History of Equity Market

The Indian Equity Market is more popularly known as the Indian Stock Market. The Indian equity market has become the third biggest after China and Hong Kong in the Asian region. According to the latest report by ADB, it has a market capitalization of nearly $600 billion. As of March 2009, the market capitalization was around $598.3 billion (Rs 30.13 lakh crore) which is one-tenth of the combined valuation of the Asia region. The market was slow since early 2007 and continued till the first quarter of 2009.


A stock exchange has been defined by the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act, 1956 as an organization, association or body of individuals established for regulating, and controlling of securities.

The Indian equity market depends on three factors -
  • Funding into equity from all over the world
  • Corporate houses performance
  • Monsoons
The stock market in India does business with two types of fund namely private equity fund and venture capital fund. It also deals in transactions which are based on the two major indices - Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE).

The market also includes the debt market which is controlled by wholesale dealers, primary dealers and banks. The equity indexes are allied to countries beyond the border as common calamities affect markets. E.g. Indian and Bangladesh stock markets are affected by monsoons.

The equity market is also affected through trade integration policy. The country has advanced both in foreign institutional investment (FII) and trade integration since 1995. This is a very attractive field for making profit for medium and long term investors, short-term swing and position traders and very intra day traders.

The Indian market has 22 stock exchanges. The larger companies are enlisted with BSE and NSE. The smaller and medium companies are listed with OTCEI (Over The counter Exchange of India). The functions of the Equity Market in India are supervised by SEBI (Securities Exchange Board of India).

History of Indian Equity Market The history of the Indian equity market goes back to the 18th century when securities of the East India Company were traded. Till the end of the 19th century, the trading of securities was unorganized and the main trading centers were Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Bombay (now Mumbai).

Trade activities prospered with an increase in share price in India with Bombay becoming the main source of cotton supply during the American Civil War (1860-61). In 1865, there was drop in share prices. The stockbroker association established the Native Shares and Stock Brokers Association in 1875 to organize their activities. In 1927, the BSE recognized this association, under the Bombay Securities Contracts Control Act, 1925.

The Indian Equity Market was not well organized or developed before independence. After independence, new issues were supervised. The timing, floatation costs, pricing, interest rates were strictly controlled by the Controller of Capital Issue (CII). For four and half decades, companies were demoralized and not motivated from going public due to the rigid rules of the Government.

In the 1950s, there was uncontrollable speculation and the market was known as 'Satta Bazaar'. Speculators aimed at companies like Tata Steel, Kohinoor Mills, Century Textiles, Bombay Dyeing and National Rayon. The Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 was enacted by the Government of India. Financial institutions and state financial corporation were developed through an established network.

In the 60s, the market was bearish due to massive wars and drought. Forward trading transactions and 'Contracts for Clearing' or 'badla' were banned by the Government. With financial institutions such as LIC, GIC, some revival in the markets could be seen. Then in 1964, UTI, the first mutual fund of India was formed.

In the 70's, the trading of 'badla' resumed in a different form of 'hand delivery contract'. But the Government of India passed the Dividend Restriction Ordinance on 6th July, 1974. According to the ordinance, the dividend was fixed to 12% of Face Value or 1/3 rd of the profit under Section 369 of The Companies Act, 1956 whichever is lower.

This resulted in a drop by 20% in market capitalization at BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) overnight. The stock market was closed for nearly a fortnight. Numerous multinational companies were pulled out of India as they had to dissolve their majority stocks in India ventures for the Indian public under FERA, 1973.

The 80's saw a growth in the Indian Equity Market. With liberalized policies of the government, it became lucrative for investors. The market saw an increase of stock exchanges, there was a surge in market capitalization rate and the paid up capital of the listed companies.

The 90s was the most crucial in the stock market's history. Indians became aware of 'liberalization' and 'globalization'. In May 1992, the Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947 was abolished. SEBI which was the Indian Capital Market's regulator was given the power and overlook new trading policies, entry of private sector mutual funds and private sector banks, free prices, new stock exchanges, foreign institutional investors, and market boom and bust.

In 1990, there was a major capital market scam where bankers and brokers were involved. With this, many investors left the market. Later there was a securities scam in 1991-92 which revealed the inefficiencies and inadequacies of the Indian financial system and called for reforms in the Indian Equity Market.

Two new stock exchanges, NSE (National Stock Exchange of India) established in 1994 and OTCEI (Over the Counter Exchange of India) established in 1992 gave BSE a nationwide competition. In 1995-96, an amendment was made to the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 for introducing options trading. In April 1995, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) and in November 1996, the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) were set up for demutualised trading, clearing and settlement. Information Technology scrips were the major players in the late 90s with companies like Wipro, Satyam, and Infosys.

In the 21st century, there was the Ketan Parekh Scam. From 1st July 2001, 'Badla' was discontinued and there was introduction of rolling settlement in all scrips. In February 2000, permission was given for internet trading and from June, 2000, futures trading started.

