Tuhin Kanta Pandey, chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey pointed out that the market ecosystem has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of participants nearly tripling since March 2019 to reach 13 crore investors. This expansion, he said, demonstrates increasing trust among retail investors in India’s capital markets
New Delhi: India’s young population is offering a significant opportunity to deepen and expand the nation’s capital markets, according to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
Speaking at the 16th Capital Market Conference organized by ASSOCHAM in New Delhi, Pandey highlighted that around one-third of India’s Gen Z population is actively participating in the securities market. This, he noted, signals growing financial awareness and engagement at a young age.
“This trend reflects not only rising trust in formal financial systems but also presents a major opportunity for long-term wealth creation and inclusive participation in India’s economic growth,” Pandey said.
He pointed out that the market ecosystem has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of participants nearly tripling since March 2019 to reach 13 crore investors. This expansion, he said, demonstrates increasing trust among retail investors in India’s capital markets.
Despite this growth, Pandey believes there remains considerable room for further expansion. Over the past decade, India’s capital markets have facilitated the infusion of approximately ₹93 lakh crore into various sectors through equity and debt instruments, supporting the broader economy.
The SEBI Chairman also emphasized the role of the mutual fund industry in strengthening retail participation. Assets under management (AUM) in mutual funds have risen from ₹24 lakh crore in March 2019 to ₹70 lakh crore by the end of April 2025.
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) have also seen sustained growth, with annual contributions increasing from under ₹1 lakh crore in FY2019 to ₹2.9 lakh crore in FY2025. As a result, SIP-related AUM has grown nearly five-fold, rising from ₹2.7 lakh crore in March 2019 to ₹14 lakh crore by April 2025.