Archive · 21 Aug 2026
SEBI Allows IFSCA Entities Access to KYC Records
SEBI is India’s regulator for securities markets.
It has allowed firms supervised by IFSCA to use KYC records held by registered agencies.
KYC means checking a customer’s identity and other required details.
These agencies are called KYC Registration Agencies, or KRAs.
The change lets IFSCA-regulated firms access those records when providing financial services.
It is meant to make information sharing between the two systems easier.
The firms must follow SEBI’s KYC rules and related regulations.
Extra data-security rules apply when the clients are Foreign Portfolio Investors, and the provisions take effect immediately.
SEBI has allowed IFSCA-regulated entities to access systems operated by registered KYC Registration Agencies.
The move is intended to improve interoperability and information sharing between SEBI-registered KRAs and IFSCA-regulated entities.
Eligible entities may use KRA records to conduct KYC checks for clients seeking financial services.
Accessing entities must comply with applicable KRA Regulations and SEBI’s securities-market KYC master circular.
Entities handling Foreign Portfolio Investor clients must also follow SEBI’s specified data-security guidelines.
- Who
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and entities regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
- What
- SEBI allowed IFSCA-regulated entities to access records held by registered KYC Registration Agencies.
- When
- The decision was announced on August 20, 2026, and took effect immediately.
- Where
- New Delhi, according to the article dateline.
- Why
- To improve interoperability and facilitate client-information sharing for financial services and KYC checks.
- Decision
- SEBI permitted IFSCA-regulated entities to access registered KRA systems.
- Purpose
- The move is intended to enable interoperability and information sharing.
- Permitted use
- IFSCA-regulated entities may use KRA records to conduct KYC for financial-services clients.
- Legal basis
- IFSCA-regulated entities were included under Regulation 16A(1) of the KYC Registration Agency Regulations, 2011.
- Compliance
- Entities accessing the system must follow applicable KRA Regulations and SEBI’s amended master circular on securities-market KYC norms.
- FPI requirement
- For Foreign Portfolio Investor clients, entities must also comply with SEBI’s data-security guidelines for FPIs, designated depository participants and eligible foreign investors.
- Effective date
- The provisions came into force with immediate effect.
