SEBI, through Circular No. HO/38/30/12(1)2025-MIRSD-SEC-FATF dated December 10, 2025, has introduced a significant relaxation in the KYC process for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Recognizing stakeholder concerns over accessibility, SEBI has modified the Master Circular on KYC dated October 12, 2023, to ease the re-KYC process for existing NRI clients. Specifically, the requirement for clients to be physically located in India during digital re-KYC has been relaxed. Intermediaries must ensure digital verification apps incorporate features such as random action prompts, time-stamping, geo-location verification, and IP address anti-spoofing measures. The GPS coordinates captured must match the country of the client’s address proof, ensuring authenticity without the need for physical presence in India. This amendment aims to streamline compliance for NRIs while maintaining due diligence and fraud prevention. The circular has been issued under SEBI’s powers under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, and is publicly available on SEBI’s website.
Securities And Exchange Board of India
HO/38/30/12(1)2025-MIRSD-SEC-FATF | Dated: December 10, 2025
To,
1. Intermediaries registered with SEBI under Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
2. Stock Exchanges
Dear Sir/Madam,
Subject: Relaxation on geo-tagging requirement in India for NRIs while undertaking re-KYC
1. Based on references received from multiple stakeholders to ease KYC access for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), SEBI has decided to modify the existing provisions under Master Circular on KYC dated October 12, 2023 to ease re-KYC process for NRIs.
2. In this respect, the requirement of physical location being in India shall be relaxed for NRI clients to undertake due diligence through digital mode.
3. Accordingly, Para 51 of Master Circular on KYC shall be modified as under;
The App shall also have features of random action initiation for client response to establish that the interactions are not pre-recorded along with time stamping and geo-location tagging to ensure the requirement like physical location being in India etc. are also implemented. The requirement of physical location of client being in India during digital on boarding shall be relaxed for undertaking re-KYC for existing clients.
The App shall also ensure that the GPS location (latitude and longitude) captured by the intermediary matches with the latitude and longitude of country given in Proof of Address given by the client. The app shall prevent connections from spoofed IP address.
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
