Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI): UPSC Daily Important topic | 3 March 2022

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

SEBI is a statutory body established on April 12, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.

The basic functions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote and regulate the securities market.

Powers and Functions of SEBI

✓SEBI is a quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial body which can draft regulations, conduct inquiries, pass rulings and impose penalties.

✓It functions to fulfill the requirements of three categories –

✓Issuers – By providing a marketplace in which the issuers can increase their finance.

✓Investors – By ensuring safety and supply of precise and accurate information.

✓Intermediaries – By enabling a competitive professional market for intermediaries.

✓By Securities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014, SEBI is now able to regulate any money pooling scheme worth Rs. 100 cr. or more and attach assets in cases of non-compliance.

✓SEBI Chairman has the authority to order “search and seizure operations”. SEBI board can also seek information, such as telephone call data records, from any persons or entities in respect to any securities transaction being investigated by it.

✓SEBI perform the function of registration and regulation of the working of venture capital funds and collective investment schemes including mutual funds.

✓It also works for promoting and regulating self-regulatory organizations and prohibiting fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities markets.