--- title: "How does the 2026 STT hike change my costs | RupeeCase" description: "From 1 Apr 2026 the STT rose on all three F&O charges: 0.15% on an option sale, 0.15% on an option exercised, and 0.05% on a futures sale." source_url: "https://www.rupeecase.com/learn/questions/stt-hike-2026" --- From 1 Apr 2026 all three F&O STT rates went up, and the futures rate rose most in proportion The STT rate now in force for each F&O charge, with the rate it replaced after the comma. The seller pays on an option sale and on a futures sale; the buyer pays on exercise. Source: NSE circular NSE/FATAX/73524, 31 Mar 2026, rates from 1 Apr 2026. As of 1 Apr 2026. Take one lot of 65 units sold as an option at a premium of Rs 100 a unit, a premium value of Rs 6,500. Before 1 Apr 2026 the STT on that sale was 0.10%, or Rs 6.50. From 1 Apr 2026 it is 0.15%, or Rs 9.75. The figures are an illustration, not a market price. Three rates changed on 1 Apr 2026. The option and futures rates applied from 1 Oct 2024, and the exercise rate had stood at 0.125% for years. * Sale of an option, on premium, paid by the seller: 0.10% to 0.15%. * Exercise of an option, on intrinsic value, paid by the buyer: 0.125% to 0.15%. * Sale of a future, on turnover, paid by the seller: 0.02% to 0.05%. Exercise is charged on intrinsic value, the gap between settlement and strike, and the buyer pays it. On the same Rs 6,500 of intrinsic value, it cost Rs 8.13 before and costs Rs 9.75 after. A futures sale with a turnover of Rs 15 lakh paid Rs 300 at 0.02% and pays Rs 750 at 0.05%. In proportion, that is the largest rise of the three. STT is one line on the contract note. Brokerage, exchange charges, the SEBI fee and stamp duty come on top, and GST applies to brokerage and exchange charges, not to STT. Brokerage is not statutory, so the calculator labels it as an assumption. Your own change depends on the premium you sell, the options you exercise and your futures turnover, which this page cannot see. The rates come from NSE circular NSE/FATAX/73524, dated 31 Mar 2026. **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) How does the 2026 STT hike change my costs?From 1 Apr 2026 the STT rose on all three F&O charges: 0.15% on an option sale, 0.15% on an option exercised, and 0.05% on a futures sale. The change is a higher line on each contract note, and its size depends on how much premium and futures turnover a trader sells or exercises in a year. LGo deeper ## Where Learn teaches this. [Go deeperThe real cost of a trade: STT, exchange fees, SEBI fee, GST and stamp duty7 min, Beginner](/learn/path-12/module-12-6-cost-of-an-fo-trade)[Go deeperExpiry and settlement: cash, physical, exercise and STT8 min, Beginner](/learn/path-14/module-14-6-expiry-and-settlement) SSources ## Go to the source. 1. [NSE/FATAX/73524, STT rates from 1 Apr 2026 (circular dated 31 Mar 2026)](https://nsearchives.nseindia.com/content/circulars/FATAX73524.pdf) NSE 2. [NSE, equity derivatives securities transaction tax (current rates)](https://www.nseindia.com/static/products-services/equity-derivatives-securities-transaction-tax) NSE ?Questions people ask ## Related questions. [QuestionWhat is STT on options and on exercise?Beginner](/learn/questions/stt-on-options)[QuestionMust a backtest include STT and costs?Intermediate](/learn/questions/backtest-include-stt)[QuestionHow is F&O income taxed, which ITR applies, and what changed under the new Act?Beginner](/learn/questions/how-is-fo-income-taxed)[QuestionWhat is physical settlement in stock F&O?Intermediate](/learn/questions/physical-settlement-stock-fo) [All 130 questions](/learn/questions/) Explore next ## Go deeper on this question. * [QuestionHow is F&O turnover calculated, and when is a tax audit required?A short answer with a dated chart](/learn/questions/fo-turnover-and-tax-audit) * [ToolOption payoff builderLegs on a dated Nifty chain, breakevens and charges](/learn/tools/payoff-builder) * [GlossaryInvesting glossary, 230 termsPlain word definitions, and the app’s own](/learn/glossary) Community ## Join my WhatsApp group. Scan the code, fillFill one short form, and join my WhatsApp group. Slides, sources, factsheets and the rebalance logs live there, and members join a daily Google Meet with me. New to RupeeCase? [Getting started](/getting-started) [See the terminal](/terminal) [Sign up for RupeeCase](https://invest.rupeecase.com/signup) [Join the WhatsApp group](https://forms.gle/C6HMtM1Z2GfeocQV7) [One form, one group](https://forms.gle/C6HMtM1Z2GfeocQV7)Scan with your phone camera 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.