Why NSE CEO Says Retail Investors Should Focus On Productive Investing

At the India Today Conclave, Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), spoke about the transformation of India’s stock market into an atma nirbhar ecosystem, no longer solely reliant on foreign institutional investors. In conversation with Siddharth Zarabi, Group Editor, Business Today, he underlined both the opportunities and risks facing India’s financial markets in a rapidly changing global trade environment. Chauhan stressed the importance of technology, trust, and robust infrastructure to sustain growth, while cautioning against excessive day trading and speculative derivative activity, which he described as “not productive” and often loss-making for retail investors. He further explained how technology is lowering entry barriers for entrepreneurship, creating digital wealth and reshaping capitalism. This thought-provoking session sheds light on how India’s markets are navigating global shifts, building resilience, and preparing for a future driven by innovation.