National Stock Exchange of India (NSE): Listing Requirements and IPO Guide

Headquarters

Mumbai, India

Region

Asia-Pacific

Market Focus

Large Cap & Growth

Overview

The National Stock Exchange of India was founded in 1992 and introduced fully electronic, screen-based trading to the country. It is India's largest exchange by trading volume and one of the world's largest derivatives exchanges by number of contracts traded.

Its Nifty 50 index is a benchmark for Indian equities, and its NSE Emerge platform serves small and medium-sized companies.

Known For

Indian banks, IT services, consumer and industrial companies
A very active IPO market in recent years, including technology companies
Rapidly growing retail investor participation
NSE Emerge for smaller companies

Listing Considerations

SEBI regulates listings and disclosure
Indian companies generally list at home, as direct overseas listing routes remain limited
Profitability and track record tests apply, with an alternative route for loss-making companies
Strong domestic mutual fund inflows support demand for new issues

Key Facts

Founded

1992

Operator

National Stock Exchange of India Ltd

Regulator

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Main Index

Nifty 50

Currency

Indian rupee (INR)

Trading Hours

9:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. IST, Monday–Friday

Market Segments

Main Board, NSE Emerge (SME platform)

Official website →

Listing Requirements

Main Board profitability route (SEBI ICDR): net tangible assets of ₹3 crore, average operating profit of ₹15 crore in three of the last five years, and net worth of ₹1 crore in each of the last three years
Companies that don't meet this can list if at least 75% of the issue goes to qualified institutional buyers
Minimum public shareholding of 25%, which very large companies can reach in stages after listing
NSE Emerge for SMEs, under separate SEBI criteria

Headline eligibility from SEBI's ICDR Regulations, checked November 2026.

Considering a public listing?

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National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)