**Summary:**
This circular, issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on August 26, 2025, relaxes the timeline for stock brokers to submit their net worth certificates to stock exchanges in order to offer margin trading facilities to clients. The circular amends Para 4.5.3 of Chapter 1 of the Master Circular for Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations SECC dated December 30, 2024.
Previously, stock brokers were required to submit a half-yearly net worth certificate from an auditor by April 30th (for the period ending March 31st) and October 31st (for the period ending September 30th).
The new timeline, harmonized with the timelines for declaration of financial results as per Regulation 33 of the SEBI Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirement Regulations, 2015, extends the deadline. Stock brokers must now submit the certificate within 60 days from the half year ended on March 31st (i.e., by May 31st) and within 45 days from the half year ended on September 30th (i.e., by November 15th).
Stock exchanges are directed to amend their byelaws, rules, and regulations accordingly and to disseminate the circular's provisions to their members and on their websites.
This circular is issued under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, and Regulation 51 of the Securities Contracts Regulation (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2018. The purpose is to protect investor interests, promote development, and regulate the securities market.
The circular is effective immediately and is available on the SEBI website (www.sebi.gov.in) under Legal Circulars.
For further information, contact Sanjay Singh Bhati, Deputy General Manager, Market Regulation Department, at ssbhati@sebi.gov.in or 022-26449222.
Key Entities Referenced
Securities and Exchange Board of India: Regulatory body for the securities market in India.
Stock Exchanges: Recognized entities that facilitate trading in securities.
Stock Brokers: Intermediaries that execute trades on behalf of clients.
Margin Trading Facility: A facility that allows investors to trade with borrowed funds.
Master Circular for Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations SECC: A comprehensive document containing guidelines for stock exchanges and clearing corporations.
SEBI Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirement Regulations, 2015: Regulations pertaining to listing obligations and disclosure requirements for listed companies.
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992: The law that established the Securities and Exchange Board of India and defines its powers and functions.
Securities Contracts Regulation Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations Regulations, 2018: Regulations governing securities contracts, stock exchanges, and clearing corporations.
CIRCULAR
SEBI/HO/MRD/MRD-PoD-2/P/CIR/2025/120 August 26, 2025
To,
All Recognised Stock Exchanges
All Stock Brokers through Recognised Stock Exchanges
Dear Sir/ Madam,
Sub: Relaxation in timeline to submit net worth certificate by Stock Brokers to offer
margin trading facility to their clients
1. Para 4.5.3 of Chapter 1 of the Master Circular for Stock Exchanges and Clearing
Corporations (SECC) dated December 30, 2024, states that in order to be eligible to
offer the margin trading facility to their clients, the Stock Brokers shall submit to the
stock exchange(s) a half-yearly certificate, as on 31st March and 30th September of
each year, from an auditor confirming the net worth. Such a certificate shall be
submitted not later than 30th April and 31st October of every year.
2. Based on representations received from market participants and with a view to
promote ease of doing business, it has been decided to harmonize the timelines for
the Stock Brokers to submit the net worth certificate under the aforesaid Master
Circular with the timelines for declaration of the financial results as per Regulation 33
of the SEBI (Listing Obligation and Disclosure Requirement) Regulations, 2015.
3. Accordingly, in order to be eligible to offer the margin trading facility to their clients, the
Stock Brokers shall submit the certificate as stated in para 1 above within 45 days from
the half year ended on September 30 and within 60 days from the half year ended on
31st March.
Page 1 of 24. In view of the above, para 4.5.3 of Chapter 1 of the Master Circular for Stock
Exchanges and Clearing Corporations (SECC) dated December 30, 2024, shall be
modified as follows:
“The broker shall submit to the stock exchange a half-yearly certificate, as on 31st
March and 30th September of each year, from an auditor confirming the net worth.
Such a certificate shall be submitted not later than 31st May and 15th November
every year.”
5. The provisions of this circular shall come into effect immediately.
6. The Stock Exchanges are advised to:
6.1. Make necessary amendments to the relevant bye-laws, rules and regulations for the
implementation of the above decision, as may be necessary/applicable.
6.2. Bring the provisions of this circular to the notice of their members and to disseminate
the same on their website.
7. This circular is being issued in exercise of powers conferred under Section 11 (1) of
the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, read with Regulation 51 of the
Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations)
Regulations, 2018 to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the
development of, and to regulate the securities market.
8. This circular is available on SEBI website at www.sebi.gov.in at “Legal → Circulars”.
Yours faithfully,
Sanjay Singh Bhati
Deputy General Manager
Market Regulation Department
Email: ssbhati@sebi.gov.in
Phone number: 022-26449222
Page 2 of 2