New Delhi witnessed a significant development in India's capital market as SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey issued a warning to investors and traders on Monday against relying on anonymous tips from finfluencers and unrealistic return promises.
Speaking at the launch of SEBI's Project Jagruk at Panjab University, Pandey highlighted the deeper, broader, and more accessible nature of India's capital markets over the past decade.
He noted that more households are investing in capital markets today and enjoy access to a wider range of products that barely existed ten years ago.
"Households are also directing larger amounts of savings into securities market instruments," Pandey said, pointing out the rising popularity of systematic investment plans (SIPs) as straightforward investment options for retail investors.
Emphasizing market expansion, Pandey mentioned SEBI's efforts to rationalize mutual fund categories, cap costs, and introduce smaller SIP ticket sizes to encourage broader participation.
He revealed that India's market capitalization has increased fourfold to approximately ₹472 lakh crore over the last decade, while foreign portfolio investor assets have grown from ₹22 lakh crore to ₹78 lakh crore.
To facilitate foreign investment, SEBI introduced a simplified FPI framework that streamlined digital onboarding and enhanced ease of doing business for overseas investors.
The regulator has also diversified market participants and products by welcoming investment advisers, ESG rating providers, and innovative financing channels for startups and infrastructure projects.
According to Pandey, India's capital market framework has evolved from focusing mainly on domestic investment to positioning the country as a potential hub for global fund management.
He further noted that access has widened through SME IPO platforms and that the IPO listing timeline has been shortened from T+6 to T+3 working days.
On reforms in market infrastructure, Pandey said India pioneered the testing of T+1 settlement and was among the first to enable interoperability between clearing corporations.
In the debt market, the introduction of online bond platforms has expanded access to corporate bonds, and newer bonds such as green, sustainable, and municipal bonds have created fresh capital-raising pathways.
Products like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and commodity derivatives have allowed investors and businesses to manage risks and monetize assets more efficiently.
Als highlighted that SEBI has reinforced cybersecurity reporting requirements to keep pace with greater market participation and digitisation.
"Over the last decade, India's capital markets have become deeper, broader and more accessible," Pandey affirmed, adding that the regulatory framework has evolved to make these products accessible to a larger segment of investors.
