The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates the securities market: stock exchanges, brokers, mutual funds, listed companies and investor protection. It was first set up on 12 April 1988 as a non-statutory body by a government resolution and later got statutory powers through its own Act. Its preamble gives three jobs: protect investors, promote the development of the securities market and regulate it.
Key facts
- Set up as a non-statutory body on 12 April 1988 by a Government of India resolution.
- Preamble: to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and regulate, the securities market.
- In March 2026 SEBI's board brought its own chairman and whole-time members under the definition of 'insider' and tightened conflict-of-interest rules. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask about it
The year it got statutory status and its three preamble functions are the standard questions.