As per the information provided by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the total number of investor account with both the depositories viz. National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL), as on 31st December, 2016, is 2,70,55,717 with a demat custody value of ₹ 2,82,81,225 crores. (one person can open multiple demat accounts).

Further, the total annual turnover at National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for the Financial Year 2016-17 stood at ₹ 39,75,484 crores and ₹ 6,34,934 crores respectively (upto 27th January, 2017). As on 27th January, 2017, the total Market Capitalisation at NSE and BSE is ₹ 1,11,84,067 crores and ₹ 1,13,87,346 crores respectively.

There are a number of provisions in the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing Regulations) pertaining to submission of financial results so as to ensure that companies submit accurate financial information. These include submission of the financial results by listed companies in the prescribed formats to ensure uniformity in disclosures, certifying that the financial results do not contain any false or misleading information, timely submission of the audit reports to the stock exchange(s) by certified auditor alongwith a statement on the impact of any Audit Qualifications raised by the Auditors on financial results, preparation of financial results as per Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, etc.

Government, SEBI and Stock Exchanges maintain constant vigil in the market, and in case of any abnormality, take appropriate action against the concerned entities. In order to enable investors to make well-informed investment decisions, various comprehensive disclosure requirements on a continuous basis have been prescribed under Listing Regulations to ensure timely, adequate and accurate disclosure of information to the investors. Certain disciplinary actions have also been prescribed under Listing Regulations for violation of these provisions including imposition of fines and freezing of promoter holdings. Further, SEBI conducts investor education and awareness activities across the country, to enable investors take informed investment decisions.

This was stated by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Disclosure obligations under listing rules ensure accurate, timely financial reporting and permit regulatory enforcement for violations. Listed companies are required to comply with prescribed disclosure obligations: submit financial results in standard formats, certify that results are not false or misleading, prepare accounts under generally accepted accounting principles, and furnish auditor reports including explicit statements on the impact of any audit qualifications. Regulatory authorities and stock exchanges maintain ongoing market surveillance and may impose disciplinary measures, such as fines and freezing of promoter holdings, for violations to ensure timely, adequate and accurate disclosure to investors.