Retail enthusiasm is reshaping India’s investment landscape, as per the latest Economic Survey 2025-26 unveiled in Parliament. In a remarkable feat for FY 2025-26, 2.35 crore new demat accounts were opened up to December 2025, highlighting rising financial awareness in households despite international market jitters.
Equity benchmarks showcased strength amid FPI volatility. Domestic investors, bolstered by solid corporate performance, fiscal easing, lower inflation, and supportive central bank stance, drove Nifty up 11.1 percent and Sensex by 10.1 percent from April to December.
The investor base hit 12 crore unique demat holders by September, with women comprising about one-fourth. The mutual fund sector expanded to 5.9 crore unique participants by December, 60 percent from non-metro areas.
Savings are pivoting from traditional avenues to market-linked instruments. Their proportion in domestic financial savings rose dramatically from 2 percent in FY11-12 to over 15 percent in FY24-25, propelled by SIP mania—monthly inflows leaped from sub-₹4,000 crore in FY16-17 to exceeding ₹28,000 crore today.
Primary markets thrived with 20 percent more IPOs and 10 percent higher mobilization. SMEs shone with 217 listings raising ₹9,600 crore. The bond market’s decade-long 12 percent CAGR culminated in FY24-25’s record ₹9.9 lakh crore new issuances, elevating totals to ₹53.6 lakh crore.
India’s story is one of inclusive growth, where broadened market access is fostering a savings-to-investment culture nationwide.