Relaxation on geo-tagging requirement in India for NRIs while undertaking re-KYC
Summary
SEBI modifies the Master Circular on KYC to relax the requirement for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to be physically located in India during re-KYC. Intermediaries must still ensure that GPS location data matches the country specified in the client's Proof of Address and prevent spoofed IP connections. This relaxation applies specifically to existing NRI clients undertaking due diligence through digital mode.
Text
Based on references received from multiple stakeholders to ease KYC access for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), SEBI has decided to modify the existing provisions under Master Circular on KYC dated October 12, 2023 to ease re-KYC process for NRIs.
In this respect, the requirement of physical location being in India shall be relaxed for NRI clients to undertake due diligence through digital mode.
Accordingly, Para 51 of Master Circular on KYC shall be modified as under; The App shall also have features of random action initiation for client response to establish that the interactions are not pre-recorded along with time stamping and geo-location tagging to ensure the requirement like physical location being in India etc. are also implemented. The requirement of physical location of client being in India during digital on boarding shall be relaxed for undertaking re-KYC for existing clients. The App shall also ensure that the GPS location (latitude and longitude) captured by the intermediary matches with the latitude and longitude of country given in Proof of Address given by the client. The app shall prevent connections from spoofed IP address.
This circular is being issued in exercise of the powers confined under Section 11(1) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
Source: SecMarx — Relaxation on geo-tagging requirement in India for NRIs while undertaking re-KYC. Verbatim text is public record; SecMarx structuring (linkage to applying orders) is cited to us.