The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on January 19, 2026, issued a Consultation Paper on a circular under SEBI (Index Providers) Regulations, 2024.
The following has been stated: -
•SEBI has issued a consultation paper proposing criteria to identify “Significant Indices” under the SEBI (Index Providers) Regulations, 2024, to enhance transparency and accountability.
•An index will be deemed significant if it is tracked or benchmarked by domestic mutual fund schemes with cumulative AUM exceeding ₹20,000 crore.
•The cumulative AUM will be calculated using the six-month daily average AUM ending June 30 and December 31 each year, with proportional allocation where schemes track multiple indices or index of indices.
•A draft circular and a list of significant indices (Annexure-A) have been published for public comments, to be submitted by February 10, 2026.
•Index Providers administering such significant indices must seek SEBI registration within six months of the circular, subject to specified exemptions.
