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Gift Nifty

A Pre-market Signal for Nifty 50 Movement

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GIFT NIFTY

25,566.00

190.0 (0.75 %)

20,Feb 2026

1W 1M 3M 1Y 5Y All
 

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About Gift Nifty

Gift Nifty with ICICI Direct

GIFT Nifty (earlier known as SGX Nifty) is a futures contract based on the Nifty 50 index. It trades on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) located in GIFT City, Gujarat.

It gives an early indication of how the Nifty 50 might perform when Indian stock markets open, especially based on global market trends.

Other Indices

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GIFT NIFTY trading Timings

The GIFT NIFTY trading operates in two sessions daily, providing nearly 19 hours of GIFT NIFTY market time for global investors to trade in the Indian index. This extended GIFT NIFTY opening time allows for continuous price discovery, boosting GIFT NIFTY India's reach.

GIFT NIFTY Trading SessionGIFT NIFTY Opening Time (IST)GIFT NIFTY Closing Time (IST)
Session 1 6:30 AM 3:40 PM
Session 2 4:35 PM 2:45 AM (Next Day)

GIFT NIFTY History & Timelines

GIFT NIFTY was earlier known as SGX NIFTY, traded on the Singapore Exchange. In 2023, it was renamed and shifted to NSE International Exchange in GIFT City, Gujarat. The shift centralized NIFTY contract trading at NSE IFSC, directing liquidity to India while improving access and boosting efficiency for investors in Indian equity derivatives.

  • The GIFT NIFTY chart currently shows a 52-week range of around 21,827 to 26,342 points, with the GIFT NIFTY price hovering near 26,261 as of late October 2025.
  • Recent GIFT NIFTY news highlighted that in May 2025 the index set a record monthly turnover of US$102.35 billion, underscoring the rise of GIFT NIFTY trading globally.
  • GIFT NIFTY India now operates nearly 19 hours a day, offering global investors extended access.

How does GIFT NIFTY work?

The GIFT NIFTY is a futures contract that functions as a USD-denominated derivative based on the NIFTY 50 index. It is traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in Gujarat's GIFT City, replacing the former SGX NIFTY. The mechanism of GIFT NIFTY trading is designed for global investors, operating for nearly 19 hours a day across two sessions, allowing traders to react to overnight developments in Asian, European, and US markets. This extended window enables continuous price discovery and hedging. For Indian markets, the GIFT NIFTY price action often provides an essential clue about how the domestic NIFTY 50 index is likely to open, making the GIFT NIFTY trading activity a vital pre-market indicator.

What is the impact of GIFT NIFTY on the Indian Stock Market?

The GIFT NIFTY has a significant impact on the Indian stock market, primarily by acting as a crucial pre-market indicator for the domestic NIFTY 50 index in GIFT NIFTY India. Traders closely watch the GIFT NIFTY price movements overnight because its trend offers a strong GIFT NIFTY prediction of how the NIFTY 50 will open on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Positive GIFT NIFTY news often signals a higher opening for the NIFTY 50, and vice-versa. This mechanism centralizes index derivatives trading in India, enhancing regulatory oversight and improving liquidity, which attracts more international investment into the GIFT NIFTY ecosystem and, by extension, the broader Indian equity market.

GIFT NIFTY vs NIFTY 50

FeatureGIFT NIFTYNIFTY 50
What it is A futures contract based on the NIFTY 50 index. It is essentially a derivative product. The underlying benchmark index of the top 50 large-cap stocks in GIFT NIFTY India.
Currency Contracts are denominated in USD. The index is valued in INR.
Trading Location Traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in GIFT City, Gujarat. Traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai, India.
Primary Users Global investors, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), and institutions seeking offshore exposure to the Indian market. Domestic and international investors trading directly on the Indian exchange.
Role in Market Acts as a global pre-market indicator, with its GIFT NIFTY price movements setting the tone for the NIFTY 50's opening. Represents the actual performance of the Indian market and is the basis for the GIFT NIFTY SGX futures' value.
Trading Hours Operates nearly 21 19 hours a day across two sessions, covering global market hours. This is a key difference in GIFT NIFTY vs SGX NIFTY. Trades during the regular Indian market hours (typically 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM IST).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the margin requirements and contract specifications for GIFT NIFTY?

The GIFT NIFTY futures contract is traded on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) with a standard lot size of 50 units of the NIFTY 50 Index. The contracts have monthly expiry. Trading is conducted over extended hours in two sessions.

Traders use GIFT NIFTY to gauge early market sentiment for India’s NIFTY 50 index. It operates during extended hours, allowing global participants to monitor price movements, analyse the GIFT NIFTY chart, and adjust positions. GIFT NIFTY trading helps in forming predictions before the Indian market opens, based on global cues.

GIFT NIFTY is primarily designed for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Eligible Foreign Investors (EFIs). These global participants can trade futures  contracts on the NIFTY 50 index using USD on the NSE IX platform in GIFT City. Crucially, Indian retail investors are not permitted to trade directly due to foreign exchange regulations.

The GIFT NIFTY futures contracts are offered exclusively on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) in GIFT City, Gujarat, India. They are the replacement for the earlier SGX NIFTY contracts, effectively consolidating the offshore trading of the NIFTY 50 index in a single Indian-regulated exchange.

Trading in GIFT NIFTY under IFSC regulations offers major tax benefits, especially for non-residents. Key exemptions include zero Capital Gains Tax on derivatives, and no levies like Securities Transaction Tax (STT), CTT, or stamp duty, making it highly attractive for foreign investors.

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