Trade in currency like a pro — anytime, anywhere

Contracts to buy or sell a currency pair at a future date — used by traders for a view on exchange rates and by businesses to hedge.

Traders seeking diversification and importers/exporters hedging offshore payments and receipts.

Major currency pairs available in the exchange currency-derivatives segment.

USDINR is the most traded; EURINR, GBPINR and JPYINR are also available.

Yes — importers and exporters can use currency derivatives to manage exchange-rate risk on offshore payments and receipts.

Yes, they trade on margin, so both gains and losses are amplified — use risk controls.

Futures and options are contracts whose value depends on an underlying asset — a stock, index, commodity or currency pair. A future is an agreement to buy or sell at a fixed price on a future date. An option gives you the right — but not the obligation — to do so, for a price called the premium. They are tools for hedging and trading, and they carry leverage, which magnifies both profit and loss.

Very. SEBI's own study found that about nine out of ten individual F&O traders lost money, with sizeable average losses. Leverage means a small market move against you can wipe out a large part of your capital. If you still want to trade derivatives, start small, learn payoff structures, always use stop losses, and never trade with money you cannot afford to lose.

Margin is the deposit the exchange requires you to keep with the broker to take a leveraged position. It ensures you can honour your obligations if the market moves against you. Margins change with volatility, and if your losses eat into the margin, you get a margin call asking for more funds — failing which the position may be squared off.

SEBI requires brokers to collect income proof before activating derivative segments because F&O involves leverage and is suitable only for investors who can bear the risk. A recent salary slip, six months' bank statement, ITR acknowledgement or demat holdings statement usually works.

Muhurat trading is a special one-hour trading session that exchanges hold on Diwali evening, considered an auspicious time to invest. The exact timing is announced by NSE and BSE each year. It is a symbolic session — liquidity is thinner than normal hours, so trade thoughtfully.

There is no minimum. You can buy a single share, and many good companies trade at modest prices. If you prefer mutual funds, SIPs start from as little as ₹500 a month. What matters is starting early and staying regular — the amount can grow with your confidence.