NSE Crosses 24 Crore Investor Accounts Milestone Amid Surge from Small-Town India

India’s National Stock Exchange (NSE) reached a major milestone in November 2025, with total trading accounts crossing 24 crore. This surge underscores a growing appetite for equities, especially driven by increased participation from smaller towns and enhanced digital access.

Historic Milestone: 24 Crore Accounts Reflect Growing Investor Base

The NSE announced in November 2025 that the number of trading accounts on its platform had exceeded 24 crore. This significant jump came just over a year after breaching the 20 crore mark. As of October 2025, unique registered investors amounted to 12.2 crore, highlighting that many investors maintain accounts across multiple brokers.

Maharashtra led with over 4 crore accounts (17% of total), followed by Uttar Pradesh (2.7 crore, 11%), Gujarat (2.1 crore, 9%), West Bengal and Rajasthan (both at 1.4 crore, 6% each). The top 5 states together contribute nearly 50% of total investor accounts, and the top 10 states account for more than 73%.

Retail Ownership at 22-Year High

Retail investor ownership in NSE-listed companies touched 18.75% as of September 30, 2025, the highest in 22 years. The favourable momentum began during the pandemic and has been sustained by improved access, rising financial literacy, and greater confidence in the stock market.

In the last 5 years, the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 delivered annualised returns of 15% and 18%, respectively, encouraging more individuals to actively participate in equity markets.

Read More: Retail Investors Share Hits 22-Year Peak at 18.75% of NSE Market Capitalisation in Q2 FY26!

Strengthened Support Through Education and Regulation

To ensure informed participation, the NSE has significantly expanded its Investor Awareness Programmes. In just the first half of FY26, 11,875 sessions were conducted, reaching 6.2 lakh participants, a figure set to surpass the total of 14,679 sessions in FY25.

Additionally, the Investor Protection Fund climbed to ₹2,719 crore as of October 31, 2025, reflecting a 19% year-on-year expansion. This financial buffer offers greater security to retail investors and supports dispute resolution mechanisms.

Conclusion

India’s equity landscape is undergoing a dynamic transformation with record trading account growth, especially from smaller towns. With increased access, sustained returns and regulatory support, retail participation is at an all-time high, reshaping the long-term structure of capital markets.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities or companies mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

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