The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a landmark directive requiring all listed public limited companies to make real-time disclosures of material events and information, strengthening the framework for corporate transparency and investor protection. Effective from September 1, 2025, the directive amends the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, mandating that critical decisions taken by the board, such as mergers, acquisitions, financial results, resignations of key executives, and major litigations, must be disclosed to the stock exchanges within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the relevant board meeting.

This move comes amid growing concerns over delayed or selective disclosure practices that affect investor sentiment and market fairness. Under the new rules, companies must establish internal compliance systems capable of instantly identifying and escalating reportable events. The board and company secretary will be held jointly accountable for ensuring timely submissions, and SEBI has warned of monetary penalties, investor compensation liabilities, and trading suspensions in case of non-compliance. Additionally, any updates or revisions to the disclosed material must also be filed within 12 hours, ensuring continuous and accurate information flow.

To facilitate implementation, SEBI will integrate these real-time reporting requirements into its SCORE (SEBI Complaints Redress System) and stock exchange compliance portals, enabling automated tracking and public visibility. Companies are being advised to revise their disclosure policies, train compliance officers, and upgrade digital filing systems to avoid regulatory lapses. Market analysts and investor associations have welcomed the reform, stating that it reinforces SEBI’s commitment to fair market practices, corporate accountability, and equal access to information for all stakeholders.