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SEBI has established a new Local Office at Chandigarh, which is intended to enhance the services and support of investors and create awareness amongst the participants of the securities market. This office was launched on October 5, 2026, by SEBI Chairman Mr Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
This new development would be beneficial for the investors, the listed companies, market intermediaries, and other business houses located in Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. SEBI intends to enhance its regional reach through this new office and provide better assistance to the investors.
As per the press release issued by SEBI, press release number 62/2026, the newly established office will work under the administrative control and jurisdiction of the Northern Regional Office of SEBI located in New Delhi. Some of the key activities of this office include grievance redressal for investors, financial education for investors and issuers related to SMEs, social stock exchanges, municipal bonds and corporate bonds.
Where Is the New SEBI Chandigarh Office Located?
The new SEBI Local Office is located at: SCO No. 20-25, 2nd Floor, Jeevan Prakash Building, Sector 17B, Chandigarh, India-160017. The office will be responsible for Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh and will be functioning under the SEBI Northern Regional Office in New Delhi, which will have administrative control over the Chandigarh office.
The setting up of the office provides SEBI with a regional presence for carrying out the tasks that have been assigned to it in terms of investor protection and market outreach. Those investors who intend to visit the office can confirm the proper procedures and contacts from the official website of SEBI. There are no separate hours for walk-ins or a telephonic number mentioned for the office in the announcement.
What Is the Purpose of Opening the SEBI Chandigarh Office?
SEBI oversees the securities market of India and aims at protecting the interest of investors, promoting the development of the market and ensuring compliance with the regulatory system among the participants of the market.
Such an office may be useful for such a purpose because of enhanced communication and investor awareness in the region. The office in Chandigarh has been allocated three main tasks: assisting in addressing grievances of the investors, conducting investor education and financial awareness and interacting with securities market issuers.
These tasks are especially relevant in a financial environment characterised by the presence of retail investors, Internet investing and various investment opportunities. The office itself is not an independent regulator. It will operate within SEBI’s organisational structure along with the Northern Regional Office of SEBI in New Delhi.
1. Investor Grievance Redressal
One of the key roles of the newly opened office will be the facilitation of grievance redressal of investors in cases involving listed entities and market intermediaries. Investors may face problems related to securities transactions, actions of corporate bodies, intermediary firms or any other issue related to the market.
The grievance process will help investors to address their complaints through the proper channels and obtain an answer. It is expected that the Chandigarh office will help in the process of facilitating investor grievance redressal in its jurisdiction. At the same time, investors should realise that the opening of the local office does not guarantee that all their complaints will be processed immediately and directly in the office.
Every complaint still has to go through the proper procedure, and every case will depend on its specifics and regulatory process. Investors may find information regarding the complaint-filing procedure and the SMART ODR and SCORES systems on SEBI’s official website.
2. Investor Education and Financial Literacy
An equally important role of the Chandigarh office is that of investor education and financial literacy in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Financial literacy makes investors aware of investment instruments, risks involved in the markets, investor rights and the importance of being financially literate.
First-time investors may require knowledge about investing and speculation, risks involved in investing in different security instruments and the importance of verifying the registration of an intermediary with the respective regulator. Investor education will also make individuals aware of mis-selling practices and frauds that assure them of unrealistic returns.
With its local presence, SEBI can help in creating awareness among investors about responsible investments. The announcement of the new office also states financial literacy as one of its functions, though no time frame is given for organising workshops, seminars and awareness programs.
3. Engagement With SMEs and Other Issuers
The new office will also engage with issuers operating within its jurisdiction. SEBI has specifically identified several areas of interest, including Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Stock Exchanges, municipal bonds and corporate bonds.
This function is important because issuers need to understand the regulatory framework and requirements relevant to raising funds through securities markets.
Small and Medium Enterprises
SMEs may explore capital markets as a way to raise funds for expansion, operations and long-term business development. Engagement with issuers can help improve awareness of the securities-market framework and relevant requirements.
Social Stock Exchanges
Social Stock Exchanges provide a framework through which eligible social enterprises and nonprofit organisations can access designated capital-market mechanisms for social objectives, subject to applicable requirements. Engagement in this area can help build awareness of the relevant processes and opportunities.
Municipal Bonds
Municipal bonds are debt securities by which eligible urban local bodies may raise money for purposes that have been approved, in accordance with the law.
Higher knowledge of the municipal bonds structure will assist in taking an informed approach in the issuance process by the eligible issuers.
Corporate Bonds
Corporate bonds enable companies to issue debt securities to investors. Engagement by the issuer will assist the company in understanding the disclosure, compliance, and fundraising structure.
The Chandigarh office’s mandate includes these matters, according to SEBI. The press release is not announcing any new bond structure, benefits, or exemptions from regulation.
Who Will Benefit From the New SEBI Office?
These include Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The duties may apply to several different stakeholders.
Retail investors: Individuals could make use of the investor awareness efforts and help in finding out about the right avenues of grievance redressal.
Listed companies: Companies might work with SEBI on issues related to investors’ grievances and market issues falling within the functions assigned to the office.
Market intermediaries: Eligible intermediaries could get affected by grievance resolution related to investors and other activities delegated to the office in the region.
SMEs and issuers: Firms considering securities markets for fundraising would stand to gain from more regional activity and knowledge of the framework.
Social enterprises and municipal issuers: Those working in social finance and municipal bond markets could benefit from engagement on issues regarding securities markets.
The actual services offered for a specific issue would vary based on SEBI processes and functions assigned to the Chandigarh office.
How Does the Chandigarh Office Fit Into SEBI’s Structure?
The main office of SEBI is situated in Mumbai, and it also has regional offices and local offices which operate in order to discharge their duties in India.
The Chandigarh office will work under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the Northern Regional Office located in New Delhi. Thus, the new office will come under the administrative jurisdiction of SEBI and not be an autonomous body.
The jurisdiction allotted to the new office would include Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Other duties might also be allotted from time to time, as per the official notification. Thus, the establishment of the new office signifies that the role of SEBI in the region has been further strengthened.
What Should Investors Do Now?
Investors from Punjab, Haryana, and the Chandigarh region may use the existing official channels for information as well as grievances with SEBI.
In case the investor wishes to file a complaint, then he/she needs to find out which company or intermediary he/she has a grievance with and follow the appropriate complaint procedure.
Moreover, the investors need to be careful regarding any unsolicited investment advice, unregistered intermediaries, as well as guarantees or unusually high returns on investment. The official information can be found on the SEBI website, which is at https://www.sebi.gov.in/.
If you are planning to contact the Chandigarh office, then please check the latest contact details and service provision before you do so.