SEBI Issues New Rules for PwD-Accessible Digital Platforms

In a landmark move following a Supreme Court ruling, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a new directive making it mandatory for all market intermediaries to ensure their digital platforms are fully accessible to people with disabilities (PwDs). The circular, issued on July 31, 2025, aims to protect investor rights and promote equal participation in India’s securities market.

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Key Mandates and Requirements

SEBI’s directive applies to all regulated entities, including stockbrokers, mutual funds, exchanges, and depositories. These entities must now adhere to global and Indian accessibility standards, specifically WCAG 2.1, GIGW, and IS 17802.

To meet these standards, firms must implement a range of user-friendly features:

• Inclusive Content: All digital content, including KYC explainer videos, must feature Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation, captions, and descriptive audio.
• Alternative Text: Images and other non-text elements must have alternative text descriptions to assist visually impaired users.
• Accessible PDFs: All investor documents in PDF format must be designed to be accessible to users with screen readers.
• Assisted KYC: Digital KYC processes must offer alternatives, such as human-assisted video calls or voice support, for visually impaired investors.

Strict Compliance Timeline

SEBI has set a clear and strict timeline for all regulated entities to achieve compliance:

• One month: Submit a list of all digital platforms and a compliance report.
• 45 days: Appoint certified accessibility auditors.
• Three months: Conduct a complete accessibility audit.
• Six months: Fix all identified gaps and achieve full compliance.

Following the initial compliance period, firms must conduct annual audits and submit progress reports to SEBI every year.

Accountability and Grievance Redressal

To ensure accountability, each regulated entity is required to appoint a nodal officer for digital accessibility. The directive also mandates a clear grievance redressal system with escalation options for investors who face accessibility issues.

These new rules will also apply to any new software, websites, or mobile applications developed or acquired by these entities in the future.