Quick summary
The SEBI Investor Protection and Education Fund (IPEF) promotes investor education and protection. It is funded by Board contributions, grants, and disgorged amounts. The Fund supports educational activities, awareness programs, and provides restitution to eligible investors or rewards to informants who provide original information to the Board.
Who is affected
- Investors in securities.
- Investors' Associations recognized by the Board.
- Informants providing original information to the Board to recover amounts.
- Entities transferring monies under SEBI (LODR), (REIT), (InvIT), and (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations.
What changes
As of September 2, 2025, the regulations now include monies transferred in accordance with clause (c) of sub-regulation (3) of regulation 38B of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2021, as amounts to be credited to the Fund.
Action items
- Payment Method: Amounts must be credited to the Fund via NEFT/RTGS/IMPS or online payment using the SEBI Payment Gateway.
- Refund Claims: Entities transferring monies under LODR, REIT, InvIT, or Delisting regulations must first make payment to eligible and identifiable investors before making a claim for refund to the Fund.
- Legal Aid: Investors' associations seeking aid for legal proceedings must apply according to Board guidelines; aid is capped at 75% of total expenditure.
Key dates-deadlines
- Amendment Effective Date: September 2, 2025.
- Restitution Claims: Claims are not admissible after seven years from the date of invitation of claims for disgorgement.
- Audit Deadline: Accounts must be prepared and audited before the expiry of six months from the end of each financial year.
Source reference
No. LAD-NRO/GN/2009-10/05/163525; 2025-09-02