Concept:
• SEBI was established in 1988 (given statutory status in 1992) to regulate the functions of the securities market.
• It acts as a watchdog to protect the interests of investors and promote the development of the market.
Step 1: Protection of Investors
• The primary objective of SEBI is to protect the rights and interests of investors, particularly individual investors.
• It ensures that investors receive adequate and accurate information about companies.
• It provides a grievance redressal mechanism to handle investor complaints.
Step 2: Prevention of Malpractices
• SEBI aims to prevent trading malpractices such as insider trading, price rigging, and making misleading statements.
• By monitoring large transactions and corporate disclosures, it ensures that no person gets an unfair advantage in the market.
Step 3: Regulation of Intermediaries
• SEBI regulates the activities of intermediaries like stock brokers, sub-brokers, merchant bankers, and underwriters.
• It frames a code of conduct for these intermediaries to ensure they operate professionally and ethically.
• It registers and monitors mutual funds and collective investment schemes.