The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has directed stock brokers to prominently display investor awareness messages on their websites and trading applications as part of its Project Jagrook initiative.
The new requirement has been introduced ahead of World Investor Week 2026 and is aimed at strengthening investor education, awareness and safety across digital investment platforms. SEBI issued the circular on October 1, 2026.
The regulator has also specified separate timelines for websites and trading apps, with mandatory requirements coming into effect in phases.
What Has SEBI Directed Stock Brokers to Do?
Under the new circular, all stock brokers will have to prominently display investor awareness messages shared by SEBI.
These messages will supplement the existing risk disclosures that stock brokers are already required to display under SEBI's May 19, 2023 circular.
SEBI said the initiative is part of Project Jagrook, its nationwide investor awareness programme designed to improve investor education and promote safer participation in the securities market.
Investor Awareness Messages on Stock Broker Websites
SEBI has prescribed the following timeline for websites:
-
October 5 to October 31, 2026: Stock brokers must display the investor awareness messages provided by SEBI along with the existing risk disclosures.
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From November 1, 2026: The specified investor awareness messages must be displayed on the landing page of stock brokers' websites.
This means investors visiting a broker's website will increasingly see regulatory awareness content directly on the main landing page rather than having to search for it.
What Changes for Trading Apps?
The requirements for trading applications are being introduced in two stages.
October 5 to October 31, 2026
During this period, stock brokers may display SEBI's investor awareness messages on their trading apps on a voluntary basis .
If a broker chooses to display the specified investor awareness message on a particular day during this period, displaying the existing risk disclosure on the app will be optional for that day.
From November 1, 2026
The requirement becomes mandatory.
From November 1, stock brokers offering trading apps will have to display both:
- SEBI's specified investor awareness messages, and
- Existing risk disclosures
The two will have to be displayed on alternate days on the landing page of the trading application.
SEBI Can Modify the Messages
The circular also allows SEBI to modify the investor awareness messages from time to time.
Stock brokers will therefore need to ensure that the messages displayed on their websites and apps remain aligned with the latest versions communicated by the regulator.
Role of Stock Exchanges and Depositories
SEBI has also directed stock exchanges and depositories to take steps for implementing the new framework.
They have been asked to:
- Inform their members and participants about the requirements.
- Disseminate the circular on their respective websites.
- Display the investor awareness messages shared by SEBI as provided.
- Make necessary amendments to their bye-laws, rules and regulations for implementation.
The other provisions of SEBI's May 19, 2023 circular on risk disclosures will continue to remain unchanged.
Why the New Requirement Matters for Investors
With a growing number of investors accessing the securities market through mobile trading platforms, SEBI is increasingly using digital channels to deliver investor education and risk-related information.
SEBI's Investor Survey 2025 found that mobile apps were among the preferred channels for receiving investor education, while fraud prevention and risk management were among the topics investors most wanted to learn about.
The new Project Jagrook requirement puts such awareness messages directly within the digital journey of investors, particularly when they are using a broker's website or trading app.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| October 5, 2026 | Website display requirement begins |
| October 5-31, 2026 | Investor awareness messages + risk disclosures on websites |
| October 5-31, 2026 | App display of investor awareness messages is voluntary |
| November 1, 2026 | Investor awareness messages become mandatory on website landing pages |
| November 1, 2026 onwards | Apps must display investor awareness messages and risk disclosures on alternate days |
SEBI's Project Jagrook Initiative
Project Jagrook was launched as a nationwide investor awareness campaign involving SEBI and securities market participants. The initiative combines physical and digital outreach to promote informed and responsible participation in the securities market.
The latest circular expands this approach by requiring stock brokers to make investor-centric messages visible directly through their websites and trading applications.
The October 1 circular has been issued under Section 11(1) of the SEBI Act, 1992 , which empowers the regulator to protect investors and regulate the securities market.
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