SEBI has notified the SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 2026 which shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. Major changes to the regulatory framework include the following:
- Amendments of certain key definitions such as clearing member, professional clearing member, proprietary trading member, proprietary trading, designated director etc. to provide clarity.
- Modifications or inclusion of certain provisions to provide for ease of compliance and ease of doing business by enabling provision for joint inspection and maintenance of books of accounts by brokers in electronic form.
- Rationalisation of the criteria for stock brokers to be identified as qualified stock brokers so that the brokers meeting criteria such as large number of active clients and greater trading volume etc. are covered for enhanced supervision and compliance.
- The reporting responsibilities have been changed to account for the stock exchanges as the first line regulators for stock brokers.
- Removal of obsolete and non-applicable historical provisions such as provisions pertaining to physical delivery of shares, Forward Market Commission sub-brokers etc.
On and from the commencement of these regulations, the SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, 1992 shall stand repealed.
