GIFT Nifty
GIFT Nifty Share Price Today
GIFT Nifty Performance
Open
26531.5
Prev. Close
26320
What is Gift Nifty?
GIFT Nifty is a futures contract based on the Nifty 50 index, traded on NSE IFSC at GIFT City, Gujarat. It is specifically designed to replace the SGX Nifty contract that was previously traded on the Singapore Exchange, thereby centralising global index derivative trading in India.
The contract offers exposure to India’s top 50 listed companies, representing crucial sectors of the economy. It facilitates seamless access for foreign and domestic investors by operating nearly round-the-clock, spanning Asian, European, and US trading hours.
GIFT Nifty is denominated and settled in US Dollars (USD) and is accessible for trading to global participants. Its extended trading window allows investors to manage risk more efficiently and react quickly to international events impacting Indian markets.
The contract is cash-settled, with no physical delivery, and comes with robust risk management protocols regulated by Indian authorities.
Why Is GIFT Nifty Important?
GIFT Nifty is the offshore version of India’s benchmark Nifty 50 index. It is traded at the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in GIFT City, Gujarat.
GIFT Nifty trades during Asian, European, and US market hours. It prices in global shocks (like Fed rate changes) long before the 9:15 AM bell in Mumbai. This acts as the major price-discovery engine for India before the domestic market opens.
With the help of the GIFT Nifty, global investors can trade Indian equity derivatives for around 21 hours a day. Thus, the index bridges the gap between Indian and international time zones.
GIFT Nifty vs SGX Nifty: What’s the Difference?
Exchange | Singapore Exchange (SGX) | NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) |
Currency | USD | USD |
Trading Hours | 16 Hours | 21 Hours |
Settlement | Cash | Cash |
Regulatory Authority | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) | International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) |
Location | Singapore | Gift City, Gujarat, India |
Underlying | Nifty 50 Index | Nifty 50 Index |
Access | International Investors | Global Institutions, NRIs, FPIs and eligible Indian entities |
The move from SGX Nifty to GIFT Nifty is part of India’s drive to consolidate offshore trading of Indian indices within its own jurisdiction, boosting transparency and domestic market participation.
GIFT Nifty vs Nifty 50
Meaning | International version of Nifty 50 futures | Benchmark index of India’s top 50 listed companies |
Exchange | NSE International Exchange (NSE IX), GIFT City | National Stock Exchange (NSE), India |
Regulator | IFSCA (International Financial Services Centres Authority) | SEBI Hours |
Underlying Index | Nifty 50 | Nifty 50 |
Trading Currency | US Dollars (USD) | Indian Rupees (INR) |
Trading Hours | Nearly 22 hours a day | Limited to Indian market hours |
Who Trades | Global investors, FPIs, NRIs | Indian retail & institutional investors |
Settlement | Cash-settled | Cash-settled |
Purpose | Indicates global sentiment before Indian market opens | Tracks performance of Indian equity market |
How Does GIFT Nifty Work?
GIFT Nifty is traded on the NSE IX at GIFT City under a regulated framework. Investors can participate using trading accounts opened with IFSC-registered brokers. The contract mirrors the Nifty 50 index, and prices move in tandem with the performance of the underlying index stocks.
The extended trading hours, from early morning until nearly 3 am the next day, enable investors to hedge positions or take exposure ahead of or after significant global events. Orders are matched electronically, and contracts are cash-settled in USD, with daily mark-to-market settlements.
The risk management framework includes margin requirements, position limits, and automated monitoring to protect traders and ensure market integrity. GIFT Nifty provides a transparent, efficient, and cost-effective tool for global exposure to Indian equities.
GIFT Nifty Contract Details
The GIFT Nifty consists of index futures and options contracts that are priced in US Dollars.
These GIFT Nifty futures are based on the Nifty 50 and are settled in cash. The GIFT Nifty contracts have consolidated liquidity within the Indian regulatory framework under the IFSCA by moving from Singapore (formerly SGX Nifty) to India.
As per the guidelines for the NSE IFSC Exchange at GIFT City, Gujarat, the GIFT Nifty futures are structured to provide high liquidity and ease of international capital accessibility.
Here are the core contract specifications:
Underlying Index | The Nifty 50 Index |
Lot Size | USD 2 X Nifty 50 Index |
Tick Size | USD 0.5 |
Contract Type | Futures & European-style Options |
The Deadline/Settlement | Tuesday of the expiry week |
Trading Value | Purely cash-settled in USD. No actual shares change hands. |
GIFT Nifty Trading Timings
GIFT Nifty trading hours are split into two sessions to accommodate global participants.
