What is Nifty?

NIFTY is a market index introduced by the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

What is Nifty?
Table of Contents

About Nifty

  • NIFTY is a market index introduced by the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
  • It is a blended word – National Stock Exchange and Fifty coined by NSE.
  • Nifty was established in 1996 with the name CNX Nifty. Further, in 2015, it was renamed Nifty 50.
  • NIFTY 50 is a benchmark-based index and also the flagship of NSE.
  • It represents the performance of the 50 largest and most actively traded stocks listed on the NSE.
  • These 50 largest companies are from different industrial sectors and collectively represent the Stock Market and Economic Trends of India. 
  • It is one of the two main stock market indices in Indiathe other being SENSEX, a product of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

 

Key Facts about Sensex:

  • Sensex is the benchmark index of the BSE in India.
  • It was launched on January 1, 1986 as a basket of 30 stocks representing the country’s largest, financially sound companies listed on the BSE.
  • The term ‘Sensex’ is a blend of the words ‘Sensitive’ and ‘Index’ and was coined by stock market expert Deepak Mohini. 
  • The Sensex reflects the movements in the Indian stock market. It is considered the benchmark index of the Indian stock market. 

 

What is an Index?

  • A stock index is a measurement of the changes that take place in the stock market.
  • It measures price movement and market performance.
  • For creating an index, one has to group some stocks from the list of stocks with similar characteristics.
  • This grouping of stocks can be on the type of industry, total market capitalization or the size of the company.
  • Calculation:
    • To calculate the value of the stock market indexone can use the values of the underlying group of stocks.
    • Any change in the value of underlying stock also leads to a change in the stock index value.
    • If the price of most of the stocks rises, the index will again rise and vice-versa. 
  • Thus, an index is indicative of changes in the market.
  • It reflects the overall market investing sentiment and price movements.

 


Q1) What is the National Stock Exchange (NSE)?

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is one of the two main stock exchanges in India, with the other being the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The NSE is a prominent and technologically advanced stock exchange, and it plays a crucial role in India’s financial markets. It is India’s largest financial market and the fourth largest market by trading volume. The National Stock Exchange of India Limited was the first exchange in India to provide modern, fully automated electronic trading.

Source: Nifty conquers 20,000 for 1st time, Sensex closes above 67,000

Update Icon
Latest UPSC Exam 2026 Updates

Date IconLast updated on August, 2026

UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th August 2026.

→ Check out the latest UPSC Syllabus 2026 here.

UPSC Mains Admit Card 2026 is expected to be released in early August at upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in

→ Enroll in Vajiram & Ravi’s UPSC Mains Test Series 2026 for structured answer writing practice, expert evaluation, and exam-oriented feedback.

→ Go through the UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers to enhance your preparation.

→ Download UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-I 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-II 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-III 2025, UPSC Mains GS Paper-IV 2025, UPSC Mains English (Compulsory) Paper 2025, UPSC Mains Hindi (Qualifying) Paper 2025 here.

→ UPSC has released UPSC Toppers List 2025 with the Civil Services final result on its official website.

UPSC Calendar 2027 has been released.

→ Also check Best UPSC Coaching in India

UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,80,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
UPSC Sureshot Mains Test Series
₹29500
Enroll Now
Prelims Powerup Test Series
Prelims Powerup Test Series
₹14000
Enroll Now
Enquire Now