SEBI Revises Norms For Capacity Planning And Real-Time Performance Monitoring Of Market Institutions

The Securities and Exchange Board of India on Tuesday revised norms for market infrastructure institutions like stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories to strengthen capacity planning and real-time performance monitoring of their critical IT systems.

Such organisations are required to develop frameworks for estimating capacity needs based on transaction growth, historical data, trends, and business changes, SEBI said in a circular. They must submit their methodology details to the market regulator within three months, following approval from the Standing Committee on Technology and the Governing Board.

Additionally, MIIs must ensure their systems have adequate capacity to handle high volumes, with installed capacity being at least 1.5 times the projected peak load to maintain high service availability. The projected peak load should be based on trends from the past 180 days and other relevant factors.

They have been asked to conduct quarterly stress tests to assess the impact on system performance under heavy loads.

Furthermore, the institutions are required to implement automated systems to monitor and generate alerts for real-time performance issues, with defined thresholds to ensure early detection and resolution.

SEBI has asked stock exchanges and clearing corporations to take immediate action if IT component utilization exceeds 75% of installed capacity. Depositories must act if utilization exceeds 75% for 15 consecutive days.

They have been directed to establish a capacity planning and real-time performance monitoring policy, approved by SCOT and the Sebi, to ensure smooth operations and timely resource upgrades.

SEBI said that guidelines for capacity planning to be implemented within three months and all other provisions are effective immediately.

(With inputs from PTI)