India

Economy & industry overview

India is the world's fifth-largest economy by nominal GDP and the fastest-growing major economy, with real GDP expanding 6.5% in FY2024-25 and an estimated 7.6-7.8% in FY2025-26. The economy is driven by a large services sector: particularly information technology, financial services, and business process outsourcing: alongside manufacturing, agriculture, and a rapidly growing digital economy. India's nominal GDP reached approximately USD 3.96 trillion in FY2024-25 (World Bank calendar-year 2024 estimate: ~USD 3.91 trillion), with the IMF projecting further expansion to USD 4.15 trillion in 2026. Consumer price inflation eased sharply to around 2.8% in mid-2025, after averaging 4.9% in FY2024-25. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) together host one of Asia's largest equity markets, with combined domestic market capitalisation exceeding USD 4.9 trillion as of early 2026.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$3.91T
GDP growth real, annual	6.5%
Inflation annual	2.8%
Population people	1.48B
GDP per capita USD	$2,698
Market cap total listed, USD	$4.90T
Market cap / GDP	125.0%
Unemployment	7.8%
Listed companies	5,647
Exchange	National Stock Exchange of India / Bombay Stock Exchange (NSE / BSE)

Data year: 2025. Sources: International Monetary Fund – World Economic Outlook (April 2026), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India – National Accounts 2024-25, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), BSE Limited (Bombay Stock Exchange), World Bank – World Development Indicators 2024, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), Press Information Bureau, Government of India, CEIC Data – India Market Capitalization, Worldometer / IMF GDP Data 2026, TheGlobalEconomy.com – India GDP and Market Cap Data.

Local exchange & access

Exchange	National Stock Exchange of India / Bombay Stock Exchange
Code	NSE / BSE
Website	www.nseindia.com
Currency	INR

Local broker access

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) must register with SEBI through a Designated Depository Participant (DDP) to trade Indian equities directly on NSE/BSE. Retail foreign investors typically access Indian equities via US-listed ETFs (e.g., INDA, IEMG), American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), or international brokerage platforms that offer NSE/BSE access. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limits vary by sector and are governed by the RBI and DPIIT. Short-term capital gains on equity are taxed at 20%; long-term (>12 months) at 12.5%, as of FY2025. Securities Transaction Tax (STT) applies to all exchange trades.

Global brokers with foreign-market access

• Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
• Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
• Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.

Listed for convenience only. Not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.

Relocation & residency

Foreign-investor access

Foreign nationals may reside in India on Employment Visas (employer-sponsored), Business Visas, or Project Visas. Persons of Indian origin may apply for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which grants a lifetime multiple-entry visa and near-parity rights (excluding certain constitutional rights). India does not permit dual citizenship for naturalised citizens. Long-term stays generally require FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) registration within 14 days of arrival for most visa categories.