The National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) has obtained shareholders’ approval to raise over ₹770 crore as it prepares to introduce its equity and equity derivatives segment.
At the company’s 22nd annual general meeting, shareholders endorsed the preferential issuance of 3.90 crore equity shares with a face value of ₹10 each at a premium of ₹187.34, totaling ₹770 crore.
The capital raising has garnered interest from more than 60 investors, including institutional investors, private equity firms, financial partners, and high-net-worth individuals. Notable global participants include Citadel Securities Principal Investments, Acacia Banyan Partners, Globe Capital Market, Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance, Tower Research Ventures, and Billionbrains Garage Ventures, each acquiring over a 2% stake.
Also involved are online brokerage firms Zerodha and Groww, which collectively hold nearly a 1% stake, alongside prominent investors Radhakishan Damani, Ramesh Damani, and Madhusudan Kela.
This development follows the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granting in-principle approval in July for NCDEX to expand beyond its established focus on agricultural commodities into equities and derivatives.
Proceeds from this equity issue will be utilized to bolster NCDEX’s technology infrastructure, enhance risk management systems, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote market development. The exchange plans to launch its equity cash market segment in the coming year, followed by equity derivatives, with the objective of ensuring smooth adoption and robust liquidity.
“This fundraiser is a defining step in NCDEX’s transformation into a multi-segment exchange. Members will have the opportunity to trade both commodity and equity segments on a single platform,” stated Arun Raste, managing director and CEO of NCDEX.
“With strong institutional backing, advanced infrastructure, and regulatory alignment, we are poised to create a credible, transparent, and competitive platform in equities and equity derivatives. This expansion will enable us to serve a broader participant base and play a key role in deepening India’s financial markets,” he added.
The fundraising also modifies NCDEX’s ownership profile, broadening its institutional support and diversifying its shareholder base. The move into equities aligns with its vision of “Equity for Bharat,” which aims to attract urban investors while channeling savings from rural India into regulated markets.
Published on September 26, 2025.
