Govt Not Looking to Shut the Door on F&O Trading, Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Contents

FM Emphasizes Investor Responsibility in F&O Market SEBI’s Stand: Weekly Expiry Rules Need Careful Review Sitharaman: India Needs Big, World-Class Banks for Next Growth Phase Govt’s Continued Focus on Infrastructure and Capex Market Reaction: Clarity Brings Relief to Traders and Investors The Road Ahead: Balancing Market Growth with Risk Management

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday assured market participants that the government has no plans to restrict futures and options (F&O) trading, reiterating that the Centre’s role is to facilitate, not obstruct, financial market development.

Speaking at the 12th SBI Banking and Economics Conclave 2025 in Mumbai, Sitharaman said, “The government is not here to shut the door on futures and options trading. We are here to remove roadblocks and work on them.”

Her remarks come amid ongoing discussions in policy circles over rising retail participation in the derivatives segment, which regulators believe needs better risk awareness and investor protection frameworks.

FM Emphasizes Investor Responsibility in F&O Market

Sitharaman underlined that while the government supports vibrant market activity, it is equally important for investors to understand the risks involved in high-leverage trading segments such as futures and options.

“It is the investor’s responsibility to understand the associated risks,” she said, cautioning against speculative behavior that could lead to retail losses.

Her comments follow reports earlier this year that policymakers were considering measures to deepen the cash market and curb speculative trading through the introduction of weekly expiries and tighter oversight.

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SEBI’s Stand: Weekly Expiry Rules Need Careful Review

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has also been vocal about growing retail participation in F&O, particularly in weekly options trading.

Last month, SEBI Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey said that while the regulator acknowledges the risks in the derivatives segment, an outright ban on weekly expiries is not the solution.

“This (weekly F&O expiry) is a very sensitive subject and has a lot of nuances,” Pandey said during the Business Standard BFSI Summit. “There has been a problem in the derivatives market, which has been highlighted by SEBI. We need to ensure irrational exuberance is in control for smaller or less-savvy participants.”

Pandey added that SEBI will continue to conduct data-driven reviews to assess market patterns and ensure that trading remains orderly. “How can we shut down the weekly options market just like that? SEBI will do further data crunching on the weekly options issue,” he said.

Sitharaman: India Needs Big, World-Class Banks for Next Growth Phase

During her address at the SBI Conclave, Sitharaman also emphasized the government’s vision of building large, globally competitive banks to support India’s expanding economy.

“India needs big and world-class banks,” she stated. “The government is looking into this, and work has already commenced. We are discussing this with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and with the banks.”

The Finance Minister highlighted that credit flow to industries must be widened and deepened to sustain growth, particularly as GST rate cuts and capital expenditure are expected to fuel domestic demand and unleash a new investment cycle.

“The GST rate cut-driven demand will create a virtuous cycle of investment, and for that, credit flow must keep pace,” she noted.

Govt’s Continued Focus on Infrastructure and Capex

Reiterating the government’s focus on infrastructure creation, Sitharaman said that public investment remains a cornerstone of India’s growth strategy.

She pointed out that capital expenditure (capex) has increased fivefold in the last decade, underscoring the government’s long-term commitment to improving physical and social infrastructure.

“Our main focus is on infrastructure creation. The capex push has been critical in driving sustainable economic growth,” she said.

The minister also recalled the government’s banking sector reforms, including the 2019 strategic sale of IDBI Bank, in which the Centre divested its controlling 51% stake to the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as part of its privatisation programme.

Market Reaction: Clarity Brings Relief to Traders and Investors

Sitharaman’s clear statement that the government will not clamp down on F&O trading brought relief to investors and traders who had been concerned about possible restrictions on the derivatives segment.

Market experts said her comments would help restore confidence among retail and institutional participants, particularly given the rising scrutiny over speculative trading volumes.

“Her statement helps clarify the government’s stance — that the goal is regulation and education, not prohibition,” said a senior derivatives analyst at a leading brokerage. “This will be seen as a positive signal by the markets.”

The Road Ahead: Balancing Market Growth with Risk Management

As India’s capital markets expand, regulators face the challenge of striking a balance between promoting participation and managing systemic risk.

While the F&O segment has become an integral part of India’s market structure, growing retail exposure raises concerns about volatility and investor safety. Both the Finance Ministry and SEBI appear to be taking a collaborative, data-driven approach to address these issues.

Sitharaman’s remarks at the SBI Conclave reaffirm that the government’s focus is on enabling responsible market participation and supporting India’s financial evolution — not stifling it.