The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a landmark circular on July 31, 2025, mandating that all regulated entities (REs), including stock exchanges, clearing corporations, depositories, stock brokers, asset management companies (AMCs), and other intermediaries, ensure digital accessibility compliance across their platforms.
This move aligns India’s securities market with global accessibility standards and builds on the Supreme Court’s April 2025 judgment that digital access is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. For organizations in the financial sector, this circular is not just a compliance requirement; it is an opportunity to embed inclusive, scalable, and future-ready accessibility practices into digital infrastructure.
In this blog, we break down the SEBI directive, its timelines, the standards involved, and the actionable steps that every regulated entity needs to take.
Why Accessibility in Securities Markets Matters
Digital platforms are now the backbone of India’s securities market, from trading portals and KYC systems to mutual fund dashboards and depository interfaces. For millions of investors with disabilities, these platforms often present barriers such as:
- Inaccessible PDFs and forms that screen readers cannot interpret.
- Video KYC systems without captioning, transcription, or human-assisted alternatives.
- Trading applications with poor color contrast and no support for assistive technologies.
- Mobile apps lacking alt text, ISL (Indian Sign Language) support, or navigable structures.
The new SEBI directive recognizes that full participation in financial markets requires barrier-free digital access. By mandating accessibility, SEBI ensures that the right to invest, trade, and manage wealth is equally available to persons with disabilities.
Legal and Judicial Background
The SEBI circular is rooted in:
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act)
- Section 40: Accessibility provisions.
- Section 42: Access to information and communication technology.
- Section 46: Time-bound compliance by service providers.
- RPwD Rules, 2017
- Rule 15(1)(c): Accessibility requirements.
- Rule 15(1)(c): Accessibility requirements.
- The Court explicitly recognized that digital accessibility is integral to the right to life and personal liberty.
Who Must Comply?
The circular applies to all Regulated Entities (REs), including:
- Stock Exchanges
- Depositories and Clearing Corporations
- Stock Brokers
- Mutual Funds and AMCs
- KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs)
Portfolio Managers - Other SEBI-registered intermediaries
In essence, every digital touchpoint regulated by SEBI must be made accessible.
Compliance Standards: What Must Be Followed
SEBI mandates adherence to multiple accessibility frameworks to create a harmonized compliance baseline:
- WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, W3C standard)
- GIGW (Guidelines for Indian Government Websites)
- IS 17802 (Indian standard for ICT accessibility)
- RPwD Act and Rules
Together, these cover accessibility for websites, mobile apps, documents (PDFs, Word, Excel), video/audio content, and ICT products/services.
SEBI Accessibility Compliance Timeline (2025)
Here’s the step-by-step roadmap mandated by SEBI:
- Within 1 Month
- Submit a list of all digital platforms offered to investors.
- File a compliance/action taken report.
- Within 45 Days
- Appoint IAAP-certified accessibility professionals as auditors.
- Appoint IAAP-certified accessibility professionals as auditors.
- Within 3 Months
- Conduct a full accessibility audit of websites, apps, portals, and documents.
- Conduct a full accessibility audit of websites, apps, portals, and documents.
- Within 6 Months
- Remediate audit findings and ensure platforms meet compliance standards.
- Remediate audit findings and ensure platforms meet compliance standards.
- Annual Reporting
- Submit yearly accessibility compliance reports within 30 days of the financial year end.
This phased timeline ensures that accessibility is not only implemented but sustained through ongoing audits and reporting.
What SEBI’s Circular Means for Organizations
1. Strategic Alignment
Accessibility is no longer optional. It is now part of compliance, alongside cybersecurity, governance, and investor protection.
2. Operational Changes
Entities must designate a Nodal Officer for accessibility compliance, set up a grievance redressal mechanism for accessibility issues, and train staff and vendors in accessibility best practices.
3. Procurement and Vendor Management
All new digital products or SaaS solutions procured by REs must comply with WCAG, IS 17802, and GIGW. Accessibility requirements must be explicitly included in RFPs and contracts.
4. Audit and Assurance
Accessibility audits must be conducted by IAAP-certified professionals, with usability testing by persons with disabilities, ensuring both technical and experiential compliance.
The Business Case for Accessibility
While compliance is mandatory, accessibility offers clear business value:
- Wider Investor Base: Over 70 million persons with disabilities in India represent a significant investor segment.
- Brand Reputation: Accessibility demonstrates social responsibility and regulatory foresight.
- Operational Efficiency: Inclusive design benefits all users, improving usability and reducing customer support costs.
- Future Readiness: As global markets adopt stricter digital accessibility laws (the EU’s EAA, US ADA updates), Indian entities that comply now will be better positioned internationally.
How Pivotal Accessibility Can Help
At Pivotal Accessibility, we bring deep expertise and government recognition as an empanelled accessibility service provider under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
Our services are scalable and end-to-end, covering:
- Accessibility Audits (WCAG, IS 17802, GIGW, RPwD compliance)
- Remediation of Websites, Mobile Apps, PDFs, and Portals
- Accessibility Certification and VPAT preparation
- Staff and vendor training for accessibility by design
- Ongoing monitoring and annual compliance support
We have already supported leading institutions, including the Ministry of Defence, National Informatics Centre, Bharat Electronics Limited, and National Innovation Foundation.
With SEBI’s new circular, we are helping regulated entities implement structured, compliant, and barrier-free digital platforms.
What to do next?
SEBI’s 2025 digital accessibility circular marks a turning point in India’s financial ecosystem. By setting clear standards, timelines, and accountability mechanisms, it ensures that investors with disabilities can participate equally in the securities market.
For regulated entities, this is both a compliance obligation and an opportunity to build inclusive, future-ready systems since accessibility is not just about meeting deadlines; it’s about reshaping digital finance into a space where no investor is left behind.
Ready to assess your accessibility compliance?
Get in touch with us by filling the contact us form or by reaching out to us at info@pivotalaccessibility.com for a free state-of-accessibility check.