Valid UPI Handle
UPI has made payments in the securities market quick and convenient, but unregistered entities have misused it to collect money from investors for personal gain. To stop such fraud, SEBI has introduced validated UPI handles so investors can recognise registered intermediaries and pay them safely.
Pay @ Valid
Under SEBI's framework, effective 1 October 2025, check the following before paying any registered intermediary:
- Left of the “@”: the intermediary's name, followed by a short code for its category — for example “ia” for Investment Advisers, “ra” for Research Analysts, “brk” for Brokers, “mf” for Mutual Funds.
- Right of the “@”: the exclusive “@valid” handle, followed by the bank's name (for example @validsbi).
- On the payment confirmation screen, your UPI app shows a white thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle.
- A QR code generated through this utility carries the same white thumbs-up in a green triangle, with the UPI ID printed just below it.
Verify on SEBI Check
SEBI Check is SEBI's online tool for confirming that a UPI ID, QR code or bank account belongs to a SEBI-registered intermediary. Verify our details there before you pay — it is the simplest way to avoid paying an unregistered entity.
Open SEBI Check(opens in a new tab)How does the verification branding look?
Look for this mark — a white thumbs-up inside a green triangle — on your UPI app's confirmation screen and on our QR code. It confirms you are paying a SEBI-registered intermediary.
Our Validated Payment Details
In line with SEBI's circular dated 11 June 2025, The Equal Research Investment Adviser has adopted the standardised, validated and exclusive UPI ID mechanism for receiving payments, to make every transaction with us more secure and transparent.
- Validated UPI ID
- Theequal.ia@validsbi
- Payee Name
- The Equal Research Investment Adviser
- Bank
- State Bank of India
- Account Number
- 40375417430
- IFSC Code
- SBIN0030450
- SEBI Reg. No. (RIA)
- INA000004377
- BSE Enlistment No.
- 1475
Investor FAQs on Validated UPI IDs
What is the new UPI mechanism introduced by SEBI?
SEBI has introduced a structured UPI address format for registered intermediaries. These validated, exclusive UPI IDs let investors confirm they are paying a SEBI-registered intermediary — and their absence is a warning that the payee may be unauthorised.
Is it mandatory for investors to use the new UPI IDs or QR codes?
You can still pay by any mode you prefer — UPI, IMPS, NEFT, RTGS or cheque. But if you choose UPI to pay a registered intermediary, you must use the new validated UPI ID allotted to it.
What should I check when paying with a validated UPI ID or QR code?
Confirm the intermediary's name and category code appear before the “@”, that “@valid” plus the bank name appears after it, and that your app shows a white thumbs-up inside a green triangle on the confirmation screen. For an extra layer of safety, cross-check the details on SEBI Check.
Do I need to change my own UPI ID?
No. Validated UPI IDs are issued only to intermediaries. You can keep using your existing UPI ID to make payments.
What should I do if my payment fails?
Validated UPI IDs use the same banking channels as regular UPI handles. If you face a technical problem, please contact your bank.
What is the UPI transaction limit for payments in the securities market?
The current UPI limit for capital-market transactions is ₹10 lakh per day, subject to periodic review.
Where can I find an intermediary's validated UPI ID?
Intermediaries must display their validated UPI ID prominently on their website and share it through SMS, email, social media and their other communication channels.
When did this system come into effect?
Validated UPI IDs have been available for investor payments since 1 October 2025.