High-speed trading firms in India are significantly increasing salaries for entry-level positions, despite a regulatory crackdown affecting the country’s largest equity derivatives market. IMC Trading BV, based in Amsterdam, has reportedly offered interns in India up to ₹12.5 lakh per month (approximately $14,182), marking a threefold increase compared to 2024. Similarly, Quadeye, a leading local recruiter, has raised starting salaries to as much as ₹7,50,000, a 50% rise from the previous year. For context, the average annual base salary for finance professionals in India is around ₹7,00,000, according to Glassdoor.
This surge in recruitment and salary packages persists even as new regulations intended to protect retail investors have caused a more than 40% reduction in derivatives trading since last year’s peak. Nevertheless, the Indian equity derivatives market, known for its substantial profit potential, remains attractive. Foreign funds and proprietary trading desks utilizing algorithms generated $7 billion in gross profits for the fiscal year ending March 2024.
“The demand for profitable traders is as strong as ever,” stated Daniel Vaz, co-head of quant and trading technology recruiting at Aquis Search. “We receive inquiries almost monthly for setting up new desks, and competition to attract top traders, quant researchers, and trading system engineers in India is intense.”
Despite the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) increasing scrutiny of the market following accusations against Jane Street Group LLC for manipulating prices during expiry days, major global and domestic firms are not retreating. SEBI accused the New York-based trading firm of leveraging its capabilities to influence market prices, resulting in substantial profits. Jane Street has disputed the allegations and is contesting a temporary ban imposed by SEBI, claiming it has been denied access to important documents needed for its defense.
Brokers offering high-speed trading services, such as Estee Advisors and iRage Broking Services LLP, have reported that this regulatory scrutiny has made some prospective clients cautious. However, there remains a steady influx of companies looking to enter the market. For instance, Bengaluru’s Optimus Prime Securities & Research has recently enhanced its high-frequency trading operations, and the Bilakhia Group is planning to enter this space through a partnership with Minix Holdings.
Citadel Securities, led by billionaire Ken Griffin, hired an options trader in India last month and aims to expand its workforce. The firm, which established an office in Gurugram in 2022, currently employs over a dozen staff members and has appointed a chief operating officer and head of trading this year. Citadel was also involved in acquiring minority stakes in India’s National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Ltd.
“We’re still seeing very robust interest; clarity on the Jane Street issues will likely only grow interest further,” commented Sandeep Tyagi, founder of Estee Advisors.
Firms are increasingly hiring interns to secure top talent from prestigious engineering schools like the Indian Institutes of Technology. The compensation packages for interns this year were established before the Jane Street ban and in the wake of broader regulatory measures concerning options trading.
To stay competitive amid shifting technologies, firms are adopting more sophisticated trading strategies. As of March, approximately 70% of equity derivatives trades by value were algorithm-driven, a rise from 60% three years prior, according to data from the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd.
Rajib Borah, CEO at iRage, noted that strategies that were profitable for six months in the past now yield returns for only about two months before firms must adapt. “One needs to be much sharper now, firing on all engines and adapting much faster,” Borah said. As more companies engage in these opportunities, the phenomenon known as “alpha decay,” or the diminishing effectiveness of investment strategies, is expected to accelerate.
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Published on September 19, 2025
