New Delhi, 18 December (H.S.): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Securities Market Code Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, aiming to consolidate and strengthen laws governing India's securities markets while addressing related matters.

The legislation proposes to repeal three existing statutes—the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992, the Depositories Act, 1996, and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956—and establish a unified legal framework to regulate securities markets across the country.

This comprehensive code seeks to fortify the regulatory structure, enhance investor protections, and streamline business operations in the capital markets through targeted amendments and reinforcements to securities-related laws.

By adopting a principled-based legal approach, the Bill empowers the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)—referred to as the Board—with enhanced powers and a robust governance framework to oversee market activities more effectively.

Key features include simplified legal language to eliminate redundant concepts, thereby improving regulatory clarity and accessibility for stakeholders. The move aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize India's financial ecosystem, fostering greater efficiency, transparency, and investor confidence in one of the world's fastest-growing capital markets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar