NSE is India’s largest stock exchange, offering multi-asset trading across four segments: equities, derivatives, commodities, and currency, all through one trading account. A trader might hold delivery shares in the morning, take a position in Nifty futures by midday, and check gold or USDINR rates before the market shuts. This guide explains what each segment offers, how the rules have recently changed, and what a new trader needs before placing their first order. Before anything else, you need to open NSE trading account with a SEBI-registered broker, since every segment below runs through that one account and its linked demat holding.
NSE Equity Trading: Delivery and Intraday
NSE’s equity segment comprises two trading styles, each with distinct settlement, tax, and risk profiles.
NSE Delivery Trading
Delivery trading involves buying and holding shares in a demat account beyond the trading session, settling on a T+1 cycle. It features a 0.1% Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on both buy and sell sides. Geared toward long-term investors rather than day traders, it qualifies for a concessional 12.5% long-term capital gains tax under Section 112A, provided STT was paid upon purchase.
Intraday Trading for Beginners
Intraday trading requires closing buy and sell orders within the same session, preventing shares from entering your demat account. Offered via margin product codes such as MIS, it provides higher leverage with lower upfront capital, though leverage magnifies gains and losses. STT is lower at 0.025% and applies only to sales. Unsettled positions are auto-squared off by the broker at market close. Beginners should trade small positions and always utilize stop-losses.
NSE Equity Derivatives Trading
NSE Equity Derivatives Trading covers futures and options on stocks and indices, which are used to hedge or speculate on price direction without owning the underlying shares. SEBI raised the minimum contract value for new index derivatives to Rs 15-20 lakh effective November 2024, up from Rs 5-10 lakh. Since February 2025, calendar spreads no longer receive margin relief on expiry day. Budget 2026 increased the STT on futures to 0.05% and on options to 0.15% of the premium, effective April 1, 2026.
| Segment | STT Rate | Charged On |
| Equity delivery | 0.1% | Buyer and seller |
| Equity intraday | 0.025% | Seller only |
| Futures (post April 2026) | 0.05% | Seller only |
| Options premium (post April 2026) | 0.15% | Seller only |
NSE Index Futures Trading
Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty futures are highly liquid derivative contracts used for hedging and taking directional market views without purchasing individual underlying stocks. Due to the minimum contract value rule, Nifty 50 lot sizes were 75 units as of November 2025, and Bank Nifty lot sizes shifted to 35 units in April 2025. Additionally, exchanges are restricted to a single weekly index expiry.
Commodity Trading on NSE
NSE’s commodity derivatives segment, active since October 2018, trades futures and options across three baskets: bullion, energy, and base metals.
- Bullion: Gold 1kg futures, gold mini futures, gold petal (1 gram) futures, silver 30kg futures
- Energy: WTI crude oil, dated Brent crude oil (Platts), natural gas
- Base metals: Copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, nickel
Throughout 2026, NSE expanded aggressively here, planning roughly 12 new contracts to challenge MCX’s dominance in India’s commodity market. NSE’s crude contracts expire one week before MCX’s. It also launched downsized bullion lots for retail and trade clients alongside affordable physical gold delivery.
Currency Derivatives Trading
NSE’s currency segment trades futures and options on USDINR, EURINR, GBPINR, JPYINR, and select cross-currency pairs. Trading hours run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, longer than the equity segment’s 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM window. Contracts are cash-settled, so no physical currency changes hands. Importers, exporters, and businesses with foreign currency exposure use this segment to hedge against rupee movements, while active traders use it to speculate on exchange rate movements. Margin requirements here are typically lower than in commodity or index derivatives trading.
Steps to Open an NSE Trading Account
Getting started takes a few clear steps. Pick a SEBI-registered broker acting as a Depository Participant with NSDL or CDSL. Keep your PAN and Aadhaar ready, since PAN is mandatory and Aadhaar enables instant e-KYC when linked to your mobile number. You’ll also need a cancelled cheque or bank statement, proof of address if it differs from your Aadhaar address, and a passport-size photograph. Most brokers complete in-person verification through a webcam, followed by an Aadhaar OTP-based digital signature. Some brokers ask for proof of income before activating the F&O, currency, or commodity segments. Once verified, accounts are usually active within 1 to 3 working days, providing access to all segments above from a single login.
Trade Every NSE Segment From One Flow FX Account
Multi-asset trading only works well when the account behind it keeps pace with every segment on NSE. Flow FX gives Indian traders a single platform to manage equity delivery, intraday positions, NSE index futures trading, equity derivatives, commodity contracts, and currency pairs, all without switching between apps or brokers. Order execution, margin visibility, and contract notes stay in one place, which matters when positions span multiple segments in the same week. Traders who open an NSE trading account with Flow FX gain access to the equity, derivatives, commodity, and currency segments covered in this guide, all under standard SEBI KYC requirements. Support stays focused on the Indian market Flow FX was built for, from account setup through daily order execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum capital needed to start NSE equity trading?
There is no fixed minimum; you can buy a single share, though brokers may require margin funds for trading segments.
How is intraday trading different from delivery trading on NSE?
Intraday positions must close before market hours end; delivery trades settle in your demat account and can be held indefinitely.
What is the minimum contract value for NSE index futures now?
SEBI raised the minimum contract value for new index derivatives to between 15 and 20 lakh rupees, effective from November 2024.
Which documents are required to open an NSE trading account?
You need PAN, Aadhaar linked to your mobile number, a cancelled cheque, address proof, and a recent photograph for verification.
Can a single trading account be used for both commodities and currency derivatives?
Yes, if your broker offers all segments, you simply activate commodity and currency trading within the same demat-linked trading account.