History of insurance in India

In India,insurance has a deep-rooted history. It finds mention in the writings of Manu ( Manusmrithi ), Yagnavalkya ( Dharmasastra ) and Kautilya ( Arthasastra ). The writings talk in terms of pooling of resources that could be re-distributed in times of calamities such as fire, floods, epidemics and famine. This was probably a pre-cursor to modern day insurance. Ancient Indian history has preserved the earliest traces of insurance in the form of marine trade loans and carriers’ contracts. Insurance in India has evolved over time heavily drawing from other countries, England in particular.

   1818 saw the advent of life insurance business in India with the establishment of the Oriental Life Insurance Company in Calcutta. This Company however failed in 1834. In 1829, the Madras Equitable had begun transacting life insurance business in the Madras Presidency. 1870 saw the enactment of the British Insurance Act and in the last three decades of the nineteenth century, the Bombay Mutual (1871), Oriental (1874) and Empire of India (1897) were started in the Bombay Residency. This era, however, was dominated by foreign insurance offices which did good business in India, namely Albert Life Assurance, Royal Insurance, Liverpool and London Globe Insurance and the Indian offices were up for hard competition from the foreign companies.

     In 1914, the Government of India started publishing returns of Insurance Companies in India. The Indian Life Assurance Companies Act, 1912 was the first statutory measure to regulate life business. In 1928, the Indian Insurance Companies Act was enacted to enable the Government to collect statistical information about both life and non-life business transacted in India by Indian and foreign insurers including provident insurance societies. In 1938, with a view to protecting the interest of the Insurance public, the earlier legislation was consolidated and amended by the Insurance Act, 1938 with comprehensive provisions for effective control over the activities of insurers.

   The Insurance Amendment Act of 1950 abolished Principal Agencies. However, there were a large number of insurance companies and the level of competition was high. There were also allegations of unfair trade practices. The Government of India, therefore, decided to nationalize insurance business.

      An Ordinance was issued on 19th January, 1956 nationalising the Life Insurance sector and Life Insurance Corporation came into existence in the same year. The LIC absorbed 154 Indian, 16 non-Indian insurers as also 75 provident societies—245 Indian and foreign insurers in all. The LIC had monopoly till the late 90s when the Insurance sector was reopened to the private sector.

     The history of general insurance dates back to the Industrial Revolution in the west and the consequent growth of sea-faring trade and commerce in the 17th century. It came to India as a legacy of British occupation. General Insurance in India has its roots in the establishment of Triton Insurance Company Ltd., in the year 1850 in Calcutta by the British. In 1907, the Indian Mercantile Insurance Ltd, was set up. This was the first company to transact all classes of general insurance business.
1957 saw the formation of the General Insurance Council, a wing of the Insurance Associaton of India. The General Insurance Council framed a code of conduct for ensuring fair conduct and sound business practices.

    In 1968, the Insurance Act was amended to regulate investments and set minimum solvency margins. The Tariff Advisory Committee was also set up then.

    In 1972 with the passing of the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, general insurance business was nationalized with effect from 1st January, 1973. 107 insurers were amalgamated and grouped into four companies, namely National Insurance Company Ltd., the New India Assurance Company Ltd., the Oriental Insurance Company Ltd and the United India Insurance Company Ltd. The General Insurance Corporation of India was incorporated as a company in 1971 and it commence business on January 1sst 1973.

     This millennium has seen insurance come a full circle in a journey extending to nearly 200 years. The process of re-opening of the sector had begun in the early 1990s and the last decade and more has seen it been opened up substantially. In 1993, the Government set up a committee under the chairmanship of RN Malhotra, former Governor of RBI, to propose recommendations for reforms in the insurance sector.The objective was to complement the reforms initiated in the financial sector. The committee submitted its report in 1994 wherein , among other things, it recommended that the private sector be permitted to enter the insurance industry. They stated that foreign companies be allowed to enter by floating Indian companies, preferably a joint venture with Indian partners.

     Following the recommendations of the Malhotra Committee report, in 1999, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) was constituted as an autonomous body to regulate and develop the insurance industry. The IRDA was incorporated as a statutory body in April, 2000. The key objectives of the IRDA include promotion of competition so as to enhance customer satisfaction through increased consumer choice and lower premiums, while ensuring the financial security of the insurance market.

     The IRDA opened up the market in August 2000 with the invitation for application for registrations. Foreign companies were allowed ownership of up to 26%. The Authority has the power to frame regulations under Section 114A of the Insurance Act, 1938 and has from 2000 onwards framed various regulations ranging from registration of companies for carrying on insurance business to protection of policyholders’ interests.

    In December, 2000, the subsidiaries of the General Insurance Corporation of India were restructured as independent companies and at the same time GIC was converted into a national re-insurer. Parliament passed a bill de-linking the four subsidiaries from GIC in July, 2002.

     Today there are 24 general insurance companies including the ECGC and Agriculture Insurance Corporation of India and 23 life insurance companies operating in the country.

