market trading, stock prices, or listed securities. The operational burden is moderate — members need to assess platform accessibility, potentially appoint an IAAP-certified auditor, and complete the online submission.

Impact Justification

Operational compliance deadline for Trading Members regarding digital accessibility; affects all members with investor-facing platforms but does not directly impact market trading or pricing.