In a significant regulatory update, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced new intraday position limits for equity index options. The move is aimed at curbing excessive risk-taking and managing volatility, especially during expiry-day trading sessions that have seen sharp and unpredictable swings.
Effective from October 1, 2025, the framework introduces stricter controls on how much exposure entities can take during the trading day, without affecting genuine hedging or market-making activities.
Key Changes in Position Limits
SEBI’s circular outlines two new thresholds:
- Net Intraday Position Limit: ₹5,000 crore (futures-equivalent basis)
- Gross Intraday Position Limit: ₹10,000 crore (combined long and short positions)
These limits are significantly higher than the existing end-of-day net cap of ₹1,500 crore, allowing flexibility during the day while tightening surveillance.
Rationale Behind the Move
The decision follows repeated instances of:
- Large expiry-day positions causing abrupt price movements
- Unusual volatility in Nifty and Bank Nifty contracts
- Concerns over potential manipulation by high-frequency trading firms or large proprietary desks
SEBI aims to balance liquidity provision with systemic safety, especially during high-volume sessions that attract speculative trades.
Monitoring and Enforcement
To ensure compliance, stock exchanges will:
- Capture at least four random intraday snapshots of trader positions
- Include one snapshot between 2:45 PM and 3:30 PM, the most volatile period
- Review trading patterns of entities breaching limits
- Submit findings to SEBI for further surveillance and action
Penalty provisions for expiry-day violations will be enforced starting December 6, 2025, aligning with the end of SEBI’s glide path for position limits.
Impact on Market Participants
Positive Outcomes
- Reduces risk of sudden market disruptions
- Encourages disciplined trading behavior
- Protects retail investors from expiry-day volatility
Challenges Ahead
- Intraday traders may face tighter scrutiny
- Large desks must adapt to new exposure norms
- Liquidity providers must ensure collateral-backed positions
SEBI has clarified that genuine hedging and market-making activities will be permitted, provided they are backed by adequate cash or securities collateral.
Who Is Affected
- Applies only to index options (e.g., Nifty, Bank Nifty)
- Does not apply to single-stock derivatives
- All entities, including brokers, prop desks, and institutions, must comply
Exchanges and clearing corporations are expected to publish a joint Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within 15 days to guide implementation.
Conclusion
SEBI’s new intraday position limits mark a proactive step toward cleaner expiry-day trading and greater transparency in India’s derivatives market. While the framework introduces tighter checks, it preserves flexibility for genuine participants.
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Whether you’re a retail trader or managing client portfolios, staying informed and aligned with regulatory shifts will be essential for long-term success.
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