SEBI digital accessibility requirements for India

SEBI has directed its regulated entities to make their digital platforms accessible under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and its rules. This page summarizes who the circular covers, its standards, and the latest timeline extension.

Updated November 1, 2026

This is a general summary of SEBI circulars, not legal advice or a determination that a particular entity is in scope. Check the circulars and get advice from qualified Indian counsel.

Prepare for the appointed auditor

Inventory websites, apps, portals, documents and essential journeys.
Assign an owner for each platform and its third-party dependencies.
Record existing WCAG findings, fixes and retest evidence.
Plan usability testing with persons with disabilities and the required reporting process.
Confirm the appointed auditor's IAAP qualification and the circular's current requirements with the reporting authority.

Who does the SEBI circular cover?

The July 31, 2025 circular defines a regulated entity to include SEBI-registered or recognized intermediaries and market infrastructure institutions within SEBI's purview. Examples include stock brokers, mutual funds, KYC Registration Agencies, Qualified Registrars and Transfer Agents, stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations.

The directions cover each regulated entity's digital platforms and content, including websites, mobile applications and portals. This is a sector-specific requirement; the SEBI circular does not make every Indian business website subject to SEBI oversight.

Technical standards and accessibility work

The 2025 circular names these baselines for digital accessibility: WCAG 2.1 or the latest version, the latest Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW), Indian Standard IS 17802 for ICT accessibility, and the RPwD Act, 2016 and its corresponding rules.

Its directions go beyond a page scan. They include accessible documents, captions and Indian Sign Language (ISL) where applicable, alternatives in digital KYC, an accessibility grievance mechanism, annual audits, and usability testing by persons with disabilities as part of the comprehensive audit.

What changed in the October 2026 circular?

SEBI circular HO/53/12/13(2)2026-ITD5-M2IPC/I/24856/2026, dated October 30, 2026, extends three items to January 31, 2027: appointment of an IAAP auditor, conducting accessibility audits of digital platforms, and remediation of audit findings. The circular explicitly says all other provisions remain unchanged. Treat this as a change to those timelines only, not a blanket waiver of the underlying requirements.

Important: the SEBI audit has an IAAP requirement

The underlying SEBI directions call for a comprehensive audit through an IAAP-certified accessibility professional and usability testing by persons with disabilities. ADA Audit Pro's published credentials include DHS Trusted Tester and AODA certification; they do not include IAAP certification. A manual WCAG audit from me can help identify and remediate barriers or prepare evidence, but it should not be represented as the IAAP audit required by SEBI. Regulated entities should appoint an IAAP-certified auditor for that requirement and confirm scope with their reporting authority and counsel.

For general audit scope and rates, see website accessibility audit pricing and the sample accessibility audit report. These services are not a substitute for the SEBI-mandated IAAP audit.

Official SEBI sources

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