How to Verify if an Advisor Is SEBI Registered

How to Verify if an Advisor Is SEBI Registered becomes a crucial first step for anyone planning to invest with confidence. With so many advisors in the market, knowing who is genuinely compliant helps you avoid costly mistakes. A quick verification can safeguard your money and bring clarity to your financial journey.

Selecting the right financial advisor is one of the most crucial decisions a trader or investor makes. Rising of many Telegram channels, WhatsApp groups, and other social media offering stock tips are confusing traders. Also, traders feel it is so difficult to identify who is genuine and who is operating without regulatory approval.

This is why SEBI registration matters. Because it ensures that the advisor follows regulatory rules, works transparently, and maintains proper communication with clients. But most of the traders and investors have a question in their minds, i.e., how to verify if an advisor is actually SEBI registered or not?. This is what you have to double-check before choosing a SEBI-registered investment advisor or a Research Analyst.

This guide gives you a simple, step-by-step process that you can use anytime.

SEBI registration is not just a number that advisors have. It is a sign that the advisor follows rules and works in a structured manner. Therefore, when you verify this registration:

• You avoid fake tip providers
• You work with advisors who follow disclosures
• You get proper risk warnings
• Complaints can be addressed on the SCORES platform
• You remain protected under regulatory guidelines

Anyone can create a WhatsApp group or a Telegram channel. But only a SEBI-registered advisory is allowed to provide share market advisor advice professionally.

This method works for all advisors, whether they are providing tips and recommendations in different segments. Those segments include intraday trading tips, stock market advisory, Nifty/Bank Nifty tips, or long-term trading recommendations.

Step 1: Ask for Their SEBI Registration Number

A genuine advisor will always share:

1. SEBI Registration Number
2. Category (IA or RA)
3. Registered Name
4. Official Contact Details
5. SEBI registration numbers generally start with:
6. Investment Advisor (IA): INA000XXXXXX
7. Research Analyst (RA): INH000XXXXXX

For example, whoever refused to provide their registration number or other details can be identified as unverified tip providers.

Step 2: Visit the SEBI Official Website

Go to the official SEBI website portal, where all registered advisors are listed. This is the only authentic database for verifying registration.

Step 3: Check the “Intermediaries / Market

Infrastructure Institutions” Section
Under this section, you will find:

• Investment Advisers
• Research Analysts

Therefore, these lists contain the details of every active, inactive, or cancelled registration.

Step 4: Search the Advisor Using Their Registration Number or Name

You can search by:

1. Registration Number should be correct
2. Full Name
3. Company or Firm Name
4. Once you search, SEBI will show:
5. Registration status (Active / Suspended / Cancelled)
6. Validity
7. Contact information
8. Registered address

If the name does not appear in SEBI’s list, you can note that the advisor is not registered. This is the most common mistake that many traders make. Most of them are attracted to fake promises provided by the unverified tip providers.

Step 5: Match the Details Shared by the Advisor

The details on SEBI’s website should match exactly with what the advisor shared:

• Name
• Registration Number
• Business Name
• Address

If any of these details don’t match, it is a warning sign.

Step 6: Confirm Whether Their Registration Is Active

Some operators display an old or cancelled registration number. You can verify on the SEBI website whether the registration number is active or not:

SEBI clearly mentions the status:

✔ Active – Advisor can operate

✘ Inactive – Registration expired

✘ Cancelled/Suspended – Cannot provide advisory

Only active registrations are valid.

Step 7: Check if Their Website and Communication Mention SEBI Details

A genuine advisory or advisor always displays their details on their website:

• SEBI registration number
• Category (IA/RA)
• Risk warnings
• Mandatory disclosures

If someone shares only tips on WhatsApp without any SEBI details, it’s better to stay cautious. Before contacting any advisory, check their details clearly on SEBI’s official website.

To verify if an advisor is SEBI registered, ask for their SEBI registration number, visit the SEBI website, open the list of Investment Advisers or Research Analysts, and search by name or number. Check if their registration status is Active and matches all details given by the advisor.

Signs an Advisor May Not Be SEBI Registered

• No SEBI registration details on their website or profile.
• Only operates through Telegram or WhatsApp
• Promising guaranteed returns
• Shares tips without proper disclosure
• Refuses to provide their registration details
• Uses someone else’s SEBI number to prove that they’re registered

When these signs appear, always verify before proceeding. At The Trade Bond, you can visit our SEBI-registered investment advisor page for more information. Also, you can check our registration details throughout our website.

Investment Advisor (IA)

Investment advisors offer personalized advice to their clients. Here, you will understand why to choose registered IA

Offers personalised advice
Helps clients based on risk profile
Works closely with traders/investors

Research Analyst (RA)

Research analyst provides valuable recommendations. Here, you will understand what to look for in registered RA

Provides general recommendations
Shares research reports
No personalised advisory

Both must be registered with SEBI, but their responsibilities are different.

The stock market is full of information and opinions. But not all advice comes from regulated sources.

Verifying SEBI registration protects you from:

1. Unstructured advice
2. Unverified tip providers
3. Wrong or misleading communication

It ensures you work with someone who follows rules and maintains transparency.

Verification is a simple step, but it shapes your entire trading journey. If you need clarity on advisory structure, compliance process, or understanding how regulated advisory works, you can always seek proper guidance. Whether you’re a trader or long-term investor, always check the advisor’s SEBI details.

You can always ask for clarity. At The Trade Bond, you can contact our SEBI-registered research analyst to clear your queries about the trading and investments.

How do I know if an advisor is SEBI registered?

You can check if an advisor is SEBI registered by searching their SEBI registration number on the official SEBI website under Investment Advisers or Research Analysts.

What is the format of SEBI registration numbers?

Investment Advisors (IA) start with INA, and Research Analysts (RA) start with INH.

Are Telegram and WhatsApp tip providers SEBI registered?

Most Telegram and WhatsApp tip providers are not SEBI registered, so always verify their SEBI number before trusting any advice.

Why does SEBI registration matter?

SEBI registration matters because it ensures regulated advice, transparency, proper disclosures, and basic investor protection.

Can I complain if a SEBI registered advisor misguides me?

Yes, you can file a complaint against a SEBI registered advisor through SEBI’s SCORES complaint-redressal platform.