The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken a landmark regulatory step to ensure that India’s financial markets are inclusive for all users – including persons with disabilities (PwDs). Its digital accessibility compliance framework – evolving into enforceable practice in 2026 – represents a structured, phased, and enforceable roadmap for regulated entities to make their digital touchpoints accessible, usable, and legally compliant.

However, organizations were ambivalent about deadlines and reporting workflows. To address all those issues, SEBI released its clarification circular in December 2025.

SEBI is focusing on digital accessibility; why?

The digital transformation of financial services – from online trading to mobile investing, digital onboarding, and client support portals – has made accessibility a core issue in investor protection. SEBI recognizes that digital accessibility is a right for investors with disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

SEBI explicitly included this in regulations and even in Investor Charters, signalling the regulatory intent to align digital accessibility with investor rights and market participation equity.

Financial entities that must comply with the regulations

The compliance framework applies to all SEBI-regulated entities (“Regulated Entities” or REs), including but not limited to:

• Stockbrokers and depository participants.
• Mutual funds, asset managers, and investment advisers.
• Stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories.
• KYC registration and onboarding agencies.
• Trading apps and investment portals.
• All digital interfaces with investor interaction.

In short, if a platform is used by investors for information, transactions, or customer support, it falls under SEBI’s digital accessibility regime.

Essential Requirements of SEBI’s Digital Accessibility Framework (2025–26)

• Assess & report accessibility readiness

By March 31, 2026, every regulated entity must submit a Digital Accessibility Readiness & Compliance Status Report covering all investor-facing digital platforms – including websites, mobile apps, trading terminals, CRM portals, onboarding systems, and more. The report must include:

• a. URLs or digital addresses for every platform.
• b. Current compliance status against accessibility standards.
• c. Level of compliance (e.g., WCAG AA level – the international benchmark).
• d. Identified accessibility gaps and remediation timelines.
• e. Operational or technical challenges faced.

This readiness report replaces earlier strict timelines for auditor appointment and accelerated transparency over rigid deadlines.

• Implement international accessibility standards

Platforms must align with globally recognized accessibility standards, such as:

• a. WCAG 2.1/2.2 Level AA (minimum) – widely accepted international benchmark.
• b. Compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies.
• c. Proper alt text for images, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast text.
• d. Closed captions and transcripts for multimedia.
• e. Supportive design for users with vision, hearing, motor, or cognitive disabilities.

Integrating these standards ensures inclusivity across diverse accessibility needs -from visual impairments to hearing challenges.

• Accessibility audits and remediation

While SEBI previously set deadlines for entity audits and remediation of issues, the updated 2026 framework emphasizes:

• a. Periodic accessibility audits conducted by qualified professionals.
• b. Audit coverage across all digital platforms.
• c. Documentation of audit findings.
• d. Timely and documented remediation of identified gaps.

Certified accessibility professionals (e.g., IAAP-certified auditors) remain central to audit quality – ensuring that compliance is substantive rather than procedural.

• Grievance redressal & complaint mechanisms

SEBI has added an “Accessibility” complaint category on its investor grievance portal – SCORES (SEBI complaints redress system). Investors can now lodge accessibility-related complaints directly against regulated entities.

And entities must:

• a. Provide resolution and remediation timelines.
• b. Track and close accessibility issues.
• c. Ensure real-world fixes – not just audit reports.

This strengthens investor empowerment and ties compliance to accountability.

• Designated accessibility officers and reporting channels

Regulated entities are encouraged (and in some cases required) to:

• a. Appoint a dedicated Accessibility Officer responsible for compliance.
• b. Establish internal grievance cells for accessibility issues.
• c. Report compliance and remediation statuses to SEBI or designated authorities using specified formats and channels (e.g., email to SEBI’s digital accessibility inbox).

SEBI’s digital accessibility framework is crucial!

• Investor protection & inclusion

By embedding digital accessibility into regulatory compliance, SEBI ensures that all investors including users with disabilities can access information and transact independently and securely.

• Alignment with National Law

The framework aligns with India’s RPwD Act, 2016, and related rules, strengthening compliance with federal accessibility law.

• Market confidence & digital equity

An accessible financial ecosystem enhances trust, expands investor participation, and signals India’s commitment to equitable digital transformation.

Read more: AI Automated Accessibility widget vs Manual Accessibility service

In a nutshell,

SEBI’s digital accessibility compliance framework for 2026 is a significant shift in Indian financial regulation – from optional accommodations to enforceable, rights-based digital inclusion. Regulated entities must move beyond checklists to embed accessibility into design, audit, reporting, and grievance mechanisms.

