Relaxation on geo tagging requirement in India for NRIs while undertaking re-KYC
SEBI circular HO/38/30/12(1)2025-MIRSD-SEC-FATF · 10 Dec 2025
SEBI circular HO/38/30/12(1)2025-MIRSD-SEC-FATF · 10 Dec 2025
Summary
Check the official recordThe Securities and Exchange Board of India has modified its Master Circular on KYC to facilitate the re-KYC process for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) clients. The requirement that a client must be physically located in India during digital onboarding is now relaxed for existing NRI clients undergoing re-KYC. Intermediaries must ensure that the GPS location (latitude and longitude) captured by their application corresponds to the country specified in the client's Proof of Address. Furthermore, applications must prevent connections from spoofed IP addresses and include features for random action initiation to verify that interactions are not pre-recorded.
What you must do
Key dates
Who is affected
Exceptions
HO/38/30/12(1)2025-MIRSD-SEC-FATF
December 10, 2025
To,
Dear Sir/Madam,
Subject: Relaxation on geo-tagging requirement in India for NRIs while undertaking re-KYC
Based on references received from multiple stakeholders to ease KYC access for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), SEBI has decided to modify the existing provisions under Master Circular on KYC dated October 12, 2023 to ease re-KYC process for NRIs.
In this respect, the requirement of physical location being in India shall be relaxed for NRI clients to undertake due diligence through digital mode.
Accordingly, Para 51 of Master Circular on KYC shall be modified as under;
The App shall also have features of random action initiation for client response to establish that the interactions are not pre-recorded along with time stamping and geo-location tagging to ensure the requirement like physical location being in India etc. are also implemented. The requirement of physical location of client being in India during digital on boarding shall be relaxed for undertaking re-KYC for existing clients.
The App shall also ensure that the GPS location (latitude and longitude) captured by the intermediary matches with the latitude and longitude of country given in Proof of Address given by the client. The app shall prevent connections from spoofed IP address.
This circular is being issued in exercise of the powers confined under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
This circular is available at www.sebi.gov.in under the link “Legal -> Circulars”
Yours faithfully,
Sapna Sinha Deputy General Manager Phone No. 022-2644 9748 Email id: sapnas@sebi.gov.in
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