India

Economy & industry overview

India is the world's fifth largest economy by nominal GDP and the third largest by purchasing power parity, with a nominal GDP of approximately 3.91 trillion USD as of 2024. The economy is driven by a large and fast-growing services sector, particularly information technology and business process outsourcing, alongside a significant manufacturing base supported by government initiatives. Agriculture employs a substantial portion of the population, while financial services, telecommunications, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals are among the most important industries. India has maintained one of the highest GDP growth rates among major economies, with real GDP growth of around 6.5 to 7.1 percent in recent years. The Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India together rank among the largest equity markets in the world by total domestic market capitalisation.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$3.91T
GDP growth real, annual	6.5%
Inflation annual	5.0%
Population people	1.43B
GDP per capita USD	$2,397
Market cap total listed, USD	$4.50T
Market cap / GDP	115.0%
Unemployment	7.8%
Listed companies	2,671
Exchange	National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)

Primary data year: 2024. Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators, IMF World Economic Outlook April 2025, NSE India official press releases, Macrotrends CPI historical data, MSCI India Index factsheet, Government of India Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Reserve Bank of India, Business Standard market data. Individual figures may cover different reference periods — for example a fiscal year, or an estimate for the current year — and the overview above states these where known.

Local exchange & access

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

Local broker access

Non-resident foreign investors access Indian equities primarily through the Foreign Portfolio Investor route regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Retail foreign investors can gain exposure via US-listed ETFs such as INDA, INDY, FLIN, and PIN, or through ADRs and GDRs of major Indian companies listed in the United States. Direct retail accounts on the NSE or BSE require Indian residency or NRI status under RBI guidelines. Several international online brokers offer access to Indian markets for non-resident Indians holding NRE or NRO accounts.

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 relocating to India typically do so on employment, business, or research visas issued by Indian missions abroad. Long-term e-visas are available for certain categories. India does not permit dual citizenship; persons of Indian origin may hold an Overseas Citizen of India card, which grants indefinite multiple-entry rights and certain residency-equivalent privileges but does not confer citizenship.