Initial public offerings (IPOs) play an important role in the growth and expansion of the Indian economy by providing a platform for companies to raise capital from the public. However, IPOs are also associated with risks, particularly for investors in retail market. Therefore, it is essential to have a robust and powerful regulation on framework in place to ensure that companies seeking to be public company comply with the legal and regulatory requirements and protect the interests of investors.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body responsible for supervises the IPO market in India. In this blog, we will discuss SEBI's regulatory framework for IPOs in India and its impact on the IPO market.

SEBI's Regulatory Framework for IPOs
SEBI is the foremost regulator for IPOs in India and has put in place a legal framework to make sure that companies interested to go public comply with legal and regulatory requirements. SEBI's primary objective is protection of investors' interests and ensure transparency and fairness in the market.

Companies willing to go public in India must be compelled with various legal requirements under SEBI's regulatory framework.

Some of these requirements include:

• Before issuing or announcing a public offer, companies must file a draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI.
• In furtherance with the deliberate use of proceeds from the IPO, the DRHP shall provide detailed and in brief information about the company's business framework, possible risk factors and financial performances.
• An independent auditor shall be appointed to audit company's financial statements and to comply with the rules and guidelines prescribed by the SEBI.
• The company shall ensure to comply with the SEBI's guidelines on corporate governance, including the appointment of independent directors, audit committees, and disclosure of related party transactions.

SEBI also analyses the DRHP filed by the company to ensure that DHRP complies with all legal and regulatory requirements prescribed by SEBI. SEBI has the authority to even ask for additional information or clarification from the company before approving the DRHP.

The legal requirements mandated by SEBI have had a considerable impact on the IPO market in India. There has been increase transparency in company's operations and financial changes which has increased investors' confidence to invest in the IPOs. As a result, the number of IPOs in India has increased significantly over the last few years.

SEBI's Disclosure Requirements for IPOs

The disclosure requirements are one of the crucial and analytical scope of SEBI's framework for IPOs. Companies are required to declare in depth information about their operations, financial performance, and risk factors in the DRHP. The objective of SEBI behind the mandate is to give assurance that information which the investors' have is accurate and trustworthy.

SEBI's disclosure standards are specifically crucial in preserving and safeguarding the interests of retail investors, who may not have access to the same degree of information as institutional investors. By mandating corporations to disclose all important information, SEBI guarantees that retail investors may make informed investment decisions.

SEBI's IPO Pricing Guidelines

SEBI has also established standards for pricing related to initial public offerings (IPOs) to guarantee and ensure that investors procure a fair price for their shares. The pricing standards strive to safeguard investors from investing in high priced shares by averting corporations from overvaluing their shares.

According to pricing norms of SEBI, the price of the shares cannot exceed the price band indicated in the DRHP. The price band is laid down by the firm and its investment bankers and is based on a number of criteria, including the company's financial performance, market circumstances and industry forecast.

Pricing standards of SEBI have assisted in ensuring that investors procure a fair price for their shares and that corporations do not overvalue their shares.

Recent Developments in SEBI's Regulatory Framework for IPOs
Regulatory framework of SEBI regarding IPOs is persistently evolving to keep up with the dynamic market and investor expectations. SEBI has introduced several reforms in recent years to ensure efficiency and transparency in the IPO process.

The introduction of the electronic Initial Public Offering (e-IPO) system is one of the remarkable developments in SEBI's regulatory framework. The e-IPO system is an online platform that allows investors to apply for shares in an IPO electronically, putting an end to the need for physical applications. It has made the IPO process more accessible and efficient, especially for retail investors.

Certain measures to lessen the time taken for companies to list their shares on the stock exchange after an IPO has also been introduced by SEBI. The time between the IPO closing date and the listing date has been reduced by SEBI from six days to three days. This has assisted companies to raise capital rapidly and made the IPO process more approachable and accessible for investors.

Several measures have been taken by SEBI to enhance the quality of the DRHP filed by companies. A fast-track approval process for companies that have a track record of good corporate governance and financial performance has also been introduced by SEBI. As compared to the usual 60-90 days, now the companies that qualify for the fast-track approval process can receive approval for their DRHP in just 21 days.

Conclusion
Regulatory framework of SEBI for IPOs in India has played an important role in safeguarding the investors' interests and making sure that there is transparency and fairness in market for IPO. Legal and regulatory requirements of SEBI for companies interested in going public, disclosure requirements, and guidelines related to pricing have helped boost transparency and confidence of investors in the IPO market.

The introduction of the e-IPO system, fast-track approval process, and lessened listing time are some of the recent developments that have made the IPO process more efficient, structured, and accessible to investors.

Regulatory framework pf SEBI regarding IPOs is a continuous process, and the regulator is continuously advancing its rules and guidelines to keep pace with the dynamic market and expectations and requirements of the investors.

With the growing Indian economy, the IPO market will play an essential role in providing capital to companies, and SEBI's regulatory framework will continue to play a vital role to make sure that the market remains fair and transparent.

References:

• Securities and Exchange Board of India. (n.d.). https://www.sebi.gov.in/
• Securities and Exchange Board of India. (2018). https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/regulations/nov-2018/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-issue-of-capital-and-disclosure-requirements-regulations-2018-last-amended-on-4th-november-2020-_50215.html
• Securities and Exchange Board of India. (2018). https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/guidelines/nov-2018/sebi-listing-obligations-and-disclosure-requirements-regulations-2015-last-amended-on-january-08-2021-_43790.html
• Securities and Exchange Board of India. (2019). https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/jun-2019/guidelines-on-issue-and-listing-of-debt-securities-by-municipalities-and-corporations-effective-from-april-01-2020-_43160.html
• Securities and Exchange Board of India. (2015). https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/may-2015/issuance-of-debt-securities-by-municipalities-corporations-_28668.html
• Securities and Exchange Board of India. (2021). https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/sep-2021/fast-track-issuance-of-capital-specified-securities-by-eligible-listed-entities-_52608.html