SEBI Grants Extension and Shifts Reporting Authority for IAs and RAs on Compliance to Digital Accessibility Circular [Read Circular]

The earlier circular mandated regulated entities to align their digital platforms with accessibility requirements under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Several entities sought more time to comply, leading SEBI to extend multiple deadlines.

Step by Step Guide of Preparing Company Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account Click Here

The present circular is regarding “Extension of timelines and Update of reporting authority for IAs and RAs w.r.t. SEBI Circular for Compliance to Digital Accessibility Circular ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and rules made thereunder – mandatory compliance by all Regulated Entities’.”

The revised timelines are set out as follows:

S/N	Compliance required	Timeline	Current Date	Extension Granted	New Date
1	REs shall submit a compliance/action taken report pertaining to the clauses of this circular	Within 30 days	Aug 30, 2025	1 month	Sept 30, 2025
2	REs shall submit a list of digital platforms provided by them for the investors	Within 30 days	Aug 30, 2025	1 month	Sept 30, 2025
3	Appointment of IAAP certified accessibility professionals as Auditor	Within 45 days	Sept 14, 2025	3 months	Dec 14, 2025
4	Conduct of Accessibility Audit for the digital platforms	Within 3 months	Oct 31, 2025	6 months	April 30, 2026
5	Remediation of findings from the audit and ensuring compliance with this circular	Within 6 months	Jan 31, 2025	6 months	July 31, 2026
6	Annually give compliance to conducting annual accessibility audits of all the digital platforms and submit final report of such audit to SEBI	Within 30 days of each Financial Year	April 30, 2026	To next Financial Year	April 30, 2027

The circular also updates the reporting authority for ensuring compliance under the Digital Accessibility Circular. The revised structure is as follows:

1. Stock brokers and depository participants shall report to their respective stock exchanges and depositories.
2. Investment Advisers and Research Analysts, earlier required to report to BASL and SEBI respectively, will now report to BSE Limited.
3. Market Infrastructure Institutions and all other regulated entities will continue to report to SEBI.

The circular has been addressed to all recognised stock exchanges, clearing corporations, depositories, registered intermediaries, the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the Association of Portfolio Managers in India (APMI) and BSE Limited in its capacity as Investment Adviser Administration and Supervisory Body (IAASB) and Research Analysts Administration and Supervisory Body (RAASB).

Complete practical guide to Drafting Commercial Contracts, Click Here

The circular has been issued under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 in order to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market and has been signed by Deepankar Chatterjee, Deputy General Manager of SEBI.

Support our journalism by subscribing to Taxscan premium. Follow us on Telegram for quick updates