What Is the NSE?
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is India's largest and most active stock exchange. Learn what you can trade on it, what the Nifty 50 is, and how it compares to BSE.
India's Largest Stock Exchange
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is India's largest stock exchange by trading volume. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Mumbai, it was the first exchange in India to offer a fully automated, screen-based electronic trading system — replacing the old open-outcry method entirely.
What Can You Trade on the NSE?
- Equities (NSE_EQ): Shares of listed companies
- Futures & Options (NSE_FNO): Derivative contracts on stocks and indices
- Currency derivatives: Forex futures and options
- Debt: Government and corporate bonds
The Nifty 50 Index
The NSE's flagship index is the Nifty 50 — a basket of the 50 largest and most liquid companies listed on the exchange. It is a real-time barometer of the Indian equity market's direction.
Other important NSE indices include Nifty Bank, Nifty Midcap 150, and Nifty IT.
NSE vs BSE
Both NSE and BSE list the same major companies. The key difference lies in derivatives trading — NSE dominates with over 90% market share in F&O. BSE's Sensex (30 companies) is older and more recognised by the general public, but for active traders, NSE is the primary exchange.
Trading Hours
NSE equity markets are open Monday to Friday, 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM IST. Pre-market sessions run from 9:00–9:15 AM. The exchange is closed on national holidays as declared by SEBI.