The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) has officially appointed eMudhra, a prominent digital identity company, as a Validation Agent for Legal Entity Identifier India Ltd (LEIL). This strategic arrangement will enable organizations in India to apply for and renew Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs) directly through eMudhra's existing identity-verification and onboarding processes, streamlining a crucial aspect of financial compliance.
This appointment comes at a time when India is experiencing an unprecedented surge in LEI adoption. According to GLEIF data, India emerged as the jurisdiction with the largest number of active LEIs globally in January 2026 and recorded the highest LEI growth rate among all jurisdictions during the second quarter of the same year.
What is a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI)?
An LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric identifier, standardized under ISO 17442. It serves as a global reference data system, linking to key information about a legal entity. This includes details that clarify "who is who" and "who owns whom" in financial transactions, significantly enhancing transparency and reducing counterparty risk across global markets.
Streamlining LEI Acquisition
The integration of LEI application and renewal into eMudhra's established workflows is expected to significantly reduce the need for organizations to undergo separate identity checks. This efficiency gain is crucial for businesses navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments.
The development also aligns with the broader expansion of LEI requirements within India’s financial markets. In March 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a master direction consolidating existing LEI mandates for specific transactions in government securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange instruments, and derivatives. Participants covered by this directive are required to obtain and maintain a current LEI.
Alexandre Kech, CEO of GLEIF, commented on the development, stating, "The growth in LEI adoption in India reflects the role of verifiable organisational identity in improving transparency and interoperability. Welcoming eMudhra as a Validation Agent will help meet increasing demand for the LEI in India and internationally."
Nand Kishore, Director of LEIL, highlighted that the collaboration would simplify and accelerate LEI acquisition by combining eMudhra’s digital capabilities with LEIL’s extensive experience in issuing and managing LEIs. Kaushik Srinivasan, Co-Founder of eMudhra, added that this new role would allow their clients to obtain a globally recognized identity through their onboarding process, supporting both compliance and cross-border activities.
eMudhra's inclusion expands the global network of LEI Validation Agents, which now comprises over 20 entities across various regions, including Africa, Australasia, China, Europe, India, the Middle East, and North America, reinforcing the global push for standardized entity identification.