SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India)

In 1988 the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was established by the Government of India through an executive resolution, and was subsequently upgraded as a fully autonomous body (a statutory Board) in the year 1992 with the passing of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act (SEBI Act) on 30th January 1992. In place of Government Control, a statutory and autonomous regulatory board with defined responsibilities, to cover both development & regulation of the market, and independent powers have been set up. Paradoxically this is a positive outcome of the Securities Scam of 1990-91.

The basic objectives of the Board are as follows :

    To protect the interests of investors in securities;

    To promote the development of Securities Market;

    To regulate the securities market and

    For matters connected therewith or incidental there to.

Since its inception SEBI has been working targetting the securities and is attending to the fulfillment of its objectives with commendable zeal and dexterity. The improvements in the securities markets like capitalization requirements, margining, establishment of clearing corporations etc. reduced the risk of credit and also reduced the market.

SEBI has introduced the comprehensive regulatory measures, prescribed registration norms, the eligibility criteria, the code of obligations and the code of conduct for different intermediaries like, bankers to issue, merchant bankers, brokers and sub-brokers, registrars, portfolio managers, credit rating agencies, underwriters and others. It has framed bye-laws, risk identification and risk management systems for Clearing houses of stock exchanges, surveillance system etc. which has made dealing in securities both safe and transparent to the end investor.

Another significant event is the approval of trading in stock indices (like S&P CNX Nifty & Sensex) in 2000. A market Index is a convenient and effective product because of the following reasons:

    It acts as a barometer for market behavior;

    It is used to benchmark portfolio performance;

    It is used in derivative instruments like index futures and index options;

    It can be used for passive fund management as in case of Index Funds.

Functions of SEBI Explain in detail?

The Following are some of the main functions of SEBI:

1. The business that happens in the Indian stock exchanges and other securities markets in India

2. Registering and monitoring of Intermediaries like Brokers who may participate in the securities market

3. Registering and monitoring the work of depository participants, custodians of securities, FII's etc

4. Prohibiting unfair trade practices and fraudulent practices in the markets

5. Promoting Investor education

6. Training of Intermediaries

7. Prohibiting Insider trading

8. Regulating substantial acquisitions and take overs of companies.

Powers of SEBI - Securities and Exchange Board of India

 1. Powers relating to stock exchanges & intermediaries

SEBI has wide powers regarding the stock exchanges and intermediaries dealing in securities. It can ask information from the stock exchanges and intermediaries regarding their business transactions for inspection or scrutiny and other purpose.

2. Power to impose monetary penalties

SEBI has been empowered to impose monetary penalties on capital market intermediaries and other participants for a range of violations. It can even impose suspension of their registration for a short period.

3. Power to initiate actions in functions assigned

SEBI has a power to initiate actions in regard to functions assigned. For example, it can issue guidelines to different intermediaries or can introduce specific rules for the protection of interests of investors.

4. Power to regulate insider trading

SEBI has power to regulate insider trading or can regulate the functions of merchant bankers.

5. Powers under Securities Contracts Act

For effective regulation of stock exchange, the Ministry of Finance issued a Notification on 13 September, 1994 delegating several of its powers under the Securities Contracts (Regulations) Act to SEBI.

SEBI is also empowered by the Finance Ministry to nominate three members on the Governing Body of every stock exchange.

6. Power to regulate business of stock exchanges

SEBI is also empowered to regulate the business of stock exchanges, intermediaries associated with the securities market as well as mutual funds, fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities and regulation of acquisition of shares and takeovers of companies.