As the compliance cycle unfolds through 2026 and beyond, digital accessibility will become an entrenched aspect of responsible, investor-centric financial services.

Preparing for SEBI’s 2026 digital accessibility compliance requires more than periodic checks – it calls for practical, scalable solutions. The accessibility widget helps financial institutions and regulated entities identify accessibility gaps, improve usability, and support WCAG-aligned digital experiences across websites and platforms. With ongoing scanning, monitoring, and user-friendly accessibility features, the widget supports compliance readiness while improving access for diverse users. Explore how an accessibility widget can complement broader remediation efforts and support regulatory expectations. Reach out hello@skynetindia.info for more information.

India’s digital ecosystem is one of the most linguistically diverse in the world. With 22 officially recognised languages, hundreds of regional dialects, and several first-time internet users, language is a critical web accessibility factor.

As government and private digital platforms expand their reach, multilingual accessibility has become a central component of inclusive digital design. Aligning with GIGW 3.0, RPWD, and WCAG ensures that digital services are both legally compliant and accessible to India’s diverse population.

The Role of Multilingual Accessibility in India’s Digital Inclusion Goals

Multilingual accessibility is beyond simple translation. It ensures that users can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with digital content in their preferred language, including users with disabilities.

In India, multilingual accessibility must account for:

• Multiple scripts (Devanagari, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, etc.)
• Low digital literacy and first-time users.
• Screen reader and assistive technology compatibility across languages.
• Cultural and contextual accuracy, not just literal translations.

Without thoughtful implementation, language barriers can exclude users from essential services such as banking, healthcare, education, and government platforms.

GIGW 3.0: Multilingual requirements for Indian digital platforms

GIGW 3.0 is mandated for Indian government websites and digital services. It places strong emphasis on inclusivity, accessibility, and localisation. Multilingual support is a key pillar of these guidelines.

Important multilingual expectations in GIGW 3.0:

• Mandatory availability of bilingual content as in English and at least one Indian language, preferably Hindi or the relevant regional language.
• Clear and persistent language selection options across all pages.
• Use of Unicode fonts to ensure proper rendering across devices and assistive technologies.
• Menus, labels, forms, and search functionality should work seamlessly in every selected language.
• Downloadable content must retain language metadata and correct reading order.

GIGW 3.0 reinforces that language accessibility is not optional – it is foundational to citizen-centric digital governance.

How does WCAG support multilingual accessibility across local languages?

WCAG provides technical and design principles that directly impact multilingual accessibility. WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 are especially relevant for Indian platforms targeting inclusive access.

Relevant WCAG success criteria:

• 3.1.1 Language of Page: The default language of the page must be programmatically defined.
• 3.1.2 Language of Parts: Language changes within content (e.g., mixed Hindi-English text) must be identified in code.
• 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Proper structure ensures translated content remains understandable to assistive technologies.
• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value: Ensures screen readers correctly announce controls across languages.

For Indian languages, correct language tagging is critical so that screen readers pronounce text accurately in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, or other scripts.

Bridging GIGW 3.0 and WCAG: A unified accessibility approach!

GIGW 3.0 and WCAG are complementary. While GIGW provides India-specific governance and language mandates, WCAG offers global technical benchmarks for accessibility.

How they align:

• Both prioritise access for users with disabilities and diverse needs.
• Unicode, semantic HTML, and ARIA practices are required in both guidelines to support Indian-language screen reading.
• Structured layouts to maintain consistency to ensure translated content does not break accessibility or usability.

Together, they form a robust framework for multilingual digital inclusion in India.

Common multilingual accessibility challenges in India

Despite clear guidelines, organizations often encounter some hurdles:

• Incorrect or missing language attributes in code.
• Use of image-based text for regional languages.
• Poor-quality machine translations without human review.
• Inaccessible PDFs and forms in Indian languages.
• Screen reader incompatibility due to non-standard fonts or layouts.

These issues can render content unusable for users relying on assistive technologies.

Best practices for multilingual accessible design

To effectively align with GIGW 3.0 and WCAG, organizations should adopt the following practices:

• Use semantic HTML and a consistent structure across languages

Apply proper HTML landmarks (<header>, <nav>, <main>, <footer>) to help screen reader users navigate easily.

