National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX), India’s leading agri-commodity exchange, today announced that it has received an in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to commence operations in the Equity and Equity Derivatives segments. This marks an important step in the Exchange’s journey as it expands its platform to connect grassroots savings with regulated investment opportunities.

NCDEX aims to offer ‘Equity for Bharat’ – safer, transparent, and long-term wealth-building options to millions currently outside the equity fold and help them create wealth from the development of equities market. The exchange will invest Rs 500–600 crore to add to its commodity derivatives offering and build a robust, tech-driven equity and equity derivatives platform.

The initial product suite will include equity and equity derivatives, over time NCDEX will introduce innovative sectorfocused products to meet the needs of new investors and enterprises that look to raise capital. These could, subject to regulatory approvals, include innovative ETFs such as FPObasket ETFs that, will allow retail investors to invest in the collective performance of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO).

The Exchange also envisions future instruments like Agri Infrastructure REITs to channel long-term capital into key infrastructure — including warehouses, cold chains, and logistics — helping reduce post-harvest losses and ensuring better returns for producers. “The regulatory approval is a strong endorsement of our capability and commitment,” said Mr. Arun Raste, MD & CEO, NCDEX. “With ‘Equity for Bharat,’ we are taking forward the vision of inclusive financial growth and domestic wealth creation by enabling access, opportunity, and transparency in capital markets for every Indian, no matter how remote. To support inclusive participation, NCDEX is building an ecosystem of access and awareness. This includes financial literacy and skilling programs through the NCDEX Institute, dedicated onboarding support for FPOs and small businesses, and exploring possibilities for API-level integration with fintech platforms to make market access seamless.”

NCDEX’s entry into the equity space comes at a time when capital markets are growing rapidly. By leveraging its deep regional reach, proven technology, and compliant infrastructure, the Exchange is uniquely placed to channel household savings into productive investments and bring first-time investors into the mainstream. NCDEX’s continued focus on combining financial literacy, accessible platforms, and strong last-mile infrastructure shall contribute meaningfully to India’s broader goal of financial inclusion and rural empowerment.