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Q.Shikha, a first-time investor, was excited yet nervous about investing in the stock market as she felt it was risky. She sought guidance from her friend, Rama, who was an experienced investor. Rama assured Shikha that it is safe to invest in the stock market as the membership of stock exchange is regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). She also told Shikha that SEBI performs various functions to protect the rights and interests of investors. Which of the following functions mentioned by Rama is not a protective function of SEBI ? (A) Prohibition of fraudulent and unfair trade practices like making misleading statements, manipulations, price rigging, etc. (B) Conducting research and publishing information useful to all market participants. (C) Controlling insider trading and imposing penalties for such practices. (D) Promotion of fair practices and code of conduct in the securities market.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2026MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★est
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Conducting research and publishing information is a developmental function of SEBI, not a protective one, as it aims to improve the market's overall efficiency and knowledge base.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) plays a crucial role in regulating the Indian securities market. Its primary objective is to protect the interests of investors, promote the development of the securities market, and regulate its functioning. For a first-time investor like Shikha, understanding SEBI's role is fundamental to building confidence in the market, as its regulations are designed to ensure fairness and transparency.

SEBI performs a wide array of functions, which can broadly be categorised into three types: Regulatory, Developmental, and Protective. These categories help us understand the different facets of SEBI's mandate and how it contributes to a healthy financial ecosystem.

Regulatory Functions are those that SEBI performs to regulate the business in stock exchanges and the securities market. These include registering brokers, sub-brokers, share transfer agents, merchant bankers, and other intermediaries, as well as regulating their operations. SEBI also registers and regulates mutual funds, prohibits fraudulent and unfair trade practices, and regulates takeovers of companies. Essentially, these functions establish the rules of the game.

Developmental Functions are those that SEBI performs to promote and develop the securities market. This involves training intermediaries of the securities market, conducting research, and publishing information useful to all market participants. It also includes promoting self-regulatory organisations and educating investors. These functions aim to improve the efficiency and understanding of the market for everyone involved.

Protective Functions are perhaps the most directly relevant to an investor like Shikha, as they are specifically designed to safeguard investor interests and maintain the integrity of the market. These functions aim to prevent malpractices and ensure that all market participants operate ethically and transparently.

Let's examine the options provided in the context of these functions:

  • (A) Prohibition of fraudulent and unfair trade practices like making misleading statements, manipulations, price rigging, etc. This is a quintessential protective function. By prohibiting such practices, SEBI directly shields investors from being cheated or misled, ensuring a fair playing field.
  • (B) Conducting research and publishing information useful to all market participants. This falls under developmental functions. While providing information can indirectly help investors make informed decisions, its primary goal is to enhance market knowledge and efficiency for all participants, rather than directly protecting an investor from a specific harmful act or malpractice. It's about market growth and education. …

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