Indian Stock Market
Nifty 50, Bank Nifty, BSE Sensex and individual NSE/BSE stocks, covering timings, index weightage and core trading principles in one place.
Index
Nifty
The Nifty 50 is NSE's flagship benchmark index, tracking the top 50 large-cap companies by free-float market capitalization across major sectors. It's the most widely quoted gauge of Indian equity market sentiment and the underlying for the country's most liquid index derivatives.
Key Points
Lot size for Nifty futures and options is exchange-set and revised periodically. Always confirm the current lot size before trading.
Index weightage is free-float market-cap based, so large-caps like HDFC Bank, Reliance, and ICICI Bank drive most of the daily movement.
Weekly options typically expire on a fixed weekday, while monthly contracts expire on the last trading day of the series. Confirm the active NSE expiry calendar before trading.
Track India VIX alongside Nifty for a read on expected near-term volatility.
Pre-Open: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM IST · Normal Session: 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST · Monday to Friday (NSE & BSE trading days).
Pre-Open
9:00 – 9:15 AM IST
Session
9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST
Expiry Calendar
Weekly options typically expire on a fixed weekday, while monthly contracts expire on the last trading day of the series. Confirm the active NSE expiry calendar before trading.
Volatility Gauge
Track India VIX alongside Nifty for a read on expected near-term volatility.
Index
Bank Nifty
Bank Nifty tracks the most liquid and large-capitalized banking stocks listed on the NSE, including major private and public sector lenders. It's a key sectoral barometer for the financial services space and sees some of the highest options trading volume on the exchange.
Key Points
Lot size is set and periodically revised by NSE. Check the current contract specification before placing a trade.
Heavily weighted toward a handful of large private banks, so a single constituent can swing the index sharply.
Known for higher intraday volatility than Nifty 50, making strict stop-loss discipline essential.
Confirm the current weekly options expiry day directly with NSE, as exchange expiry schedules are periodically revised.
Pre-Open: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM IST · Normal Session: 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST · Monday to Friday (NSE & BSE trading days).
Pre-Open
9:00 – 9:15 AM IST
Session
9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST
Volatility Risk
Known for higher intraday volatility than Nifty 50, making strict stop-loss discipline essential.
Expiry Calendar
Confirm the current weekly options expiry day directly with NSE, as exchange expiry schedules are periodically revised.
Index
Sensex
The BSE Sensex is India's oldest and second most-tracked benchmark, comprising 30 well-established, financially sound companies across key sectors listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. It moves in close correlation with the Nifty 50 and is a primary reference point for long-term market trend analysis.
Key Points
Lot size for Sensex derivatives is set by BSE and revised periodically. Confirm the current lot size before trading.
Sensex is a free-float market-cap index of 30 blue-chip companies. Fewer constituents than Nifty means each stock carries relatively more influence.
Moves in high correlation with Nifty 50; divergence between the two can flag sector-specific rotation.
Useful as a long-horizon trend reference given its multi-decade historical track record.
Pre-Open: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM IST · Normal Session: 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST · Monday to Friday (NSE & BSE trading days).
Pre-Open
9:00 – 9:15 AM IST
Session
9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST
Index Correlation
Moves in high correlation with Nifty 50; divergence between the two can flag sector-specific rotation.
Long-Term Reference
Useful as a long-horizon trend reference given its multi-decade historical track record.
Equity
Stocks
Beyond the benchmark indices, individual NSE/BSE-listed equities, ranging from large-cap leaders to actively traded mid-caps, offer stock-specific opportunities driven by earnings, sector rotation, and company-level news flow. Liquidity and volume should always be checked before entering a position.
Key Points
Always cross-check circuit limits (upper/lower price bands) before placing intraday orders on individual stocks.
Lot sizes for stock F&O contracts vary per scrip and are revised periodically by NSE. Never assume a fixed size across stocks.
Prioritize stocks with strong average daily volume and tight bid-ask spreads to avoid slippage.
Corporate actions, including results, dividends, and splits, are the primary driver of stock-specific gaps. Check the earnings calendar before holding overnight.
Pre-Open: 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM IST · Normal Session: 9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST · Monday to Friday (NSE & BSE trading days).
Pre-Open
9:00 – 9:15 AM IST
Session
9:15 AM – 3:30 PM IST
Price Band Check
Always cross-check circuit limits (upper/lower price bands) before placing intraday orders on individual stocks.
Earnings Catalyst
Corporate actions, including results, dividends, and splits, are the primary driver of stock-specific gaps. Check the earnings calendar before holding overnight.