A conflict of interest arises when an individual's or organisation's personal interests, financial incentives, or professional obligations to one party are — or appear to be — in opposition to the interests of another party they are duty-bound to serve. In financial markets and corporate governance, conflicts of interest can occur between company management and shareholders, between financial advisors and clients, between auditors and audit clients, or between research analysts and investment banking divisions within brokerages. Regulatory frameworks in India — including SEBI's Investment Adviser Regulations and the Companies Act — mandate disclosure and management of conflicts of interest to protect investor interests. For investors on Ventura Securities, identifying and evaluating potential conflicts of interest in corporate governance, analyst research, and advisory relationships is a foundational element of sound investment due diligence.