Retail traders in India’s equity derivatives market continue to face heavy losses despite regulatory efforts to improve the segment’s stability, with a SEBI study revealing that net losses for individual traders surged by 41% in FY25, reaching Rs 1.06 lakh crore compared to Rs 74,812 crore in FY24.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) conducted a detailed analysis of profits and losses of individual traders in the equity derivatives segment (EDS) for FY24-25, covering the activities of the top 13 brokers with a combined client base of around 96 lakh traders within EDS, representing the bulk of participation in the derivatives market.
Persistent Losses Despite Regulatory Measures
SEBI’s study showed that 91% of retail traders in the derivatives segment continued to incur losses, a figure that has remained largely unchanged from the previous year despite the introduction of regulatory measures aimed at enhancing the framework and reducing volatility. The measures, introduced in November 2024 and rolled out from November 20, included tighter position limits, margin requirements, and enhanced disclosure norms intended to improve risk management and protect retail investors.
The report highlighted that despite the steps taken, the first three quarters of FY25 saw a rising trend in aggregate net losses and average net loss per trader, indicating that individual traders continue to engage heavily in the F&O segment without adequate risk management or understanding of complex products.
Shifts in Participation and Turnover Patterns
During FY25, SEBI observed a decline in the number of unique retail traders in EDS, falling from 61.4 lakh in Q1 to 42.7 lakh by Q4, marking a 20% drop compared to the previous year. However, the participation was still 24% higher than two years ago, reflecting the continued appeal of derivatives trading among retail investors in India despite consistent losses.
Turnover trends also reflected shifts in market behaviour following regulatory measures. Between December 2024 and May 2025, the index options turnover in premium terms fell by 9% year-on-year, while in notional terms, the turnover saw a sharper decline of 29% during the same period. However, compared to two years earlier, index options volumes were up by 14% in premium terms and 42% in notional terms, illustrating the growth of retail interest in derivatives over a longer horizon despite periodic regulatory interventions.
The study also noted that the turnover of individual investors in premium terms within the EDS declined by 11% year-on-year while remaining 36% higher compared to a similar period two years ago, indicating the high level of trading activity persisting in the segment.
India remains one of the most active markets globally for equity derivatives, particularly index options, with retail participation at levels significantly higher than other major markets, SEBI noted in its findings. The regulator underlined the need for continued investor education and stricter risk management measures to protect retail investors from large-scale losses as the market expands.
SEBI’s findings highlight the structural challenges of managing retail participation in India’s derivatives markets while maintaining market integrity and investor protection, a balancing act that remains crucial as India continues its journey toward deepening financial markets under the broader vision of financial inclusion and market development.
