How to Trade GIFT Nifty in India ?

27 Jan 2026

JM Financial Services

With the launch of GIFT Nifty at NSE IFSC (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), traders now have access to a globally aligned derivative contract that tracks the Nifty index. GIFT Nifty replaced SGX Nifty and serves as an important indicator for Indian market opening trends.

But how can you trade GIFT Nifty from India? Let’s break it down step by step.

🔹 What is GIFT Nifty?

GIFT Nifty is a derivative contract traded on NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City. It reflects the movement of India’s Nifty index but is traded in US dollar denomination.

It is widely used by:

Institutional investors
Foreign investors
Arbitrage traders
Active derivatives traders

📌 Can Retail Investors Trade GIFT Nifty?

Yes, but through specific channels.

Since GIFT Nifty is traded at NSE IFSC, you need:

Access to NSE IFSC trading
An account enabled for international/IFSC derivatives
Broker support offering GIFT Nifty access

Not all Indian brokers provide this facility yet.

🟢 Step-by-Step: How to Trade GIFT Nifty in India

Step 1: Open an Account with an IFSC-Enabled Broker

Choose a broker that provides access to:

NSE International Exchange (NSE IX)
GIFT Nifty derivatives

Complete:

KYC formalities
Trading activation for IFSC segment

Step 2: Activate Derivatives Segment

GIFT Nifty trades in:

Futures contracts
Monthly and weekly expiry contracts

Ensure derivatives trading is enabled.

Step 3: Fund Your Trading Account

Since GIFT Nifty contracts are USD-denominated:

Margin requirements may differ
Currency exposure may apply

Check margin requirements before trading.

Step 4: Understand Contract Specifications

Before placing trades, check:

Lot size
Contract value
Expiry dates
Trading hours
Margin requirements

GIFT Nifty trades for extended hours compared to regular NSE Nifty.

Step 5: Place Trade (Buy or Sell Futures)

You can:

Go long (if expecting market rise)
Go short (if expecting market fall)

Orders are placed like any other futures contract.

🕒 GIFT Nifty Trading Hours

GIFT Nifty operates almost 21 hours a day in two sessions, allowing global participants to trade even when Indian markets are closed.

This makes it a key pre-market indicator for NSE opening.

📊 Why Traders Track GIFT Nifty?

Predict Indian market opening
Arbitrage opportunities
Hedge NSE positions
Trade global sentiment

If GIFT Nifty is sharply up in early hours, Nifty may open higher.

📈 Advantages of Trading GIFT Nifty

Extended trading hours
Global liquidity
Early market direction indicator
Arbitrage opportunities
Exposure to Nifty without NSE hours limitation

⚠ Risks of Trading GIFT Nifty

High volatility
Currency exposure risk
Leverage risk (derivatives)
Margin calls
Not suitable for beginners

🧠 Who Should Trade GIFT Nifty?

Experienced derivatives traders
Arbitrage traders
Institutional participants
Traders monitoring global cues

Beginners should understand futures trading risks before participating.

📌 Key Differences: GIFT Nifty vs NSE Nifty Futures

Feature	GIFT Nifty	NSE Nifty Futures
Exchange	NSE IFSC	NSE India
Currency	USD	INR
Trading Hours	Extended	Indian market hours
Use Case	Global trading	Domestic derivatives

📈 Is GIFT Nifty Good for Retail Traders?

It can be useful if:

You actively trade derivatives
You understand leverage
You track global markets

It may not be ideal for long-term investors.

FAQs

1️) What is GIFT Nifty?

GIFT Nifty is a derivative contract traded on NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City, tracking the Nifty 50 index and denominated in USD.

2️) Can retail investors trade GIFT Nifty in India?

Yes, retail investors can trade GIFT Nifty if their broker provides access to NSE IFSC derivatives and the segment is activated in their trading account.

3️) What are GIFT Nifty trading hours?

GIFT Nifty trades for extended hours in two sessions, covering both Asian and US market timings, making it a global trading instrument.

4️) What is the lot size of GIFT Nifty?

Lot size is defined by NSE IFSC and may differ from NSE Nifty futures. Traders should verify the latest contract specifications before trading.

5️) Is GIFT Nifty same as SGX Nifty?

GIFT Nifty replaced SGX Nifty. It serves the same purpose of indicating Indian market trends but is now traded on NSE IFSC instead of Singapore Exchange.