Archive · 3 Jan 2026
SEBI Imposes Stricter Merchant Banker Regulations
SEBI, the stock market regulator in India, has made new rules for merchant bankers, which are companies that help other companies raise money by issuing shares.
These new rules will be introduced in phases starting from January 3, 2026.
Merchant bankers will need to have more money in their bank accounts and follow stricter rules about how they do their business.
They will also need to have special officers to make sure they follow the rules and their employees will need to pass certain exams.
If they don't follow these rules, they might lose their license to operate.
The goal is to make the stock market safer and more reliable for everyone.
SEBI has introduced stricter regulations for merchant bankers, effective from January 3, 2026.
Merchant bankers are divided into two categories with different net worth and liquid net worth requirements.
Category I merchant bankers must meet higher net worth and liquid net worth thresholds by 2027 and 2028.
Underwriting exposure is capped at 20 times the liquid net worth, with compliance required by January 2028.
Merchant bankers must appoint an independent compliance officer by April 2026 and meet minimum revenue requirements from 2029.
- Who
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- What
- Imposed stricter regulations on merchant bankers
- When
- Effective from January 3, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To strengthen financial resilience and accountability in the primary markets ecosystem
- Effective Date
- January 3, 2026
- Category I Net Worth (2027)
- ₹25 crore
- Category I Net Worth (2028)
- ₹50 crore
- Category II Net Worth (2027)
- ₹7.5 crore
- Category II Net Worth (2028)
- ₹10 crore
- Underwriting Limit
- 20 times liquid net worth
- Compliance Officer Deadline
- April 2026
- Minimum Revenue (Category I)
- ₹25 crore (3-year cumulative)
- Minimum Revenue (Category II)
- ₹5 crore (3-year cumulative)