4 hrs ago
Sebi and RBI Target Five-Day Digital FPI Onboarding
Sebi and RBI are trying to make it easier for foreign investors to invest in India.
They have tested a new digital process that can register some investors in five working days.
The goal is to reduce forms, paper documents and delays.
Investors can use the India Market Access portal to find requirements and submit information.
Digital signatures can now replace some physical signatures.
E-powers of attorney can replace paper powers of attorney.
RBI is also considering whether SWIFT can be used to upload documents.
The regulators are coordinating with custodians and depositories to improve the process.
They are separately working on rules for bond indices that could be listed on exchanges.
Sebi and RBI have tested onboarding foreign portfolio investors within five working days for certain jurisdictions.
The digital initiative aims to reduce paperwork and procedural friction for overseas investors entering Indian markets.
Sebi has revamped the NSDL front end and launched the India Market Access portal for registration information and documents.
Digital signatures and e-powers of attorney are replacing physical paperwork, while KYC requirements are being streamlined.
RBI is examining SWIFT-based document uploads, as Sebi and RBI also work on a framework for exchange-listed bond indices.
- Who
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), custodians, depositories and foreign portfolio investors.
- What
- Regulators are digitizing and speeding up foreign portfolio investor registration, with onboarding tested within five working days for certain jurisdictions.
- Where
- India’s financial markets and related digital registration systems.
- When
- The articles do not provide a specific announcement date; portfolio management industry figures cited are for August 2026.
- Why
- To reduce paperwork and procedural friction and make it easier for overseas investors to access Indian markets.
Key facts
- Tested onboarding time
- Within five working days for FPIs from certain jurisdictions
- Digital platform
- India Market Access portal
- Documents being digitized
- Powers of attorney and signatures
- RBI initiative
- Examining SWIFT-based uploads for FPI registration documents
- Bond-index work
- Sebi and RBI are developing a framework for bond indices that can be fitted on exchanges
- Portfolio managers’ assets
- Around ₹9.2 trillion in August 2026, excluding PF and EPFO assets
- Registered portfolio managers
- More than 530
Quotes
Tuhin Kanta Pandey
Sebi chief discussing coordination with RBI to accelerate foreign portfolio investor registration
“RBI and Sebi have been working very closely and we have been able to sort out many issues, including FPI onboarding where we are currently engaged very actively on ironing out issues so that we are able to do very fast onboarding”
businesstoday.in
Sources
Related news
Citi Launches Platform to Speed Foreign Investor Registration
Sebi, RBI Coordinate to Speed FPI Onboarding, Strengthen Bond Markets
SEBI Plans Easier Digital Onboarding For Foreign Investors
Rupeeflo Expands Digital Infrastructure to Serve Overseas Investors
RBI Eases FPI KYC Certification Rules Through Overseas Channels
Banks Need Seamless Digital Onboarding to Attract NRI Deposits
SEBI Chief Says Technology Aids Investing, But Accountability Remains
SEBI Settlement Overhaul Separates Fund Recovery From Settlement Payments
NSE Says Self-Listing Could Be Feasible With Regulator Approval
