Market watchdog Sebi has asked all regulated entities under its domain to offer digital KYC (Know Your Client) to those with disabilities, and has issued a FAQ on opening such accounts.
As per the same FAQ, if a person with disability is unable to sign for himself or herself, then the account can be opened with the signature of the guardian. However, the guardian as well as the person with disability have to comply with the applicable KYC norms.
The FAQ said that the facility of online or digital KYC can be extended to persons with disability by adopting accessibility standards. On request from a client, the intermediary should extend assistance for video capturing in live environment to facilitate online or digital KYC for persons with disability.
If the client with a disability is unable to blink eyes to verify his or her liveliness during a video KYC, then the intermediaries may use various parameters too, which do not involve tracking movement of eyelid and eyeballs, or blinking, and instead they can track live facial expressions, nodding of head, client showing OTP while being clearly visible on screen, real time video recording, and displaying copies of documents on the screen, and other such methods.
Sebi also clarified that the Know Your Client (KYC) verification should be followed by intermediaries while establishing an account-based relationship. The said circular is applicable only for persons with disability.
The intermediaries may also rely on the KYC information downloaded from Central KYC registry, based on consent of the person with disability.
The thumb impression of the said investor can also be accepted, if the page is e-signed along with all documents. Currently, for any online KYC mode, the documents along with the wet or cropped signature are e-signed, and thereafter uploaded.
Sebi has issued the FAQ in the light of Supreme Court’s judgement dated April 30,2025 which emphasized on the need for equal and accessible inclusion of persons with disabilities in availing financial services. The apex court’s directive aims to ensure that the process of digital KYC is accessible to persons with disabilities.
The link to the FAQ on accessibility and inclusiveness of Digital KYC to persons with disabilities can be followed here.
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