SEBI Partners with DigiLocker to Reduce Unclaimed Assets

SEBI Partners with DigiLocker to Reduce Unclaimed Assets. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a transformative step for investors in the Indian securities market. Starting April 1, 2025, investors can now store and access their mutual fund (MF) and Demat account statements directly on DigiLocker. This initiative is designed to reduce unclaimed assets and improve financial transparency and accessibility for investors and their nominees. In this article, we’ll discuss the SEBI circular dated March 19, 2025, and explain how this change benefits investors, simplifies transmission, and strengthens the use of DigiLocker as a digital public infrastructure.
What Is SEBI-DigiLocker Partnership Circular All About?
On March 19, 2025, SEBI issued a circular titled “Harnessing DigiLocker as a Digital Public Infrastructure for Reducing Unclaimed Assets in the Indian Securities Market.” The circular mandates that financial holding statements, such as Mutual Fund and Demat account summaries, can now be fetched and stored in an investor’s DigiLocker account.
This means that from the start of the Financial Year 2025-26, investors can:
• Fetch and store their Mutual Fund statements and Demat holdings on DigiLocker.
• View their Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) in DigiLocker.
• Appoint DigiLocker nominees who can be notified and gain access to financial documents after the investor's demise.
What Is DigiLocker?
DigiLocker is a flagship initiative under the Government of India’s Digital India programme. It allows citizens to store and access digital documents like Aadhaar, PAN, driving license, and now financial statements, in a legally valid, encrypted digital format. These documents are treated as original under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
With SEBI’s latest circular, DigiLocker is now set to become a perfect digital vault for all your financial investments.
Why Is This SEBI’s Circular Important?
India has been dealing with the issue of unclaimed financial assets, especially in the securities market. Often, due to the absence of proper nominations or lack of awareness, mutual fund units, Demat shares, and dividends remain unclaimed for years.
With this new mechanism, SEBI aims to:
• Prevent unclaimed investments.
• Ensure seamless access to the deceased investor’s financial documents by authorised nominees.
• Create a digital ecosystem that integrates KYC data, death notifications, and nominee access.
 Features of the SEBI DigiLocker Partnership
1. Access to Financial Holdings on DigiLocker
Investors can now download and store:
• Mutual Fund Holding Statements
• Demat Account Holding Statements
• Consolidated Account Statement (CAS)
This provides a centralised view of all investments, enabling better financial planning.
2. Nominee Access Made Easy
SEBI has introduced a unique concept of DigiLocker Nominee, which is separate from nominees in mutual fund folios or Demat accounts.
In the event of the investor's death:
• The DigiLocker system will automatically notify the registered nominee via SMS and email.
• After verifying the death certificate or through official death registers/KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs), the nominee can access the digital documents.
• If the DigiLocker nominee is also the nominee in the Demat/MF account, they can initiate transmission directly.
• If not, they can still share the documents with the legal heirs or official nominees.
This removes ambiguity and provides clarity on asset ownership after an investor's demise.
3. Mandate for AMCs and Depositories
SEBI has directed:
• Asset Management Companies (AMCs)
• Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs)
• Recognised Depositories
To register themselves as issuers with DigiLocker. This will allow them to digitally send investors’ statements to DigiLocker accounts in real-time.
Benefits for Investors After SEBI Partners with DigiLocker 
• By integrating all financial statements into DigiLocker, investors no longer need to search through emails, paper statements, or login to multiple platforms.
• Most unclaimed assets remain untouched due to a lack of information. This mechanism ensures nominees are informed immediately and can act accordingly.
• Instead of running from pillar to post, the legal transmission of assets becomes much easier when documents are already digitally accessible.
• Investors holding physical shares are encouraged to dematerialise their securities to take full advantage of this facility.
SEBI’s Advisory to Investors
SEBI has also issued a set of recommendations for investors:
• Start using DigiLocker and link your investment accounts.
• Appoint a DigiLocker nominee, even if you've already appointed nominees in your Demat or MF accounts.
• Dematerialise your physical securities to take full advantage of the integration.
• Keep your DigiLocker email and mobile number updated for timely alerts.
What Will Not Change?
It’s important to note that:
• The DigiLocker nomination is an additional facility, and does not override existing nomination rules under MF or Demat laws.
• Transmission rules under the SEBI Mutual Fund Regulations and Depositories Act will continue to apply.
• Legal heir succession still requires documentation and due process if no nominee is present in the financial folio.
Final Thoughts
SEBI’s DigiLocker circular is a game-changing move for India’s financial ecosystem. By bringing transparency, accessibility, and digital ease to the forefront, the regulator is not only reducing the chances of unclaimed financial assets but also promoting financial inclusion and digital empowerment. As an investor, it is highly advisable to register on DigiLocker, link your Demat and MF accounts, and appoint a nominee today. Not only does it ensure peace of mind, but it also secures the future of your financial legacy.
For any assistance on DigiLocker integration, nomination, or dematerialisation of shares, reach out to Compliance Calendar experts through mail info@ccoffice.in or Call/Whatsapp at +91 9988424211.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a transformative step for investors in the Indian securities market. Starting April 1, 2025, investors can now store and access their mutual fund (MF) and Demat account statements directly on DigiLocker. This initiative is designed to reduce unclaimed assets and improve financial transparency and accessibility for investors and their nominees. In this article, we’ll discuss the SEBI circular dated March 19, 2025, and explain how this change benefits investors, simplifies transmission, and strengthens the use of DigiLocker as a digital public infrastructure.

