NSE investor base rises 4 times amid IPO hopes

Exchange's public shareholder numbers surged to 157,000 in Jun

- KHUSHBOO TIWARI

Anticipation of a long-awaited initial public offering (IPO) is driving a remarkable influx of retail investors into the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

The exchange's public shareholder base ballooned to 157,000 as of June, a dramatic four-fold increase since the end of March 2025.

Retail investors, defined as individuals holding nominal share capital of up to ₹2 lakh, are leading this charge. Their number skyrocketed from approximately 34,000 in March to 146,000 by June, boosting their collective stake in the country's largest exchange from 9.89 per cent to 11.81 per cent.

This surge also follows a significant operational change: the activation of NSE's International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) on March 24.

This unique global code has streamlined the share-transfer process, slashing transaction times from months to just days.