SEBI’s Digital Accessibility Mandate: What Financial Entities Must Know

Digital accessibility is now a regulatory requirement across India’s securities ecosystem. On September 25, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (S.E.B.I.) issued compliance guidelines that operationalize the July 31, 2025 circular under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Regulated entities (REs) must audit, remediate and annually report accessibility for all investor-facing digital platforms.

Key compliance deadlines

• Sept 30, 2025: Submit a complete list of all investor-facing digital platforms (websites, apps, portals).
• Dec 14, 2025: Appoint I.A.A.P.-certified accessibility professionals as auditors.
• April 30, 2026: Complete initial accessibility audits and submit consolidated reports.
• July 31, 2026: Remediate audit findings and submit final consolidated reports.
• From April 30, 2027: Submit annual accessibility audit compliance within 30 days of each financial year.

This phased schedule gives REs time to inventory platforms, audit against standards and remediate issues before ongoing annual compliance begins.

Reporting mechanism

• Stock brokers & depository participants: Report via stock exchanges/depositories.
• Investment advisors & research analysts: Report via B.S.E. Ltd.
• All other regulated entities: Report directly to S.E.B.I. via email at digital_acc@S.E.B.I..gov.in.

Entities with multiple platforms must submit consolidated audit reports, providing S.E.B.I. with a unified view of accessibility compliance.

Submission formats

• Level 1: Information about digital platforms (name, URL, purpose, current accessibility status).
• Level 2: Appointment details of I.A.A.P.-certified auditors (name, certification ID, scope).
• Level 3: Initial accessibility audit report (terms of reference, key findings, remediation plan, consolidated P.D.F.).
• Level 4: Final accessibility audit report (remediation actions, status of compliance, supporting evidence).

Use S.E.B.I.’s specified file naming conventions and attach consolidated P.D.F.s when multiple platforms are covered.

Who must comply directly with S.E.B.I.

• Alternative Investment Funds (A.I.F.)
• Custodians
• Credit Rating Agencies (C.R.A.)
• Merchant Bankers (M.B.)
• Mutual Funds (M.F.) / Asset Management Companies (A.M.C.)
• Portfolio Managers
• Registrars & Transfer Agents (R.T.A.)
• Stock Exchanges
• Venture Capital Funds (V.C.F.)

Other categories report via their designated authorities as noted earlier.

Why this matters for businesses

• Legal obligation: Accessibility is enforced under S.E.B.I.’s regulatory powers and the R.P.w.D. Act.
• Investor confidence: Inclusive platforms enable equal participation from investors with disabilities.
• Global credibility: I.A.A.P.-certified audits align with internationally recognized best practices.
• Reputation & risk: Early compliance shows governance leadership and reduces regulatory risk.

Accessibility is both compliance and competitive advantage, strengthening user experience and trust across digital touchpoints.

How regulated entities can prepare

• Inventory platforms: Create a definitive list of all investor-facing websites, mobile apps and portals.
• Engage certified auditors: Secure I.A.A.P.-certified accessibility professionals well ahead of the December appointment deadline.
• Plan remediation: Prioritize high-impact fixes and allocate resources to meet the July 2026 deadline.
• Operationalize audits: Build annual accessibility audits and reporting into your compliance calendar and Q.A. processes.
• Document evidence: Maintain clear records (screenshots, U.R.L.(s), reports) to substantiate compliance in final submissions.

A proactive, documented approach streamlines submissions and improves accessibility outcomes for investors.

Conclusion

S.E.B.I.’s accessibility guidelines embed inclusivity into the governance of India’s financial markets. This is more than a checkbox—it’s a commitment to equitable investor access, better user experience and resilient digital operations. Entities that act early will not only meet regulatory expectations but also demonstrate leadership in accessibility.

Get expert help with S.E.B.I. accessibility compliance

We help regulated entities meet S.E.B.I.’s accessibility requirements end-to-end—from platform inventory and I.A.A.P.-certified audits to remediation, verification and annual reporting. If you need support drafting, consolidating multi-platform reports or implementing W.C.A.G.-aligned fixes, our team is ready to partner with you.

Ready to comply confidently? Contact us to schedule an accessibility readiness assessment and build your compliance roadmap.