Posting on Social Media? SEBI Now Wants to See Your Registration Number!

Posting on Social Media? SEBI Now Wants to See Your Registration Number!

What every MFD, SIF Distributor, PMS Distributor, and Financial Advisor must know about the new social media disclosure requirements.

By Chidrup Jain Director of The Excelist Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd | March2026

If you are a Mutual Fund Distributor, SIF Distributor, PMS Distributor, or any financial professional who posts content on social media, there is an important new rule you need to know about.

SEBI has issued Circular No. HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC dated 26 February 2026, which mandates that all SEBI-regulated entities and their agents must display their registered name and registration number on their social media platforms. This applies to every piece of content related to the securities market.

Let’s break this down in simple terms so you know exactly what to do.

Who Is Affected by This Circular?

This circular applies to two broad groups:

Regulated Entities (Direct SEBI Registrants)

Agents of Regulated Entities

This is the category most relevant to financial distributors:

Which Social Media Platforms Are Covered?

The rule covers every social media platform you can think of:

What Exactly Do You Need to Do?

The circular requires disclosure in two places:

1. On Your Social Media Profile / Home Page

If you have a single registration as an agent (for example, you are only an MFD), display the principal entity’s SEBI registered name and registration number, followed by your own registered name and number, directly on your profile page or bio section.

If you have multiple registrations (e.g., you are an MFD and also an AP, or MFD and PMS distributor), provide a weblink on your profile page that directs to a page on your website listing all your principal entities’ details and your own registration details across all capacities.

2. At the Beginning of Every Post / Video / Content

Every piece of content you upload that relates to the securities market must start with the relevant disclosure. If you are posting about mutual funds, show the relevant AMC’s SEBI details and your AMFI ARN. If you are posting about PMS, show the Portfolio Manager’s SEBI details and your APMI registration number. The key word is “relevant” – disclose details specific to the capacity in which you are creating that content.

Don’t Forget: Mandatory Taglines

In addition to the social media disclosures, remember that AMFI and APMI already require mandatory taglines in all your communications. Make sure these are reflected on your social media profiles as well:

Practical Examples: What This Looks Like for You

Let’s look at four common scenarios that MFDs and financial distributors face. These examples will show you exactly what to display and where.

Example 1: MFD who is also an Authorized Participant (AP) of a Stock Broker

Mandatory Tagline: "AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor"

You have two agent registrations – MFD and AP. Since you have multiple registrations, your social media profile should contain a weblink to your website that lists:

When posting about MF SIPs: At the beginning of your post or video, show the relevant Mutual Fund AMC’s SEBI name and registration number, followed by your AMFI ARN name and number.

When posting about stock trading: Show the Stock Broker’s SEBI name and registration number, followed by your AP registration details.

Example 2: MFD with APMI Registration for PMS Distribution

Mandatory Taglines: "AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor" + "APMI Registered PMS Distributor"

You hold two agent registrations – AMFI (for MFD) and APMI (for PMS distribution). Your profile should link to a webpage listing:

When posting about Mutual Funds: Show the relevant MF AMC’s SEBI details + Your AMFI ARN name and number.

When posting about PMS: Show the Portfolio Manager’s SEBI name and registration number + Your APMI registration name and number.

Example 3: MFD who also Distributes Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)

Mandatory Tagline: "AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor"

This is an important distinction: AIF distributors do not have a separate registration number. You still have multiple agent capacities (MFD + AIF distribution), so you need a weblink on your profile listing:

When posting about Mutual Funds: Show the relevant MF AMC’s SEBI details + Your AMFI ARN.

When posting about AIF schemes: Show the AIF’s SEBI name and registration number + Your own registered name. Since no separate AIF distributor registration number exists, you mention your registered name only.

Example 4: MFD who is also a Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) Distributor

Mandatory Tagline: "AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor & SIF Distributor"

SIF is a new product category under the Mutual Fund umbrella. To distribute SIF products, you need to pass the NISM Series XIII examination and register separately with AMFI under the SIF category.

If your only agent registration is MFD + SIFD (both under AMFI): You can display your AMFI ARN name and number plus the relevant AMC’s SEBI details directly on your social media profile. No weblink needed in this case because both registrations are under the same principal (AMFI/AMC).

If you also hold additional registrations (AP, PMS distributor, etc.): Then you fall under the multiple-registration rule and need to provide a weblink as described in the earlier examples.

When posting about SIF schemes: Show the relevant AMC (offering SIF)’s SEBI name and registration number + Your AMFI ARN name and number.

When posting about regular MF schemes: Show the relevant MF AMC’s SEBI name and registration number + Your AMFI ARN name and number.

Your Action Checklist Before 1st May 2026

Final Thoughts

This circular is a step towards greater transparency in the securities market. For MFDs and financial advisors, it is a straightforward requirement – show who you are and under what registration you are operating. It helps investors identify that the content they are consuming comes from a registered professional, not an unregistered entity.

The compliance effort is not heavy. A one-time profile update and a habit of adding disclosures to new content is all it takes. But the consequences of non-compliance could include regulatory action. Don’t wait until the last day.  The deadline is 1st May 2026. Start today.

Disclaimer >> this circular is decoded by the expert, for more details you can refer to the official circular .  Check Out Official Circular here