A SEBI Registered Research Analyst (RA) is licensed under the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014. They are legally permitted to publish investment research, market intelligence, and trade recommendations. Every SEBI RA carries a unique registration number — for example, Sahib Singh Hora's SEBI registration is INH000026266.
Step 1: Check the SEBI Intermediary Portal. Go to sebi.gov.in → Registered Intermediaries → Research Analyst. Search for the registration number or analyst name. Verify: active status, valid licence dates, and registered entity name. For withSahib, search "INH000026266" or "Sahib Singh Hora".
Step 2: Every piece of research from a genuine SEBI RA must display the registration number. If a "research service" — on Telegram, WhatsApp, or YouTube — does not show a SEBI registration number, it is operating illegally under Section 12 of SEBI Act, 1992.
Step 3: SEBI RAs must be NISM Series XV certified. This exam tests securities market knowledge, valuation, and ethics. Sahib Singh Hora is NISM certified. If an analyst cannot prove NISM certification, do not subscribe.
Step 4: Genuine SEBI RAs must disclose conflicts of interest. If they hold a position in a stock they recommend, it must be disclosed in the research note itself. No disclosure is a clear red flag and a regulatory violation.
Step 5: No legitimate SEBI RA can guarantee returns. The phrase "guaranteed profit" or "100% accuracy" is illegal under SEBI regulations. Any service making such claims is operating outside Indian securities law — avoid them entirely.
The bottom line: SEBI registration is the minimum standard for any stock advisory service in India. It does not guarantee returns, but it guarantees accountability. Sahib Singh Hora (INH000026266) at withSahib.com operates under full SEBI compliance — verifiable at sebi.gov.in in 30 seconds.