The regulation of buying, selling and dealing in securities such as shares of a company, units of mutual funds, Derivatives, etc. and stock exchanges, commodity derivative exchanges and depositories comes within the purview of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in terms of SEBI Act, 1992 (SEBI Act) and various SEBI regulations/ circulars/ guidelines/ directives.
SEBI was established on April 12, 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the SEBI Act. The mandate of SEBI is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
At present, the four main legislations governing “the securities market” are:
- The SEBI Act, 1992, which empowers SEBI with statutory powers for (i) protecting the interests of investors in securities, (ii) promoting development of the securities market, and (iii) regulating the securities market.
- The Companies Act, 2013, which provides regulations for issuance, allotment and transfer of securities, and related matters in public issues of securities;
- The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, which provides for recognition and regulation of transactions in securities in a Stock Exchange.
- The Depositories Act, 1996, which provides for electronic maintenance and transfer of ownership of dematerialized (demat) shares.