Individual participation in Indian stock market falls for the first time in 10 years amid F&O decline, tepid returns

Retail participation in India’s stock market declined in FY26 for the first time in nearly a decade as equity market corrections, stricter F&O regulations, foreign investor selling and weakness in mid- and small-cap stocks hurt sentiment. Despite the slowdown, long-term retail participation trends remain structurally strong due to rising SIP penetration and financialisation.