GIFT Nifty Share Price Today
GIFT Nifty Performance
Open
25930
Prev. Close
25948
What is Gift Nifty?
Gift Nifty is a futures contract based on the Nifty 50 index, traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) within Gift City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City). For years, global investors tracked “SGX Nifty” on the Singapore Exchange to estimate India’s market opening. But on 3rd July 2023, the contracts officially moved to the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) located in GIFT City, marking the birth of Gift Nifty.
Gift Nifty allows global investors to trade Indian equity index derivatives nearly 21 hours a day in a USD-denominated environment. The contract offers exposure to India’s top 50 listed companies, representing crucial sectors of the economy. 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.
SGX Nifty vs GIFT Nifty
On July 3, 2023, SGX Nifty officially migrated to GIFT City as part of the NSE–SGX Connect initiative. SGX Nifty is now known as GIFT Nifty (effective July 2023).
Regulatory authority
Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
| Parameter | SGX Nifty | GIFT Nifty |
|---|---|---|
Exchange | Singapore Exchange (SGX) | NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) |
Settlement | USD | USD |
Trading Hours | ~16 Hours | 21 Hours |
Regulatory authority | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) | International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) |
Underlying | Nifty 50 Index | Nifty 50 Index |
Access | International Investors | Global Institutions, NRIs, 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 Product Variants
NSE IX currently supports:
- GIFT Nifty 50 Futures: Benchmark contract based on Nifty 50.
- GIFT Nifty Bank Futures: Benchmark contract based on Bank Nifty.
- GIFT Nifty Financial Services Futures: Tracks Nifty Financial Services index.
- GIFT Nifty Midcap Select Futures: Tracks Nifty Midcap index.
GIFT Nifty Trading Hours
GIFT Nifty offers nearly 21 hours of trading daily across two sessions:
- First Session (Day Session): 6:30 AM – 3:40 PM IST
- Second Session (Overnight Session): 4:35 PM – 2:45 AM IST(next day)
Who can trade in GIFT Nifty?
GIFT Nifty trading is primarily designed for global and institutional players, but certain eligible participants include:
- Foreign investors (FPIs, hedge funds, global institutions)
- NRIs trading from outside India
- IFSC-registered entities (Indian institutions with an IFSC branch/subsidiary)
- NSE IX–registered brokers and their eligible clients
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 INR, 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.
Impact of GIFT Nifty on the Indian Stock Market
- GIFT Nifty brings global trading of Nifty derivatives back to India, boosting liquidity and volumes.
- It allows global investors and NRIs to access Indian markets across extended time zones.
- Trading happens under Indian (IFSCA) regulations, improving transparency and reducing risks.
- Price discovery becomes stronger as all major Nifty trading now happens on Indian exchanges.
- It reduces arbitrage gaps that earlier existed between SGX Nifty and NSE.
- Enhances India’s position as a growing global financial hub.
- Helps domestic brokers and institutions connect better with global markets.
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: Fulfil all Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements and fund your account in INR 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, with profits or losses directly credited/debited to your trading account.
Strategies to Trade in GIFT Nifty
There are different ways to trade GIFT Nifty, depending on your market outlook and risk appetite. Day traders may try to make money by scalping small price changes when the market is very volatile. Swing traders, on the other hand, can make money by holding positions across sessions and taking advantage of bigger trends.
In a market that is always changing, hedging strategies that use options or other derivatives can help you control your risk. Traders tracking global trends may benefit from GIFT Nifty’s extended hours, which overlap with European and US markets. While not typically used for passive investing, long-term investors can use GIFT Nifty futures tactically to align their global portfolios with Nifty 50 movements or to hedge equity exposure.
Using both fundamental analysis and technical tools can make trades even more likely to be successful. No matter what strategy you use, you need to be disciplined and manage your risks carefully in the GIFT Nifty market, which is very liquid and moves quickly.
GIFT Nifty FAQs
What is GIFT Nifty and how is it different from Nifty 50?
GIFT Nifty is the international futures contract on the Nifty index traded at NSE IX in GIFT City for global investors. Nifty 50 is the underlying Indian stock market index of the top 50 companies whereas GIFT Nifty is simply its derivative.
