The Indian stock market is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. It is regulated by SEBI and operates through two major exchanges — NSE and BSE.
The Structure
The Indian stock market has a clear hierarchy: SEBI regulates the market, exchanges provide the trading platform, depositories hold shares in electronic form, and brokers execute trades on behalf of investors.
Trading Mechanism
Trading happens through an electronic order-matching system. When you place a buy order, the exchange matches it with a sell order at the same or better price. Trades are settled in T+1 days (trade day plus one business day).
Indices
The Nifty 50 is the benchmark index of NSE, representing 50 large-cap companies. The Sensex is BSE's benchmark, representing 30 large-cap companies. These indices give a snapshot of market performance.
Market Timing
The Indian stock market operates from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM IST, Monday to Friday. Pre-market trading happens from 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM.
Regulatory Framework
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) is the regulatory body. It protects investor interests, regulates brokers, and ensures fair trading practices.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only.