active LEI globally
What is an LEI number?
Find out what an LEI code means and what the LEI requirements are in India.
What is an LEI number?
The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character alphanumeric code, established in line with ISO standard 17442. Each LEI is issued only once, so it must be unique. The specific code is connected to key reference data, ensuring that companies and legal entities in the global financial system can be clearly identified. Furthermore, an LEI provides details about ownership structures and answers the questions: "Who is who?" and "Who owns whom?“.
Unlike an international VAT number used for global trade – which is issued once and free of charge – an LEI requires annual renewal for a fee. To enhance market transparency, the LEI database is publicly accessible and functions as a global directory.
countries covered
renewal required
International standard
Typical issuance
Do LEIs need to be renewed?
An LEI renewal is necessary every year to keep the entity information current and for the LEI to remain in ISSUED status. An LEI with LAPSED status is considered invalid by most financial institutions and regulators. Annual renewal helps ensure that your legal entity details remain up to date and available for counterparties, institutions and regulatory checks. This supports transparency and trust in financial markets.
Renew your LEI with LEI Now and keep your entity data up to date with minimal effort. Benefit from a simple process, clear guidance and reliable support every step of the way.
Issued
Active, valid LEI – accepted by all regulators and counterparties
Lapsed
Expired LEI – transactions may be blocked, loan applications rejected
Retired
Permanently cancelled – a new LEI must be applied for
Who needs a LEI number in India?
Indian financial regulators require Legal Entity Identifiers for certain financial transactions in order to ensure transparency and counterparty identification. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandate Legal Entity Identifiers for a wide range of financial entities:
Banks & financial institutions
Required for interbank transactions and counterparty identification
Companies with High-Value Borrowings in India
Entities with borrowings ≥ ₹5 Crore from banks (RBI mandate).
Derivatives & Securities Traders
All entities executing derivative or repo market transactions.
Corporate Treasury Departments
Needed for large-value transactions and cross-border payments.
SEBI-Regulated Market Participants
Listed companies, FPIs, mutual funds and institutional investors.
Cross-Border Transaction Entities
Required for global financial reporting in 200+ countries.
Official LEI resources: RBI and SEBI
The following are direct links to the official RBI and SEBI regulatory publications. These are external reference documents — not a self-check tool or legal advice.
Reserve Bank of India Test
RBI LEI Mandate
The RBI has mandated LEI for entities with aggregate exposure of ₹5 Crore and above from banks and financial institutions. Refer to the official RBI directives for the current scope and applicable thresholds.
Securities & Exchange Board of India
SEBI LEI Mandate
SEBI requires LEI for listed companies, Foreign Portfolio Investors, mutual funds, and other regulated market participants. Refer to the official SEBI circulars for the full scope of obligations.
Important: The links above are external reference documents published by RBI and SEBI. This page does not constitute legal advice. For a determination of your specific regulatory obligations, please consult a qualified legal or compliance professional, or refer directly to the official regulatory publications linked above.
Format of the LEI code: What the digits stand for
As mentioned above, a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a unique 20-character alphanumeric code that identifies legal entities such as companies, banks, funds and NGOs that are parties to financial transactions. Governed by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) and standardised under ISO 17442, the LEI system creates a global reference database for transparent financial markets. Here is a breakdown of the LEI code:
Characters 1 to 4: Identify the Local Operating Unit (LOU) – the issuing organisation that assigned the LEI.
Characters 5 to 18: Unique identifier for the legal entity that received the LEI. These characters make the code unique to each company.
Characters 19 to 20: Checksum digits used for validation and security, ensuring error-free identification.
LEI CODE STRUCTURE
2
1
3
8
0
0
2
j
j
3
s
x
b
p
j
g
z
n
5
0
4
LOU prefix
4-character code identifying the Local Operating Unit (issuer)
2
Reserved
Always '00' – reserved by GLEIF standard
10
Entity Identifier
Unique 10-character alphanumeric identifier for the entity
2
Check digits
2-digit checksum for validation (ISO 17442)
Bundesanzeiger Verlag GmbH
GLEIF Accredited LEI Issuer since 2014
Official GLEIF Accreditation
Directly accredited by GLEIF – not a reseller or sub-agent
Bundesanzeiger Verlag GmbH holds a direct GLEIF accreditation — the highest level of authorisation to issue LEI codes globally. Unlike resellers or sub-agents, we issue LEIs under our own accreditation number, guaranteeing the highest data quality standards, full GLEIF audit compliance, and legal certainty for your entity in every RBI- and SEBI-regulated transaction.
Why is the LEI required?
Beyond regulatory compliance, the LEI provides significant operational benefits for Indian entities.
Regulatory compliance
Meet RBI, SEBI, and international financial regulatory requirements and avoid penalties or blocked transactions.