Why did GIFT Nifty replace SGX Nifty?
GIFT Nifty replaced SGX Nifty as part of an agreement between Indian and Singapore exchanges to relocate offshore trading of Indian index derivatives back to India. This brought trading back under Indian regulatory oversight, increased liquidity within India, and unified global Nifty derivatives trading under one jurisdiction.
Why is GIFT Nifty important for global traders?
GIFT Nifty is critical for global traders because it enables real-time access to Indian equity index derivatives almost 24x7, letting them react to global macro events, hedge positions, or speculate on Indian markets regardless of their local time zone. Its extended trading hours cover Asian, European, and US sessions, so foreign investors don’t have to wait for Indian market opening to take positions.
What does GIFT Nifty indicate about Indian market trends?
Gift Nifty reflects overnight global sentiment and indicates how Nifty might open (gap-up or gap-down) before actual trading begins.
How reliable is Gift Nifty as a market indicator?
In general, GIFT Nifty is a trustworthy indicator to view the opening direction of the Nifty 50 spot index, particularly when there are large global events occurring outside of regular Indian market hours.
However, it consists of a futures contract, so some short-term distortions or manipulations might be witnessed at odd hours, given the thin volumes in which it is trading. Overall, it is a solid indicator but not foolproof and should be used in conjunction with other data when making any serious trading calls.
What is the current rate of GIFT Nifty and where can I track live prices and charts?
GIFT Nifty’s price changes in real time. The GIFT Nifty live details, including the price and chart, are available on the Kotak Securities website—just scroll to the top of this page to view them. You can also track GIFT Nifty prices and real-time updates on the official NSE IX website for additional reference.
What are the trading hours of GIFT Nifty?
The GIFT Nifty market time is split into two sessions:
- Session 1: GIFT Nifty opening time is 6:30 am to 3:40 pm IST
- Session 2: 4:35 pm to 2:45 am IST (next day)
No trading on weekends or Indian exchange holidays.
Which exchanges list GIFT Nifty for trading?
GIFT Nifty is listed and traded exclusively on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) located at GIFT City, Gujarat, India.
Who regulates GIFT Nifty?
GIFT Nifty is regulated exclusively by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), which oversees all trading activity at the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) within GIFT City.
Who can invest in GIFT Nifty?
GIFT Nifty is accessible to eligible participants such as FPIs, NRIs (trading from overseas), and institutional entities. To trade GIFT Nifty, investors must open an account with an IFSC-registered broker, complete KYC documentation, and comply with exchange rules.
Can retail investors in India trade in GIFT Nifty?
Indian retail investors cannot directly trade in GIFT Nifty, as residents are not permitted to access NSE IX under the current regulatory framework.
How can foreign investors trade GIFT Nifty?
Foreign investors must open a trading account with an IFSC-registered broker at GIFT City, complete KYC, and fund their account (usually in INR or permitted foreign currencies). Once approved, they can trade GIFT Nifty like any other index future.
What are the margin requirements and contract specifications of GIFT Nifty?
- Contract size: 50 units of Nifty 50 index
- Settlement: Cash, in INR
- Tick size: INR 1
- Margin: Typically around 10–15% of contract value, subject to change based on volatility and exchange rules
- Expiry: Monthly and weekly
Margin requirements are set by NSE IX and can change frequently. Always check your broker or NSE IX’s official circulars for the latest numbers.
What are the tax implications of trading in GIFT Nifty?
Taxation for GIFT Nifty depends on the investor’s country of residence. For eligible investors such as NRIs, FPIs, or IFSC-registered entities, trading on NSE IX may offer tax advantages, including exemption from STT, CTT, and stamp duty, and lower GST on brokerage and related services. Foreign investors may also be subject to taxation in their country of residence, governed by any applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with India.
Resident Indian individuals are currently not permitted to trade GIFT Nifty directly, so these tax benefits do not apply to them unless accessed through indirect structures. Tax rules are subject to change. Always consult a qualified tax advisor to understand how the rules apply to your specific situation.