SEBI Mandates Social Media Disclosures for Market Intermediaries

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced stricter disclosure requirements for all regulated entities and their agents using social media platforms. Under the new rules, such entities must prominently display their registered name and SEBI registration number on their social media handles, as well as at the beginning of every piece of securities market-related content.

The directive, issued through a circular on Thursday, forms part of SEBI’s “Ease of Doing Investment” (EoDI) initiative. The objective is to help investors clearly differentiate between content shared by authorised, SEBI-registered entities and that circulated by unregistered or unauthorised individuals.

Wide Coverage Across Intermediaries

The mandate applies to all SEBI-registered intermediaries, including stock brokers, depository participants, registrar and share transfer agents (RTAs), investment advisers (IAs), research analysts (RAs), alternative investment funds (AIFs), portfolio managers (PMs), collective investment schemes (CIS), mutual funds and asset management companies (AMCs), as well as InvITs, REITs and other persons regulated by the Board.

According to the circular, regulated entities and their agents, such as mutual fund distributors and portfolio management service distributors, must clearly disclose their registered name and registration number on the home page of their social media accounts and at the beginning of each video or post related to the securities market.

Broad Definition of Social Media

SEBI has adopted an expansive definition of “social media platforms.” The rules cover content published or shared on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram and Reddit, including both public posts and content shared within closed groups.

Rules for Single and Multiple Registrations

For entities holding a single SEBI registration, the registered name and registration number must appear alongside the social media handle name on the home page and at the start of every securities-related post or video.

In cases where an entity holds multiple registrations, for instance, operating as a stock broker, investment adviser and mutual fund distributor, the home page must include a weblink directing users to its website listing all SEBI-registered names and registration numbers. However, in individual posts or videos, only the registration details relevant to the specific activity being undertaken need to be disclosed.

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Obligations for Agents

The disclosure norms also extend to agents of regulated entities.

• If an agent has a single registration, it must disclose the SEBI-registered name and number of the principal entity, followed by its own registered name and registration number, both on the home page and at the beginning of each content piece.
• If the agent has multiple registrations, it must provide a weblink listing registration details of all principal entities along with its own credentials. For individual posts, only the relevant principal and agent details must be disclosed.

The circular will take effect from May 1, 2026, and will apply to all securities market-related content uploaded on or after that date.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.