NSE revised lot sizes for major nifty index derivatives from October 28, 2025
By
Arihant Team
Market lot sizes for key index derivative contracts are set to change from 30 December 2025 to ensure contract sizes remain aligned with changes in index levels.
In This Article
- Introduction
- What’s changing?
- Why this matters
- Key dates you should remember
- A quick example to understand the impact
- What should traders do now?
- Final thoughts
Introduction
The financial markets move at lightning speed – valuations and market dynamics keep shifting. However, in the last few years its not just the volatility that the traders are navigating, but also the constant regulatory changes. From weekly F&O expiry reshuffles to higher contract values, to eligibility restrictions to, now, another revision in index futures lot sizes, with the regulatory tweaks, the F&O traders need to recalibrate their strategies to stay ahead.
In late 2024, SEBI bumped up the lot sizes of F&O contracts to curb speculation and ensure that only serious traders who have the ability to take risk participate in the derivatives market, protecting the retail investors.
With the Nifty and Sensex values rising, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced a revision in the lot sizes of several major index derivatives contracts, to ensure contract sizes remain aligned with market realities. These changes will go into effect from 30 December 2025, and the good news is, the lot size is going down!
Let’s explore what’s changing and why it matters.
What’s changing?
Below is a snapshot of the revised lot size, published by the exchange. All contracts expiring after 30 December 2025 will trade with the revised market lot size.
Index | Symbol | Current Lot | New Lot |
Nifty 50 | NIFTY | 75 | 65 |
Nifty Bank | BANKNIFTY | 35 | 30 |
Nifty Financial Services | FINNIFTY | 65 | 60 |
Nifty Mid Select | MIDCPNIFTY | 140 | 120 |
Nifty Next 50 | — | 25 | No Change |
All the changes will come into effect from the following expires:
| Index | Expiry Type | Last Expiry with Existing Lot Size | First Expiry with New Lot Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | Weekly | 23 December 2025 | 6 January 2026 |
| Nifty 50 | Monthly | 30 December 2025 | 27 January 2026 |
| Nifty 50 | Quarterly & Half-Yearly | 31 March 2026* | All quarterly & half-yearly contracts will see a lot-size revision from EOD 30 December 2025 |
| Nifty Bank | Monthly | 30 December 2025 | 27 January 2026 |
| Nifty Bank | Quarterly | 31 March 2026* | Lot size of all existing quarterly contracts revised from EOD 30 December 2025 |
| Nifty Financial Services (FinNifty) | Monthly | 30 December 2025 | 27 January 2026 |
Why this matters
A lot size reduction directly reduces the overall contract value. In simple terms:
- Smaller lot = Lower margin requirement
- Lower margin = Easier market entry for traders
Whether you're a retail trader managing risk or an active derivatives trader deploying strategies across indices like Nifty or Bank Nifty, this move can make participation more flexible and accessible. SEBI routinely reviews contract parameters to ensure they stay relevant with changing index values. This round of revisions is part of that regular exercise.
Key dates you should remember
October 28, 2025: New lot sizes come into effect. Any contracts introduced after this date will follow the revised lot sizes.
December 30, 2025: Existing contracts (including quarterly and half-yearly contracts) will continue with the old lot sizes until this expiry.
This ensures a smooth transition, preventing confusion or sudden disruptions to open positions.
A quick example to understand the impact
Suppose you usually trade in Nifty 50 futures:
Current lot size: 75 units
New lot size: 65 units
If Nifty is trading at 26,000, here’s how the contract value changes:
Old contract value: 75 × 26,000 = ₹19.5 lakh
New contract value: 65 × 26,000 = ₹16.9 lakh
That's a reduction of nearly ₹2.6 lakh per contract, which directly reduces the margin you need. More participation, easier positioning!
What should traders do now?
Here are a few practical tips:
Recheck your open positions — watch out for contract rollover around the transition dates.
Review your strategies — especially if you use multi-index spreads or hedging.
Adjust your risk management rules — lot size impacts position sizing and exposure.
Plan fresh trades carefully — ensure you're working with the correct lot sizes from October 28 onward.
Final thoughts
The NSE’s decision to tweak lot sizes is a welcome move for the trading community. By reducing contract values, the exchange is helping make index derivatives more accessible without compromising liquidity or market depth. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or someone starting your derivatives journey, these changes bring more flexibility and better risk control opportunities.
At ArihantPlus, we aim to keep our investors, traders, and market enthusiasts informed about every regulatory update that can impact trading decisions. The derivatives market is evolving constantly, and staying ahead of these changes helps you trade with clarity and confidence.
