Description

NSE adds 20 securities to Enhanced Surveillance Measure (ESM) Stage I effective April 23, 2026, requiring 100% margin and shift from Rolling Settlement to Trade-for-Trade segment.

Summary

NSE Circular 285/2026 (Download Ref: NSE/SURV/73826), issued by the Surveillance department on April 21, 2026, announces the inclusion of 20 securities under the Enhanced Surveillance Measure (ESM) Stage I framework effective April 23, 2026. These securities will attract a minimum 100% margin requirement and will be migrated from Rolling Settlement (EQ/SM series) to Trade-for-Trade (BE/ST series). Additionally, securities moving to ESM Stage II will be placed under Trade-for-Trade with a 2% price band under Periodic Call Auction.

Key Points

  • 20 securities added to ESM Stage I, attracting minimum 100% margin w.e.f. April 23, 2026
  • Margin applies to all open positions as on April 22, 2026, and all new positions from April 23, 2026
  • All 20 securities (marked with *) to be shifted from Rolling Settlement (EQ/SM) to Trade-for-Trade (BE/ST) w.e.f. April 23, 2026
  • Securities moving to ESM Stage II will be under Trade-for-Trade with a 2% price band under Periodic Call Auction w.e.f. April 22, 2026
  • Certain securities are also eligible for exit from ESM framework (Annexure II)
  • A consolidated list of all securities under the ESM framework is provided in Annexure III
  • ESM framework operates in conjunction with all other prevailing surveillance measures
  • Shortlisting under ESM is purely a surveillance action and should not be construed as an adverse action against the company

Regulatory Changes

This circular is issued under the ESM framework established by earlier circulars: NSE/SURV/56948 (June 2, 2023), NSE/SURV/57609 (July 18, 2023), NSE/SURV/63361 (August 9, 2024), NSE/SURV/64066 (September 20, 2024), NSE/SURV/64400 (October 4, 2024), and NSE/SURV/69315 (July 25, 2025). The current circular applies these existing ESM provisions to a new batch of securities.

Compliance Requirements

  • NSE Members: Must ensure 100% margin collection on all ESM Stage I securities for open positions as of April 22, 2026, and new positions from April 23, 2026
  • Members: Must route trades in the specified securities through the Trade-for-Trade (BE/ST) segment from April 23, 2026
  • Members: For ESM Stage II securities, trading must comply with 2% price band restrictions under Periodic Call Auction from April 22, 2026
  • Members may direct queries to surveillance@nse.co.in

Important Dates

DateEvent
April 21, 2026Circular issued
April 22, 2026Reference date for open positions; ESM Stage II Periodic Call Auction with 2% price band effective
April 23, 2026100% margin requirement effective; Migration from EQ/SM to BE/ST segment effective

Impact Assessment

Securities Added to ESM Stage I (Annexure I):

Sr. No.SymbolSecurity NameISIN
1AGARWALFTAgarwal Float Glass India LimitedINE0MLA01012
2AHLWESTAsian Hotels (West) LimitedINE915K01010
3AKSHOPTFBRAksh Optifibre LimitedINE523B01011
4ATCENERGYATC Energies System LimitedINE0V0Q01019
5AVADHSUGARAvadh Sugar & Energy LimitedINE349W01017
6DURLAXDurlax Top Surface LimitedINE0OUW01013
7FCSSOFTFCS Software Solutions LimitedINE512B01022
8INSPIREInspire Films LimitedINE0NDX01019
9KRITINUTKriti Nutrients LimitedINE798K01010
10LOKESHMACHLokesh Machines LimitedINE397H01017
11MCLEODRUSSMcleod Russel India LimitedINE942G01012
12MEILMangal Electrical Industries LimitedINE0PKD01011
13NAHARSPINGNahar Spinning Mills LimitedINE290A01027
14PEARLPOLYPearl Polymers LimitedINE844A01013
15PPSLPicturepost Studios LimitedINE0YAL01017
16PURVFLEXIPurv Flexipack LimitedINE0R6C01012
17RBSRamdevbaba Solvent LimitedINE0RJH01010
18SAKUMASakuma Exports LimitedINE190H01024
19SWASTIKSwastik Pipe LimitedINE0DGC01025
20VLEGOVVL E-Governance & IT Solutions LimitedINE03HW01020

Market Impact: The 100% margin requirement significantly increases the cost of holding positions in these securities, likely reducing liquidity and trading volumes. The shift to Trade-for-Trade eliminates netting benefits, meaning each trade must result in actual delivery, further dampening speculative activity. The 2% price band under Periodic Call Auction for Stage II securities severely limits intraday price movement. These measures collectively signal elevated regulatory concern about price manipulation or abnormal trading patterns in these securities.

Impact Justification

20 securities face 100% margin requirements and mandatory segment migration from Rolling Settlement (EQ/SM) to Trade-for-Trade (BE/ST), significantly restricting trading flexibility and increasing cost of participation for market members.