An improved corporate governance is the key objective of the regulatory framework in the securities market. Accordingly, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made several efforts with a view to evaluate the adequacy of existing corporate governance practices in the country and further improve these practices. It is implementing and maintaining the standards of corporate governance through the use of its legal and regulatory framework, namely:-

1. Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956

This Act was enacted to prevent undesirable transactions and to check speculation in the securities by regulating the business of dealing therein. Any stock exchange, which is desirous of being recognised, may make an application in the prescribed manner to the Central Government. Every application shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed, and shall be accompanied by a copy of the bye-laws of the stock exchange for the regulation and control of contracts as well as a copy of the rules relating in general to the constitution of the stock exchange, and in particular to:- (i) the governing body of such stock exchange, its constitution and powers of management and the manner in which its business is to be transacted; (ii) the powers and duties of the office bearers of the stock exchange; (iii) the admission into the stock exchange of various classes of members, the qualifications for membership, and the exclusion, suspension, expulsion and re-admission of members there from or there into; (iv) the procedure for the registration of partnerships as members of the stock exchange, in cases where the rules provide for such membership; and the nomination and appointment of authorised representatives and clerks.

Every recognised stock exchange shall furnish the Central Government with a copy of the annual report, and such annual report shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed. It may make rules or amend any rules made by it to provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:- (i) the restriction of voting rights to members only in respect of any matter placed before the stock exchange at any meeting; (ii) the regulation of voting rights in respect of any matter placed before the stock exchange at any meeting so that each member may be entitled to have one vote only, irrespective of his share of the paid-up equity capital of the stock exchange; (iii) the restriction on the right of a member to appoint another person as his proxy to attend and vote at a meeting of the stock exchange; etc.

If, in the opinion of the Central Government, an emergency has arisen and for the purpose of meeting the emergency, the Central Government considers it expedient so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, for reasons to be set out therein, direct a recognised stock exchange to suspend such of its business for such period not exceeding seven days and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification, and, if, in the opinion of the Central Government, the interest of the trade or the public interest requires that the period should be extended, it may, by like notification extend the said period from time to time.

Securities Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2007 has been enacted in order to further amend the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, with a view to include securitisation instruments under the definition of 'securities' and provide for disclosure based regulation for issue of the securitised instruments and the procedure thereof. This has been done keeping in view that there is considerable potential in the securities market for the certificates or instruments under securitisation transactions. Further, replication of the securities markets framework for these instruments would facilitate trading on stock exchanges and, in turn, help development of the market in terms of depth and liquidity.

2. Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992

This Act was enacted to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. For this purpose, the SEBI (the Board), by regulation, specify:- (i) the matters relating to issue of capital, transfer of securities and other matters incidental thereto; and (b) the manner in which such matters shall be disclosed by the companies.

No stock-broker, sub-broker, share transfer agent, banker to an issue, trustee of trust deed, registrar to an issue, merchant banker, underwriter, portfolio manager, investment adviser and such other intermediary who may be associated with securities market shall buy, sell or deal in securities except under, and in accordance with, the conditions of a certificate of registration obtained from the Board in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.

No depository, participant, custodian of securities, foreign institutional investor, credit rating agency, or any other intermediary associated with the securities market as the Board may by notification in this behalf specify, shall buy or sell or deal in securities except under and in accordance with the conditions of a certificate of registration obtained from the Board in accordance with the regulations made under this Act.

Further, no person shall sponsor or cause to be sponsored or carry on or caused to be carried on any venture capital funds or collective investment scheme including mutual funds, unless he obtains a certificate of registration from the Board in accordance with the regulations.

Every application for registration shall be in such manner and on payment of such fees as may be determined by regulations. The Board may, by order, suspend or cancel a certificate of registration in a prescribed manner, as may be determined by regulations under this Act. However, no order shall be made unless the person concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

3. Depositories Act, 1996

This Act was enacted to provide for regulation of depositories in securities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It provides for the introduction of scripless trading system and settlement, which is considered necessary for the effective functioning of the securities markets. As per the Act, the term 'depository' means "a company formed and registered under the Companies Act, 1956 and which has been granted a certificate of registration under sub-section (1A) of section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992".

No depository shall act as a depository unless it obtains a certificate of commencement of business from the Board (the SEBI). The Board shall grant a certificate only if it is satisfied that the depository has adequate systems and safeguards to prevent manipulation of records and transactions. However, a certificate shall not be refused unless the depository concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

A depository shall enter into an agreement with one or more participants as its agent, in such form as may be specified by the bye-laws. Any person, through a participant, may enter into an agreement, in such form as may be specified by the bye-laws, with any depository for availing its services. Any such person shall surrender the certificate of security, for which he seeks to avail the services of a depository, to the issuer in such manner as may be specified by the regulations. The issuer, on receipt of certificate of security, shall cancel the certificate of security and substitute in its records the name of the depository as a registered owner in respect of that security and inform the depository accordingly. A depository shall, on receipt of information, enter the name of the person referred in its records, as the beneficial owner.

On receipt of intimation from a participant, every depository shall register the transfer of security in the name of the transferee. If a beneficial owner or a transferee of any security seeks to have custody of such security, the depository shall inform the issuer accordingly.

Every person subscribing to securities offered by an issuer shall have the option either to receive the security certificates or hold securities with a depository. Where a person opts to hold a security with a depository, the issuer shall intimate such depository the details of allotment of the security, and on receipt of such information the depository shall enter in its records the name of the allottee as the beneficial owner of that security.

A depository shall be deemed to be the registered owner for the purposes of effecting transfer of ownership of security on behalf of a beneficial owner. However, it shall not have any voting rights or any other rights in respect of securities held by it. The beneficial owner shall be entitled to all the rights and benefits and be subjected to all the liabilities in respect of his securities held by a depository.

The Board, on being satisfied that it is necessary in the public interest or in the interest of investors so to do, may, by order in writing,:- (i) call upon any issuer, depository, participant or beneficial owner to furnish in writing such information relating to the securities held in a depository as it may require; or (ii) authorise any person to make an enquiry or inspection in relation to the affairs of the issuer, beneficial owner, depository or participant, who shall submit a report of such enquiry or inspection to it within such period as may be specified in the order.

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