Session 1: 6:30 AM to 3:40 PM IST (Primary session covering Asian and European opening)
Session 2: 4:35 PM to 2:45 AM IST (Evening session covering US market hours)
Key Features of GIFT Nifty
With the GIFT Nifty trading timings and key points discussed above, it is clear that GIFT Nifty offers flexibility, ease of cross-border trading, and market depth. Here are some of the major features of the index.
- Extended Trading Hours: GIFT Nifty trades for close to 21 hours daily, ensuring that global news and overnight developments are reflected in its price in real time.
- USD Denomination: The Nifty 50 is traded in INR. However, the GIFT Nifty contracts are traded in USD, making them accessible for international institutional investors.
- Global Participation: With this index, the FPIs and NRIs wanting exposure to Indian markets can participate without a domestic trading account.
- Tax Efficiency: Since it operates from an IFSC, it offers exemptions from STT, CTT, and capital gains taxes for eligible foreign entities.
- Price Discovery: Traders can access the GIFT Nifty Live Chart, which serves as a leading indicator of the domestic market's opening direction.
Factors Affecting GIFT Nifty Movement
The movement of GIFT Nifty futures live prices is influenced by various global and domestic factors.
- US Market Performance: Major indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq often set the tone for global risk appetite.
- FII Flows: Buying or selling activity by FIIs heavily impacts the market sentiment.
- Global Macro Data: The US Fed interest rate decisions, inflation data, and employment reports can cause considerable market volatility.
- Geopolitics: Regional conflicts or trade agreements can affect international money movement.
- Crude Oil Prices: As a major importer, India’s economic outlook (and thus the Nifty) is sensitive to fluctuations in oil prices.
Impact of GIFT Nifty on the Indian Stock Market
GIFT Nifty has had a notable impact on the Indian stock market by bringing global index trading volumes back to Indian exchanges. This shift has enhanced liquidity, improved price discovery, and minimised arbitrage opportunities that previously existed between SGX Nifty and NSE Nifty.
It has also increased transparency and regulatory oversight, reducing the risk of market manipulation. Domestic brokers and investors now have greater access to international liquidity, making it easier to hedge portfolios or take directional bets aligned with global sentiment.
The consolidation of trading in India has also promoted technological upgrades and greater integration of Indian markets with the global financial system. Overall, GIFT Nifty’s introduction is a major positive for the Indian capital markets ecosystem, fostering higher investor confidence and deeper market participation.
Who Tracks or Trades GIFT Nifty?
Institutional investors, such as FPIs and hedge funds, trade the GIFT Nifty. They use the index for hedging and speculation.
Meanwhile, Indian retail traders check the ‘GIFT Nifty Live Today’ status to anticipate the domestic market opening.
So, the residents cannot trade it directly, but they can use it as a predictive tool for the Nifty 50.
How Retail Investors Can Use GIFT Nifty Charts and Data
Retail investors can analyse the GIFT Nifty chart during pre-market hours to estimate whether the Indian market will open with a gap-up or gap-down.
They can observe the GIFT Nifty live premium or discount relative to the previous day’s NSE close. Thus, traders can adjust their intraday strategies before 9:15 AM.
How to Trade in GIFT Nifty?
Only eligible participants, such as FPIs, NRIs (trading from overseas), and institutional investors, can trade GIFT Nifty directly on the NSE IX. Indian resident retail investors are currently not permitted to trade GIFT Nifty under existing regulations.
If you're an eligible investor, here’s how to trade in GIFT Nifty:
- Choose an IFSC-registered broker: Open a trading account with a broker authorised to operate on NSE IX at GIFT City.
- Complete KYC and funding: Fulfill all Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements and fund your account in USD or eligible foreign currencies.
- Access trading platform: Log in to your broker’s trading platform and select GIFT Nifty contracts.
- Analyse market trends: Use GIFT Nifty live charts, technical indicators, and news updates to make trading decisions.
- Place orders: Enter buy or sell orders for GIFT Nifty futures contracts as per your strategy.
- Monitor positions: Track your open positions, margins, and account balance.
- Square off or rollover: Close or roll over contracts before expiry if required.
- Settle trades: Settlement is cash-based in USD, with profits or losses directly credited/debited to your trading account.
Understanding the Role of GIFT Nifty
The GIFT Nifty live chart is an important bridge between India and the global financial ecosystem. It ensures that the Indian equity story is told around the clock, offering a transparent, regulated, and dollar-denominated gateway for international capital while providing domestic traders with essential opening cues.