SEBI Launches ‘Validated UPI Handles’, ‘SEBI Check’ to Strengthen Investor Payment Security

Current Context: On 1 October 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched Validated Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Handles and SEBI Check with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

• All SEBI‑registered intermediaries must use “@valid” UPI IDs with suffixes like .brk (Broker) and .mf (Mutual Fund).
• Payments through these IDs show a green triangle thumbs‑up icon and verified Quick Response (QR) code for authenticity.
• SEBI Check allows investors to verify UPI IDs or bank account number + Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) via the SEBI Saarthi mobile app or web portal.

Question:

Q.1 What is the mandatory suffix used for SEBI-registered brokers in the new Validated UPI Handles system?
a) .mf
b) .bank
c) .brk
d) .sebi

Answer: c) SEBI mandates brokers to use the suffix “.brk” in their validated UPI IDs. Similarly, mutual funds use “.mf” as the suffix to indicate authenticity.