Market participants get one-month relief to meet digital accessibility norms under RPwD
New Delhi (Economy India): The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has extended by one month the deadline for regulated entities to submit their compliance report and action taken report under the mandatory Digital Accessibility Framework, in alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
This decision comes in response to formal requests from various market participants seeking additional time to comply with technical and procedural aspects of the framework.
“SEBI remains committed to promoting an inclusive and accessible financial ecosystem for all investors, including persons with disabilities,” a senior official from SEBI said. “The extension has been granted to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the digital accessibility guidelines.”
SEBI Extends Deadline for Digital Accessibility Compliance by One Month
Background
On July 2025, SEBI issued a circular mandating that all regulated entities—such as stock exchanges, depositories, mutual funds, portfolio managers, investment advisors, and brokers—ensure that their digital platforms (websites, mobile apps, investor portals, etc.) are fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
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The framework is based on global digital accessibility standards, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Regulated entities are expected to take steps such as:
Conducting accessibility audits
Implementing assistive technology compatibility
Ensuring user interfaces are accessible for visually and hearing-impaired individuals
Industry Response
Multiple stakeholders had expressed concern over the time required to upgrade legacy systems and perform technical adjustments. SEBI, taking a consultative approach, has decided to stagger the compliance deadlines while maintaining the overall objective of accessibility and inclusion.
The extension aims to give organizations the necessary time to ensure full and meaningful compliance with the guidelines without compromising on quality.
Next Steps
Regulated entities are advised to:
Continue work on implementing accessibility features
Submit updated compliance and action taken reports within the revised deadline
Stay aligned with future SEBI circulars regarding phased implementation
SEBI has reiterated its long-term commitment to building an inclusive market infrastructure that allows every investor—regardless of ability—to participate fully and equally in India’s capital markets.
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