The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved several significant regulatory changes at its 215th board meeting held on 24 September 2026 in Mumbai. As reported in Press Release No. 59/2026, the board approved multiple proposals after public consultation that will impact various investment vehicles and investor frameworks. The approved measures span across real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs), alternative investment funds (AIFs), and accredited investor frameworks, representing a comprehensive regulatory overhaul across multiple investment categories.
The approved measures include ease of doing business initiatives for real estate investment trusts and infrastructure investment trusts, as well as issuance of depository receipts (DRs) against their units. These changes are designed to make REITs and InvITs more accessible to investors while easing operational constraints. According to the board meeting summary, these developments reflect SEBI's broader regulatory focus on promoting investment in the real estate and infrastructure sectors by facilitating access to capital. The measures will be implemented upon notification of relevant amendments and issuance of detailed frameworks where applicable.
The board approved extended investor protection measures under the alternative investment funds (AIFs) regime, marking a significant enhancement to investor safeguards. These changes represent SEBI's commitment to strengthening the regulatory framework governing alternative investment vehicles. The enhanced protection measures will be implemented upon notification of the relevant amendments, ensuring that AIF investors benefit from improved safeguards and transparency standards. This development aligns with SEBI's broader regulatory approach of enhancing investor protection across all investment categories.
The approved changes include modifications to the accredited investor framework, which will apply across multiple investment products including AIFs, specialized investment funds (SIFs), and portfolio management services (PMS). These framework changes represent a comprehensive approach to investor classification and access to various investment products. The implementation of these changes will be coordinated with the release of detailed frameworks and consequential circulars where applicable, ensuring proper regulatory alignment across different investment categories.
