SEBI's 2026 amendments tighten employee ethics,...

SEBI's 2026 amendments tighten employee ethics, conflict-management, and investment restrictions by redefining dependents, family members, financial investments, non-permitted investments, professional interest, relational interest, and related concepts, thereby widening the disclosure and compliance framework. Employees must disclose future employment negotiations, specified family, relative, property, liability, and investment details to the Office of Ethics and Compliance at joining, exit, and on prescribed changes and transactions. Fresh investment by employees and their family members in non-permitted investments is barred during service, subject to limited exceptions, transitional options for pre-existing holdings, and a concentration cap for certain pooled investment products. A new recusal framework requires withdrawal from matters involving conflicted relationships, material interests, or likely bias, and former employees face a two-year restriction on appearing before or against SEBI in covered matters.