A response to an investment complaint is not necessarily a resolution. If the reply leaves your actual problem unanswered, the useful next step may be a review request—not a feedback rating after the complaint closes.
The distinction matters because the two actions serve different purposes. Here is a practical way to keep the reply, the evidence and the deadline together.
Two actions that should not be confused
SEBI’s current SCORES FAQ describes a first review by the Designated Body and a second review by SEBI. Each has a 15-calendar-day request window following the relevant Action Taken Report (ATR). FAQ 20 measures this from the ATR date; the portal homepage describes receipt of the ATR. Check both dates and the deadline shown in your case, and act promptly rather than assuming you have 15 working days.
Feedback is separate: FAQ 28 provides for it through the closure-notification link within 15 days of receiving that notification. Do not treat feedback as a substitute for requesting review.
This explains an existing process, not a new rule announced in October 2026. The official FAQ is undated; the information here was checked on 17 October 2026.
Turn “I am unhappy” into a specific unresolved point
Consider this invented example. Meera disputes a ₹1,200 charge in her broker’s statement. The reply explains the broker’s general tariff but does not identify the transaction or authorisation that produced this particular debit.
A useful review note would connect three things:
- The issue: the ₹1,200 debit, with its statement date and reference.
- The gap: the reply explains a general tariff but does not reconcile that debit with her account records.
- The requested action: identify the applicable charge and calculation, address the enclosed evidence, and correct the debit if it was erroneous.
That does not establish that the broker is wrong. It makes the disagreement easier to examine. Meera should also consider whether a later statement already contains a reversal before saying the amount remains outstanding.
Keep the note short enough that a reader can identify the disputed item without searching through an entire account history. Attach the relevant statement, the earlier complaint and the specific reply; explain what each attachment demonstrates. Avoid turning one unanswered charge into a broad accusation unsupported by records.
Keep one case folder, not scattered screenshots
Create a folder named with the complaint reference. Save the original complaint, acknowledgement, ATR, notification date and your review request. Add a one-page chronology in your own words.
For example: “I raised the debit with the broker; I supplied the requested statement; the reply addressed pricing generally; this particular entry remains unexplained.” Include the actual dates from your records, not dates reconstructed from memory.
After submitting a review, save its acknowledgement and check that the case records the action. A note you drafted but never submitted cannot demonstrate that you requested review. If the submission appears uncertain, inspect the case history before trying again; duplicate submissions can make your own tracking harder.
Know the route’s limits
The SCORES homepage says to approach the entity’s designated complaint official first. Its scope is securities-market grievances against listed companies, SEBI-registered intermediaries and market infrastructure institutions—not a universal financial-complaint service.
The FAQ says case status and Action History are available through the investor dashboard and complaint registration number. Answer any clarification request within its stated time.
SCORES facilitates redressal; it does not adjudicate disputes. The FAQ identifies ODR and appropriate court remedies where relevant. A review is not a guaranteed refund or compensation award. Avoid repeatedly filing the same complaint without fresh facts.
A small habit with a useful payoff
When a reply arrives, ask: Does it answer the exact problem, what remains unresolved, and when must I act? Then record the answer alongside the evidence.
That habit is more useful than collecting a long chain of angry messages. It keeps your next step tied to the complaint’s substance and its actual status.
General investor education, not personalised investment or legal advice. Check the current official portal and your case-specific deadline before acting.