The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved a series of reforms aimed at improving market efficiency, easing compliance requirements, and strengthening regulatory frameworks across the financial sector. At the 214th meeting held in Mumbai yesterday, the SEBI board simplified the transmission of securities for legal heirs and claimants that are in the name of deceased investors.

 

The decision was taken to introduce a new Quick Transmission Processing (QTP) category for small-value claims to enable faster processing with reduced documentation. The regulator has also enhanced simplified documentation limits, removed mandatory PAN submission in certain cases, and accepted QR code-enabled death certificates to ease verification.

 

SEBI has also approved the reintroduction of open-market share buybacks through stock exchanges from 1st August this year, with revised timelines and stricter compliance norms.

 

The Board has also allowed mutual funds to undertake intraday borrowings to manage temporary liquidity mismatches. Alternative Investment Funds will benefit from a faster approval process under the GARUDA framework, reducing launch timelines to ten working days. 

 

In addition, SEBI has approved reforms for securitised debt instruments in line with the RBI framework and measures to deepen the municipal bond market through refinancing and pooled financing options.

 

The regulator has also cleared a review of the SME capital-raising framework for the financial year 2026-27 and adopted a new Code of Conduct for its members and employees to strengthen conflict-of-interest and disclosure norms. 

 

SEBI said the reforms are aimed at enhancing transparency, improving investor convenience, and further strengthening India’s capital markets ecosystem.