SEBI’s Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/AFD/AFD-PoD-2/P/CIR/2024/70, issued on May 30, 2024, consolidates provisions for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Designated Depository Participants (DDPs), and Eligible Foreign Investors, superseding the previous Master Circular from December 19, 2022. Effective immediately, it maintains SEBI’s directives and guidance for FPIs alongside existing laws. Despite rescinding previous circulars, actions taken and applications submitted under them are deemed valid under this Master Circular, ensuring continuity. Issued with the approval of the Competent Authority and under SEBI’s conferred powers, it is accessible on SEBI’s website under “Legal – Master Circulars.”
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/AFD/AFD-PoD-2/P/CIR/2024/70 Dated: May 30, 2024
To,
1. Foreign Portfolio Investors (“FPIs”)
2. Designated Depository Participants (“DDPs”) and Custodians
3. The Depositories
4. All recognized Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations including those in International Financial Services Centre
Dear Sir / Madam,
Subject: Master Circular for Foreign Portfolio Investors, Designated Depository Participants and Eligible Foreign Investors.
1. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), vide circular number SEBI/HO/AFD-2/CIR/P/2022/175 dated December 19, 2022, had issued Master Circular for FPIs, DDPs and Eligible Foreign Investors under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Portfolio Investors), Regulations 2019. Subsequently, various circulars has been issued pertaining to FPIs and DDPs.
2. The provisions of the aforesaid circulars are incorporated in this Master Circular which supersedes the earlier Master Circular dated December 19,2022 This Master Circular shall come into force from the date of its issue. The circulars mentioned in Annexure A of the Master Circular shall stand rescinded with the issuance of this Master Circular.
3. With respect to the directions or other guidance issued by SEBI, as specifically applicable to FPIs, shall continue to remain in force in addition to the provisions of any other law for the time being in force. Terms not defined in this Master Circular shall have the same meaning as provided under the Regulations.
4. Notwithstanding such rescission,
a. anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken including registration or approval granted, fees collected, registration or approval, suspended or cancelled, any adjudication, enquiry or investigation commenced or show-cause notice issued under the rescinded circulars, prior to such rescission, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Master Circular;
b. any application made to the Board under the rescinded circulars, prior to such rescission, and pending before it shall be deemed to have been made under the corresponding provisions of this Master Circular;
c. the previous operation of the rescinded circulars or anything duly done or suffered thereunder, any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under the rescinded circulars, any penalty, incurred in respect of any violation committed against the rescinded circulars, or any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty as aforesaid, shall remain unaffected as if the rescinded circulars have never been rescinded;
5. This circular is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
6. This circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred under Section 11 (1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
7. The circular is available on SEBI website at sebi.gov.in under the category “
Legal -Master Circulars.”
Yours faithfully,
Vikash Narnoli
Deputy General Manager
Tel No.: 022-26449161
E-mail: vikashn@sebi.gov.in
