After you file a case, checking your SEBI complaint status regularly is the best way to see whether anything is actually moving.
SEBI SCORES gives every complaint a unique reference number at the point of filing.
This SEBI complaint registration number is your primary tool for tracking status, following up, and knowing when to escalate.
This page covers how to use that reference number, what the different status labels mean, how long each stage typically takes, and what to do when your complaint appears to be stuck.
What Is the SEBI SCORES Complaint Reference Number?
When you successfully submit a complaint on SEBI SCORES at scores.sebi.gov.in, the portal generates a unique reference number and displays it on the screen.
You also receive it via email to the address registered on the portal.
This reference number is the identifier for your complaint throughout its entire lifecycle. It does not change as the complaint moves through levels, transfers to SMART ODR, or gets assigned to a different review body.
The same number follows the complaint from filing through to final resolution.
Save this number immediately after filing.
Take a screenshot of the confirmation page. If you lose the reference number and need to recover it, log in to your SCORES account and find it in your complaint history dashboard.
How to Check SEBI SCORES Complaint Status Online?
Tracking your complaint status takes under two minutes and can be done from any device.
- Step 1: Go to scores.sebi.gov.in
- Step 2: Log in with the credentials you used when filing. If you registered with your PAN and mobile number, use those.
- Step 3: Once logged in, look for the My Complaints or Complaint Status section in the dashboard. The exact label may vary slightly based on the version of the portal you are viewing.
- Step 4: Your filed complaints will appear as a list. Click on the specific complaint you want to track.
- Step 5: The complaint detail page shows the current status, the date of the last update, any response received from the intermediary, and the next action required from you.
Alternative method without logging in:
If you only want to check status without logging in, go to scores.sebi.gov.in and look for a Track Complaint or Complaint Status option on the homepage.
Enter your reference number in the field provided.
The portal will display the current status of that specific complaint.
What Does Each SEBI Complaint Status Mean?
The status labels on SEBI SCORES tell you exactly where your complaint is in the process.
Each label has a specific meaning.
Below is a breakdown of the most common status updates you will see on your dashboard and what they require you to do next:
1. Pending with the Intermediary
The complaint has been forwarded to the registered entity you filed against.
They have received a formal direction to respond. The intermediary has 21 days from this date to respond. No action is required from you at this stage.
Log in to check for an update after 21 days.
2. Response Received from Intermediary
The intermediary has submitted a response to your complaint through the SCORES portal. Log in to read the response. You will then need to indicate whether you are satisfied or not.
This is an important step.
If you do not respond to indicate your satisfaction status within the specified window, the complaint may be auto-closed as resolved even if your issue was not actually addressed.
3. Complaint Resolved
This status appears after you have indicated satisfaction with the intermediary’s response or after the complaint has been processed through the review levels and closed.
If this status appears but you were not satisfied and did not indicate so, log in and check whether there is still an option to reopen or escalate.
If not, SMART ODR is your next step.
4. Sent to Level 2 Review
This status appears in SCORES 2.0 when you have marked the intermediary’s response as unsatisfactory.
The complaint has moved to the second review level within SCORES, where SEBI’s designated review body examines the matter.
This is a step that did not exist in the old SCORES portal and represents a significant improvement in the escalation path.
5. Forwarded to SMART ODR
The complaint has been transferred to the SMART ODR platform after exhausting the SCORES review process.
When looking at SEBI SCORES vs SMART ODR, the main transition is that you move from a regulatory review portal to an online dispute resolution platform.
You will receive a communication with instructions for accessing your case on the SMART ODR portal using the same reference number.
The case history from SCORES transfers automatically.
6. Withdrawn by Complainant
You withdrew the complaint. This status is permanent for that complaint.
If you wish to re-file, you will need to submit a new complaint with a new reference number.
7. Complaint Not Maintainable
This status means SEBI found the complaint falls outside its jurisdiction or does not meet the eligibility criteria.
The specific reason should be communicated to you.
Refer to the rejection reasons guide for what to do next.
SEBI SCORES Resolution Timeline: How Long Does Each Stage Take?
Understanding the expected timeline at each stage helps you know when to be patient and when to follow up actively.
While SEBI encourages swift resolutions, the actual processing time depends heavily on which stage of the escalation path your case is currently passing through.
Here is a realistic breakdown of how many days or weeks you can expect each milestone to take:
Internal grievance with the intermediary before SCORES: 30-day expected response window. If no response after 30 days, file on SCORES.
- SCORES filing to intermediary response: The intermediary has 21 days to respond after the complaint is forwarded. If no response appears after 21 days, log in and check whether the status has changed.
If it remains in Pending with the Intermediary beyond 25 days, consider using the SCORES helpline. - Level 2 Review: After you mark the response as unsatisfactory, the Level 2 review body has a defined period to review the matter.
This stage typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the complaint and the volume at the review level. - Transfer to SMART ODR: After the Level 2 Review, if the matter is unresolved, the transfer to SMART ODR is typically processed within a few days.
You will receive a notification when the case appears on the SMART ODR portal. - SMART ODR Pre-Conciliation: Typically, 2 to 4 weeks for the initial session to be scheduled and conducted.
- SMART ODR Conciliation: If pre-conciliation does not settle the dispute, the conciliation stage adds another 4 to 8 weeks on average.
- SMART ODR Arbitration: The most variable stage. Simple cases with complete documentation can be concluded in 2 to 3 months. Complex cases with multiple witnesses or large amounts can take longer.
The overall timeline from initial SCORES filing to a binding arbitration award typically ranges from 4 to 12 months.
