Stock market basics for India: where to begin

Indian shares trade on NSE and BSE through a SEBI registered broker, settle in your demat account on the next working day, and every trade carries brokerage, STT and other charges. The free modules and guides below cover how the market works, how to read stock data, orders and costs, demat safety and getting started.

12 pages and terms
Free, no signup
4 questions answered

4Guides

Long form answers with worked Indian examples.

4Learn modules

Free lessons with a quiz and a certificate.

1Comparisons and more

Side by side pages, hubs and the rest of the site.

PageGetting Started, Own a Quantitative Index in Four StepsCreate an account, connect your broker, pick a quantitative index and invest at or above its minimum.

2Glossary terms

The words, in plain language.

Demat account: The account at a depository, opened through your broker, that holds your shares in electronic form in your own name.
T+1: Settlement cycle in Indian equity markets.

Search every RupeeCase page for stock market basics

Questions about stock market basics

How does the Indian stock market work?

Shares trade on NSE and BSE between investors through SEBI registered brokers; the clearing corporation settles each trade and the shares move into the demat account held at NSDL or CDSL.

What is T+1 settlement?

Trades in Indian shares settle one working day after the trade date, so the shares or the money reach your account the next working day.

What charges come with a trade?

Brokerage, STT, exchange transaction charges, SEBI fees, GST and stamp duty. Module 1.5 lists each one with an example.

How much money is needed to start?

There is no exchange minimum beyond the price of one share. The guide on how much money to start covers whole shares, charges and an emergency fund first.

TMore topics