Verify your RA / adviser
SEBIBefore you pay anyone for research or advice — check their SEBI registration.
Why it matters
Only a SEBI-registered Research Analyst (RA, reg-no starts INH) or Investment Adviser (IA, reg-no starts INA) may give you research or personalised advice for a fee.
Unregistered 'tip' sellers are not accountable to SEBI and are a common source of fraud.
How to check (2 minutes)
Ask for their SEBI registration number (INH… for RA, INA… for IA).
Search that number on the SEBI intermediary registry. Confirm the name matches and the registration is current (not expired or suspended).
On bulls.plus, registered analysts carry a gold RA/IA shield and their reg-no is shown on every research post and GMP they publish.
Red flags of an unregistered adviser
Guaranteed or 'assured' returns, 'doubling' schemes, or fixed-profit promises.
Pressure to pay quickly, in cash, or to a personal UPI/bank account.
No SEBI reg-no, or a reg-no that doesn't match their name on the SEBI registry.
Asking for your trading account login or to trade on your behalf (SEBI RAs/IAs may never execute trades for you).