SEBI Chairman Urges Investor Patience Amid Global Volatility

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey addressed the Global Wealth Summit 2026, urging retail investors to remain patient and avoid impulsive trading. His remarks followed two weeks of selling pressure in the Indian stock market triggered by energy instability and the outbreak of a US-Iran conflict.

Pandey characterized market volatility as a natural and recurring feature of financial systems, citing the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict as previous periods of turbulence that eventually stabilized. He noted that while AI and algorithmic trading have increased market speed and created risks to stability, India's capital markets have grown deeper and more resilient over the last decade, with market capitalization growing at a CAGR of approximately 15 percent since FY15.

To combat market manipulation and misleading online financial claims, Pandey highlighted SEBI's implementation of surveillance systems, including the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) and SEBI Check. He emphasized that the long-term strength of the market relies on confidence in a fair, transparent system and high corporate governance standards among listed companies. He concluded that deeper bond markets and stronger institutional participation are essential for future economic development.