The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched a dedicated Shareholder Rights Helpline to assist investors of listed public companies in understanding and exercising their rights. Operational from October 1, 2026, the helpline is part of SEBI’s broader investor protection strategy and aims to provide real-time support on issues such as dividend entitlements, voting procedures, grievance redressal mechanisms, corporate disclosures, and rights issues. The service is available through a toll-free number, live chat, and email, with multilingual support during business hours.

The helpline will also guide shareholders on how to file complaints through SEBI’s SCORES platform, understand regulatory timelines for resolutions, and track the status of their complaints. It is integrated with the Unified Complaint Management System (UCMS), allowing seamless routing of grievances to the concerned listed entity, registrar, or intermediary. Shareholders can also use the platform to access FAQs, procedural guides, and advisory notices related to insider trading regulations, delisting offers, and shareholder meetings.

SEBI has mandated that all listed public companies must display the helpline contact details on their websites and include a reference to the service in annual reports and shareholder communication materials. Non-compliance may lead to penalties under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations. Market participants and retail investor associations have welcomed the move, stating it will significantly empower minority shareholders, improve transparency, and reduce dependence on intermediaries for basic investor rights information. The helpline is expected to strengthen SEBI’s commitment to inclusive participation and investor-centric governance in India’s capital markets.