FM Introduces Securities Markets Code Bill 2025 for Unified Regulation

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha on December 18.
• The Bill aims to create a unified legislative framework for India's securities markets by merging SEBI Act, 1992, Depositories Act, 1996, and Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.
• It seeks to strengthen SEBI's powers, improve investor protection, and enhance market efficiency and ease of doing business.
• Key reforms include streamlined enforcement, conversion of minor offenses to civil penalties, and limiting criminal liability to serious crimes.
• The Code also introduces an Ombudsperson mechanism for investor grievance redressal and a regulatory sandbox for financial innovation.

Why It Matters: New Bill unifies securities laws, strengthens SEBI, and boosts investor protection and market efficiency.