On May 23, 2025, SEBI issued Circular SEBI/HO/MIRSD/SECFATF/P/CIR/2025/74 addressing the accessibility of digital KYC processes for persons with disabilities. This directive follows a Supreme Court judgment dated April 30, 2025, which emphasized the necessity for inclusive financial services, specifically mandating that digital KYC procedures be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those with visual impairments.
In response, SEBI has updated its “FAQ on Account Opening by Persons with Disabilities,” now available on its official website under the Know Your Client (KYC) section. The circular mandates all SEBI-registered intermediaries, stock exchanges, mutual fund associations, portfolio managers, and supervision entities to ensure that digital KYC services are accessible to all clients, including those with disabilities. These intermediaries are required to align their digital platforms with the revised FAQ guidelines to facilitate inclusive access.
The circular is issued under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, reaffirming SEBI’s commitment to equitable access to financial systems. Intermediaries are expected to implement necessary changes to comply with these accessibility requirements. The full text of the circular is available on the SEBI website under the “Legal – Circulars” section.
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Circular No. SEBI/HO/MIRSD/SECFATF/P/CIR/2025/74 Dated: May 23, 2025
To,
1. All intermediaries registered with SEBI under Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
2. Stock Exchanges
3. Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)
4. Association of Portfolio Managers in India (APMI)
5. BSE Administration & Supervision Limited (BASL)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Subject: Accessibility and Inclusiveness of Digital KYC to Persons with Disabilities
1. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgement dated April 30, 2025, emphasized the need for equal and accessible inclusion of persons with disabilities for availing financial services and directed to ensure that the process of digital KYC is accessible to persons with disabilities.
2. SEBI is committed to the cause of enabling equal access of services of its registered intermediaries to persons with disabilities, including persons with visual impairments and in order to make the digital KYC process inclusive and accessible, FAQ on Account opening by Persons with Disabilities has been revised and is available on ‘SEBI Website – FAQs – Know Your Client Requirements, Demat / Trading Account Opening – FAQ on Account Opening by Persons with Disabilitlies.
3. Intermediaries shall extend their services enabling digital accessibility to client including persons with disabilities and shall be guided by the said FAQ on Account opening by Person with Disabilities.
4. This circular is being issued in exercise of the powers confined under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
5. This circular is available at sebi.gov.in under the link “Legal -Circulars” Yours faithfully,
Sapna Sinha
Deputy General Manager
Phone No. 022-2644 9748
Email id: sapnas@sebi.gov.in
