The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is set to open a regional branch office in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step toward strengthening the investment ecosystem in eastern India. SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced on Monday that the rental contract for the office was signed earlier today, while the regional office is expected to become operational within the next few months.

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Speaking at a press conference in Bhubaneswar during an awareness programme organised by the mutual funds association, the SEBI chief said the decision was taken considering the growing investment interest in Odisha. He noted that eastern India currently lacks an SEBI regional office, and Bhubaneswar has been chosen to fill that gap.

The SEBI Chairman appealed to the people of Odisha to invest in mutual funds as well as Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), stressing the importance of long-term investment strategies. He stated that global uncertainties, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, have been affecting stock markets worldwide, causing fluctuations and volatility.

However, Pandey advised the investors not to panic during market downturns and instead maintain patience and confidence. Chairman Pandey also warned against relying heavily on short-term investments and encouraged people to focus on long-term financial planning for better returns and stability.

Highlighting Odisha’s investment growth, Pandey said SIP investments in the State have increased nearly tenfold over the past decade. Despite this impressive rise, he admitted that Odisha still lags behind several other states in terms of overall investment participation.

To bridge this gap, SEBI has intensified its efforts to expand investor awareness and financial literacy in the State.

Pandey further revealed that SEBI has advised the Odisha government to introduce municipal bonds to boost urban infrastructure financing. Municipal bonds are already operational in 34 cities across the country, and their demand is expected to increase in the coming years. SEBI has reportedly encouraged multiple state governments, including Odisha, to adopt the model.

According to the SEBI Chairman, the upcoming Bhubaneswar office will help increase investor participation, improve financial awareness, and curb irregularities in investment activities across the region.

“India’s mutual fund market has witnessed significant growth, expanding from Rs 12 lakh crore in 2015-16 to around Rs 82 lakh crore at present. Odisha’s contribution to the sector currently stands at nearly Rs 71,000 crore, accounting for less than one per cent of the national market. Since Odisha contributes nearly three per cent to the country’s economy, its share in the mutual fund market should also increase to at least three per cent. The state is among the leading performers in terms of monthly growth in SIP investments,” the SEBI Chairman said while speaking to mediapersons.

“India’s total market capitalisation has risen from Rs 95 lakh crore in 2015-16 to Rs 463 lakh crore in 2025-26. Over the same period, the number of individual investors grew from 3.8 crore to 14.5 crore. In 2025-26, India recorded 366 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), through which companies mobilised around Rs 1.9 lakh crore. The country currently ranks first globally in terms of the number of IPOs launched,” the SEBI chief added.