Date: 2021-12-14Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Clarifications with respect to Circular dated November 03, 2021, on ‘Common and simplified norms for processing investor’s service request by RTAs and norms for furnishing PAN, KYC details and Nomination’
Executive Summary:
This circular clarifies certain provisions of the SEBI circular dated November 3, 2021, regarding common and simplified norms for processing investor service requests by RTAs and norms for furnishing PAN, KYC details, and Nomination. It addresses representations from the Registrars Association of India (RAIN) and provides clarity on specific aspects of the original circular. It also specifies a phased rollout for sending Form SH13/ISR 3, starting January 1, 2022, for single account holders and April 1, 2022, for joint account holders.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Form SH13/ISR-3 Distribution:**
* Phase I (Single Account Holders): January 1, 2022, onwards.
* Phase II (Joint Account Holders): April 1, 2022, onwards.
* RTAs must provide downloadable and fillable soft copies of Form SH13/ISR3 on their websites.
* **Signature Mismatch Clarifications:**
* *Minor Mismatch:* The timeline to process the service request begins after a 15-day notice period. If the RTA's letter is undelivered, the investor should provide signature verification by their banker.
* *Major Mismatch/Missing Signature Card:* The holder/claimant needs to provide an original canceled cheque (with name printed), bank passbook/statement attested by the bank, and banker's attestation of the signature as per Form ISR2.
* **Name Mismatch:** Driving licenses (smart card, book, or digital copy) are accepted.
* **Proof of Address:**
* For flat maintenance bills or address proof in the spouse's name, an additional self-attested copy of the holder/claimant's identity proof is required.
* RTAs must inform the holder of address changes at both old and new addresses via speed post, allowing 15 days for objections. The 15 day hold is not required if the signature matches RTA records. If the letter is undelivered at the old address, no old address proof is needed if the current address proof is from a Government Authority.
* **Self-Attestation:** For service requests (except transmission), RTAs must process self-attested document copies and cannot insist on affidavits or notarization.
* **KYC Details Update:**
* RTAs must update holder folios with present address, bank details, email ID, and mobile number from the Client Master List (CML), if provided.
* Existing details can be overwritten upon specific investor request using Form ISR1.
* RTAs should update physical folio details from demat account details when not already available.
* **Document Submission - ESign:** Investors can use empanelled eSign Service Providers (available on the CCA website) to obtain an eSign for document submission.
* **Mandatory PAN, KYC, and Nomination:**
* "Postal address" in Para 4.1.c of the original circular should be read as "address available with the RTA".
* Holders must provide corresponding folio numbers with mobile number and email ID for data validation.
* From January 1, 2022, RTAs will not process service requests or complaints without PAN, KYC, and Nomination details.
* **Electronic Payments:** Payments (dividend, interest, redemption) will be made electronically upon compliance with the requirements outlined in paragraph 4 of the Circular. Listed Companies must notify holders of pending electronic payments once paragraph 4 requirements are met.
* **Compliance Certificate:** RTAs must provide a compliance certificate from a practicing Company Secretary within 90 days of the circular's effective date, confirming changes made to comply with the circular's provisions.
Impact Analysis:
* **Registered Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs)**
* *Impact:* RTAs must implement the clarified procedures for processing investor service requests, updating KYC details, and handling signature mismatches. They need to update their websites with downloadable forms and comply with the new timelines.
* *Action Required:* Update systems and procedures, train staff, provide the compliance certificate, and make necessary website updates.
* **Listed Companies**
* *Impact:* Listed companies need to ensure that electronic payments are made and that holders are notified of such payments, contingent upon compliance with paragraph 4 of the Circular.
* *Action Required:* Ensure electronic payment readiness and implement notification procedures.
* **Recognized Stock Exchanges and Depositories**
* *Impact:* Exchanges and depositories are responsible for implementing the circular through amendments to their bylaws and disseminating the information to their constituents.
* *Action Required:* Amend relevant rules and regulations, inform constituents, and publish the circular on their websites.
