Archive · 21 Aug 2026
SEBI Proposes Bond Distributor Network to Expand Retail Access
SEBI wants more people to be able to buy bonds online.
It plans to let trained helpers called fixed-income channel partners assist investors.
These helpers could work in smaller towns and rural areas, not just big cities.
They could help with forms, identity checks, and placing orders.
They could not take investors’ money or securities themselves.
Online bond platforms would have to check and supervise these helpers.
The proposal would also limit sales incentives and misleading advertising.
SEBI is asking the public to comment on the plan by September 11.
SEBI proposed fixed-income channel partners to help distribute bonds through online bond platform providers beyond major cities.
Eligible individuals would need to be Indian citizens, at least 18, Class XII graduates, fit-and-proper, and NISM-certified.
FICPs could assist with onboarding, KYC, documentation, and transactions but could not handle client funds or securities.
Online bond platforms would supervise FICPs, investigate complaints, monitor suspicious activity, and remain responsible for their distribution-related conduct.
SEBI also proposed stricter bond advertising disclosures, including issuer details, ratings, prices, yields, and warnings about market, credit, and default risks.
- Who
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India, online bond platform providers, proposed fixed-income channel partners, and retail investors.
- What
- SEBI proposed a framework for fixed-income channel partners and revised advertising rules for online bond platforms.
- When
- The consultation paper was issued on Friday, with comments requested by September 11.
- Where
- The proposal concerns India’s fixed-income market, especially access beyond major urban centres, including tier-II, tier-III, and rural locations.
- Why
- SEBI aims to increase retail awareness and participation in corporate bonds while reducing mis-selling and misleading claims.
- Proposed intermediaries
- Fixed-income channel partners, or FICPs, would distribute fixed-income securities through online bond platform providers.
- Individual eligibility
- Applicants would need to be Indian citizens aged at least 18, have passed Class XII, meet fit-and-proper criteria, and hold relevant NISM certification.
- Permitted assistance
- FICPs could help with onboarding, documentation, KYC, and transactions, but orders would be routed directly through the OBPP platform.
- Supervision
- OBPPs would conduct due diligence, provide training, monitor activities and complaints, and be responsible for FICPs’ distribution-related acts and omissions.
- Client charges
- The consultation paper proposed capping commissions, fees, or brokerage charged to clients at 2.5% of the investment value.
- Market size
- Outstanding corporate bonds increased from about Rs 17.5 lakh crore at the end of FY15 to more than Rs 60 lakh crore as of July 31.
- Advertising disclosures
- Advertisements would disclose the issuer, tenor, credit rating, secured or unsecured status, clean and dirty prices, yield to maturity, and relevant risks.
