Number of unique registered investors stands at 12.7 crore (127 million)

Mumbai : The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) reached another major milestone in February 2026, with total unique trading accounts, or client codes (UCCs), surpassing 25 crore (250 million). Notably, the most recent one crore accounts were added in just two months, underscoring the accelerating pace of market participation. The last five crore accounts, representing 20% of the total, have been added in the past 16 months alone.

As of January 31st, 2026, the number of unique registered investors stood at 12.7 crore, having crossed the 12-crore mark on September 22nd, 2025. Since investors may maintain accounts with multiple brokers, the total number of trading accounts exceeds the count of unique registered investors.

Maharashtra continues to lead in terms of investor participation, with 4.2 crore accounts, accounting for nearly 17% of the total. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 2.8 crore accounts (11.3% share), Gujarat with around 2.2 crore (8.7%), and West Bengal and Rajasthan with 1.4 crore accounts each (5.8% share each) The top five states together account for nearly 49% of all investor accounts, while the top 10 states contribute over 73%.

The sharp expansion of the investor base has been enabled by rapid digitization, the fintech revolution, the emergence of low-cost trading platforms, growing middle class and rising investor confidence amid sustained wealth accretion under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.

Over the five-year period ending February 11th, 2026, the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 delivered annualised returns of 11.3% and 13.7% respectively, reinforcing household participation in equities as an asset class. Indirect participation has strengthened alongside direct investment. Between April 2025 and January 2026, nearly 6 crore new SIP accounts were opened. Average monthly SIP inflows during this period stood at Rs 28,766 crore, up from Rs 23,743 crore in the corresponding period last year, reflecting the growing preference for disciplined, long-term investing. As of December 31st, 2025, individual investors—both direct participants and those investing through mutual funds—hold 18.6% of market cap of NSE-listed companies, up from 14.6% five years ago. This steady rise in ownership, combined with robust market performance, has resulted in significant wealth accretion for Indian households.

The regulator, market infrastructure institutions (MIIs), and the Government have demonstrated a shared commitment to enhancing investor awareness and advancing financial inclusion. NSE has also strengthened its efforts in this area over the past few years. The number of Investor Awareness Programs (IAPs) conducted by NSE more than doubled to 22,931 in 2025, targeting nearly 12 lakh participants. NSE’s Investor Protection Fund (IPF) has grown by 18.5% YoY to Rs 2,791 crore as of December 31st, 2025.

Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE said: “Crossing 25 crore trading accounts marks an important milestone in the evolution of India’s capital markets. The speed at which the most recent accounts have been added reflects growing confidence among households and a broader acceptance of equities as a long-term savings avenue. Participation is expanding not only in scale, but also in geographic reach and demographic diversity. Today, investors can participate across a wide range of asset classes—including equities, debt instruments, ETFs, REITs, InvITs, government securities and corporate bonds—highlighting a technology-enabled and inclusive market ecosystem. As markets deepen, our responsibility grows in equal measure. Strengthening investor awareness, promoting disciplined investing through systematic routes, and reinforcing market safeguards remain central to ensuring that this momentum translates into sustainable wealth creation. The focus will continue to be on building resilient, transparent, and inclusive markets that can support India’s long-term growth aspirations.”