As many as 87.7 per cent of individual traders in the equity derivatives segment lost money in FY26, according to a SEBI report, with aggregate losses reaching Rs 91,685 crore during the year.
The losses declined 18 per cent from FY25. However, the average loss per trader increased to Rs 1.17 lakh in FY26, despite a decline in the number of individual traders participating in the derivatives market.
Options account for 92% of traders’ losses
Options trading accounted for 92 per cent of the aggregate losses incurred by individual traders in FY26. The report also found that loss-making traders lost 21 per cent more on average than the amount earned by traders who made profits.
The individual trader base in the derivatives market fell 18 per cent to 87.5 lakh in FY26. The number of new entrants dropped 40 per cent to 20.8 lakh during the year.
The report showed that 93 per cent of individual traders participated only in options trading during FY26.
Young traders continued to account for a significant share of the derivatives market, with 43 per cent of individual traders aged below 30 years. Among traders in this age group, 89 per cent incurred losses during FY26.
Traders bear Rs 25,000 crore in transaction costs
Individual derivatives traders incurred around Rs 25,000 crore in annual transaction costs in FY26, according to the report.
Securities Transaction Tax (STT) paid by individual derivatives traders also increased 35 per cent to Rs 6,645 crore during the year.
Namit Singh Sengar is a Chief Copy Editor with over seven years of experience in delivering content across diverse domains. Specialising in business news across personal finance, real estate, IPOs and markets, Namit brings an editorial eye and a deep understanding of complex subjects to his work. His educational foundation includes Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, which has equipped him with the skills to craft compelling and accurate narratives. His interest also keeps him follow topics such as economy, politics and stand-up comedy.
In his previous roles, Namit has covered brands, marketing and advertising as key writing beats. His expertise extends beyond the newsroom, as he has actively reported on and participated in numerous industry events, gaining insights into emerging trends and fostering connections within the field.
