Sensex Open Interest Rises 4X After Expiry Day Change as Weekly Options Lead Trading

As per Moneycontrol report, The change in expiry day for BSE’s Sensex derivatives from Tuesday to Thursday has resulted in a significant rise in open interest, which surged from 17 lakh to 60 lakh contracts. At the same time, weekly contracts continue to dominate volumes, reflecting global derivatives market trends. 

Sensex Sees 4X Jump in Open Interest After Expiry Reshuffle 

Following the shift in expiry days from Tuesday to Thursday, open interest in BSE’s Sensex contracts rose sharply.  

Previously at 17 lakh contracts, it increased to nearly 60 lakh, marking a notable change in derivatives participation as said by BSE’s Chief Business Officer Sunil Ramrakhiani speaking at the Indian Institutional Quant Conference in Mumbai on Friday.  

This shift was part of structural changes introduced to streamline expiry schedules across indices. This revision in expiry timing coincided with increased liquidity and premium levels for the contracts, helping to improve depth and attract broader participation.  

Majority of Volume Concentrated in Weekly Contracts 

As per the report, Currently, over 90% of the total trading volume is centred on current-week contracts. This trend mirrors global indices including the S&P 500, where shorter-dated options dominate trades due to trader strategies aligned with quick exits and expiry-based moves. 

The adoption of weekly expiry formats has reshaped India’s derivatives space, encouraging traders to adapt strategies that are more time-bound and responsive to short-term movements. Traders are increasingly tuned in to Thursday expiries, allowing them to align positions accurately across multiple indices. 

Read More: SEBI Introduces Closing Auction Session to Enhance Equity Market Price Discovery! 

Behavioural Shift Among Traders Supporting Sensex Participation 

BSE CBO Sunil Ramrakhiani also stated that with the expiry moved to Thursday, traders who build strategies from Monday to Thursday have shown increased interest in the Sensex.  

Strategies built around expiry cycles benefit from predictability, and this change has encouraged greater use of multi-leg and calendar-based setups. Traders moving away from Bank Nifty weekly contracts are also switching to Sensex, largely due to its high base value. 

Conclusion 

The expiry day change for BSE’s Sensex contracts from Tuesday to Thursday has contributed to a major increase in open interest, now at 60 lakh contracts. Weekly options continue to dominate volume, indicating alignment with global derivatives trends. The shift has also encouraged broader participation and diversified contract-based trading strategies. 

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