     The insurance sector is a colossal one and is growing at a speedy rate of 15-20%. Together with banking services, insurance services add about 7% to the country’s GDP. A well-developed and evolved insurance sector is a boon for economic development as it provides long- term funds for infrastructure development at the same time strengthening the risk taking ability of the country.

History of Commodity Trading in India

The Commodity Trading Market of established itself in India as a dominant market form much before the 1970s. In fact, in the last phase of 1970s, the commodity trading market of India started to loose its' vibrancy. This happened because, from the late 1970s, numerous regulations and restrictions started to be introduced in the commodity market of India and these restrictions were acting as obstacles in the path of smooth functioning of the commodity trading market.

In the recent years, many restrictions, which were negatively affecting commodity trading market, have been removed. So, now the commodity trading market of India has again started to grow in a fast pace.

In order to promote the commodity futures trading in India, Forward Markets Commission has been formed. This Forward Markets Commission actually regulates the futures trade in commodities.

In India, there are 21 commodity exchanges, which enhances the efficiency and competitiveness of the commodity trading market. Many of these commodity exchanges are regional , while many of them are commodity specific. Some of these 21 commodity exchanges provide online commodity trading facility.
Government Initiatives for promoting Commodity Trading

·         In the year 2003, the Indian Government approved the establishment plan of four commodity exchanges of national level. These national commodity exchanges would operate futures trading contracts for multiple commodities. The Indian Government has included more commodities in the list of permitted commodities, constructed under the Forward Contracts(Regulation) Act.
·         Earlier there was a rule that every spot market transaction has to be completed within 11 days. In order to promote commodity trading, the Government of India has removed this restriction. Indian Government has removed NTSD(Non-Transferable Specific Delivery Contract) option from the Forward Contracts(Regulation) Act.

Mutual Fund History

Mutual Fund History

The origin of mutual fund industry in India is with the introduction of the concept of mutual fund by UTI in the year 1963. Though the growth was slow, but it accelerated from the year 1987 when non-UTI players entered the industry.

In the past decade, Indian mutual fund industry had seen a dramatic imporvements, both qualitywise as well as quantitywise. Before, the monopoly of the market had seen an ending phase, the 
Assests Under Management (AUM) was Rs. 67bn. The private sector entry to the fund family rose the AUM to Rs. 470 bn in March 1993 and till April 2004, it reached the height of 1,540 bn.

Putting the AUM of the Indian Mutual Funds Industry into comparison, the total of it is less than the deposits
of SBI alone, constitute less than 11% of the total deposits held by the Indian banking industry.

The main reason of its poor growth is that the mutual fund industry in India is new in the country. Large sections of Indian investors
are yet to be intellectuated with the concept. Hence, it is the prime responsibility of all mutual fund companies, to market the product correctly abreast of selling.

The mutual fund industry can be broadly put into four phases according to the development of the sector. Each phase is briefly described as under.

First Phase - 1964-87

Unit Trust of India (UTI) was established on 1963 by an Act of Parliament. It was set up by the Reserve Bank
of India and functioned under the Regulatory and administrative control of the Reserve Bank of India. In 1978 UTI was de-linked from the RBI and the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) took over the regulatory and administrative control in place of RBI. The first scheme launched by UTI was Unit Scheme 1964. At the end of 1988 UTI had Rs.6,700 crores of assets under management.

Second Phase - 1987-1993 (Entry of Public Sector Funds)

Entry of non-UTI mutual funds. SBI Mutual Fund was the first followed by Canbank Mutual Fund (Dec 87), Punjab National Bank Mutual Fund (Aug 89), Indian Bank Mutual Fund (Nov 89), Bank of India (Jun 90), Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund (Oct 92). LIC in 1989 and GIC in 1990. The end of 1993 marked Rs.47,004 as assets under management.

Third Phase - 1993-2003 (Entry of Private Sector Funds)

With the entry of private sector funds in 1993, a new era started in the Indian mutual fund industry, giving the Indian investors a wider choice of fund families. Also, 1993 was the year in which the first Mutual Fund Regulations came into being, under which all mutual funds, except UTI were to be registered and governed. The erstwhile Kothari Pioneer (now merged with Franklin Templeton) was the first private sector mutual fund registered in July 1993.

The 1993 SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations were substituted by a more comprehensive and revised Mutual Fund Regulations in 1996. The industry now functions under the SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations 1996.

The number of mutual fund houses went on increasing, with many foreign mutual funds setting up funds in India and also the industry has witnessed several mergers and acquisitions. As at the end of January 2003, there were 33 mutual funds with total assets of Rs. 1,21,805 crores. The Unit Trust of India with Rs.44,541 crores of assets under management was way ahead of other mutual funds.

Fourth Phase - since February 2003

This phase had bitter experience for UTI. It was bifurcated into two separate entities. One is the Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India with AUM of Rs.29,835 crores (as on January 2003). The Specified