Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced an industry-first milestone, becoming the first custodian in India to issue Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) licences and execute the entire account-opening process through electronic signatures, marking a major step in capital-market digitisation. The bank has already issued the first two FPI licences based on digitally signed documents, in alignment with SEBI’s digital-transformation agenda under the FPI regime.
The initiative is aimed at simplifying and accelerating India market access by creating a digital-first custody and onboarding ecosystem. By eliminating wet signatures, the process reduces operational risks and delivers a seamless client experience while strengthening India’s position as an investment-friendly and technology-driven market.
Sachin Samant, President, Banking & Financial Institutions Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the milestone reflects the bank’s commitment to building a “digital, frictionless experience for global investors” and supporting India’s transition to a modern, paperless capital-market ecosystem in line with SEBI’s progressive reforms.
Kolkata expect the digital onboarding mechanism to improve participation by overseas investors through eastern India-based brokerage and custody networks, as faster FPI registration and documentation processes are likely to boost cross-border investment activity.
SEBI in January 2026 operationalised a unified workflow enabling Digital Signature Certificates and electronic signatures within the Common Application Form portal, requiring certificates issued by Indian certifying authorities compliant with the Information Technology Act, 2000.
