**Summary:**
This circular, reference number SEBI/HOD-DDHS/DDHS-POD-3/P/CIR/2024/107, issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on July 19, 2024, amends the Master Circular for Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) dated May 16, 2024, to enable SEBI-registered CRAs to undertake rating activities within the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) located in Gujarat International Finance Tech-city (GIFT City). The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is added to the list of financial sector regulators/authorities in Annexure 19 of the Master Circular.
Ratings conducted by CRAs under IFSCA guidelines will fall under IFSCA's purview. IFSCA will handle any issues arising from the activities of SEBI-registered CRAs within the IFSC, exercising powers under Sections 12 and 13 of the IFSCA Act. This includes responsibility for complaints, enforcement actions, and providing information to third parties, including statutory or judicial bodies, regarding services provided by CRAs in the IFSC.
The circular takes effect immediately. Authority for this circular is derived from Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and Regulation 20 of the CRA Regulations.
For further information, contact Sarika Kataria, Deputy General Manager, Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities, at Tel No. 022-26449411 or via email at sariksk@sebi.gov.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Credit Rating Agencies: Registered entities regulated by SEBI, involved in assigning credit ratings.
IFSCA: International Financial Services Centres Authority, a financial sector regulator in India.
SEBI Credit Rating Agencies Regulations, 1999: Regulations governing the operations of Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) in India.
Master Circular for CRAs dated May 16, 2024: A circular providing guidelines for Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs).
International Financial Services Centre Gujarat International Finance Techcity IFSC GIFT City: A special economic zone and financial hub in Gujarat, India.
IFSCA Act: The act establishing the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992: The act establishing the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Sarika Kataria: Deputy General Manager at the Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities, SEBI.
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/DDHS/DDHS-POD3/P/CIR/2024/102 July 19, 2024
To
All Registered Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs),
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Sub: Enabling Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) to undertake rating activities under
IFSCA
1. In terms of Regulation 9(f) of SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999 (‘CRA
Regulations’), Para 25 of the Master Circular for CRAs dated May 16, 2024 provides that
CRAs may undertake the rating of financial instruments under the respective guidelines of
the financial sector regulators/ authorities. To enable CRAs to undertake rating activities
in the International Financial Services Centre - Gujarat International Finance Tech-city
(IFSC-GIFT City), International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is hereby
added to the list of financial sector regulators/ authorities as specified in Annexure 19 of
the aforesaid Master circular.
2. In line with the above provision, it is specified that the ratings undertaken by a CRA under
the guidelines of IFSCA shall be under the purview of IFSCA. Accordingly:
2.1. Any issue arising from the activities of such SEBI registered CRAs in the IFSC shall
be dealt with by IFSCA under the powers exercisable under Section 12 and 13 of
IFSCA Act and regulations and subsidiary instructions made thereunder.
2.2. IFSCA shall be responsible for dealing with complaints, enforcement actions and
furnishing information to third parties, including statutory or judicial bodies, in respect
to the services provided by the CRAs in the IFSC.
3. The circular shall be applicable with immediate effect.
Page 1 of 24. This circular is issued with the approval of competent authority, in exercise of the powers
conferred by Section 11 (1) of Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 read with
the provisions of Regulation 20 of CRA Regulations to protect the interest of investors in
securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market.
Yours faithfully,
Sarika Kataria
Deputy General Manager
Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities
Tel No.022-2644-9411
Email ID - sarikak@sebi.gov.in
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