How to check if a stock broker or adviser is SEBI registered

You can verify a stock broker or investment adviser by checking the registration number on the official SEBI website. A broker's number starts with INZ, an adviser's with INA, and a research analyst's with INH. Learn how to search the Recognised Intermediaries list and spot fake certificates.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-11-01

You can verify a stock broker or investment adviser by searching their name on the Recognised Intermediaries section of the official SEBI website. A broker's registration number starts with INZ, an investment adviser's starts with INA, and a research analyst's starts with INH. You can also check the Qrates broking directory to find the exact SEBI INZ registration numbers for major Indian trading apps.

Quick answer: How to check SEBI registration

Go to the Recognised Intermediaries section on the official SEBI website.
Search for the person or company using their legal name or SEBI registration number.
Match the prefix of the registration number to the type of service they offer.
If the name does not appear in the right SEBI list, treat them as unregistered. Do not send money or share your login.

Financial Service	SEBI Licence Type	Registration Number Starts With
Trading apps and platforms	Stock Broker	INZ
Investment advice and financial plans	Investment Adviser	INA
Research reports and buy or sell calls	Research Analyst	INH

What you need before you start

You need the exact legal name of the person, app or company offering you financial advice. Fraudsters often use names that sound similar to famous broking firms to confuse investors.

You also need the SEBI registration number they claim to hold. This is usually printed at the bottom of their website, in their app store description, or at the end of a promotional message.

Finally, you need a phone or computer with an internet connection to access the SEBI website. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a platform, you can learn how to check if a stock broker is SEBI registered and spot common red flags.

Step-by-step guide to verify a SEBI registration number

Step 1: Open the Recognised Intermediaries page

Navigate to the official SEBI website at sebi.gov.in using your phone or computer. Use the main menu to open 'Intermediaries / Market Infrastructure Institutions', then 'Recognised Intermediaries'. Labels can change. This specific page is the official public directory for checking financial licences in India.

Step 2: Select the correct intermediary type

You will see a drop-down and a list of intermediary types. Choose 'Registered Stock Brokers in equity segment' if you are verifying a trading app or a brokerage firm. Choose 'Investment Adviser' or 'Research Analyst' if you are checking a person or company selling advice or stock tips. Check both if you are not sure.

Step 3: Enter the name or registration number

Type the number (INZ, INA or INH) into the Registration No. box. You can also type the legal company name in the Name / Trade Name box if you do not have the number. Click GO to load the official results.

Step 4: Match the official contact details

Read the entry in the search results. It shows the registration number, validity period, address, email and telephone number. Compare the email and phone with what the person sent you. SEBI's lists do not show a website, so for trading apps also check SEBI's investor support page.

How to spot fake SEBI certificates on WhatsApp and Telegram

SEBI says unregistered entities falsely claim to be registered or show fake certificates purportedly issued by SEBI. Some also pretend to be linked with a genuine registered entity. They share these in chat groups to convince people to send money with promises of assured profit.

In October 2026, SEBI issued a caution against stock tips offered through invitation-only WhatsApp groups (PR No. 65/2026). A screenshot of a certificate is never enough proof of a licence. You must always run the registration number through the official SEBI website yourself.

Check the payment details too. Since 1 October 2025, SEBI requires investor-facing registered intermediaries to take UPI payments from individual investors through an @valid UPI handle. Use the SEBI Check tool to enter a UPI ID or scan a QR code, and confirm the registration and the linked bank account (SEBI Annual Report 2025-26). SEBI lists payments to third-party accounts as a warning sign.

You can also check the Qrates directory for the broker or app. The directory extracts and lists the exact SEBI INZ registration numbers for major Indian stock broking apps. This allows you to cross-check the numbers easily alongside official phone permissions and user complaints.

How long it takes and what it costs

Checking a SEBI registration status online takes about two minutes. The search is completely free of charge (sebi.gov.in).

The Recognised Intermediaries directory is fully public. It does not require you to create an account, log in, or share your email address. If you are also interested in the RBI alert list of unauthorised forex trading apps, you can find more details on how to stay safe from international scams.

If it does not work: How to report an unregistered broker

If the search returns no results after you try the name and the number, treat the person as unregistered. Do not send them money under any circumstances. Do not share your demat account login details, passwords, or OTPs with them.

You cannot use the SEBI SCORES portal to recover money lost to unregistered fraudsters on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp. The SCORES platform is only for resolving grievances against listed companies, registered intermediaries and market infrastructure institutions (scores.sebi.gov.in). SEBI invites the public to share details of unregistered entities on its Market Intelligence portal at mi.sebi.gov.in.

SEBI's fake trading app guidance says to report suspicious activity to the cyber cell, on helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in. Use these if you have lost money to an unverified tipster.

FAQs

SEBI registered hai ya nahi kaise check kare?

Visit the official website at sebi.gov.in and find the Recognised Intermediaries section. Select the type of service from the drop-down menu. Type the person or company name into the search box to see if they are listed.

What is an INA number?

An INA number is the registration number SEBI gives to a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA). Advisers on SEBI's list have numbers starting with these three letters. Research analysts have INH numbers instead.

Where can I find the SEBI registered investment advisor list?

You can find registered advisers by using the Recognised Intermediaries section on the main SEBI website. Select 'Investment Adviser' from the list and type a specific name or registration number. You can also use Show All Records to see the full list.

The short version

The Recognised Intermediaries section on sebi.gov.in is the official place to verify a financial licence.
A genuine stock broker holds a SEBI registration number starting with INZ.
A registered investment adviser holds a SEBI registration number starting with INA. A research analyst's starts with INH.
The SEBI registration search is free and does not require an account or login.
SEBI SCORES only handles complaints against registered entities, so report unregistered fraud on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

You can visit the Qrates broking directory to check the latest registration figures and compliance status for yourself.