Overview
- SEBI notified the Sebi (Stock Brokers) Regulations 2026 on January 8, replacing the 1992 rulebook with a shorter, consolidated text cut to 29 pages from 59 and 9,073 words from 18,846.
- Stock brokers may undertake activities governed by regulators such as the RBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, IFSCA, the MCA and IBBI, with jurisdiction resting with the relevant authority.
- Every broker must appoint a designated compliance officer responsible for adherence to securities laws and timely investor grievance redressal.
- Brokers are barred from marketing indicative or guaranteed return schemes not permitted by regulations and from running unauthorised collective investment or portfolio management services.
- Operational updates permit joint inspections with exchanges, clearing corporations or depositories and allow books to be kept in electronic form with the storage location disclosed to the exchange, alongside updated definitions and rationalised criteria to bring high-volume or large-client brokers under enhanced supervision.