- Securities Law
- Checklist
- PREVENTION OF INSIDER TRADING
This checklist is based on the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 and the applicable Schedule B/Schedule C framework. SEBI amendments, circulars, FAQs and stock-exchange implementation requirements can change operational details. Verify the latest consolidated regulations and circulars immediately before relying on any deadline, threshold, exception or filing requirement.
PREVENTION OF INSIDER TRADING
COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST + ANNUAL / EVENT-BASED TIMELINE | SEBI PIT REGULATIONS, 2015
Working paper for listed entities and other persons to whom the applicable SEBI PIT framework extends. Covers UPSI, designated persons, Code of Conduct, Code of Fair Disclosure, trading window, pre-clearance, contra trade, disclosures, SDD, training, monitoring and violation handling.
A. Governance & applicability checklist
|
Control |
Detailed action |
Owner |
|
Applicability |
Confirm listed entity / intermediary / fiduciary / other applicable status. |
CS/Compliance |
|
Compliance Officer |
Appointment, authority, access, reporting line and contact details current. |
Board |
|
Code of Conduct |
Board-approved code under applicable Schedule; review latest SEBI requirements. |
Board/CS |
|
Code of Fair Disclosure |
Regulation 8 policy approved, published and current. |
Board/CS |
|
Designated Persons |
Identify using role/function/access criteria prescribed by regulations and code. |
Compliance |
|
Immediate relatives |
Maintain required information and include in monitoring framework. |
Compliance |
|
Policy publication |
Current PIT policy/code and required disclosures hosted as prescribed. |
CS |
|
Training |
Induction and periodic PIT training for DPs and relevant staff. |
Compliance |
B. UPSI identification matrix
|
UPSI category |
Examples / trigger |
Control |
|
Financial results |
Quarterly/annual results and non-public financial information. |
Restricted access + trading-window closure. |
|
Dividend |
Proposed declaration/recommendation. |
Need-to-know + disclosure controls. |
|
Capital structure |
Buy-back, issue, split, consolidation, bonus, rights etc. |
Project restriction + SDD. |
|
M&A / restructuring |
Merger, demerger, acquisition, delisting, disposal, expansion. |
Code name + restricted project. |
|
KMP changes |
Applicable non-public changes under current PIT wording. |
Restricted access. |
|
Ratings |
Change in credit ratings, as covered by current PIT framework. |
Restricted access. |
|
Fund raising |
Proposed fund raising. |
Restricted access. |
|
Control/management agreements |
Material agreements affecting management/control, as covered. |
Restricted access. |
|
Fraud/default/arrest |
Specified events covered by PIT Regulations. |
Restricted access + disclosure coordination. |
|
Debt restructuring / OTS |
Specified restructuring/settlement matters. |
Restricted access. |
|
Forensic audit |
Specified initiation/final findings. |
Restricted access. |
|
Other price-sensitive information |
Any non-public information likely to materially affect price. |
Compliance Officer assessment. |
C. UPSI lifecycle checklist
|
Stage |
Checklist |
Evidence |
|
Creation |
Identify event; assign project code; identify owner. |
UPSI/project register |
|
Classification |
Assess whether information is UPSI under current PIT definition. |
UPSI assessment |
|
Access |
List people requiring access; use need-to-know principle. |
Access list |
|
Confidentiality |
Confidentiality undertaking / contractual clause where appropriate. |
NDA/undertaking |
|
SDD entry |
Record prescribed details of sharing in structured digital database. |
SDD audit log |
|
Monitoring |
Track access, communications and changes in project team. |
Access log |
|
Disclosure |
Prepare exchange/public disclosure where required. |
Draft + filing acknowledgement |
|
General availability |
Record date/time information became generally available. |
Exchange filing / public source |
|
Post-event |
Close project, review trades and retain records. |
Closure memo |
D. Designated Persons master checklist
- ☐ Identify promoters / promoter group persons where applicable.
- ☐ Identify directors and KMP.
- ☐ Identify employees/support functions based on role and functional access to UPSI.
- ☐ Include relevant material subsidiary / holding-company personnel where policy/regulation requires.
- ☐ Include professional advisers, intermediaries, fiduciaries and other persons covered by the applicable code.
- ☐ Capture PAN or prescribed identifier, contact details, department/function and DP status.
- ☐ Maintain immediate-relative details required under the framework.
- ☐ Update list immediately on joining, resignation, transfer, promotion, role change or change in access.
