1. SEBI, vide circular dated April 17, 2020, had permitted use of digital signature certifications for authentication / certification of filings / submissions made under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (‘LODR Regulations’), to the Stock Exchanges, till June 30, 2020.
2. SEBI has received a representation from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) stating that due to the COVID -19 pandemic and precautionary measures for its curtailment, Company Secretaries continue to face operational challenges in carrying out certification and authentication of documents in physical form.
3. Accordingly, authentication / certification of any filing / submission made to stock exchanges under the LODR Regulations may be done using digital signature certifications till December 31, 2020.
4. This Circular shall apply for filings / submissions made from July 1, 2020.