SEBI introduces integrated Digital Signature Certificate functionality for FPIs

In a further move towards end‑to‑end digitisation of the Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registration lifecycle, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced the roll‑out of a new Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) functionality sourced from Indian DSC issuers and integrated directly into the Common Application Form (CAF) portal used for FPI on-boarding vide its press release dated January 8, 2026.

Under this enhanced framework, the FPI registration application and the DSC application are embedded into a single, unified workflow on the CAF portal.  FPI applicants can now apply for a DSC at the same time as submitting the CAF, without having to obtain a DSC through a separate, off‑portal process.  SEBI expects this to ease operational frictions for intermediaries and investors and to make FPI client on‑boarding more seamless and efficient.

Detailed process flows and frequently asked questions (FAQs) on obtaining a DSC through this integrated mechanism are made available on the India Market Access Portal.

Conclusion:

This initiative follows SEBI’s circular dated March 27, 2023, which had already permitted FPIs to use digital signatures for execution of the CAF and other registration‑related documentation.  By integrating DSC issuance into the CAF portal itself, SEBI has now effectively closed a key remaining gap in the digital framework, enabling a more fully online registration experience for FPIs.