Description

RTI appeal by Unnikrishnan M S regarding SEBI Grade A officer sanctioned strength, vacancies, and future recruitment plans. Appellate Authority partially upholds respondent's response.

Summary

This is an order by the Appellate Authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005, on Appeal No. 6796 of 2026 filed by Unnikrishnan M S against CPIO, SEBI, Mumbai. The appeal challenged SEBI’s response to an RTI application seeking information about Grade A officer sanctioned strength, vacancies, and future recruitment plans. The Appellate Authority largely upheld the respondent’s response.

Key Points

  • Appellant filed RTI application dated March 08, 2026 seeking information on SEBI Grade A officer staffing
  • SEBI responded on March 13, 2026; appellant filed appeal the same day (Reg. No. SEBIH/A/E/26/00102)
  • As of January 31, 2026, SEBI’s sanctioned strength (Grade A to F) is 1,166 and persons in position is 1,030
  • Sanctioned strength includes an ongoing recruitment exercise for 135 Grade A officers
  • Query regarding future recruitment plans was deemed a request for clarification/opinion, not ‘information’ under RTI Act Section 2(f)
  • Appellate Authority directed appellant to SEBI’s employee directory at https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebiweb/home/directory-of-sebi.jsp

Regulatory Changes

No regulatory changes. This is an administrative RTI appellate order with no amendments to regulations or market rules.

Compliance Requirements

No compliance requirements for market participants. This order is specific to the RTI appeal between the appellant and CPIO, SEBI.

Important Dates

  • March 08, 2026: Original RTI application filed by appellant
  • March 13, 2026: SEBI (respondent) replied to RTI application
  • March 13, 2026: Appellant filed appeal (Reg. No. SEBIH/A/E/26/00102)
  • January 31, 2026: Reference date for SEBI staffing figures cited in the response

Impact Assessment

This order has no market or investor impact. It is an internal administrative matter concerning SEBI’s human resources and staffing data disclosed under the RTI Act. The Appellate Authority upheld SEBI’s position that queries seeking clarification or opinion on future recruitment plans do not qualify as ‘information’ under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act, consistent with established precedent (Azad Singh vs. CPIO, Oriental Insurance Company Limited, March 23, 2021).

Impact Justification

Administrative RTI appeal concerning internal SEBI staffing information with no direct market or investor impact.