SEBI Mandates digital KYC accessibility for persons with disabilities following Supreme Court directive

New Delhi

In a landmark step towards financial inclusivity, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a circular on May 23, 2025, instructing all registered intermediaries to ensure that their digital Know Your Customer (KYC) processes are fully accessible to persons with disabilities. The move follows a Supreme Court judgment dated April 30, 2025, which underscored the right of persons with disabilities to equal access in financial services.

The circular, addressed to stock exchanges, mutual fund associations, portfolio managers, and other SEBI-registered intermediaries, emphasises that individuals with disabilities, including those with visual impairments, must not face any barrier in accessing digital KYC facilities.

In response, SEBI has updated its “FAQ on Account Opening by Persons with Disabilities,” now available on its official website under the KYC requirements section. The revised guidance outlines how intermediaries can adapt their platforms and customer onboarding processes to be more inclusive.

“Intermediaries shall extend their services enabling digital accessibility to clients including persons with disabilities,” stated the circular, signed by Sapna Sinha, Deputy General Manager at SEBI. The regulatory body invoked its powers under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992, to issue the directive.

This proactive regulatory measure is expected to significantly improve access to financial markets for persons with disabilities, aligning with broader national efforts to promote digital inclusion and uphold constitutional rights.