* **Investors**
* *Impact:* Investors will need to comply with the new requirements for providing PAN, KYC, and nomination details to have their service requests processed. They will also benefit from the simplified procedures and the ability to use self-attestation and eSign.
* *Action Required:* Provide necessary documents and information to RTAs, utilize self-attestation and eSign options, and comply with electronic payment requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI: The regulatory body for the securities market in India, responsible for protecting investors' interests and promoting market development.
Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents RTA: Entities registered with SEBI that process investor service requests and handle share transfers for listed companies.
Recognized Stock Exchanges: Stock exchanges in India that are recognized by SEBI and facilitate trading in securities.
Recognized Depositories: Organizations that hold securities in electronic form and facilitate their transfer.
Depositories Participants: Agents of the depositories who provide services to investors, such as opening demat accounts and facilitating share transfers.
Registrars Association of India RAIN: An association representing Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTAs) in India.
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992: The legislation that established SEBI and defines its powers and functions.
Controller of Certifying Authorities CCA, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology: Government organization responsible for regulating digital signatures in India.
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD_RTAMB/P/CIR/2021/687 December 14, 2021
To
All registered Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTA)
All Listed Companies through Recognized Stock Exchanges
Recognized Stock Exchanges
All Recognized Depositories
Depository Participants through Depositories
Subject: Clarifications with respect to Circular dated November 03, 2021,
on ‘Common and simplified norms for processing investor’s service
request by RTAs and norms for furnishing PAN, KYC details and
Nomination’
1. SEBI, vide Circular no. SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD_RTAMB/P/CIR/2021/655 dated
November 03, 2021, has laid down the common and simplified norms for processing
investor’s service request by RTAs and norms for furnishing PAN, KYC details and
Nomination.
2. Based on the representations received from the Registrars Association of India
(RAIN), it has been decided to provide clarity on certain provisions and on
the applicability of the aforementioned circular. The said clarifications are given
in Annexure to this circular.
3. All other provisions mentioned in the circular
SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD_RTAMB/P/CIR/2021/655 dated November 03, 2021 shall
remain unchanged.
4. Stock Exchanges and Depositories are advised to:
a) make necessary amendments to the relevant bye-laws, rules and
regulations, operational instructions, as the case may be, for the
implementation of the above circular; and
Page 1 of 5b) bring the provisions of this circular to the notice of their constituents
and also disseminate the same on the website.
5. This circular is issued in exercise of powers conferred by Section 11(1) of
the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 to protect the interests of
investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the
securities market.
6. This circular is available on SEBI website at www.sebi.gov.in under the
categories “Legal Framework -> Circulars”.
Yours faithfully,
Aradhana Verma
Deputy General Manager
Market Intermediaries Regulation and Supervision Department
Tel. No. 022-2644 9633
Email id - aradhanad@sebi.gov.in
Page 2 of 5Annexure
With regard to the SEBI circular no. SEBI/HO/MIRSD/MIRSD_RTAMB/P/CIR/2021/655
dated November 3, 2021 (hereinafter referred to as “circular”), following are clarified:
1. With regard to Para 1.3 of the Circular, it is clarified that:
Form SH13 (nomination form) / ISR 3 (opting out) shall be sent out to the
target security holder accounts in the following phases:
Phase 1: January 1, 2022 onwards – Single account holders
Phase II: April 1, 2022 onwards – Joint account holders
The RTA shall make available the soft copy of Form SH13/ISR3 on its
website. The form should be in a downloadable and fillable format.
2. With regard to Para 2 of the Circular, it is clarified that in case of:
(i) Minor mismatch in signature (Para 2.1)
a. The timeline to process the service request shall commence after the
notice period of 15 days.
b. If the letter sent by the RTA returns undelivered, RTA shall advise the
investor to obtain the signature verification by the Banker so as to
process the request.
c. In case of an objection, the RTA, after removing the objection, shall
advise the Investor to furnish signature verification by the Banker along
with any of the documents as detailed in Para 2.3 a) of the Circular.