Maintain the same heading hierarchy (H1-H6) across all language versions to avoid confusion.

Ensure lists, tables, and form fields retain their semantic relationships after translation.

• Define Language attributes accurately

Set the lang attribute at the page level (e.g., lang=”hi”, lang=”mr”, lang=”ta”).

Use lang attributes for mixed-language content, such as Hinglish (Hindi + English) or English terms embedded within regional language text.

Apply language metadata to PDFs and downloadable documents as well.

• Design language switchers that are accessible and intuitive

Place language switchers prominently and consistently across pages.

Ensure language selectors are keyboard accessible and screen-reader friendly.

Avoid auto-switching languages based on location without user consent.

• Maintain translation quality and contextual accuracy

Use human-reviewed translations for critical content such as forms, instructions, error messages, and legal text.

Maintain a glossary to describe regional language terminology.

Avoid mixing languages unnecessarily within a single sentence unless clearly marked.

• Test with assistive technologies supporting Indian languages

Test content with screen readers that support Indian languages.

Validate keyboard navigation across all language versions.

Check pronunciation accuracy for different scripts and mixed-language content.

• Integrate accessibility into localization workflows

Include accessibility checks in localization QA.

Train content and translation teams on WCAG and GIGW requirements.

Use accessibility-ready CMS workflows that support language metadata and structured content.

• Monitor, audit, and improve continuously

Conduct periodic accessibility audits across all supported languages.

Monitor user feedback and grievance data for language-related issues.

Update content and interfaces as accessibility standards and user needs evolve.

Multilingual accessibility matters beyond compliance!

Multilingual accessibility is not about meeting standards – it delivers tangible benefits:

• Broader reach across rural and regional populations.
• Increased trust in government and financial platforms.
• Improved user engagement and task completion.
• Reduced support and grievance redressal costs.
• Stronger alignment with digital India and inclusive growth goals.

For both public and private organizations, accessible multilingual design is a strategic investment in India’s digital future.

Wrapping up

In a linguistically diverse country like India, multilingual accessibility plays a critical role in digital inclusion. Alignment with GIGW 3.0 and WCAG helps digital platforms remain accessible, usable, and equitable for all users. When accessibility is embedded into multilingual design from the outset, organizations move beyond compliance and deliver digital experiences that genuinely serve every citizen.

We support organizations in aligning with GIGW 3.0 and WCAG through scalable accessibility widget tailored for multilingual environments. From audits to remediation and ongoing support, the focus remains on practical, compliance-ready implementation. Reach out hello@skynetindia.info to build digital experiences that are accessible, usable, and meaningful for every user.

Doing good always yield goodness around; isn’t it?

And that’s why corporates make sure to run ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities.

So, these rapidly evolving commitments are now strategic pillars that drive long-term business resilience, societal impact, and investor confidence for organizations. Within this paradigm shift, accessibility – particularly digital accessibility – has emerged as a critical yet undervalued aspect of ESG framework and for impactful CSR initiatives.

For India, a nation undergoing digital transformation at scale, inclusive design and accessibility are not just ethical imperatives but strategic necessities to ensure equitable participation for all citizens.

Defining accessibility and its dimensions

Accessibility refers to the design and delivery of products, services, environments, and communications in a manner that enables a person, regardless of ability or disability, to understand, access, and benefit from them.

Key dimensions include:

• Digital accessibility

Ensuring websites, mobile applications, documents, and digital services conform to accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), ADA, EAA, and other.

• Communication accessibility

Providing alternative communication modes – captions, sign language interpretation, accessible print/Braille, plain language content, and multilingual options.

• Service accessibility

Processes and customer support are designed for diverse needs, including assistive technology compatibility, helplines, and inclusive user journeys.

• Physical accessibility

Designing buildings, transport systems, workspaces, and public areas that accommodate mobility needs (e.g., ramps, tactile paths, accessible restrooms).

Each of these dimensions intersect with the social criteria of ESG and expands the impact potential of CSR interventions.

Reasons of making accessibility a crucial part of ESG

• Social inclusion and equity

The ‘S’ in ESG is ‘Social’ that focuses on people – employees, customers, communities, and supply chains. Accessibility directly aligns with:

a. Human rights norms, including the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to where India is a signatory.

b. Equitable access to opportunities, information, jobs, and essential services.

c. Organizational diversity and inclusion goals, enhancing representation.

When digital services, workplaces, and public interfaces are accessible, they empower individuals with disabilities, ageing populations, and other marginalized groups to participate fully in society and the economy.