- ☐ Obtain acknowledgement of PIT Code and training.
E. Structured Digital Database (SDD) — exhaustive checklist
|
Control |
Requirement / test |
|
System ownership |
Database maintained internally by the company/entity as prescribed. |
|
UPSI description |
Nature of UPSI shared recorded. |
|
Recipient identity |
Name of person/entity receiving UPSI recorded. |
|
Identifier |
PAN / other prescribed identifier captured where applicable. |
|
Entity relationship |
Organisation / capacity / relationship recorded where required. |
|
Date/time |
Sharing event timestamp retained. |
|
Source / sharer |
Person from whom UPSI was shared identified. |
|
Audit trail |
Changes/access to database appropriately logged. |
|
Integrity |
Controls prevent unauthorised alteration/deletion. |
|
Retention |
Records retained for period prescribed by PIT framework. |
|
Periodic test |
SDD completeness and integrity periodically reviewed. |
F. Trading-window annual & event timeline
|
Timing |
Activity |
Detailed checklist |
|
Before FY |
Prepare annual PIT calendar. |
Board/committee dates, result dates, AGMs, expected transactions and disclosure calendar. |
|
Before each quarter-end |
Review expected financial results process. |
Identify UPSI creators/access list; prepare closure plan. |
|
From end of every quarter |
Trading window generally closed until 48 hours after declaration of financial results under Schedule B. |
Notify DPs; block/monitor trades. |
|
UPSI event |
Close window if required by policy/regulations. |
Record closure reason and effective time. |
|
During closure |
No prohibited trading by covered persons. |
Monitor DP/immediate-relative trades. |
|
After public disclosure |
Wait applicable cooling period and reopen only after Compliance Officer confirms conditions. |
Reopening notice. |
|
Each pre-clearance |
Review window, UPSI, contra trade and proposed transaction. |
Approval/rejection record. |
|
After approved trade |
Obtain execution details / post-trade declaration within code timeline. |
Contract note/report. |
|
Quarterly |
Review disclosures, trade monitoring, exceptions and SDD. |
Quarterly compliance file. |
|
Annually |
Review code, DP mapping, training, SDD controls and Board reporting. |
Annual compliance report. |
G. Pre-clearance master checklist
|
Step |
Check |
|
1 |
DP is permitted to trade / window is open. |
|
2 |
Applicable pre-clearance threshold checked. |
|
3 |
Security and transaction type identified. |
|
4 |
DP confirms not in possession of UPSI / trade not prohibited. |
|
5 |
Contra-trade restriction checked. |
|
6 |
Existing pending orders / previous trades reviewed. |
|
7 |
Application complete with prescribed declaration. |
|
8 |
Compliance Officer / authorised person approval recorded. |
|
9 |
Trade executed within validity period under code. |
|
10 |
Actual quantity/price/date reported as required. |
|
11 |
Contract note retained. |
|
12 |
Trade entered into monitoring database. |
H. Contra-trade monitoring
- ☐ Maintain security-wise transaction history for every Designated Person.
- ☐ Apply the minimum six-month contra-trade restriction under Schedule B, subject to applicable exceptions and current code.
- ☐ Check both buy→sell and sell→buy sequences.
- ☐ Identify transactions across brokers/accounts where monitoring data permits.
- ☐ Document any authorised relaxation by the Compliance Officer.
- ☐ Where a prohibited trade occurs, calculate and process the consequence/disgorgement mechanism required by the code/regulations.
- ☐ Maintain evidence of review and closure.
I. Disclosure checklist
|
Disclosure |
When / who |
Action |
|
Initial disclosure |
Promoter/member of promoter group, director, KMP and other prescribed persons when applicable. |
Collect prescribed details and file within applicable timeline. |
|
Continual disclosure |
Prescribed transaction threshold crossed by covered person. |
Obtain disclosure and file with exchange as prescribed. |
|
Company monitoring |
Ongoing. |
Track DP holdings/trades and reconcile disclosures. |
|
Exchange filing |
Where required. |
File within prescribed period and retain acknowledgement. |
|
Website/publication |
Where required by current framework. |
Update and archive. |
J. Code of Fair Disclosure checklist
- ☐ Prompt public disclosure of UPSI that would materially affect price discovery, subject to applicable rules.
- ☐ Uniform and universal dissemination.
- ☐ Authorised spokesperson / disclosure officer identified.
