The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has amended the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021 (“NCS Regulations”) on September 17, 2024, inter-alia, including the following amendments:
- Reduction of time period for seeking public comments from existing seven working days to five days;
- In case the issuer has its specified securities already listed on the recognized stock exchanges the same shall be posted for one day immediately after the date of filing the draft offer document with stock exchange(s).
- An option to make advertisement through electronic modes such as online newspapers or website of the issuer or the stock exchange. While opting these modes the QR code and link to complete advertisement shall be published in an English national daily and regional daily newspaper with wide circulation at the place where the registered office of the issuer is situated;
- The Offer period shall be opened for minimum two working days instead of present three working days;
- The extension of bidding period is now allowed for a minimum period of one working day;
- The amendments in the disclosures to be made in the Offer Document are as follows:
- Details of Promoters;
- Details of Branches or Units;
- Details of project cost and means of financing;
- Details regarding Financial Information;
- Attestation in Offer Document; and
- Disclosure regarding purchase/ acquisition of immoveable property.
Conclusion: The changes/ amendments mentioned above are welcoming in nature as they will facilitate a more efficient process for issuance of Non-convertible securities, by reduction in the offer period, disclosures in the offer documents making the offer document more concise.