The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) released a consultation paper on August 21, 2026, proposing a revised advertising code for online bond platform providers (OBPPs). The new code aims to tighten regulations around the promotion of debt securities, addressing concerns over digital advertising, social media, and influencer-based promotions. Public comments on the proposal are invited until September 11, 2026, according to medianama.com.
The proposed code introduces specific requirements for advertisements featuring securities on OBPPs. These include mandatory disclosures of the issuer’s name, security tenor, credit rating details with a link to the rating rationale, and the Credit Risk-o-meter. Advertisements must also state whether the security is secured or unsecured and disclose Clean Price, Dirty Price, and Yield to Maturity. The proposal seeks to eliminate urgency-based messaging, artificial scarcity, and fear of missing out (FOMO) tactics that may pressure investors into rushed decisions.
This move by SEBI responds to the increasing use of digital and influencer marketing in the debt securities space, which can lead to investor misinformation or inadequate due diligence. The revised code complements SEBI’s broader Common Advertisement Code for regulated entities by adding tailored requirements for bond platform advertising. The changes aim to enhance transparency and help investors make informed decisions about debt securities, aligning with regulatory efforts to protect retail investors in India’s growing digital financial markets.
The consultation paper on the revised advertising code was published on August 21, 2026, with the deadline for public feedback set for September 11, 2026. SEBI’s next steps will depend on the responses received during this period, which will shape the final regulations governing online bond platform advertising.