A Study of Derivatives Market in India and its Current Position in Global Financial Derivatives Markets

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed the multiple growths in the volume of international trade and business due to the wave of globalization and liberalization all over the world. As a result, the demand for the international money and financial instruments increased significantly at the global level. In this respect, change in exchange rates, interest rates and stock prices of different financial markets have increased the financial risk to the corporate world. Adverse changes in the macroeconomic factors have even threatened the very survival of business world. It is therefore essential to develop a set of new financial instruments known as derivatives in the Indian financial markets, to manage such risk. The basic purpose of these instruments is to provide commitments to prices for future dates for giving protection against adverse movements in future prices, in order to reduce the extent of financial risks. Today, the financial derivatives have become increasingly popular and most commonly used in the world of finance. This has grown with a phenomenal speed all over the world that now it is called as the derivatives revolution. In India, the emergence and growth of derivatives market is relatively a recent phenomenon. Since its inception in June 2000, derivatives market has exhibited exponential growth both in terms of volume and number of contract traded. The market turnover has grown from Rs.2365. Within a short span of twelve years, derivatives trading in India has surpassed cash segment in terms of turnover and number of traded contracts. The passed study encompasses in its scope, history, concept, definition, types, features, regulation, market, trend, growth, Future prospects and challenges of derivatives in India and status of Indian derivatives market vis-à-vis global derivative market.