Committee examines Securities Markets Code, 2025 for investor protection

It matters to citizens as it outlines the proposed legal framework for governing securities, market intermediaries, and investor protections.

Who it concerns: The Standing Committee on Finance (Lok Sabha), the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs), and the public affected by securities market regulations. The report also references testimony from the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), SEBI, IRDAI, RBI, and former SEBI Chairperson M. Damodaran.

What the document says

• The report examines 'The Securities Markets Code, 2025', which was introduced in Lok Sabha on 18 December 2025 and referred to the Committee on 19 December 2025.
• The Committee held briefings and oral evidence sessions with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, NSE, BSE, SEBI, IRDAI, RBI, and legal firm TRILEGAL between January and April 2026.
• The report covers 61 chapters including definitions, board composition, powers of the Board, inspection and investigation powers, registration of intermediaries, investment schemes, and penalties for fraud and market abuse.
• The report includes appendices containing minutes from multiple sittings of the Standing Committee on Finance (2025-26) and the text of the Bill as introduced in Lok Sabha.

Also in the document

• The document is dated July 2026 (Ashadha, 1948 Saka) and was presented to Lok Sabha on 23.07.2026.
• The Committee composition includes members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, chaired by Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab.
• The report structure indicates a comprehensive overhaul of securities market regulations, including specific chapters on commodity derivatives, public issues, listing requirements, and investor grievance redressal mechanisms.