Gift Nifty
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About GIFT Nifty
GIFT Nifty gives investors a way to track Nifty 50-linked futures outside regular Indian market hours. The contract is denominated in US dollars and trades on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City in Gujarat, under the oversight of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
The contract was earlier called SGX Nifty when it was traded on the Singapore Exchange. Trading was later shifted to GIFT City as part of the move to bring offshore Nifty derivatives activity under India’s regulatory framework.
GIFT Nifty is also followed closely before the Indian stock market opens. Since it trades longer hours than the domestic equity market, movements in the contract can reflect changes in global markets and investor sentiment. This makes it a useful reference for investors assessing the possible direction of the Nifty 50 at the start of the trading session.
History of GIFT Nifty - From SGX Nifty to GIFT City
GIFT Nifty's story spans more than two decades, tracing its evolution from a Singapore-listed contract to a fully India-regulated derivative product.
- 2000: The Singapore Exchange launched Nifty 50 futures, giving foreign investors their first offshore route into Indian equities.
- 2018: NSE withdrew SGX's real-time data licence over concerns that price discovery for India's benchmark index was happening offshore, sparking a regulatory standoff.
- 2022: The focus shifted towards GIFT City as India worked on the framework needed to support international trading in Nifty-linked derivatives through NSE IX.
- 2023: The shift took effect in July, when SGX Nifty contracts moved to NSE IX. Following the transition, the contracts began trading under the name GIFT Nifty.
How Does GIFT Nifty Work?
GIFT Nifty works as a derivatives contract whose price reflects expectations around the Nifty 50's future value, rather than the index itself.
Participants trade contracts based on whether they expect the benchmark to rise or fall before the contract expires, with prices reacting continuously to global news, overseas market cues, and currency movements.
GIFT Nifty is mainly used by foreign investors, NRIs, and other eligible investors who access the contracts through NSE IX in GIFT City.
For resident Indian retail investors, direct participation in GIFT Nifty derivatives is not permitted. RBI rules under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) do not allow remitted funds to be used for leveraged or speculative offshore derivative transactions.
GIFT Nifty Contract Details
Like any standardised futures product, GIFT Nifty has fixed contract specifications that determine how it is priced, settled, and carried until expiry.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Benchmark index traded |
Nifty 50 |
|
Contract type |
Futures/Options |
|
Currency |
US Dollar |
|
Contract Value |
$2 × Nifty Index value |
|
Tick size |
0.5 index points |
|
Tick value |
USD 1 |
|
Settlement type |
Cash settled |
|
Expiry |
Futures: Last Tuesday of the contract month (GIFT Nifty futures traded on NSE IX) |
GIFT Nifty Trading Hours
GIFT Nifty is available for trading in two sessions, covering most of the day. This extended timing allows investors in different markets to respond to global developments outside India’s regular trading hours.
- First session: 6:30 AM to 3:40 PM IST
- Second session: 4:35 PM to 2:45 AM IST the following day
Key Features of GIFT Nifty
What sets GIFT Nifty apart is that it is designed for global investors while remaining linked to India's benchmark index. Unlike domestic derivatives, it settles in US dollars rather than rupees.
It trades on the NSE International Exchange instead of the regular NSE platform and runs across two sessions rather than one. Multiple contract cycles stay open at any given time, giving traders more flexibility around expiry.
Together, these features make GIFT Nifty one of the more accessible ways for overseas investors and NRIs to track and take a view on Indian market sentiment from outside the country.
GIFT Nifty vs Nifty 50
Although both are linked to the same underlying benchmark, GIFT Nifty and Nifty 50 serve different purposes and operate within different market structures.
Nifty 50 reflects the live value of India's top 50 listed companies, while GIFT Nifty is a futures contract whose price reflects market expectations for the Nifty 50 before the Indian market opens.
|
Feature |
GIFT Nifty |
Nifty 50 |
|
Nature |
Futures/Options contract |
Equity index |
|
Exchange Location |
NSE International Exchange (GIFT City) |
National Stock Exchange |
|
Currency |
US Dollars |
Indian Rupees |
|
Trading hours |
Around 21 hours including both the sessions |
6 hours and 15 minutes every trading day |
|
Primary Users |
Foreign institutions, hedge funds, and NRIs |
Domestic retail and institutional investors |
|
Regulator |
IFSCA |
SEBI |
GIFT Nifty FAQs
What are the timings for GIFT Nifty?
Are GIFT Nifty and Nifty 50 the same?
What is the GIFT Nifty full form?
Why was SGX NIFTY shifted to GIFT Nifty?
How to trade in GIFT Nifty?
Who is eligible to trade in GIFT Nifty?
How can foreign investors access GIFT Nifty trading?
How is settlement done for GIFT Nifty?
What are the risks associated with trading GIFT Nifty?
How does GIFT Nifty impact Indian stock markets?
Is GIFT Nifty a good indicator for Nifty 50's opening?
What are the benefits of trading on the GIFT Nifty exchange?
What are the various GIFT Nifty contracts that are offered?
What currency is GIFT Nifty traded in?
Who controls or regulates GIFT Nifty?
What are today's GIFT Nifty high and low levels?
What are the tax implications of trading in GIFT Nifty?
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