RBI Expands Market Access for Non-bank Brokers

The RBI announced that non-bank brokers registered with SEBI can now access the NDS-OM platform for government securities. A nine-member group will review trading timings in financial markets, headed by Radha Shyam Ratho. The group’s report is due by April 2025 and will assess the benefits and challenges of timing revisions.

In a significant move aimed at widening market access, the Reserve Bank of India has announced that non-bank brokers who are registered with SEBI will be allowed to directly access the electronic trading platform NDS-OM for secondary market transactions in government securities.

This development opens up opportunities previously available only to regulated entities and the clients of banks and primary dealers. The RBI's decision aims to include more market participants and enhance the accessibility of government securities trading.

Alongside this, the RBI has set up a nine-member working group led by Executive Director Radha Shyam Ratho to review the timing for trading and settlement in financial markets regulated by the bank. The group will assess the implications, costs, and potential benefits of revising current trading schedules and is expected to submit its findings by April 30, 2025.