{"id":57013,"date":"2025-06-19T16:13:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/?p=57013"},"modified":"2025-11-10T13:38:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T08:08:26","slug":"5-important-takeaways-from-sebis-board-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/5-important-takeaways-from-sebis-board-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Important Takeaways from SEBI&#8217;s Board Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>India\u2019s capital market regulator <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/what-does-sebi-mean-for-indian-investors\/\">Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)<\/a> recently concluded its board meeting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was the 210th <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/sebi-registered-investment-advisor-meaning-eligibility\/\">Sebi<\/a> board meeting. It wasn\u2019t just routine\u2014it packed a punch with key decisions that could reshape India\u2019s financial markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Capital market observers look forward to this event as this is where the Indian market regulator lays down the rules and informs about the big changes they make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These changes usually tend to send ripple effects across the market, affecting investors like you and me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the entire presentation and changes can be viewed on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sebi.gov.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEBI&#8217;s official website<\/a>, we wanted to share our top 5 takeaways from the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#1 Delisting of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/public-sector-undertakings-psus-in-india-an-overview\/\">PSUs<\/a> with &gt;90% Government Holding<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a big move aimed at streamlining the exit process for certain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/public-sector-undertakings-psus-in-india-an-overview\/\">government owned companies or PSUs<\/a>, the market regulator on 18 June 2025 introduced special measures to facilitate their voluntary delisting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This rule applies to companies with government holding of 90% or more (excluding banks, NBFCs, and insurance firms).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the new rules, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/should-a-portfolio-include-unlisted-shares\/\">delisting<\/a> price must be at least 15% above the floor price. The floor price, in turn, must be the highest among the volume-weighted average price over the past 52 weeks, the highest acquisition price in the past 26 weeks, or a valuation determined by two independent registered valuers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At present, there are only 10 listed companies that have a government holding of 90% or above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some popular names include KIOCL, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, HMT, Punjab &amp; Sind Bank, State Trading Corporation, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/uco-bank-share-price-analysis-all-you-need-to-know\/\">UCO Bank<\/a>, ITI and Fertilisers &amp; Chemicals Travancore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#2 ESOP Changes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under current rules, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/why-startup-investments-are-booming-a-startup-investors-guide\/\">startup<\/a> founders must be classified as promoters at the time of filing <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/ipos\" title=\"IPO\" link=\"linked\" id=\"554\">IPO<\/a> documents. Once labeled promoters, they are no longer eligible to receive Employee Stock Options (ESOPs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Indian market regulator believes the existing rules do not clearly specify whether founders who received ESOPs before being classified as promoters can exercise their vested and unvested options after the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/ipos\" title=\"IPO\" link=\"linked\" id=\"906\">IPO<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Founders of many new-age tech startups often receive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/understanding-esop-taxation-in-india-a-complete-guide-for-employees\/\">ESOPs<\/a> instead of salaries in the early stages to align their interests with shareholders. But as these companies raise capital from external investors, founders\u2019 stakes tend to get diluted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which is why under the new rules, the market regulator permitted startup founders to retain ESOPs post-IPO, addressing their role in accepting equity over salaries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A one-year cooling-off period between ESOP grants and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/researchandranking\/ipos\" title=\"IPO\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1092\">IPO<\/a> filing was introduced to prevent misuse, ensuring alignment with shareholder interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#3 Regulations Relaxed for FPIs Investing Only in Govt. Bonds<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To attract big money from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/key-global-events-that-can-influence-the-stock-market-this-week-3\/\">global<\/a> markets, the market regulator simplified registration and compliance norms for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) investing exclusively in Indian Government Bonds via the Voluntary Retention Route (VRR) and Fully Accessible Route (FAR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This move comes in light of India\u2019s entry into global bond indices and is aimed at easing operational compliance and boosting foreign investment into Indian sovereign debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#4 QIP Documentation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To streamline <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/qips-hit-new-highs-in-2024-as-companies-raise-%E2%82%B91-37-trillion-whats-next-for-2025\/\">Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP)<\/a> documentation, reducing duplication and focusing on relevant disclosures to make capital-raising more efficient, SEBI announced a slew of measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As per the existing norms, companies raising funds via QIP have to file lengthy documents, which is a time-consuming process and also leads to bulky documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But now, the market regulator has changed this after hearing opinions from industry experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>#5 Co-Investment Allowed in AIFs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In another development, the market regulator also approved co-investment opportunities within <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/navigating-angel-investing-discover-the-pros-cons-of-aif\/\">Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)<\/a> through a Co-Investment Vehicle (CIV) as a separate scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This enhances flexibility for investors while it also ensures uniform exits to protect main scheme investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Other Big Updates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from these headline reforms, SEBI also relaxed investment limits for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/what-are-mutual-funds-a-comprehensive-guide\/\">mutual funds<\/a> in REITs and InvITs, raising the cap under equity schemes from 10% to 20% of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/what-is-net-asset-value\/\">NAV<\/a>, and allowed their classification as equity instruments for index eligibility.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It clarified disclosure norms, public unitholding thresholds, and cash flow treatment for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/3-real-estate-investment-strategies-to-grow-your-wealth\/\">REITs<\/a> and InvITs to enhance transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The board also approved changes to the Social <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/reading-stock-charts-the-basics\/\">Stock Exchange<\/a> framework to allow greater flexibility in fundraising and disclosures by social enterprises, and enabled ESG rating providers to access non-public ESG data from listed companies through a regulated mechanism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Final Words<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Market participants have welcomed these changes with open arms. The impact of the recent changes by SEBI will be seen in the Indian markets as and when some developments happen around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/qips-hit-new-highs-in-2024-as-companies-raise-%e2%82%b91-37-trillion-whats-next-for-2025\/\">QIPs<\/a>, delisting, or ESOPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, amid the latest tensions around the Israel-Iran war and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZDhsKoPOEnQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rising crude oil prices<\/a>, being patient with your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/mukul-agrawal-portfolio-shareholdings-investments-all-you-need-to-know\/\">investments<\/a> is key as the coming few days could be extremely volatile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Equentis\u2019 powerful <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/financial-calculators\" title=\"financial calculators\" link=\"linked\" id=\"555\">financial calculators<\/a>, specific investing tools, and stock screener, you have much faster access to information, along with less spin coming from the mainstream media. This access to unfiltered content should allow you to make higher quality decisions as long as you keep your emotions in check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is what makes investing so interesting. Happy Investing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ast-global-color-5-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-a377517bdd8f600e0c2e7efd2ef366fd\">Disclaimer Note: The securities quoted, if any, are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. This article is for education purposes only and shall not be considered as a recommendation or investment advice by Equentis \u2013 Research &amp; Ranking. We will not be liable for any losses that may occur. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL &amp; certification from NISM in no way guarantee the performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India\u2019s capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently concluded its board meeting.&nbsp; This was the 210th [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":57015,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-investing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57013"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63279,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57013\/revisions\/63279"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.equentis.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}