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The National Stock Exchange (NSE) announced on Thursday that the number of unique trading accounts has crossed 24 crore this month — less than a year after the 20-crore milestone was reached in October 2024, IANS reported.

On 31st October, 2025, the number of distinct registered investors at NSE was 12.2 crore, which means it has already crossed the mark of 12 crore on 22nd September, being this year.

The persistent rise is indicative of the growing involvement of Indian investors in the share market, which is supported by the easy access to digital platforms and the increasing financial knowledge among the population.

Individual investors — both direct participants and mutual fund investors — now own 18.75 per cent of NSE-listed companies as of September 30, 2025.

This marks a 22-year high, highlighting the expanding role of retail investors in India’s stock market.

Among all states, Maharashtra topped the list with 17 per cent of total investor accounts, amounting to over 4 crore accounts.

It was followed by:

Together, the top five states account for 49 per cent of all investor accounts, while the top 10 states contribute more than 73 per cent, as per NSE data.

NSE attributed the surge in participation to a mix of investor protection measures, digitalisation, and supportive government policies.

Measures such as standardising mobile-based trading solutions, streamlining the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, and bolstering investor awareness campaigns have increased investor participation, according to Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE, IANS reported.

In just the first half of FY26, NSE conducted 11,875 Investor Awareness Programs (IAPs), reaching nearly 6.2 lakh participants.

This compares to 14,679 programs conducted throughout FY25, showing the exchange’s stronger focus on investor education this year.

The NSE’s Investor Protection Fund (IPF), which safeguards investors from defaults or disputes, grew 19 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2,719 crore as of October 31, 2025.

Backed by rising investor participation, the broader markets have also delivered solid performance.

The Nifty 50 has given a yearly return of 15 percent during the last five years, while the Nifty 500 has given 18 percent return, highlighting the long-term confidence in the growth story of India’s equity market.