Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced that it has become the first custodian in India to enable Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registration and account opening through electronic signatures, marking a significant step in the digitisation of India’s capital markets. The bank has already issued the first two FPI licences based entirely on digitally signed documentation, aligning the initiative with SEBI’s broader digital-transformation agenda under the FPI framework. The new system allows execution of all onboarding and account-opening processes without physical paperwork, eliminating wet signatures, reducing operational risk and enabling faster access for global investors seeking entry into Indian markets. Kotak said the move supports India’s goal of becoming a more investment-friendly and technology-driven financial ecosystem.
Sachin Samant, President, Banking & Financial Institutions Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the milestone reflects the bank’s commitment to delivering a “digital, frictionless experience for global investors” and accelerating India’s transition to a paperless capital-market environment in line with SEBI reforms.
Kolkata market perspective: Market participants in the Kolkata financial ecosystem believe the digital onboarding system could improve participation from smaller global funds and regional investment firms, as faster FPI registration and reduced documentation requirements are expected to enhance trading volumes and cross-border investment flows through eastern India’s brokerage networks. SEBI had operationalised the unified digital-signature workflow for FPIs in January 2026 through the Common Application Form portal, requiring certificates issued by authorised Indian certifying authorities under the Information Technology Act, 2000.