Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Basic Information

SEBI is the primary regulatory body for India’s securities market, ensuring fair practices and investor protection. Its headquarters is located in Mumbai, with regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. SEBI’s official website (https://www.sebi.gov.in) provides regulatory updates, investor resources, and market guidelines.

Background and History

SEBI was initially formed as a non-statutory body in 1988 but gained statutory authority on April 12, 1992, under the SEBI Act. This transformation empowered SEBI to regulate stock exchanges, intermediaries, and market participants, ensuring transparency and curbing fraudulent activities in India’s financial markets.

Legal Authority and Regulatory Framework

SEBI operates under the SEBI Act, 1992, which grants it quasi-legislative, quasi-executive, and quasi-judicial powers. Its regulatory scope includes:

Supervising stock exchanges, brokers, and depository participants
Enforcing compliance with securities laws
Investigating market manipulations and insider trading
Approving public offerings and mutual fund regulations

Key Responsibilities and Regulatory Scope

SEBI’s primary functions include:

Investor Protection: Safeguarding investor interests through grievance redressal and awareness programs
Market Development: Promoting fair and efficient securities markets
Intermediary Regulation: Licensing and monitoring brokers, mutual funds, and investment advisors
Enforcement: Penalizing violations of securities laws

Contact Information and Addresses

SEBI’s headquarters and regional offices can be contacted as follows:

Head Office (Mumbai): SEBI Bhavan, Plot No. C4-A, ‘G’ Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400051
Phone: +91-22-26449000 / 40459000
Toll-Free Helpline: 1800 22 7575
Email: [email protected]

How to Verify a Regulated Entity

To check if a financial intermediary is SEBI-registered:

Visit SEBI’s official website (https://www.sebi.gov.in)
Navigate to Intermediaries / Market Infrastructure Institutions
Select Recognized Intermediaries and search by name or registration number
Alternatively, use the SEBI SCORES portal (https://scores.gov.in) for complaint verification