Regulatory broadened list lets OBPPs list tax‑saving bonds and IFSC assets

Mumbai, August 14 – In a bid to streamline capital‑market operations, SEBI has expanded the spectrum of products that online bond platform providers (OBPP) may issue. The revised framework now accommodates securities regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) located in Gift City, alongside products overseen by SEBI, RBI, IRDAI and PFRDA.

The decision opens the door for OBPPs to feature tax‑saving bonds falling under Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as well as those covered by Section 85 of the Income Tax Act, 2025, on their digital interfaces. All IFSCA‑regulated offerings must be presented in line with the guidelines governing SEBI‑registered brokers operating within the Gift‑IFSC zone.

A clear labeling requirement has been introduced: every IFSCA‑regulated instrument must be identified as an international or foreign‑investment tool, helping investors differentiate between domestic and overseas options. The platforms may showcase these products in a distinct segment of the bond marketplace or through an auxiliary website managed by the provider.

The applicable regulator’s rules continue to apply to each product, and platform operators are now required to provide explicit information about the complaint‑resolution mechanism available to investors, reinforcing market transparency and investor protection.