India's SEBI rolls out fast‑track inheritance rules and wider market reforms

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved a suite of reforms aimed at easing investor processes and strengthening market functioning. A new "Quick Transmission Processing" (QTP) lane will handle small‑value inheritance claims with simplified documentation: physical holdings up to ₹10 lakh and demat holdings up to ₹30 lakh qualify for fast‑track processing, while claims as low as ₹10,000 (physical) and ₹30,000 (demat) can be settled without a PAN and using QR‑code enabled death certificates. The changes are intended to reduce probate delays for families of deceased investors.

In parallel, SEBI introduced broader measures including the re‑introduction of open‑market share buybacks from 1 August 2026, tighter timelines for mutual‑fund intraday borrowing, a ten‑working‑day approval process for Alternative Investment Funds under the GARUDA framework, reforms to securitised debt instruments, steps to deepen the municipal bond market, a review of the SME capital‑raising framework for FY 2026‑27, and a new Code of Conduct for members and staff. Implementation will depend on depositories, registrars and other market participants updating their systems.

The regulator framed the reforms as a way to improve transparency, investor convenience and overall market efficiency, particularly as India's retail investor base continues to expand.