If you are someone who actively trades or invests in the stock market, you’ve probably heard of pledging your shares to get extra funds. But how do you know which shares or mutual funds are eligible for pledging? That’s where the NSE-approved list of securities for pledge comes into play. This list tells you exactly which stocks, bonds, and mutual fund units are accepted by brokers and lenders as collateral. Whether you're using this facility for margin trading or to get a loan, knowing the latest rules from NSE can help you make better financial decisions in 2025.
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What is margin pledging? Understanding the basics
Margin pledging allows you to use your existing investments, like shares, mutual funds, or ETFs, as security to get funds for trading or borrowing. Instead of selling your securities, you "pledge" them, meaning they’re marked as collateral with your broker or lender. You still remain the owner, but you can now access additional buying power or even a personal loan.
This system helps investors take advantage of opportunities in the market without losing long-term investments. Many traders use margin pledging for short-term trades, while others use it to unlock funds for urgent needs.
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Eligibility criteria for securities in the NSE pledge list
Not all listed securities are accepted for pledging. NSE has a strict selection process to decide which stocks and funds make it to the approved list. Here’s what typically qualifies:
Key eligibility criteria:
- Liquidity: Securities with high trading volume are usually eligible.
- Market capitalisation: Large and mid-cap stocks are preferred over small-cap or penny stocks.
- Price stability: Stocks with lower volatility are more likely to be accepted.
- Compliance track record: Companies that comply with SEBI and NSE regulations are prioritised.
- No regulatory flags: Securities under suspension, investigation, or delisting are automatically removed.
Keep in mind that this list is dynamic and updated frequently by NSE based on market conditions.
Haircut percentages: How do they affect your collateral value?
When you pledge securities, you do not get a loan equal to the market value of your shares. A portion is deducted as a safety buffer. This deduction is known as a haircut.
Let us say you pledge shares worth Rs. 1,00,000 and the haircut is 25%. You will receive a loan of Rs. 75,000.
Haircuts vary by:
- Type of security: Shares typically have higher haircuts (20–50%) than government bonds or blue-chip mutual funds (10–25%).
- Volatility: Stocks with frequent price swings will attract higher haircuts.
- NSE guidelines: These are revised regularly based on market risk and stock behaviour.
Understanding haircut percentages helps you estimate how much liquidity you can unlock from your portfolio.
Recent changes: NSE removes over 1,000 stocks from collateral list
In early 2025, NSE revised its pledgeable securities list and removed over 1,000 low-liquidity and high-volatility stocks. This move came as part of an effort to protect investors and brokers from collateral risk.
Many small-cap and lesser-known stocks were excluded, including those with:
- Poor compliance records
- Irregular price patterns
- Very low daily volumes
If your pledged security falls off the list, you may be asked to top up with eligible assets or repay part of your margin. Always stay updated to ensure your pledged portfolio remains valid.
How to access the NSE-approved securities list?
The NSE-approved list of pledgeable securities is publicly available and updated regularly. It includes stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and other instruments accepted for margin trading or loan pledging.
Here is how you can check the latest list:
- Go to the official website of the stock exchange.
- Navigate to the section related to market data or margin trading.
- Look for options that mention approved or eligible securities for pledging.
- Choose your instrument type—like equity shares, mutual funds, ETFs, or bonds.
- Download the most recent list or document for reference.
- Review important details like the ISIN code and margin eligibility status.
Since this list gets updated frequently, sometimes even weekly, it is a good practice to check it often, especially before initiating a pledge or margin transaction.