SEBI’S ROLE IN PROTECTING INVESTORS AND ENSURING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

SEBI plays a central role in protecting investors and maintaining corporate governance in India’s securities market. This article examines how SEBI has developed from a non-statutory body into a powerful regulator with the authority to regulate markets, investigate misconduct, enforce disclosure requirements, and protect investor interests. It discusses SEBI’s role in areas such as insider trading, market manipulation, corporate disclosures, investor grievances, and board governance, along with important judicial decisions and recent developments such as finfluencer regulation and T+1 settlement. The article also highlights challenges including enforcement delays, limited resources, cross-border fraud, and regulatory overlap. It concludes that effective and timely enforcement, along with stronger investor awareness and regulatory coordination, is essential for maintaining investor confidence and a fair securities market.