How Investment Advisers Should Display Their Registered Name Across Digital Channels

SEBI requires registered Investment Advisers to display their registered entity name and SEBI registration number prominently on their official website, app, client materials and all advisory commu…

The investment adviser registered name disclosure distinction matters because a brand name alone — however recognised — does not enable regulatory verification. An investor who knows the brand ‘XYZ Research’ but cannot find the legal entity name and registration number has no reliable way to verify SEBI registration status, file a complaint or access SCORES effectively.

This guide explains investment adviser registered name disclosure requirements across all required touchpoints.

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Registered Name vs Brand Name

Investment adviser registered name disclosure must present the legal entity name under which the SEBI registration is held, not just the consumer-facing brand or trade name. Many advisory platforms operate under a brand name (e.g. ‘XYZ Research’ or ‘ABC Advisory’) that differs from the legal entity name on the SEBI registration (e.g. ‘XYZ Research Private Limited’). Both names can appear on the platform — the brand for marketing and the legal entity name for regulatory transparency. The investment adviser registered name disclosure must include the full legal entity name and the SEBI registration number alongside any brand name used in communications.

Mandatory Disclosure Locations

Investment adviser registered name disclosure must appear on: the official website (typically in the footer and in a dedicated disclosures or regulatory information section), the official mobile app (in the ‘About’ or profile section and in the advisory materials within the app), client agreements and the MITC (the full legal entity name must appear on all client-facing documents), advisory reports and research publications (the entity name and registration number must appear on each report) and official social media accounts (per the February 2026 EoDI circular).

Trade Name vs Registered Name in Practice

Investment adviser registered name disclosure in practice means that a platform operating as ‘Univest’ must also display the full legal entity name under which the SEBI Research Analyst registration INH000013776 is held. Univest maintains this disclosure on its official website and app — investors can verify the registered entity name and the SEBI registration number in the platform’s disclosures section. Before subscribing to any advisory service, investors should locate the registered entity name and SEBI registration number in the platform’s disclosures and verify them at sebi.gov.in.

Investor Verification Process

Investors can conduct a three-step investment adviser registered name disclosure verification: Step 1 — find the registered entity name and SEBI registration number on the platform’s website footer, disclosures page or app about section. Step 2 — go to sebi.gov.in and search the intermediary register using the registration number. Step 3 — confirm the registered entity name on the SEBI register matches the name displayed on the platform. Any mismatch between the displayed registration number and the name on the SEBI register is a material discrepancy that should be questioned before subscribing.

Univest is a SEBI-registered research platform (SEBI RA Reg. No. INH000013776) operating under NSDL depository infrastructure. Investors who want SEBI-registered research alongside their advisory journey can explore Univest’s research tools, stock screener and market analysis available on the official Univest app.

Verify Registered Entity Name and Registration Number Before Subscribing to Any Advisory Service

Download the Univest iOS App or Univest Android App to confirm SEBI-registered entity identity before beginning any research or advisory subscription.

Conclusion

Investment adviser registered name disclosure requires the legal entity name and SEBI registration number to appear on the website footer, app about section, client agreements, research reports and social media profiles — separately from any trade or brand name. Investors should conduct a three-step verification: find the registration number on the platform, search it at sebi.gov.in and confirm the entity name on the register matches the name displayed. Any mismatch is a material discrepancy warranting investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where must a SEBI investment adviser display its registered name?

Ans. Investment adviser registered name disclosure must appear on: the official website (footer and disclosures section), the mobile app (about or profile section), all client agreements and MITC documents, research reports and advisory publications and official social media accounts. All disclosures must include the full legal entity name and the SEBI registration number.

What is the difference between a brand name and a registered entity name?

Ans. Investment adviser registered name disclosure is relevant here. A brand or trade name is the consumer-facing marketing identity (e.g. ‘XYZ Research’). The registered entity name is the legal name on the SEBI registration (e.g. ‘XYZ Research Private Limited’). Both can appear on advisory platforms — the brand for marketing, the legal name for regulatory transparency. Investment adviser registered name disclosure requires the legal entity name to be visible alongside the brand name.

How can investors verify the registered entity name against SEBI records?

Ans. Investment adviser registered name disclosure is relevant here. Step 1: find the SEBI registration number on the advisory platform’s website footer, disclosures page or app. Step 2: go to sebi.gov.in and search the intermediary register by registration number. Step 3: confirm the registered entity name on the SEBI record matches the name displayed on the platform. A mismatch between the displayed registration number and the corresponding entity name is a material discrepancy.

What if the platform only shows a brand name without the registered legal entity name?

Ans. Investment adviser registered name disclosure is relevant here. The absence of the full legal entity name (as distinct from the brand name) is a disclosure deficiency. The investment adviser registered name disclosure requirement specifically requires the registered entity name to appear in regulatory disclosures. Investors should ask the platform for their full legal entity name and SEBI registration number and verify them at sebi.gov.in before subscribing.

Does the registered name requirement apply to app notifications and WhatsApp messages?

Ans. Investment adviser registered name disclosure is relevant here. Regulatory communications through official advisory channels — including app notifications and official WhatsApp Business messages used for client communication — should carry the registered entity name and SEBI registration number. Advisory communications that reach clients through official channels without identifying the registered entity may not meet the full disclosure standard.

What should investors do if a registration number does not appear on the SEBI register?

Ans. A SEBI registration number provided by an advisory platform that does not return a valid result on the SEBI intermediary register search is a serious red flag. The entity may be unregistered or the number may be fictitious. Investors should not subscribe before this is resolved. The unregistered advisory activity can be reported to SEBI’s investor services department.