Investor Accounts at NSE Soar Past 25 Crore Mark, Adding 1 Crore in Just Two Months


By Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ)

Summary:


NSE trading accounts crossed 25 crore in February 2026, with 12.7 crore unique investors as of January 31. Maharashtra leads regional participation. Individual investors now hold 18.6% of NSE-listed market capitalisation, reflecting sustained growth in retail participation and SIP inflows.

NSE Investor Accounts Cross 25 Crore; 1 Crore Added in Two Months

The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) marked a significant achievement in February 2026, surpassing a monumental milestone with total unique trading accounts or client codes (UCCs) crossing 25 crore (250 million). Interestingly, the most recent one crore accounts were added in just two months. The last five crore accounts, representing 20% of the total, have been added in the past 16 months alone.

Unique Registered Investors Surged to 12.7 crore, with the top 5 States Together Accounting for Nearly 49%, Led by Maharashtra

As of January 31, 2026, the number of unique registered investors stood at 12.7 crore (127 million). This surpasses the 12-crore mark, reached in September 2025. Investors continue to open multiple accounts with different brokers, resulting in the total number of trading accounts exceeding the count of unique registered investors.

In terms of regional participation, Maharashtra leads the charge with 4.2 crore accounts, contributing nearly 17% of the total. Uttar Pradesh follows closely with 2.8 crore accounts, accounting for 11.3% of the total, and Gujarat with around 2.2 crore (8.7%) of the total. Other states, West Bengal and Rajasthan, have also shown robust participation, with each contributing over 5.8% of the total investor accounts. Overall, the top five states together account for nearly 49% of all investor accounts, while the top 10 states contribute over 73%.

Key Factors Driving the Growth

The sharp rise in investor participation can be attributed to several factors. The most significant of these is the rapid digitisation and the fintech revolution, making investing more accessible than ever before. The availability of low-cost trading platforms has also played a vital role, enabling more investors to participate. Alongside this, India's expanding middle class and rising investor confidence, driven by continued economic growth, have acted as key drivers of this upward trend.

Double-Digit Annualised Returns by Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 Indices

Looking at the market performance over the five-year period, the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 indices have delivered decent returns. As of February 11, 2026, the Nifty 50 and Nifty 500 have provided annualised returns of 11.3% and 13.7%, respectively. These figures reinforce the appeal of equities as an asset class for long-term wealth creation, with household participation strengthening year after year.

Moreover, the trend of indirect participation has also grown alongside direct investment. Between April 2025 and January 2026, nearly 6 crore new Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) accounts were opened, and average monthly SIP inflows increased from ₹23,743 crore to ₹28,766 crore. This signals a growing preference for disciplined, long-term investment strategies, further contributing to the overall surge in investor participation.

Individual Investors Now Hold 18.6% of NSE-Listed Companies' Market Capitalisation, up from 14.6%

A significant trend accompanying this increase in investor accounts is the rising ownership stake that individual investors hold in NSE-listed companies. As of December 31, 2025, individual investors, both direct participants and those investing through mutual funds, hold 18.6% of the market capitalisation of NSE-listed companies, up from 14.6% five years ago. This growing ownership, combined with positive market performance, has led to substantial wealth accretion for Indian households.

The Role of NSE in Enhancing Investor Awareness

NSE has played a crucial role in this transformation by focusing on investor education and protection. The number of Investor Awareness Programmes (IAPs) conducted by NSE more than doubled in 2025, reaching 22,931 programmes and targeting nearly 12 lakh participants. NSE's Investor Protection Fund (IPF) has also grown by 18.5% year on year, reaching ₹2,791 crore by December 31, 2025.

About the Author

SEBI Registered Research Analyst (INH000006396).


Founded in 1986, Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ) brings decades of experience in India’s equity markets. DSIJ's research combines fundamental analysis with price action, guided by disciplined risk management and capital preservation. They follow a structured, data-driven approach designed to help investors and traders make informed decisions beyond short-term market noise. 

Published Date : 18 Feb 2026

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Content Partner - Dalal Street Investment Journal Wealth Advisory Private Limited



This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Market investments are subject to risks. DSIJ Wealth Advisory Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst (Reg. No: INH000006396) and Investment Adviser (Reg. No: INA000001142). Please consult your financial adviser before investing. 

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