Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and rules made thereunder-mandatory compliance by all Regulated Entities
Dear Colleagues,
SEBI, through its circular dated July 31, 2025, has mandated all SEBI-regulated entities (REs)—such as stock exchanges, brokers, mutual funds, depositories, and other intermediaries—to make their digital platforms fully accessible to persons with disabilities (PwDs), in compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and related rules. This follows the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on April 30, 2025, which recognized digital access as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
To implement this, REs must follow accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1, GIGW, and IS 17802, ensuring accessible websites, mobile apps, e-KYC processes, investor documents, and grievance mechanisms. They are required to appoint IAAP-certified auditors, conduct audits within 3 months, and complete remediation within 6 months. Annual compliance reports must also be submitted. Additionally, REs must embed accessibility into staff training, procurement policies, and design processes, promoting a “digital accessibility by design” approach across the securities market ecosystem.
