The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has relaxed the lock-in rules for Employee Benefit Schemes (EBS) under Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). The move is aimed at encouraging more participation in these investment vehicles by making them more attractive to employees. The new regulations allow for a reduction in the lock-in period for shares allocated under these schemes, providing employees with greater flexibility to access their investments.

Previously, these employee-held units were subject to a lock-in period of three years, but under the revised rules, SEBI has reduced this to one year, allowing employees to liquidate their holdings sooner if needed. The relaxation is expected to boost interest and investment in the country’s infrastructure and real estate sectors, particularly in InvITs and REITs, which offer an opportunity for investors to gain exposure to high-quality infrastructure and real estate assets.

SEBI's decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to improve liquidity and attract more long-term capital into these markets. By easing these lock-in restrictions, the regulator aims to increase the attractiveness of InvITs and REITs for institutional investors and employees, which could contribute to the growth of these sectors. The move is also expected to enhance the overall investor base for these listed investment vehicles.

The change in regulations comes at a time when the real estate and infrastructure sectors are seeing renewed interest, and the SEBI’s intervention is seen as a positive step towards making these investment options more appealing.