“Navigating the future of Indian Securities Markets:

Innovation, Inclusion and Resilience in a Dynamic Global Landscape”

12-13 February 2026| NISM Campus, Patalganga

The International Research Conference on Securities Markets (IRCSM) was successfully organized on February 12–13, 2026 at the NISM Campus, Patalganga by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), in collaboration with IIM Mumbai, Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai, and NSE. The conference was held under the theme:“Navigating the Future of Indian Securities Markets: Innovation, Inclusion and Resilience in a Dynamic Global Landscape.”

The conference was convened in the backdrop of rapid transformations in India’s securities markets, including developments in market microstructure, corporate governance norms, regulatory frameworks for market infrastructure institutions and intermediaries, interoperability mechanisms, and the increasing role of technology and data-driven decision-making. It provided a timely platform for policy-oriented academic and industry deliberations.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairman, SEBI, who emphasized the need for high-quality, actionable research to enhance market sophistication and strengthen digital oversight. Other inaugural speakers included Shri Sashi Krishnan, Director, NISM, and Dr. N. R. Bhanumurthy, Director, Madras School of Economics, who highlighted innovation, financial inclusion, and domestic savings as pillars of a Viksit Bharat. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Yogita Jadhav, Registrar, NISM.

The conference received an overwhelming response with 168 research paper submissions from academicians, scholars, and industry professionals across premier institutions. Following a rigorous peer-review process, 18 papers were selected for presentation. Deliberations focused on themes such as democratizing capital access for MSMEs and startups, investor empowerment through technology, legal innovation, alternative investment ecosystems, global financial resilience, and systemic risk management.

A distinguished panel of regulators, industry leaders, and academicians guided the technical sessions. A four-member jury evaluated the presentations, and cash awards were presented to the top three research papers, while certificates were awarded to all presenters.

The conference concluded with a valedictory address by Shri Ajit Balakrishnan, Chairman Emeritus, Rediff.com, who underscored the importance of collaborative research in strengthening India’s securities markets. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Professor, NISM delivered the vote of thanks.

Overall, the conference reaffirmed its role as a premier platform fostering meaningful engagement among regulators, academia, and industry, contributing significantly to the evolving discourse on the future of Indian and global capital markets.