Surge in Retail Investors: 35 Lakh New Entrants in November, Reports NSE
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 26: Despite prevailing market volatility, an impressive 35 lakh new investors joined the Indian stock market in November, as revealed in a report by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). This surge has elevated the total number of investors to 10.85 crore by the end of November, up from 10.5 crore in October.
The report highlights a significant rise in retail participation, with the total number of unique investors surpassing notable milestones in 2024. The nine-crore mark was crossed in February, followed by the 10-crore mark in August, eventually reaching 10.85 crore in November. Notably, the number of investor accounts used for trading (UCCs) stands at nearly 21 crore.
Last month, NSE announced that the total registered investors had exceeded the 10-crore mark in August, reaching 10.5 crore by October. According to the exchange, “Total registered investors stood at 10.5 crore in October 2024 after surpassing the 10-crore milestone in August.”
Maharashtra Leads, Followed by Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat
Maharashtra remains at the forefront with the highest number of registered investors, totaling approximately 1.8 crore. However, its share of the total investor base has decreased from around 20 per cent in FY15 to 16.5 per cent in November 2024. Uttar Pradesh retains its position as the second-largest contributor, witnessing a sharp rise in its investor base. The state surpassed the one-crore mark in April and reached 1.2 crore investors by November, accounting for 11.3 per cent of the total, a substantial increase from 6.9 per cent in FY15.
Gujarat follows closely with 94.9 lakh investors. West Bengal and Rajasthan round out the top five with 62.5 lakh and 61.4 lakh investors, respectively. Collectively, these five states contribute 48.3 per cent to the total registered investor base.
Growing Participation Beyond Top States
An interesting trend identified in the report is the growing contribution from states beyond the top 10. These states now constitute 27 per cent of the total investor base, a notable increase from 23 per cent in FY20. States like Bihar and Assam have shown remarkable growth, reflecting an increasing interest in stock market participation from smaller regions.
Rising Awareness Across India
The consistent increase in investor participation, even amid market volatility, reflects a growing awareness and interest in the stock market across India, extending beyond the traditionally dominant states. This trend underscores a broader democratization of stock market investments, as smaller and less prominent regions actively engage in wealth creation opportunities.
