Dailymirror.news,Mumbai, January 24th, 2025: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing 11 crore (110 million) unique registered investors as of January 20, 2025. The total client accounts registered on the platform now exceed 21 crore (210 million), marking a significant expansion in the participation of Indian investors in the stock market.

This growth represents a monumental acceleration in investor registrations, which have multiplied 3.6 times over the past five years. From its inception in 1994, NSE took 14 years to reach its first crore investors.

The pace of growth then quickened, with each subsequent crore being added at an increasingly rapid rate. The most recent one crore investors were registered in just over five months, reflecting a growing interest in direct stock market participation.

Several factors have contributed to this remarkable growth:

  • Digital Advancements: Enhanced digital accessibility has made investing more straightforward and accessible.
  • Financial Inclusion Efforts: Government initiatives and increased awareness have brought more people into the financial ecosystem.
  • Market Performance: Strong returns from indices such as Nifty 50 (8.8% in 2024) and Nifty 500 (15.2% in 2024) have bolstered investor confidence. Over the past five years, these indices have delivered annualized returns of 14.2% and 17.8%, respectively.

The NSE’s investor base reflects a significant demographic shift:

  • The median age of investors has dropped to 32 years, with 40% under 30.
  • Women now comprise 25% of investors, signaling increased gender diversity.
  • Investor participation has expanded beyond urban centers, with 99.84% of India’s pin codes now represented.

The latest wave of registrations also shows regional diversification:

  • North India contributed 40% of the newest investors, followed by the West (28%), South (20%), and East (12%).
  • States like Maharashtra (1.8 crore investors), Uttar Pradesh (1.2 crore), and Gujarat (98 lakh) lead in total registrations, accounting for over a third of the total investor base.

The popularity of indirect market participation through SIPs has also seen rapid growth. Between July and December 2024, 3.7 crore new SIP accounts were opened, with monthly inflows averaging ₹24,748 crore, a significant rise from the first half of 2024.

Commenting on the milestone, Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer at NSE, said: “This milestone is a testament to the rising confidence of Indian investors in the stock market as a wealth creation avenue.

Enhanced digital accessibility, robust investor education, and government-led financial inclusion initiatives have been instrumental in achieving this growth. With a younger, tech-savvy population joining the market and increased awareness of equity benefits, the investment landscape in India is transforming significantly.”

The NSE’s growing investor base reflects a robust and inclusive financial ecosystem, empowering millions of Indians to actively participate in the country’s economic progress and contributing to the deepening of capital markets.