- ☐ Prompt dissemination of credible material market rumours where required.
- ☐ Appropriate response to queries/news reports.
- ☐ No selective disclosure of UPSI.
- ☐ If UPSI is disclosed selectively/inadvertently, make prompt public disclosure as required.
- ☐ Maintain exchange filing and disclosure approval evidence.
K. Legitimate-purpose sharing checklist
|
Recipient |
Control |
|
Employee / internal team |
Need-to-know + legitimate purpose + confidentiality + SDD. |
|
Auditor / CA / CS / lawyer |
Professional need + confidentiality + SDD. |
|
Merchant banker / adviser |
Transaction need + NDA + SDD + restricted project. |
|
Lender / investor / transaction party |
Legitimate purpose documented + confidentiality + SDD. |
|
Group entity |
Need-to-know and legitimate purpose verified + SDD. |
|
Regulator / statutory authority |
Legal/regulatory basis documented; preserve communication. |
L. 30-day PIT implementation plan
|
Days |
Objective |
Deliverables |
|
1–3 |
Governance |
Applicability memo, Compliance Officer, current regulations/circulars, code inventory. |
|
4–7 |
Policy |
Code of Conduct, Code of Fair Disclosure, DP criteria and pre-clearance rules. |
|
8–12 |
People |
DP master + immediate-relative data + acknowledgements. |
|
13–17 |
UPSI |
UPSI classification matrix, restricted project workflow, legitimate-purpose checklist. |
|
18–22 |
SDD |
SDD configuration, access controls, audit trail and retention test. |
|
23–26 |
Trading |
Window calendar, broker/DP monitoring, pre-clearance and contra-trade test. |
|
27–29 |
Training |
Employee/DP training, declarations, FAQs and escalation matrix. |
|
30 |
Closure |
Compliance Officer sign-off, exception register and Board/committee reporting. |
M. Periodic compliance calendar
|
Frequency |
Activity |
Evidence |
|
Daily/event |
UPSI identification, SDD, restricted list, access monitoring. |
SDD/project register |
|
Each window closure |
Closure/reopening notices and trade monitoring. |
Notice + system log |
|
Each trade request |
Pre-clearance / contra-trade / UPSI check. |
Application + approval |
|
Monthly |
DP list and immediate-relative information review. |
Master-data report |
|
Quarterly |
Financial result closure, disclosures, trade monitoring, exceptions. |
Quarterly PIT file |
|
Half-yearly |
SDD integrity review and training/control review. |
Review report |
|
Annually |
Policy/code review, DP mapping, training, Board report. |
Annual compliance certificate/report |
|
Event-based |
M&A, fund raising, rating, KMP, fraud/default, restructuring, forensic audit etc. |
Event PIT file |
N. Violation / investigation response
- ☐ Immediately preserve emails, chats, access logs, trade records, SDD entries and disclosure records.
- ☐ Establish the relevant UPSI, creation time, sharing history and general-availability time.
- ☐ Determine insider/DP status and relationship to the company.
- ☐ Reconstruct all relevant trades and pre-clearance approvals.
- ☐ Check trading-window status and contra-trade history.
- ☐ Escalate to Compliance Officer / Board-authorised committee under policy.
- ☐ Assess applicable exchange/SEBI reporting and legal requirements.
- ☐ Calculate disgorgement/disciplinary consequence where applicable.
- ☐ Document findings, corrective actions and closure.
- ☐ Conduct root-cause review and update controls/training.
O. Documents & records master index
- ☐ Board-approved Code of Conduct
- ☐ Code of Fair Disclosure
- ☐ PIT policy
- ☐ Compliance Officer appointment
- ☐ Designated Person master
- ☐ Immediate-relative data
- ☐ Annual trading-window calendar
- ☐ Closure/reopening notices
- ☐ UPSI/project register
- ☐ Restricted list
- ☐ SDD records/audit logs
- ☐ Pre-clearance applications
- ☐ Approvals/rejections
- ☐ Post-trade declarations
- ☐ Contract notes
- ☐ Initial disclosures
- ☐ Continual disclosures
- ☐ Exchange acknowledgements
- ☐ Training records
- ☐ Confidentiality undertakings
- ☐ Exception register
- ☐ Violation investigation file
- ☐ Board/committee reports
Author Bio
Neha Verma
Curious about how law, governance and business come together to shape better organisations. Focused on continuous learning, practical exposure and developing a strategic... View Full Profile


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