SEBI has introduced stricter rules for Futures and Options (F&O) trading, aiming to protect small investors from big losses. The new rules, which affect contract size, upfront premiums, and expiry dates, will be implemented in phases starting from November 20.
Key Changes to F&O Rules:
Contract Size Increased
According to SEBI’s new circular, the minimum contract size in F&O trading will now be between ₹15 to ₹20 lakh, up from the current ₹5 to ₹10 lakh. This change will take effect on November 20. Traders will need more capital to take positions, meaning they can trade fewer lots. From April 1, 2025, there will also be a limit on intraday positions.Starting February 1, 2025, options buyers will have to pay the full premium upfront. Currently, only the options seller (the one who writes the option) is required to pay upfront. This move will prevent smaller traders from placing large bets in the options market. Additionally, the benefit of calendar spreads will end from this date.
Starting February 1, 2025, options buyers will have to pay the full premium upfront. Currently, only the options seller (the one who writes the option) is required to pay upfront. This move will prevent smaller traders from placing large bets in the options market. Additionally, the benefit of calendar spreads will end from this date.
SEBI will now allow only one weekly expiry per exchange, starting from November 20. This means NSE will have to choose between either Nifty or Bank Nifty for weekly expiries. However, SEBI has not made any decisions regarding changes to strike prices, although experts had suggested limiting them.
The new rule states that the minimum contract size will be ₹15 lakhs, with a maximum limit of ₹20 lakhs. This new contract size will apply to all new contracts starting on November 20, 2024.
These changes come after a recent analysis by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which found that retail investors are struggling in the equity futures and options (F&O) market.
From FY22 to FY24, 93% of over 10 million individual traders lost money, with an average loss of ₹2 lakh per trader, including transaction costs.
Raising the minimum contract size for derivatives trading is in line with the market regulator’s consultation paper from July about the F&O ban.
These new regulations will have a significant impact on traders, exchanges, and brokers, but they are designed to protect small investors from heavy losses in the volatile F&O market. The phased rollout will give traders time to adjust to the new rules.
