The stock market allows for the buying and selling of shares of publicly traded companies. It exists electronically and can be accessed through a registered stockbroker. There are various types of participants in the stock market including individual retail investors, domestic and foreign institutions, and asset management companies. The stock market is regulated in India by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) which oversees stock exchanges, brokers, and other entities to protect investors and ensure fair practices. A variety of financial intermediaries facilitate trading and transactions between investors and the stock exchanges.