SMC Bill 2025: SEBI Funds to CFI, Probes Capped, Investor Protection Boosted

• SMC Bill 2025 proposes transferring 3/4th of SEBI's annual surplus to the Consolidated Fund of India, impacting its financial autonomy.
• Investigations by SEBI will be capped at 180 days, with an 8-year outer limit for initiating probes.
• The Bill introduces an Ombudsman mechanism and mandates an Investor Charter for enhanced grievance redressal.
• It consolidates three existing securities laws (Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956; SEBI Act, 1992; Depositories Act, 1996).
• SEBI's Board strength will increase to up to 15 members, and minor offenses are proposed to be decriminalized.

Why It Matters: SMC Bill 2025 overhauls SEBI's financial autonomy, streamlines probes, and boosts investor protection.