What Is SEBI-DigiLocker Partnership Circular All About?

On March 19, 2025, SEBI issued a circular titled “Harnessing DigiLocker as a Digital Public Infrastructure for Reducing Unclaimed Assets in the Indian Securities Market.” The circular mandates that financial holding statements, such as Mutual Fund and Demat account summaries, can now be fetched and stored in an investor’s DigiLocker account.

This means that from the start of the Financial Year 2025-26, investors can:

• Fetch and store their Mutual Fund statements and Demat holdings on DigiLocker.

• View their Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) in DigiLocker.

• Appoint DigiLocker nominees who can be notified and gain access to financial documents after the investor's demise.

What Is DigiLocker?

DigiLocker is a flagship initiative under the Government of India’s Digital India programme. It allows citizens to store and access digital documents like Aadhaar, PAN, driving license, and now financial statements, in a legally valid, encrypted digital format. These documents are treated as original under the Information Technology Act, 2000.

With SEBI’s latest circular, DigiLocker is now set to become a perfect digital vault for all your financial investments.

Why Is This SEBI’s Circular Important?

India has been dealing with the issue of unclaimed financial assets, especially in the securities market. Often, due to the absence of proper nominations or lack of awareness, mutual fund units, Demat shares, and dividends remain unclaimed for years.

With this new mechanism, SEBI aims to:

• Prevent unclaimed investments.

• Ensure seamless access to the deceased investor’s financial documents by authorised nominees.

• Create a digital ecosystem that integrates KYC data, death notifications, and nominee access.

Features of the SEBI DigiLocker Partnership

1. Access to Financial Holdings on DigiLocker

Investors can now download and store:

• Mutual Fund Holding Statements

• Demat Account Holding Statements

• Consolidated Account Statement (CAS)

This provides a centralised view of all investments, enabling better financial planning.

2. Nominee Access Made Easy

SEBI has introduced a unique concept of DigiLocker Nominee, which is separate from nominees in mutual fund folios or Demat accounts.

In the event of the investor's death:

• The DigiLocker system will automatically notify the registered nominee via SMS and email.

• After verifying the death certificate or through official death registers/KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs), the nominee can access the digital documents.

• If the DigiLocker nominee is also the nominee in the Demat/MF account, they can initiate transmission directly.

• If not, they can still share the documents with the legal heirs or official nominees.

This removes ambiguity and provides clarity on asset ownership after an investor's demise.

3. Mandate for AMCs and Depositories

SEBI has directed:

• Asset Management Companies (AMCs)

• Registrars and Transfer Agents (RTAs)

• Recognised Depositories

To register themselves as issuers with DigiLocker. This will allow them to digitally send investors’ statements to DigiLocker accounts in real-time.

Benefits for Investors After SEBI Partners with DigiLocker

• By integrating all financial statements into DigiLocker, investors no longer need to search through emails, paper statements, or login to multiple platforms.

• Most unclaimed assets remain untouched due to a lack of information. This mechanism ensures nominees are informed immediately and can act accordingly.

• Instead of running from pillar to post, the legal transmission of assets becomes much easier when documents are already digitally accessible.

• Investors holding physical shares are encouraged to dematerialise their securities to take full advantage of this facility.

SEBI’s Advisory to Investors

SEBI has also issued a set of recommendations for investors:

• Start using DigiLocker and link your investment accounts.

• Appoint a DigiLocker nominee, even if you've already appointed nominees in your Demat or MF accounts.

• Dematerialise your physical securities to take full advantage of the integration.

• Keep your DigiLocker email and mobile number updated for timely alerts.

What Will Not Change?

It’s important to note that:

• The DigiLocker nomination is an additional facility, and does not override existing nomination rules under MF or Demat laws.

• Transmission rules under the SEBI Mutual Fund Regulations and Depositories Act will continue to apply.

• Legal heir succession still requires documentation and due process if no nominee is present in the financial folio.

Final Thoughts

SEBI’s DigiLocker circular is a game-changing move for India’s financial ecosystem. By bringing transparency, accessibility, and digital ease to the forefront, the regulator is not only reducing the chances of unclaimed financial assets but also promoting financial inclusion and digital empowerment. As an investor, it is highly advisable to register on DigiLocker, link your Demat and MF accounts, and appoint a nominee today. Not only does it ensure peace of mind, but it also secures the future of your financial legacy.

For any assistance on DigiLocker integration, nomination, or dematerialisation of shares, reach out to Compliance Calendar experts through mail info@ccoffice.in or Call/Whatsapp at +91 9988424211.