India’s Securities and Exchange Board has opened a consultation on requiring anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing certification for principal officers of SEBI-registered intermediaries. Its 6 November listing and public comment portal identify three specific proposals.[1][2]
The three proposals open for comment
| Question | Proposed approach |
|---|---|
| Who would need certification? | Every principal officer of a SEBI-registered intermediary. |
| Which examination? | NISM Series XXIV on AML and CFT provisions in securities markets. |
| How long to comply? | Six months for existing and newly appointed principal officers. |
The proposed obligation is tied to the principal officer role. Describing it as certification for all compliance officers would widen its stated scope. The consultation separately asks whether certification should be mandatory, whether the specified examination is appropriate and whether the six-month period should apply.[2]
For intermediaries, the potential change is a common examination requirement attached to that designated position. It remains a proposal: the consultation questions do not themselves bring a mandatory qualification or compliance clock into force. Final requirements would have to be established through SEBI’s subsequent action.[2]
Sources & further reading
- Consultation on introduction of AML/CFT certification for principal officers: official listing Securities and Exchange Board of India · 6 Nov 2026 · Accessed 6 Nov 2026
- Public comments: AML/CFT principal-officer certification proposals Securities and Exchange Board of India · Accessed 6 Nov 2026