SEBI Circular - 31st July 2025

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and rules made thereunder-mandatory compliance by all Regulated Entities

Dear Colleagues,

SEBI, through its circular dated July 31, 2025, has mandated all SEBI-regulated entities (REs)—such as stock exchanges, brokers, mutual funds, depositories, and other intermediaries—to make their digital platforms fully accessible to persons with disabilities (PwDs) , in compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and related rules. This follows the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on April 30, 2025, which recognized digital access as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

To implement this, REs must follow accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 , GIGW , and IS 17802 , ensuring accessible websites, mobile apps, e-KYC processes, investor documents, and grievance mechanisms. They are required to appoint IAAP-certified auditors , conduct audits within 3 months, and complete remediation within 6 months. Annual compliance reports must also be submitted. Additionally, REs must embed accessibility into staff training, procurement policies, and design processes, promoting a \"digital accessibility by design\" approach across the securities market ecosystem.

Link: View Circular