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Equity Derivatives in India - An Overview

Derivatives Markets

Derivatives markets broadly can be classified into two categories, those that are traded on the exchange and the those traded one to one or ‘over the counter’. They are hence known as

  • Exchange Traded Derivatives
  • OTC Derivatives (Over The Counter)

OTC Equity Derivatives

  • Traditionally equity derivatives have a long history in India in the OTC market.
  • Options of various kinds (called Teji and Mandi and Fatak) in un-organized markets were traded as early as 1900 in Mumbai
  • The SCRA however banned all kind of options in 1956.

Derivative Markets today

  • The prohibition on options in SCRA was removed in 1995. Foreign currency options in currency pairs other than Rupee were the first options permitted by RBI.
  • The Reserve Bank of India has permitted options, interest rate swaps, currency swaps and other risk reductions OTC derivative products.
  • Besides the Forward market in currencies has been a vibrant market in India for several decades.
  • In addition the Forward Markets Commission has allowed the setting up of commodities futures exchanges. Today we have 18 commodities exchanges most of which trade futures.
    e.g. The Indian Pepper and Spice Traders Association (IPSTA) and the Coffee Owners Futures Exchange of India (COFEI).
  • In 2000 an amendment to the SCRA expanded the definition of securities to included Derivatives thereby enabling stock exchanges to trade derivative products.
  • The year 2000 will herald the introduction of exchange traded equity derivatives in India for the first time.

Equity Derivatives Exchanges in India

  • In the equity markets both the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE) and The Stock Exchange, Mumbai (BSE) have applied to SEBI for setting up their derivatives segments.
  • The exchanges are expected to start trading in Stock Index futures by mid-May 2000.

BSE's and NSE’s plans

  • Both the exchanges have set-up an in-house segment instead of setting up a separate exchange for derivatives.
  • BSE’s Derivatives Segment, will start with Sensex futures as it’s first product.
  • NSE’s Futures & Options Segment will be launched with Nifty futures as the first product.

Product Specifications BSE-30 Sensex Futures

  • Contract Size - Rs. 50 times the Index
  • Tick Size - 0.1 points or Rs. 5
  • Expiry day - last Thursday of the month
  • Settlement basis - cash settled
  • Contract cycle - 3 months
  • Active contracts - 3 nearest months

Product Specifications S&P CNX Nifty Futures

  • Contract Size - Rs. 200 times the Index
  • Tick Size - 0.05 points or Rs. 10
  • Expiry day - last Thursday of the month
  • Settlement basis - cash settled
  • Contract cycle - 3 months
  • Active contracts - 3 nearest months


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