Best brokers and banks for India residents — regulated, verified and ranked for 2026.
India has its own regulated financial market. The primary stock exchange is the National Stock Exchange (NSE) / Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates the securities and investment sector in India. All investment platforms listed on WhichBrokr for India are either licensed by SEBI or operate under an internationally recognised regulatory framework.
The Reserve Bank of India was established on 1 April 1935 and nationalised in 1949. As one of Asia's largest central banks, the RBI manages monetary policy, currency issuance and banking supervision for a population of 1.4 billion. SEBI regulates the securities markets. Deposit protection: ₹500,000 per depositor per bank via DICGC (Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation).
Capital gains from the sale of securities are taxed at 12.5% LTCG (listed equities held >1 year, after INR 1.25 lakh annual exemption) / 20% STCG (held ≤1 year) — rates raised in the Union Budget of July 2024 (effective 23 July 2024). Crypto (Virtual Digital Assets) is taxed at a flat 30% plus 4% cess (total 31.2%), with 1% TDS; no loss offsets against other income are permitted. Dividends are taxed at the investor's marginal income tax rate (up to 30% plus surcharge and cess) — the Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) was abolished in 2020. India offers the following tax-advantaged investment structures: PPF (Public Provident Fund) (15-year lock-in. Contributions up to INR 1.5 lakh/year deductible under Section 80C. Returns and maturity amount are tax-free. Backed by the government.); ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) (3-year lock-in mutual fund. Deductible up to INR 1.5 lakh under Section 80C. Returns taxed at LTCG rates.); NPS (National Pension System) (Pension scheme with additional INR 50,000 deduction under Section 80CCD(1B). Partial withdrawal tax-free on maturity.).
Bank deposits in India are protected up to INR 5,00,000 per depositor (DICGC) per depositor per institution.