Securities Markets Code Bill 2025 Tabled: India's Capital Markets Set for Major Overhaul

• The Bill consolidates SEBI Act, Depositories Act, and Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act into a single, principle-based code.
• Aims to create a unified legal framework, improve regulatory clarity, and promote ease of doing business.
• Strengthens SEBI's regulatory role, mandates transparency, and introduces time-bound enforcement processes.
• Decriminalizes minor offences, retaining criminal penalties only for serious violations like market abuse.
• Introduces an Ombudsperson mechanism for investor grievance redressal and a regulatory sandbox for innovation.

Why It Matters: The Securities Markets Code Bill 2025 proposes a unified, simplified, and strengthened regulatory framework for India's capital markets.