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Who Regulates The Stock Market in India

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Who Regulates The Stock Market in India

Who Regulates The Stock Market in India

NIWS Team 1 Mar 2024

When you're planning to start trading in India's stock market, a significant thing you need to know is its regulatory body. The main stock market regulatory body of India is the Securities and Exchange Body of India (SEBI). 

Being the primary regulatory body of the stock market in India, SEBI is supported by the Reserve Bank of India. SEBI was established in 1992 to protect the rights and interests of investors as well as shareholders. SEBI and RBI come together to form rules and regulations that will help in the economic upliftment of the country. 

Do you want to learn more about these regulatory bodies? At NIWS, one of Jaipur and Delhi's top stock market institutes, we provide comprehensive guidance on regulations of stock market regulations in India. We host offline and online classes to help you become an expert and start your trading journey. You can book a demo session to learn more!

But, for now, let's look at the basics of the stock market regulatory bodies of India. 

Which Bodies Regulate the Stock Market in India?

The stock market in India is regulated and tracked by three important bodies:

  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
  • The Reserve Bank of India
  • The Ministry of Finance

SEBI, however, is the primary body that regulates the market. The Ministry of Finance, however, regulates the stock market in India via the Department of Economic Affairs (Capital Markets Division). The Ministry is responsible for forming the rules and regulations that are important to operate the capital markets. It helps in establishing laws that are crucial to safeguard the interest of investors in the stock market. 

What are Stock Exchanges?

What are Stock Exchanges? Niws

Stock exchanges refer to a marketplace where various securities are exchanged, thus bought and sold. These may include stocks and bonds. The bonds may be over-the-counter. However, under certain circumstances, they also allow trading on corporate bonds. 

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) are two crucial stock exchanges in India. BSE is, in fact, the oldest market in Asia and a benchmark that helps in stabilising the economy and contributing to the financial growth of the nation. 

NSE was established in 1992, but trading began in 1994. BSE was, however, started in 1875 and still holds a critical position in the Indian stock market. 

NSE is the eighth largest stock exchange in the world, especially concerning market capitalisation. NSE is hailed to be one of the major bodies driving the growth of the Indian economy, thereby positioning India as a leader in foreign investment. Being the largest stock exchange in the country, NSE accounts for almost 90% of options trading in India. 

What are Market Indices?

The two important market indices in India include Sensex and Nifty. Sensex is the short form of the Stock Exchange Sensitive Index. Sensex is the stock market index for BSE. Sensex is represented by the market capitalization average of thirty leading and financially strong companies in India across different sectors. 

Nifty stands for National Stock Exchange Fifty, thereby representing the market index for National Stock Exchange. The flagship index of Nifty is NIFTY 50. It is represented by the 50-stock index or important companies which helps in measuring the performance of the Indian stock market as a whole. 

Stock Market Regulations in India

Before starting your investments in the Indian stock market, it is important to be familiar with the regulations. These regulations play an essential role in maintaining transparency for transactions and protecting the rights of all shareholders. 

Some of the most notable regulations to follow are as follows:

Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA)

The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act was launched in 1965 as an Act by the Parliament of India to prevent any unregulated exchange to control how stock exchanges perform in India. SCRA provides a legal framework for maintaining the regulations of securities contracts. Furthermore, it covers various aspects like:

  • Prohibiting insider trading
  • Listing and trading securities
  • Regulating the stockbrokers and sub-brokers

 

Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (SEBI Act)

The SEBI Act of 1992 is administered by the rules as overseen by the Capital Markets Division of the Department of Economic Affairs. The primary function of the act is to uphold and protect the rights of the shareholders. When traders begin trading in the Indian market, SEBI monitors the rules and ensures that the trades are being executed as per the rules and in all fairness. 

Depositories Act, 1996

The Depositories of Securities of India implemented the Depositories Act in 1996. This act helps rule out the process that further contributes to dematerialising and transferring the securities digitally. 

Depositories Act in 1996. Niws

Companies Act, 2013

The Companies Act of 2013 regulates company incorporation, highlighting the responsibilities of directors and the company and dissolving the company. The act allowed the companies to be formed after registration, outlining the responsibilities of the company, director, executive, and secretaries. However, fewer amendments were brought to the act in 2020, which allowed the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to govern it. The Companies Act 2013 also sets the rules on how the securities of the company can be issued and transferred. 

SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015

This regulation looks over providing the information that allows the companies to be listed on Indian stock exchanges. The regulation further provides information such as corporate governance, shareholder rights, and disclosure. 

SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015

SEBI also launched regulations regarding the prohibition of insider trading. It outlines the code of conduct, thereby establishing disclosure requirements. This regulation or act prevents the sharing of insider information with the public, which may influence market conditions. It is illegal in India. 

What are SEBI Regulations?

SEBI regulations were brought to protect investors against fraud. They have complete authority regarding market intermediary inspection and obtain information on what measures to prevent. 

Role of SEBI

If you're investing in the Indian stock market, you need to comply with the SEBI rules. Thus, the major role of SEBI through regulations is as follows:

  • SEBI aims to protect the interest of investors by promoting fairness across stock exchanges. 
  • It will also handle the registration of any new brokers and financial advisors. 
  • Overlooks the stock exchange functions and how the security market works. 
  • Encourages investor learning opportunities. 
  • Establishing rules for malpractice prevention. 
  • Keeps a check on how stock brokers, transfer agents, and merchant bankers are functioning.
  • Manages a complaint division. 
  • Helps in the formulation of self-regulatory organizations. 

 

Decisions of SEBI

Depending on the regulations established by SEBI, they have decided on various factors to provide smooth and fair operation of the stock market in India. Here are some of the major decisions by SEBI:

  • No insider trading: Insider trading was a huge loophole in the Indian stock market. SEBI had abolished the practice of insider trading, deeming it to be illegal. 
  • Stock pricing determination: As per the latest SEBI announcement, the listed companies have received permission to set their share prices, along with a premium on it. 
  • Mutual Funds regulation: The mutual funds in the government as well as the private sector are regulated by SEBI. 

 

Final Thoughts


The regulatory bodies of India have an essential role in collecting information and regulating India's stock market prices. The regulatory rules established by each of these bodies contribute significantly to the establishment and expansion of the Indian economy. For those eager to understand these regulations better, a stock market institute in Jaipur can provide comprehensive training. These bodies also introduce fair rules to encourage individuals to start investing in the market.

If you, too, want to start your investing journey according to all rules and regulations, contact NISW. As the leading stock market classes in Indore and Delhi, we will help you understand the intricacies of the market and get started with trading.

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