The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken another major step towards improving regulatory efficiency and ease of doing business. With the introduction of an online filing system for Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), SEBI aims to modernize and simplify the process of registration, reporting, and compliance under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
A New Digital Era for InvITs
Effective immediately, all activities related to InvIT registration and regulatory compliance must be carried out through SEBI’s dedicated Intermediary Portal, accessible at https://siportal.sebi.gov.in. This move aligns with SEBI’s larger objective of promoting transparency, improving turnaround times, and reducing the paperwork and manual processes associated with regulatory filings.
The online filing system is now fully operational and is expected to significantly enhance user experience, accuracy, and record-keeping for both SEBI and market participants.
What Does This Mean for InvIT Applicants and Existing Trusts?
- Mandatory Online Application for New Registrations
All applicants seeking to register as InvITs are now required to submit their applications online through the SEBI Intermediary Portal. This eliminates the need for physical submission of documents and allows for a more structured and traceable registration process.
- Digital-Only Compliance for Registered InvITs
For InvITs that are already registered with SEBI, all subsequent filings, submissions, or requests mandated under the SEBI InvIT Regulations or relevant circulars must also be made through the online system. This includes reporting obligations, amendments, disclosures, and other compliance-related actions.
- Centralized Access via SEBI Website
In addition to accessing the portal directly, a link to the Intermediary Portal is also available on the official SEBI website: www.sebi.gov.in. This ensures that all stakeholders can navigate to the portal easily from SEBI’s main digital interface.
Benefits of the Online System
Improved Efficiency: Automation and digital workflows reduce manual intervention, leading to faster approvals and processing times.
Enhanced Transparency: A uniform platform ensures consistent communication and reduces ambiguity in the application and compliance process.
User Support: A user manual is available within the portal to assist with navigation and submission procedures. For additional help, a dedicated Portal Helpline is available as specified in the manual.
Conclusion
SEBI’s introduction of the online filing system for InvITs marks a pivotal transformation in how infrastructure investment trusts interact with the regulator. It’s a welcome move for institutional investors, developers, and asset managers looking to streamline their compliance burden while maintaining transparency and accountability.
Stakeholders are advised to familiarize themselves with the portal, consult the provided user manual for detailed steps, and direct any queries to the helpline to ensure smooth onboarding and ongoing compliance.