SEBI Services · Social Stock Exchange

Social Stock Exchange Licence register on India's Social Stock Exchange and access capital markets for your social enterprise or NPO.

The Social Stock Exchange (SSE) is a dedicated platform under SEBI that allows non-profit organisations and for-profit social enterprises to raise funds from the public and institutional investors — enabling social impact-focused entities to access the capital market ecosystem for the first time in India.

The Social Stock Exchange (SSE) was established by SEBI in 2022 as a separate segment of recognised stock exchanges — currently NSE and BSE — to facilitate fundraising by social enterprises. Eligible entities include Not-for-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and For-Profit Social Enterprises (FPSEs) engaged in specified social activities such as education, healthcare, livelihood generation, environment protection, and women empowerment.

NPOs can raise funds on the SSE through Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) bonds — a unique instrument that does not carry repayment or interest obligations but entitles investors to impact-linked reporting. FPSEs can raise equity capital on the SSE subject to minimum reporting standards on their social impact. Both categories must register with the SSE, comply with social impact assessment requirements, and submit annual impact reports.

At Beyonte Compliances, we guide eligible entities through the complete SSE registration and listing process — from eligibility assessment and registration documentation through to impact assessment framework setup and ongoing disclosure compliance — enabling social enterprises to access institutional capital with regulatory credibility.

What Our SSE Licence Service Covers

Eligibility Assessment

Reviewing the entity's activities, legal structure, and social mission against SEBI's SSE eligibility criteria for NPOs and FPSEs.

SSE Registration Application

Preparing and filing the registration application with NSE or BSE's Social Stock Exchange segment — including entity details, social objectives, and impact evidence.

ZCZP Bond Issuance Support

Advising NPOs on the Zero Coupon Zero Principal bond structure — issue size, minimum subscription, use of proceeds, and disclosure requirements for public issuance.

Social Impact Assessment Framework

Setting up the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) framework — defining output, outcome, and impact indicators aligned with SEBI's prescribed Social Impact Measurement Standards.

Social Audit Coordination

Coordinating with SEBI-empanelled social auditors for the mandatory annual social audit required for all SSE-registered entities.

Annual Impact Report Preparation

Preparing the annual social impact report in the format prescribed by SEBI — covering activities, beneficiaries, outcomes, and fund utilisation.

Ongoing SSE Disclosure Compliance

Managing all SSE continuous disclosure obligations — periodic filings, fund utilisation reports, and impact updates — to maintain SSE registration in good standing.

Donor & Investor Communication

Preparing impact communication materials for institutional donors, CSR funders, and social impact investors sourced through the SSE platform.

Our Process

Eligibility & Category Assessment

Determining whether the entity qualifies as an NPO or FPSE under SEBI's SSE framework and which fundraising instruments are available.

Impact Framework Design

Designing the social impact measurement framework — defining output, outcome, and impact indicators — before the registration application is submitted.

Registration Application Filing

Preparing and submitting the SSE registration application to the exchange segment with all required supporting documents and social activity disclosures.

Social Audit & Compliance Setup

Appointing a SEBI-empanelled social auditor and setting up the annual social audit and impact reporting process.

Ongoing Disclosure Management

Managing all periodic and event-based SSE disclosure obligations — impact reports, fund utilisation statements, and social audit submissions.

Why It Matters

✓SSE registration enables NPOs to raise public capital through ZCZP bonds — a first in India

✓SEBI-regulated platform provides donors and investors with credibility and regulatory oversight

✓CSR-eligible donations to SSE-registered NPOs attract 80G deduction for corporate donors

✓Access to institutional social impact investors and ESG-focused funds through the exchange platform

✓Standardised social impact reporting builds long-term funder confidence and reduces reporting burden

✓FPSEs gain access to equity capital from impact investors through the FPSE listing segment

✓Exchange-level visibility increases the entity's profile with large institutional donors and government agencies

✓Regulated fund-utilisation reporting assures donors that proceeds are applied to stated social objectives

Frequently Asked Questions

A Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) bond is a unique fundraising instrument available to NPOs on the Social Stock Exchange. Unlike conventional bonds, ZCZP instruments carry no obligation to pay interest or repay the principal — the funds raised are essentially donations in regulated form. Investors receive impact reports and social audit outcomes as their return. ZCZP bonds have a minimum issuance size of ₹50 lakh and a minimum subscription of ₹2,000 per investor.

Eligible NPOs include registered trusts, societies, Section 8 companies, and other entities engaged in specified social activities with at least three years of existence and minimum annual spend of ₹50 lakh. For-Profit Social Enterprises (FPSEs) must demonstrate that at least 67% of their activities by revenue or expenditure serve the specified social objective categories defined by SEBI.

A social audit is an independent verification of a social enterprise's activities, outputs, and impact — conducted by a SEBI-empanelled social auditing firm. Social audits are mandatory for all SSE-registered entities and must be conducted annually. The social audit report forms part of the entity's annual disclosure to the exchange and provides investors with an independent assessment of social impact claims.

ZCZP bond subscriptions by retail investors to NPOs registered on the SSE are eligible for deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, subject to the NPO holding valid 80G registration. Corporate donors subscribing to ZCZP bonds may also be eligible to treat the subscription as a CSR expenditure under Section 135 of the Companies Act — making the SSE a compelling fundraising channel for corporates seeking CSR deployment.

Access India's capital markets for your social mission through the Social Stock Exchange.

Talk to our team about SSE registration, ZCZP bond issuance, and social impact compliance for your organisation.