The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) plays a pivotal role in regulating the securities market and safeguarding investor interests. In this regard, SEBI periodically issues circulars and directions to provide guidance to investment advisers (IAs). To streamline regulatory compliance and facilitate easy access to pertinent information, SEBI has introduced a master circular specifically tailored for IAs.
SEBI Master Circular for Investment Advisers represents a culmination of various circulars and advisory guidelines issued over time. The previous master circular, dated June 15, 2023, compiled relevant directives operational as of that date. However, recognizing the need for ongoing updates and revisions, SEBI has incorporated provisions from subsequent circulars and advisories issued until May 15, 2024, into the current master circular. This ensures that IAs have access to the latest regulatory framework in one consolidated document.
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD-PoD-1/P/CIR/2024/50 Dated: May 21, 2024
To,
All Investment Advisers
Dear Madam / Sir,
Subject: Master Circular for Investment Advisers
1. Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”/ “the Board”), from time to time, has been issuing various circulars/directions to Investment Advisers (IAs). In order to enable users to have access to the applicable circulars at one place, this Master Circular in respect of IAs is being issued.
2. SEBI Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/MIRSD-PoD-2/P/CIR/2023/89 dated June 15, 2023 for IAs was a compilation of relevant circulars issued by SEBI which were operational as on June 15, 2023.
3. Subsequently, various guidelines/directions were issued to the IAs by way of circulars/advisory. The provisions of such circulars issued until May 15, 2024 have been incorporated in this Master Circular, which supersedes the Master Circular for IAs dated June 15, 2023. With the issuance of this Master Circular, the directions/ instructions contained in the circulars listed out in the Appendix to this Master Circular, to the extent they relate to the IAs, shall stand rescinded
4. Notwithstanding such rescission,
a) Anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken under the rescinded circulars, prior to such rescission, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Master Circular;
b) Any application made to the Board under the rescinded circulars, prior to such rescission, and pending before it shall be deemed to have been made under the corresponding provisions of this Master Circular;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 in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
6. This circular is available on SEBI website at sebi.gov.in under the categories “Legal framework –Master Circulars” and “Info for –Investment Advisers” .
Yours faithfully
Aradhana Verma
General Manager
Tel. No. 022-26449633
aradhanad@sebi.gov.in