The most common cause of delays is incomplete documentation at the filing stage, which leads to adjournments and additional information requests at later stages.
To avoid these annoying delays, double-check that you have gathered all the SEBI SCORES complaint documents required before hitting submit so the team can review your case smoothly.
What to Do If Your SEBI SCORES Complaint Is Not Moving?
There are specific situations where a complaint appears to be stuck and does not update for an extended period.
If pending with the Intermediary beyond 25 days, log in to SCORES and check whether the status has actually updated, but you missed the notification.
If the status genuinely shows no update after 25 days, contact SEBI’s investor helpline at 1800 22 7575 and provide your reference number. SEBI can follow up with the intermediary directly.
If you received a response but have not indicated your satisfaction status, log in immediately and indicate your response. If you are not satisfied with the intermediary’s response, mark it as unsatisfactory before the portal’s response window closes.
If the window has closed and the complaint was auto-closed as resolved, write to SEBI’s investor services division with your reference number, explaining that the complaint was closed without resolution and requesting that it be reopened or moved to Level 2 Review.
If Level 2 Review shows no update for more than 4 weeks, contact SEBI’s investor helpline with your reference number and the date the complaint entered Level 2 Review.
If the complaint has been forwarded to SMART ODR but you have not received SMART ODR login instructions, check your email for the SMART ODR access communication, including spam folders.
If not found, go to smartodr.in and attempt to log in using your PAN and registered mobile number. If access is not available, contact the SMART ODR helpdesk.
For the complete guide on the SMART ODR process once your complaint transfers there, including the pre-conciliation session format and what the arbitration hearing looks like, the dedicated SMART ODR guide covers each stage. Read the complete guide on SEBI SCORES complaint portal.
What Happens After You File a Complaint on SEBI SCORES?
Once you submit your complaint, SEBI forwards it to the concerned intermediary and assigns you a reference number to track the case.
The intermediary is generally required to respond within 21 days, and you can monitor updates directly from your SCORES dashboard.
If the matter is not resolved at this stage, it may proceed to the SMART ODR platform, where conciliation or arbitration can take place.
How Long Does an Intermediary Get to Respond?
Intermediaries have 21 days from the date the complaint is forwarded to submit their response on SCORES. SEBI monitors compliance with this timeline.
Repeated failures to respond to investor complaints can affect an intermediary’s regulatory standing and may attract further scrutiny from SEBI.
When Do You Need Your SCORES Reference Number?
Your SEBI complaint reference number is useful beyond just tracking status on the portal.
When you contact SEBI’s investor helpline, always have your reference number ready.
Without it, the helpline representative cannot pull up your specific complaint details.
When you escalate to SMART ODR, the reference number connects your SCORES record to the new platform automatically.
Do not start a fresh complaint on SMART ODR. The transfer should happen through the SCORES escalation mechanism.
When you write to SEBI for any follow-up correspondence about your complaint, include the reference number in the subject line of every email.
This ensures your correspondence is linked to the correct complaint file.
If your complaint reaches exchange arbitration at NSE or BSE, the SCORES and SMART ODR reference history becomes part of the arbitration record.
Keep a personal log of every status change and the date it occurred alongside the reference number.
Do you need help filing a SEBI SCORES complaint?
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Register for a free consultation today, and our team will review your situation to help you take the right next steps.
Conclusion
Knowing how to track your SEBI complaint status requires your login details, your unique tracking number, and an understanding of what each dashboard label means.
The most important active step in the tracking process is responding promptly when the intermediary submits a reply.
If you do not mark a response as unsatisfactory within the portal’s window, the complaint may be auto-closed even if your issue was not resolved.
If the complaint does not move within the expected timelines, the investor helpline at 1800 22 7575 and the SCORES portal escalation mechanism are the correct tools to use.
For complaints that transfer to SMART ODR, the same reference number continues to apply across the new platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Log in to scores.sebi.gov.in with your registered credentials and navigate to the My Complaints section. Your filed complaints appear as a list with their current status. Alternatively, use the Track Complaint option on the SCORES homepage and enter your reference number to see the status without logging in.
The reference number is a unique identifier generated by the SCORES portal when you successfully submit a complaint. It is displayed on the confirmation screen and sent to your registered email. This number tracks your complaint through all stages including SCORES Level 2 Review, transfer to SMART ODR, and arbitration. Save it immediately after filing.
This status means your complaint has been forwarded to the registered entity you filed against and they have 21 days to respond. No action is required from you during this period. If the status does not change after 25 days, contact SEBI's investor helpline at 1800 22 7575 with your reference number.
If you do not indicate your satisfaction status after the intermediary responds, the portal may auto-close the complaint as resolved within the system's defined response window. Log in immediately when you receive notification of a response and mark it as satisfied or unsatisfactory based on whether your actual grievance was addressed.
The intermediary has 21 days to respond. Level 2 Review typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. SMART ODR pre-conciliation and conciliation add another 6 to 12 weeks on average. Arbitration varies by complexity. The full process from initial SCORES filing to a binding arbitration award typically takes 4 to 12 months depending on case complexity and how quickly the intermediary responds at each stage.
This status means your complaint has exhausted the SCORES review process without satisfactory resolution and has been transferred to SEBI's SMART ODR platform for dispute resolution through conciliation or arbitration. Check your email for SMART ODR access instructions or go to smartodr.in and log in using your PAN and registered mobile number.
Yes. Log in to your SCORES account using your registered PAN and mobile number. Your complaint history dashboard shows all filed complaints with their reference numbers. If you cannot log in, contact the SEBI investor helpline at 1800 22 7575 with your PAN and the approximate date of filing.
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