• Regulatory and policy landscape in India

India has steadily strengthened its accessibility frameworks:

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
• Mandates about equal access to information, infrastructure, education, and services.
• Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW).
• Requires government digital platforms to adhere to accessibility standards.

• National Digital Governance and e-Governance strategies

For businesses participating in public procurement, government partnerships, or serving regulated sectors, adhering to accessibility standards is increasingly intertwined with compliance expectations.

• ESG reporting and disclosure requirements

Leading ESG reporting frameworks – including SEBI’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) requirements – emphasize social impact, inclusivity, and stakeholder engagement.

Integrating accessibility into ESG disclosures can help organizations:

• Demonstrate measurable inclusion initiatives.
• Strengthen community impact narratives.
• Enhance social performance metrics for investors and rating agencies.

Accessibility metrics can range from digital compliance scores to the number of beneficiaries served through inclusive CSR programs.

Read more: How to improve WordPress website accessibility?

Accessibility as a CSR imperative

Given its societal impact, accessibility dovetails naturally with CSR initiatives. It strengthens the outcomes and reaches of core CSR focus areas:

• Education and skill development

Accessible education platforms and learning materials:

• a. Enable students with visual, hearing, cognitive, or motor impairments to participate fully.
• b. Improve outcomes in digital literacy programs in underserved communities.
• c. Expand vocational training for employability.

• Healthcare and wellbeing

Integrating accessibility in healthcare initiatives – telemedicine, appointment systems, and awareness campaigns – ensures that persons with disabilities can access critical services without barriers.

• Livelihood and economic empowerment
• a. Accessible digital tools and training open pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.
• b. CSR programs targeting skill-building can incorporate accessibility training for target groups and local partners.

• Community infrastructure projects

When CSR invests in community centers, public facilities, or digital hubs, ensuring physical and digital accessibility broadens community impact and delivers equitable benefits.

Organizations can implement accessibility in ESG and CSR; how?

• Conduct baseline assessments and audits

Start with comprehensive accessibility audits across:

• a. Digital assets (websites, apps, documents).
• b. Physical infrastructure (offices, retail outlets, support centers)
• c. Communication and outreach materials.
• d. Benchmark against WCAG, RPwD standards, and global best practices.

• Set clear accessibility goals

Define measurable objectives such as:

• a. Percentage of digital assets remediated to WCAG 2.1 AA level.
• b. Number of employees trained in inclusive design.
• c. CSR projects integrated with accessibility interventions.

Goals should align with broader ESG targets and be time-bound.

• Embed accessibility in design and procurement

Rather than retrofitting accessibility, embed it:

• a. In product development lifecycles.
• b. In vendor and procurement criteria.
• c. In partner selection for CSR programs.

This ensures long-term sustainability of accessibility efforts.

• Train employees and stakeholders

Accessibility knowledge should extend beyond compliance teams:

• a. Designers and developers
• b. Product managers
• c. Marketing and communications
• d. CSR project leads

Workshops, certifications, and inclusive design sprints build internal capability.

• Measure, report, and communicate impact

ESG reports, CSR disclosures, and stakeholder communications should include accessibility outcomes:

• a. Accessibility compliance scores.
• b. User feedback and satisfaction among persons with disabilities.
• c. Case studies on community impact.

Transparent reporting enhances credibility and accountability.

Challenges of implementing ESG & CSR strategies and solutions

Recognizing challenges early enables strategic planning and targeted interventions.

Also read: India’s DPDPA Compliance for digital privacy

Accessibility as a strategic ESG and CSR priority!

Accessibility is more than a compliance requirement – it is a strategic differentiator, a driver of inclusion, and a measurable pathway for social impact. For India, integrating accessibility into ESG and CSR frameworks not only aligns with national policy goals but also accelerates equitable participation in the digital economy.

By committing to accessibility, organizations signal that growth and sustainability mean leaving no one behind. It’s time for accessibility to be recognized and operationalized as a central pillar of India’s corporate sustainability journey.

Empower organization to lead an inclusive digital practice with us. Integrating digital accessibility into ESG and CSR strategy not only meets compliance standards but also strengthens brand reputation and broadens audience reach. Leverage our accessibility widget and services to evaluate, monitor, and optimize digital assets for all users, including those with disabilities. Take proactive steps toward creating a more equitable online experience while showcasing commitment to social responsibility. Reach out hello@skynetindia.info to start building a digitally inclusive future.