India's stock markets have reached ten crore registered investors, with nine to ten crore joining in the past five months, reports the NSE

New Delhi [India], August 19 : In a significant development, the Indian stock markets reached a notable milestone in August as the number of registered investors in the country surpassed 10 crore, according to a report by the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

This milestone underscores the increasing interest and involvement of the Indian population in the equity markets, indicating a substantial shift in the financial landscape.

The report highlighted that it took just five months to move from 9 crore to 10 crore registered investors, demonstrating the swift pace at which new investors are entering the market, with an additional one crore investors joining in a remarkably short time.

Several factors have contributed to this surge in investor numbers. The report emphasizes that the rise in digitisation, greater investor awareness, and enhanced market access have all been crucial in making the stock markets more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

Moreover, the strong returns generated by stocks in the past couple of years, especially since the pandemic, have further attracted new investors.

"A combination of increased digitisation, investor awareness, improved market access, and its relative performance against other asset classes has driven increased market participation since the pandemic," the report states.

The report also highlighted the historical context of this growth. It took over 25 years for the Indian stock market to reach its first crore of registered investors. However, the pace has accelerated significantly in recent years, particularly with the influx of younger investors.

The report noted, "It took over 25 years to reach the first crore of investors, but the subsequent milestones have been achieved much faster, with new investors predominantly in the 20-30 age group."

This rapid growth reflects a broader trend of financial inclusion and a shift in investment preferences among India's youth, who are increasingly turning to equities as a means of wealth creation. The stock markets, once considered the domain of the financial elite, are now attracting a diverse and younger demographic, driven by the potential for higher returns and the convenience of digital platforms.