Intraday trading (also called day trading) means buying and selling stocks or derivatives within the same trading session. All positions must be closed before market close at 3:30 PM IST — you carry no overnight risk. On NSE, intraday trading is available on equities, futures, and options.
How NSE Intraday Works
Intraday Leverage on NSE
Brokers offer intraday leverage (MIS — Margin Intraday Square Off) allowing you to take positions larger than your account balance:
| Instrument | Typical Leverage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| NSE Equity (MIS) | 3x – 5x | ₹20,000 margin → ₹1,00,000 position |
| NIFTY Futures | Defined by SEBI SPAN margin | ~₹80,000 for 1 lot of NIFTY |
| BANK NIFTY Futures | Defined by SEBI SPAN margin | ~₹45,000 for 1 lot |
| Options buying | No leverage — pay full premium | ₹5,000 premium for 1 lot CE |
Leverage amplifies both profits AND losses. 5x leverage means a 2% move against you causes a 10% loss on your capital. SEBI has capped intraday leverage for retail traders to protect beginners — but even the permitted leverage can cause significant losses if used carelessly.
How to Choose Intraday Stocks on NSE
- Liquidity first — minimum 10 lakh shares traded daily. Illiquid stocks have wide spreads that eat profits
- Volatility — stocks that move 1–3% daily give more opportunity than flat stocks
- News catalyst — stocks with results, news, or sector momentum on that day
- Gap analysis — stocks that gap significantly at open often trend for the first 30–60 minutes
The Best NSE Intraday Times
| Time | Session | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15 – 9:45 AM | Opening session | Most volatile — overnight gaps play out. High risk and reward |
| 9:45 – 11:30 AM | Morning trend | Best trend-following session. Most reliable intraday moves |
| 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Mid-day lull | Low volume, choppy. Many traders avoid this period |
| 1:30 – 3:20 PM | Afternoon session | Picks up again. F&O positions being squared before close |
Intraday Risk Management Rules
Essential rules for NSE intraday traders:
1. Never risk more than 1–2% of capital on a single trade
2. Set a daily loss limit (e.g., 3% of capital) — stop trading if hit
3. Always use stop losses — never hold hoping for reversal
4. Do not trade the first 15 minutes (too erratic for beginners)
5. Square off by 3:00 PM — avoid last-minute chaos
1. Never risk more than 1–2% of capital on a single trade
2. Set a daily loss limit (e.g., 3% of capital) — stop trading if hit
3. Always use stop losses — never hold hoping for reversal
4. Do not trade the first 15 minutes (too erratic for beginners)
5. Square off by 3:00 PM — avoid last-minute chaos
Can Beginners Do Intraday?
Yes — but start paper trading first. Intraday is more accessible than scalping (fewer trades, more time to think) but still requires discipline. The majority of retail intraday traders lose money primarily because of emotional trading, not strategy failure. Learn the mechanics on paper before using real capital.
The single best intraday habit for beginners: trade only 1–2 setups per day that you have backtested and paper-traded. Quality over quantity. A new trader who waits for their best setup once per day and executes it perfectly will outperform one who trades every signal they see.