(ii) Major mismatch in signature or Signature Card is not available (Para 2.2)
The holder / claimant shall furnish original cancelled cheque with name of the
security holder printed on it / Bank Passbook / Bank Statement attested by
the Bank, and Banker’s attestation of the signature as per Form ISR-2.
(iii) Mismatch in name (Para 2.3)
Driving license in Smart Card form, Book form or copy of digital form shall be
accepted
(iv) Documents for Proof of Address (Para 2.5)
(i) With regard to the documents mentioned in Para 2.5.1 of the Circular,
in case the following documents are submitted for any service request
i.e. a) Flat maintenance bill, b) Proof of address in the name of spouse,
Page 3 of 5additional self-attested copy of Identity Proof of the holder/claimant
may be obtained to process the request.
(ii) With regard to Para 2.5.2 of the circular, it is clarified that the RTAs
shall forthwith send intimation about the request for change in address
to the holder at both the old and new addresses by Speed post,
providing, timeline of 15 days for raising objection, if any. Further,
(a) In case the signature matches with the record available with the
RTA, the request for change in address can be processed without
keeping it on hold for 15 days as mentioned in the Circular.
(b) In case where the letter is undelivered at the old address, RTA shall
not insist for any proof of the old address provided the current
address proof is in the form of an address proof issued by a
Government Authority.
(v) Self-attestation to replace Affidavits, Attestation / Notarization (Para 2.6)
Paragraph 2.6 of the Circular is amended as under:
“For all service requests, except transmission, copies of documents that are
summited in hard copy shall be processed by the RTA if the same is self-
attested by the holder(s). RTA shall not insist on affidavits or attestation /
notarization of documents.”
(vi) KYC details across all folios of the holder, maintained by the RTA (Para
2.9)
In this regard, it is clarified as under:
(a) RTA shall update the folio(s) of the holder with the information on 1)
present address, 2) bank details, 3) E-mail id and 4) mobile number from
the details available in the Client Master List (CML), if the holder / claimant
provides the CML.
(b) Details which are already available with the RTA are to be overwritten on
specific request received from the investor as per the authorization clause
given in Form ISR-1 (pdf) (Word File).
(c) In the normal course, only details which are not available for the physical
folio in RTA database, shall be updated from the demat account details.
(vii) Mode for providing documents / details by investors (Para 2.10 c)
After Para 2.10 c), the following explanation shall be inserted:
Explanation: E-Sign is an integrated service which facilitates issuing a Digital
Signature Certificate and performing signing of requested data by eSign user.
The holder/claimant may approach any of the empanelled eSign Service
Page 4 of 5Provider, details of which are available on the website of Controller of
Certifying Authorities (CCA), Ministry of Communications and Information
Technology (https://cca.gov.in/) for the purpose of obtaining an e-sign.
3. With regard to Para 4 of the Circular:
(i) It is clarified that in case of Mandatory furnishing of PAN, KYC details and
Nomination by holders of physical securities:
(a) The word ‘Postal address’ shall be read as ‘address available with the
RTA’ in Para 4.1.c of the Circular.
(b) For data validation, it shall be mandatory to provide corresponding folio
numbers along with mobile number and e-mail ID by the holder.
(ii) Paragraph 4.2 of the Circular is amended as under:
“From January 1, 2022, the RTAs shall not process any service requests or
complaints received from the holder(s) / claimant(s), till PAN, KYC and
Nomination documents/details are received.
4. Para 5.2 b) of the Circular is amended as under:
“eligible for any payment including dividend, interest or redemption payment only
through electronic mode. Listed Company shall ensure that intimation is sent to the
holder that aforesaid such payment is due and shall be made electronically
upon complying with the requirements in paragraph 4 of the Circular.”
5. Para 9 of the Circular is amended as under:
RTAs shall provide a certificate of compliance from a practicing Company Secretary,
within 90 days from the date of Circular coming into effect, certifying the changes
carried out, systems put in place / new operating procedures implemented etc. to
comply with the provisions of the Circular.
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