Global recognition
Your LEI is recognized in 200+ countries. Essential for cross-border transactions, foreign investments, and trade finance.
Counterparty verification
Financial institutions can instantly verify your entity's identity and ownership structure through the public GLEIF database.
Capital market access
Required for trading in derivatives, bonds, and OTC instruments. SEBI mandates LEI for all market participants.
Loan & Credit Facility
RBI mandates LEI for all entities with credit exposures of ₹5 Crore+. Banks will require it for loan processing.
Institutional trust
A valid LEI signals governance maturity and transparency to banks, investors, and international counterparties.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do a trust need an LEI number in India?
Yes, trusts are generally eligible to obtain an LEI number in India. Whether an LEI is required in your specific case depends on your individual circumstances. We recommend checking with your relevant financial institution or regulatory body for further details.
Who is eligible for an LEI number registration?
According to GLEIF, any legal entity that enters into a financial transaction is eligible for an LEI. The term "legal entity" is broad and can include entities incorporated or constituted in other ways, such as trusts, partnerships and contractual structures. It generally does not include natural persons.
In other words, eligibility for an LEI is broader than the obligation to have one. Whether an entity must obtain an LEI in India depends on the applicable RBI regulation and the type of transaction or market involved.
What information does an LEI contain?
The LEI code provides insight about legal entities on two distinct levels:
- Level 1: "Who is who?“
- Level 2: "Who owns whom?“
Level 1 data
Level 1 data provides information about the identity of a legal entity. It includes the following essential details:
- Official name of the company or organisation
- Registered business address
- Country of registration
- Legal form (e.g. GmbH, PLC, Ltd.)
- Registration number (e.g. commercial register entry)
- Date of LEI issuance and expiry
- Issuing authority (Local Operating Unit – LOU)
Level 2 data
Level 2 data addresses the question “Who owns whom?”, offering insight into ownership structures. This helps to understand economic dependencies and provides transparency around corporate structures and fund relationships. The data includes:
- Information about ownership and parent structures of legal entities
- Details about parent or subsidiary companies
- Information regarding umbrella funds and their sub-funds
Not all companies are required to provide Level 2 data. For example, this obligation may not apply if a company lacks a parent entity or is subject to legal constraints.
What is the origin of the LEI system?
Following the 2008 global financial crisis, the G20 countries addressed transparency and safeguard issues of financial markets by introducing a global identification system – the LEI system – through the Financial Stability Board (FSB). The FSB, made up of representatives of the corresponding financial conduct authorities, established the Global LEI Foundation (GLEIF). In 2014, the LEI Regulatory Oversight Committee (LEIROC) first accredited us as an LEI issuer, and in 2017 the GLEIF accredited LEI Now as an official LEI issuing agency. Today, the GLEIF and the LEIROC jointly monitor the various LEI issuing agencies on a supranational level. Since January 2018, MiFID II regulations have mandated that legal entities must hold an LEI for unrestricted access to financial markets. Without this identifier, legal entities are prohibited from dealing in securities or derivatives. This system serves as an essential tool to prevent malpractice like market abuse and money laundering in connection with international financial transactions.
How is the LEI system organised?
The global LEI system provides a standardised framework for the transparent identification of legal entities worldwide. It plays a role in detecting financial risks early, helps organisations remain compliant with regulations, and strengthens security in global trade. The system consists of three main components:
- Regulatory Oversight Committee (ROC)
- Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)
- Local Operating Units (LOUs)
Regulatory Oversight Committee (LEIROC)
Consisting of representatives from financial supervisory authorities worldwide, the Legal Entity Identifier Regulatory Oversight Committee (LEIROC) is an international body tasked with establishing regulatory standards. It ensures that the LEI system remains compliant with global financial oversight requirements.
Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)
Responsible for maintaining the operational stability, transparency and efficiency of the LEI system, the GLEIF provides both businesses and regulators with access to reliable data. It enforces international data quality standards and keeps improving the system. Overseen by LEIROC, the GLEIF protects the LEI system from commercial influence to ensure it serves the interests of global financial stability.
LEI issuing organisations: Local Operating Units (LOUs)
Local Operating Units act as the primary points of contact for legal entities seeking to obtain or renew an LEI. Their services include:
- Registration of new LEIs
- Annual renewal of existing LEIs
- Updating and managing LEI-related data
Only GLEIF-accredited organisations are authorised to issue LEIs. To achieve this accreditation, LOUs must undergo a rigorous review process evaluating their capabilities. Companies and organisations may apply for an LEI through any accredited LOU globally, irrespective of their home country – provided the LOU is authorised to validate LEIs within that specific jurisdiction.
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Issued by Germany's Bundesanzeiger Verlag GmbH — GLEIF accredited, RBI &
SEBI compliant.
