NSE was founded in 1992 and is India largest stock exchange by trading volume. BSE is Asia oldest exchange established in 1875.

Trading involves frequent buying and selling for short-term profits. Investing involves holding stocks for years for long-term growth.

Stock Market Basics: Complete Guide for Beginners 2026

Q: Common Stock Market Terms

IPO is Initial Public Offering, Market Cap is total value of shares, P/E ratio is price-to-earnings for valuation, Volume is number of shares traded.

2026-08-03 · Stocks · 5 min read

What is the Stock Market?

The stock market is a platform where buyers and sellers trade shares of publicly listed companies. In India, the two main stock exchanges are NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). The stock market allows companies to raise capital by selling ownership to investors, and investors can profit from price appreciation and dividends. Use our global markets tracker to monitor live stock prices.

How to Open a Demat Account

To start investing in the Indian stock market, you need a demat account and a trading account. Open an account with SEBI-registered brokers like Zerodha, Groww, or Angel One. The process involves KYC verification with your PAN card and Aadhaar card and takes about 15 minutes online.

NSE vs BSE

NSE (National Stock Exchange) was founded in 1992 and is India's largest stock exchange by trading volume. BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) is Asia's oldest exchange, established in 1875. Nifty 50 tracks the top 50 companies on NSE, while Sensex tracks the top 30 companies on BSE. Check our sector performance page to see leading sectors.

Trading vs Investing

Trading involves buying and selling stocks frequently to profit from short-term price movements. Investing involves holding stocks for years to benefit from long-term growth and compounding. Beginners should start with investing. Use our SIP calculator to plan your long-term investments.

Common Stock Market Terms

IPO (Initial Public Offering) is when a company first sells shares to the public. Market Capitalization is the total value of a company's shares. P/E Ratio is used for stock valuation. Our stock screener helps you find stocks based on these metrics.