What is Insider Trading?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
Prohibited under the SEBI Act, 1992 and SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015
- 2.
Material non-public information information that could affect the stock price cannot be used for trading
- 3.
Insiders company directors, executives, or anyone with access to confidential information are prohibited from trading based on such information
- 4.
Tipping sharing confidential information with others who then trade on it is also illegal
Visual Insights
Process of SEBI Investigation into Insider Trading
Flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a SEBI investigation into insider trading.
- 1.Receipt of Information/Complaint
- 2.Preliminary Assessment
- 3.Investigation & Evidence Gathering
- 4.Show Cause Notice
- 5.Reply by Alleged Insider
- 6.Hearing & Adjudication
- 7.Order (Penalty/Prohibition)
Recent Real-World Examples
1 examplesIllustrated in 1 real-world examples from Feb 2026 to Feb 2026
Source Topic
Kalyani Group companies settle funds misuse case with SEBI
EconomyUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
121. What is Insider Trading and what are its key provisions as per the SEBI Act, 1992?
Insider trading is the illegal practice of trading in a public company's securities based on material, non-public information. Key provisions, as defined by the SEBI Act, 1992 and SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, include the prohibition of trading based on such information by insiders, the illegality of tipping, and penalties such as monetary fines, imprisonment, and disgorgement of profits.
Exam Tip
Remember the key legislations: SEBI Act, 1992 and SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015. Focus on the definition of 'insider' and 'material non-public information'.
2. How does insider trading work in practice?
In practice, insider trading involves individuals with access to confidential information about a company (e.g., upcoming mergers, financial results) using that information to trade securities before the public knows. This gives them an unfair advantage, allowing them to profit or avoid losses at the expense of other investors. SEBI uses data analytics to detect unusual trading patterns before major announcements.
