Valid FAQs
SEBI Validated @Valid UPI Handles
A @valid UPI handle is an exclusive, standardized, and verified UPI ID introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for use by SEBI-registered intermediaries (including Research Analysts like us), for payments, starting October 1st, 2025. It includes a username, a category tag (e.g., brk for brokers, mf for mutual funds, ra for Research Analysts), the mandatory @valid identifier, and the bank’s name. To verify a @valid handle, check for a white “thumbs-up” icon inside a green triangle on the payment confirmation screen or QR code, which visually confirms authenticity
SEBI has made this initiative mandatory for all intermediaries to further enhance investor protection and provide investors with a secure, verified and transparent payment experience. Using @valid UPI handles for payments will ensure that your payments are always directed to verified SEBI-registered entities.
We are pleased to inform you that we have already received @Valid UPI handles for our bank account.
- Our handle for UPI payment directly to our bank account: ValidUPI ID
Please note
- These @valid UPI IDs are only for payment towards research services, i.e. Subscription to any of our products.
- You do NOT need to remember or note them down. We will provide you with these whenever you need to make a payment to us.
- These UPI IDs may change in future if we change our payment gateway provider or bank account.
What this means for you?
- Whenever you make payments for our subscriptions using UPI, you will now see the option to pay to our @Valid UPI handle.
- Direct bank transfer mode will also remain available as before though we recommend you use UPI payments.
- This change is purely at the backend – there is no additional step required from your side. The payment experience remains the same.
How to verify @Valid UPI?
- Standardized Format. The handle follows a specific pattern:
- [Username/Business Name].[Category Tag]@valid[Bank Name].
- Username/Business Name: The intermediary’s name.
- Category Tag: A short code for the type of intermediary, such as ra for Research Analysts, brk for brokers or mf for mutual funds.
- @valid: A unique identifier that confirms the handle is officially verified.
- Bank Name: The name of the bank associated with the handle.
- On your payment screen, you will see a white thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle, which assures you that payment is being made to a verified SEBI-registered intermediary.
SEBI Check
- SEBI Check enables investors to verify the authenticity of UPI IDs and linked bank account details, either by scanning a QR code or manually entering the UPI ID/bank account details. This will give you an additional and simple way to confirm that your payments are always directed to a genuine SEBI-registered intermediary.
- You can access the SEBI check portal at https://siportal.sebi.gov.in/intermediary/sebi-check
@valid FAQs
Who needs to adopt these UPI IDs?
All SEBI-registered intermediaries (e.g., brokers, mutual funds, depositories) must obtain these IDs. Investors can continue using their existing UPI IDs but must use intermediaries’ new ‘@valid’ handles for payments.
Is it mandatory to use UPI for payment of subscription charges?
While it is not mandatory to use UPI for making payments, SEBI strongly advises all individual investors to actively use the “@valid” UPI handles and verify payment details through SEBI Check before transferring funds.
SEBI clarified that the @valid UPI handle is an additional payment option, not a replacement. Investors can still use NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, etc., but are encouraged to prefer @valid for added security.
What should I check while making a payment using the new UPI IDs/ QR Code?
Investors need to keep the following things in consideration:
- The UPI ID should properly show the name of the intermediary, followed by the short abbreviation of their category, for example, “ra” for Research Analysts, “brk” for Brokers, to the left of the “@” character.
- On the right side of the “@”, the new and exclusive handle “@valid” should be present, followed by the bank name.
- On the confirmation screen, the app should show a white thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle.
- The QR code generated using the utility will have a white thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle. It will also display the UPI ID just below the QR code.