SEBI may tighten access to derivatives trading with new suitability norms: Sources
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is considering direct or indirect equity exposure as a potential benchmark for determining who can access futures and options (F&O), the sources said.
India’s markets regulator is examining whether to introduce investor-suitability criteria for derivatives trading, including rules tied to a trader’s equity market exposure, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is considering direct or indirect equity exposure as a potential benchmark for determining who can access futures and options (F&O), the sources said.
Exposure to the cash equity market, equity mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS) may also be evaluated while framing the criteria, they added.
SEBI is expected to consult stock exchanges on the possible framework before finalising any guidelines on F&O access.
The regulator may issue a consultation paper outlining proposed suitability norms for derivatives trading, one of the people said.
CNBC-TV18 has sought comments from SEBI, and a response is awaited.
The move comes amid SEBI’s growing concerns over speculative retail participation in F&O markets, where turnover has surged sharply in recent years.
Latest data showed that over ₹1 lakh crore was lost by individual traders in 2024-25 (FY25). As much as 91% of retail participants lost money in the futures and options (F&O) segment, prompting fresh scrutiny of market dynamics, trading access, and potential regulatory tightening.
