What is Lot size in F&O ? NSE Lot size list 2026

Trading in the Indian stock market has changed a lot recently. One of the biggest updates is in the Futures and Options (F&O) segment. To keep trading fair and safe, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) updates its rules every so often. The most important recent change was the reduction in F&o lot sizes for major indices. This came to full effect in early 2026. In this blog we are going to discuss the changes in Lot size and why it happened and how important it is for  everyday traders in India.

What is a Lot Size in F&O? 

Trading in the F&O market is different from buying regular shares. When you buy a normal stock, you can buy just one share. But in the derivative market, you have to trade in fixed batches. These batches are called “lots.”

If an index has a lot size of 65, you cannot buy 40 or 60 units. You have to buy exactly 50, 100, or 150 units.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) sets strict rules for these lot sizes. They want the total value of one lot to stay between 5 lakh and 10 lakh rupees. This keeps the market serious for big players but still affordable for smaller retail traders.

When the stock market goes up, the value of a lot naturally increases. If the NSE did not step in to reduce the lot sizes, trading would become too expensive for the average person. 

Old Lot size Vs Current Lot size 

On the start of January 2026, the NSE implemented the new lot sizes based on how high the market changes in late 2025. The following table shows the shift from the old structure to the new 2026 structure.

Index Name	Symbol	Old Lot Size	Current Lot Size (2026)
Nifty 50	NIFTY	75	65
Nifty Bank	BANKNIFTY	35	30
Nifty Financial Services	FINNIFTY	65	60
Nifty Midcap Select	MIDCAPNIFTY	140	120
Nifty Next 50	NIFTYNXT50	25	25 (No Change)

By reducing the units in a lot, the exchange keeps the total contract value in check. If Bank Nifty is high, a smaller lot size means you need less cash in your account to take a trade. Notice that the Nifty Next 50 did not change. The exchange only steps in when a contract becomes too expensive.

How the Transition Happened 

Changing lot sizes across the whole country is a big job. The NSE used a clean cutoff date at the end of December 2025 to avoid confusing anyone.

Any old contracts expiring in 2025 used the old lot sizes. Any new contracts expiring in 2026 automatically started using the new smaller lot sizes. For long term positions holding quarter or half year expiry dates, brokers adjusted the trades automatically on December 30, 2025.

Why Did the NSE Change the Lot Sizes? 

The exchange does not make these changes just for fun. There are three big reasons behind the move.

1. Keeping it Affordable: As the market hits new highs, the cost to trade a single lot goes up. Reducing the lot size ensures retail traders can still afford to participate. This keeps the market highly liquid, meaning there are always enough buyers and sellers.
2. Following SEBI Rules: SEBI wants to limit the risk of a single trade. By keeping the total lot value under 10 lakh rupees, they prevent small traders from taking on too much extreme risk at once.
3. Better Precision: Smaller lot sizes give traders and big funds more control. They can manage their risk and protect their portfolios much more accurately when they are not forced to buy massive lots.

Read Also: SEBI F&O New Rules 2026: Key Changes, Impact & Guide

Clarification BSE and Sensex Lot Size

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has its own set of rules. The popular BSE Sensex index currently has a lot size of 20. They increased this from 10 earlier in 2025. The BSE Bankex has a lot size of 30 as tabulated below.

BSE Index	Symbol	2026 Lot Size
Sensex	SENSEX	20
Bankex	BANKEX	30

It perfectly matches the new NSE Bank Nifty lot size. This makes life very easy for traders who like to switch between both exchanges.

Impacts on Daily Trading 

The biggest benefit for you is lower margin requirements. Since a lot has fewer units, the total cash you need to open a trade drops. This is great news for traders with smaller account balances.

It also changes your risk and reward. With the old Nifty lot of 75, a one point move meant a profit or loss of 75 rupees. Now with a lot of 65, a one point move is worth 65 rupees. Your profit and loss swings will feel a little less wild.

Do not worry about the math. Modern brokers like Pocketful handle all these software updates in the background. You just see the correct lot size on your screen automatically.

A Quick Look at History

 If we look back, the Nifty 50 lot size used to be 200 units when the index was much lower. As the Indian economy grew and the stock market climbed, the exchange had to keep cutting the lot size down. Falling lot sizes are actually a great sign. It means the market is growing and creating wealth.

Read Also: SEBI MTF Rules 2026 Explained

Conclusion 

The 2026 lot size revision is a great thing for Indian traders. By dropping the sizes for Nifty, Bank Nifty, and others, the NSE made trading more accessible and less risky for retail investors. It balances market safety with affordability. With reliable platforms like Pocketful, it offers features like Option Chain that update to the newest lot sizes in real time. They also offer zero brokerage on long term equity and a flat fee of just 20 rupees per F&O order.

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