Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a Master Circular (No. SEBI/HO/MIRSD/POD-1/P/CIR/2024/37) dated May 07, 2024, addressed to all registered Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs). This circular consolidates various directives previously issued to RTAs by SEBI. It supersedes the previous Master Circular for RTAs dated May 17, 2023, and subsequent circulars on the subject.
The new Master Circular rescinds previous directives concerning RTAs. However, actions taken under the rescinded circulars prior to this Master Circular remain valid and are considered as having been done under the corresponding provisions of the new circular. Any pending applications with SEBI under the rescinded circulars are now considered under the provisions of the new Master Circular.
This circular is issued under the authority granted by Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, to safeguard investor interests and regulate the securities market.
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Master Circular No. SEBI/HO/MIRSD/POD-1/P/CIR/2024/37 Dated: May 07, 2024
To,
All registered Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs)
Dear Sir / Madam,
Subject: Master Circular for Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents
I. Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”/ “the Board”), from time to time, has been issuing various circulars/directions to Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTA). In order to enable the users to have access to the applicable circulars at one place, this Master Circular in respect of RTA is being issued.
II. SEBI’s Master Circular for RTA’s dated May 17, 2023 was a compilation of relevant circulars issued by SEBI which were operational as on May 17, 2023. Subsequently, various guidelines/directions were issued to the RTAs by way of circulars/advisory.
III. In view of the same, the instant Master Circular has been prepared which supersedes the Master Circular for RTAs dated May 17, 2023 and the subsequent circulars on the subject. 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in the circulars listed out in the Appendix to this Master Circular, to the extent they relate to the RTAs, shall stand rescinded.
IV. 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;
V. This circular is issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 11 (1) of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 to protect the interest of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market.
VI. A copy of this circular is available at the web page “Master Circulars” on the website sebi.gov.in.
Yours faithfully,
Aradhana Verma
General Manager
Tel. No: +91-22-26449633
aradhanad@sebi.gov.in
