BSE Plans New Charges to Rein in Excessive Order Messaging in Cash Market
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has proposed a new framework to regulate excessive order messaging in the Equity Cash Segment, signalling a tighter approach to managing high-frequency and algorithm-driven order flows. Under the proposal, brokers crossing a daily threshold of 10 crore order messages would face incremental charges, a move aimed at promoting more balanced and efficient market participation.
In a circular issued on Friday, the exchange said it intends to introduce a broker-level free order message limit, beyond which charges would be levied. The proposal comes amid rising concerns over infrastructure strain, system load and market quality as order-to-trade ratios continue to climb.
“Balanced order flow is critical for maintaining orderly markets and ensuring optimal use of exchange infrastructure,” BSE said, outlining the rationale behind the proposed changes.
How the Proposed Order Message Charges Will Work
Under the proposed framework, BSE will monitor the daily order message count of each broker in the Equity Cash Segment. Once a broker crosses the free threshold of 10 crore messages in a single trading day, charges will apply to every additional order message.
Key elements of the proposal include:
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A free daily limit of 10 crore order messages per broker
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A charge of ₹0.0025 per order message beyond the threshold
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This translates to ₹2.50 for every additional 10 lakh order messages
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Charges to be calculated at the broker level, not per client
The exchange clarified that the measure is designed to discourage excessive and non-productive messaging rather than penalise genuine trading activity.
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What Counts as an Order Message Under the Framework
For the purpose of calculating order message volumes, BSE will count all types of order-related messages generated by a broker in the Equity Cash Segment.
These include:
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Order additions
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Order modifications
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Order cancellations or deletions
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Odd-lot orders
However, settlement auction orders will be excluded from the calculation, offering some relief for brokers participating in auction-based settlement processes.
Market participants noted that the inclusion of modify and cancel messages could particularly impact algorithmic trading strategies that rely on rapid order adjustments.
Relief Built In for Occasional Threshold Breaches
To avoid penalising brokers for one-off spikes in activity, BSE has proposed a limited exemption mechanism. The first instance of a threshold breach in each calendar month will be exempt from charges.
Only subsequent breaches within the same month will attract the applicable fees. This buffer is intended to accommodate unusual trading days or temporary surges in client activity without immediately increasing costs for brokers.
An exchange official said the exemption strikes a balance between discipline and flexibility, especially for firms managing large retail or institutional order flows.
Phased Implementation Timeline Outlined by BSE
BSE has laid out a clear, phased rollout plan to allow brokers adequate time to adjust systems and monitor order flows more closely.
The proposed timeline includes:
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January 1, 2026: Framework comes into effect; daily monitoring begins
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January 1–31, 2026: No charges levied during the transition month
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January 15, 2026: Brokers receive daily files including potential charge details
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February 2026 onwards: Actual charges applied and billed monthly
From January 1, 2026, BSE will start sharing daily order message files with brokers, detailing total order counts. These files will later include charge calculations where applicable, helping brokers track exposure in near real time.
Why Exchanges Are Focusing on Order Flow Discipline
The proposal reflects a broader trend among exchanges globally to manage the impact of high-frequency and algorithmic trading on market infrastructure. Excessive order messaging—especially when a large proportion of orders are cancelled—can increase system load without contributing meaningfully to price discovery.
Market experts say such measures are aimed at:
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Improving market efficiency and stability
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Reducing unnecessary system congestion
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Encouraging more thoughtful order placement
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Aligning order flow with actual trading intent
“High order-to-trade ratios don’t necessarily add liquidity,” a market participant said. “They often add noise and infrastructure stress.”
Potential Impact on Brokers and Trading Strategies
For large brokers and proprietary trading firms, the proposal could prompt a reassessment of order management strategies, particularly those dependent on high message volumes. Retail-focused brokers with heavy intraday activity may also need to optimise algorithms to stay within the free threshold.
While the per-message charge appears small, costs can add up quickly for firms generating hundreds of millions of messages daily.
Some brokers, however, view the move as a step toward fairer market participation. “If it improves system reliability and market quality, it’s a trade-off worth considering,” said a senior brokerage executive.
What Happens Next
The proposal is expected to be reviewed and discussed with market participants before final implementation. If adopted, it would mark a significant shift in how order flow is priced in India’s cash equity markets.
For investors, the changes are unlikely to have a direct impact on trading costs. However, they could influence how brokers design execution strategies, potentially leading to cleaner order books and more stable trading conditions over time.
As markets become increasingly technology-driven, BSE’s move underscores a growing regulatory and exchange-level focus on ensuring that speed and scale do not come at the cost of efficiency and stability.
