On July 31, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular making digital accessibility compliance mandatory for all regulated entities. Yes, your heard it right - digital accessibility is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s now a compliance mandate! The circular enforces provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and follows the Supreme Court of India’s April 30, 2025 judgment, which recognized digital access as a fundamental right.
This is a landmark shift to ensure that persons with disabilities can access financial services independently and without barriers. Think about it—financial services are the backbone of our economy. If people with disabilities can’t access them independently, that’s not just inconvenient, it’s exclusionary. This circular is a game-changer for creating an inclusive financial ecosystem.
Who Must Comply
The circular applies to all SEBI Regulated Entities (REs), including:
- Stock Exchanges
- Clearing Corporations
- Depositories
- Mutual Funds and AMCs
- KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs)
- Portfolio Managers and Investment Advisors
- QRTAs and RTAs
- Other SEBI-registered intermediaries
Standards and Legal Framework
Entities must comply with the following accessibility standards:
- WCAG 2.1 (or latest version) – These are international guidelines that define how to make web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for everyone.
- Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) - A set of best practices ensuring government websites and portals in India are user-friendly and accessible.
- IS 17802:2022 – Indian Standard developed to provide a set of accessibility requirements that specify how to make content accessible, primarily for the people with disabilities and also for all the end users.
- RPwD Act, 2016 and Rules, 2017 (Sections 40, 42, 46; Rule 15(1)(c)). The Indian law mandating equal access to information and communication technology for persons with disabilities.
RPwD Enforcement & Fines
Wondering if these rules have teeth? Oh yes, they do! Here’s how enforcement is already laying out:
- February 2025: ₹10,000 fines were slapped on 155 establishments, including central ministries and private firms, for non-compliance with accessibility mandates.
- July 2025: Things got even tougher—₹50,000 penalty on 96 repeat offenders, including STQC, the government’s own audit authority!
- The judiciary is now actively enforcing digital inclusion, which means organizations can’t afford to treat accessibility as an afterthought anymore.
Compliance Timelines
- Within 1 Month (by Aug 31, 2025): Submit list of all digital platforms and initial compliance report.
- Within 45 Days (by Sept 14, 2025): Appoint IAAP-certified accessibility auditors.
- Within 3 Months (by Oct 31, 2025): Complete digital accessibility audits.
- Within 6 Months (by Jan 31, 2026): Remediate issues and ensure compliance.
- Annual: Submit accessibility compliance report within 30 days of financial year-end.
No time to procrastinate. If you haven’t started planning, you’re already behind.
Check this August 2025 update - Extension of Timelines and Change in Reporting Authority under SEBI’s Digital Accessibility Compliance Circular
Key Institutional Responsibilities
- Leadership review: MD/Managing Partner/Proprietor must approve compliance.
- Nodal Officer: Must be appointed to oversee audits, remediation, training, and grievance redressal.
- Grievance Mechanism: Must be accessible (email, helplines, web forms).
Scope of Accessibility
SEBI clarifies that accessibility extends beyond websites:
- Websites & Apps: ISL videos, captions, alt text, audio description.
- Digital Documents: Tagged PDFs, logical structure, alt text for images.
- KYC Processes: Digital KYC, e-KYC, and video KYC must be inclusive, with human-assisted alternatives available.
Mandatory Accessibility Audits
- Conducted only by IAAP-certified auditors.
- Must follow WCAG, GIGW, IS 17802, and RPwD Act standards.
- Must involve usability testing with persons with disabilities.
- Findings to be remediated within six months, followed by annual audits.
Accessibility in Procurement
- All new procurements must meet accessibility requirements.
- RFPs and contracts must include accessibility clauses.
- Vendors must provide third-party audit evidence of accessibility.
- Compliance responsibility remains with the regulated entity.
Why This Matters
- Reinforces the Supreme Court’s April 30, 2025 ruling: Digital access is a fundamental right.
- Makes accessibility a legal compliance requirement, not optional.
- Non-compliance carries legal, reputational, and operational risk.
BarrierBreak’s Role in Supporting Compliance
BarrierBreak is an empanelled Web Accessibility Auditor with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, and is an IAAP-authorized accessibility auditor.
With over two decades of expertise, BarrierBreak partners with organizations to ensure timely and effective compliance.
Our Services
- Accessibility audits by IAAP-certified experts.
- Manual and automated testing of websites, mobile apps, and documents.
- Inclusive usability testing with persons with disabilities.
- Remediation guidance for web, mobile, and digital documents.
- Training programs for internal teams and vendors.
- Accessible procurement support to embed accessibility from the start.
Call to Action
The SEBI circular sets tight deadlines—compliance is expected within months, not years.
BarrierBreak can help your organization:
- Meet SEBI’s regulatory requirements on time.
- Ensure inclusive investor experiences.
- Build accessibility into your digital transformation.
Contact BarrierBreak today to begin your digital accessibility compliance journey.