---
title: "What did SEBI's July 2025 expiry day interim order allege?"
description: "SEBI's interim order of 3 Jul 2025 alleged, on a prima facie basis, that a trading group built large cash equivalent positions in index options."
source_url: "https://www.rupeecase.com/learn/questions/sebi-expiry-day-interim-order"
---

The interim order came after a year of steps, each one an allegation at the time

1. 23 Jul 2024**NSE asked to examine the trading**The first step in the chronology of the order

2. 1 Oct 2024**Expiry day circular**SEBI tightens the rules for index options on expiry days

3. 13 Nov 2024**NSE report**NSE submits its examination report

4. 6 Feb 2025**Caution letter**NSE advises the group to refrain from large cash equivalent positions

5. 15 May 2025**Positions seen to continue**The order records large positions in index options after the caution

6. 3 Jul 2025**Interim order dated**Prima facie allegations and interim directions

7. 21 Jul 2025**Update issued**SEBI press release on the interim order

Dates from SEBI's interim order and its press release. These are allegations and steps in an investigation, not findings. Source: SEBI interim order of 3 Jul 2025 and press release PR 45/2025 of 21 Jul 2025. As of 16 Oct 2026.
SEBI's interim order is dated 3 Jul 2025. It concerns a group of proprietary trading entities and alleged index manipulation. Its central allegation is that the group pushed index prices in the cash and futures markets while holding large cash equivalent positions in index options, mainly on expiry days. It describes two patterns: an intra-day move, and an extended marking of the close.

The order is interim and prima facie, which means SEBI's observations on the material then on record. It asked for Rs 4,843.57 crore of alleged gains to be held in escrow, restrained the entities from the securities market, told them to cease and desist from the patterns it names, and allowed 21 days for replies. SEBI's press release of 21 Jul 2025 says most restrictions ceased once the escrow was funded. Nothing in the order is a final finding.

The order's own chronology: NSE was asked to examine the trading on 23 Jul 2024 and reported on 13 Nov 2024. SEBI's expiry day circular of 1 Oct 2024 came in the same period. NSE sent a caution letter on 6 Feb 2025, and large positions were seen to continue on 15 May 2025.

The lesson for a retail trader is narrower. On expiry day, large trades in the cash and futures markets can move the index that settles an option, and the settlement rule has changed: the closing auction price since 3 Aug 2026, and the VWAP of the last 30 minutes of continuous trading again from 7 Dec 2026 (SEBI circular of 15 Oct 2026). Read expiry day carefully rather than trade on a story about one firm. The [expiry days question](/learn/questions/expiry-days-nifty-sensex) lists the current calendar.

**Before you trade.** Derivatives trading carries a high risk of loss. SEBI's study "Profitability of Individual Traders in the Equity Derivatives Segment (FY25 to FY26)" (August 2026) found that 87.7% of individual traders in equity F&O made net losses in FY26, with aggregate net losses of Rs 91,685 crore. [Read the SEBI study](https://www.sebi.gov.in/reports-and-statistics/research/aug-2026/study-profitability-of-individual-traders-in-the-equity-derivatives-segment-fy25-fy26-_103835.html)

What did SEBI's July 2025 expiry day interim order allege?SEBI's interim order of 3 Jul 2025 alleged, on a prima facie basis, that a trading group built large cash equivalent positions in index options and moved index prices on expiry days in ways that favoured those positions, and it issued interim directions while the matter was investigated. It is an allegation with a right of reply, not a final finding, and the order itself is the primary text to read.

LGo deeper

## Where Learn teaches this.
[Go deeperExpiry day market integrity: a SEBI interim order, FutEq limits and surveillance12 min, Expert](/learn/path-19/module-19-15-expiry-day-market-integrity)[Go deeperExpiry day: gamma, theta, settlement and the rules10 min, Intermediate](/learn/path-17/module-17-12-expiry-day)

SSources

## Go to the source.

1. [SEBI interim order in the matter of index manipulation (3 Jul 2025)](https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebi_data/attachdocs/jul-2025/1751584518593.pdf) SEBI
2. [SEBI press release PR 45/2025, update on the interim order (21 Jul 2025)](https://www.sebi.gov.in/media-and-notifications/press-releases/jul-2025/update-on-the-jane-street-interim-order_95491.html) SEBI
3. [SEBI circular, measures to strengthen equity index derivatives (1 Oct 2024)](https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/oct-2024/measures-to-strengthen-equity-index-derivatives-framework-for-increased-investor-protection-and-market-stability_87208.html) SEBI
4. [SEBI circular, closing auction session, market timings and settlement for derivatives (15 Oct 2026)](https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/oct-2026/review-of-certain-aspects-of-the-closing-auction-session-market-timings-and-settlement-methodology-for-derivatives-contracts_105293.html) SEBI

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Education only, not investment advice, a research report or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. RupeeCase (QC Alpha Technologies Pvt Ltd) is not registered with SEBI as an investment adviser or research analyst. Contracts and prices shown are for illustration only, come from NSE end of day files at least 30 days old, and are not recommendatory. Derivatives trading carries a high risk of loss.
