SEBI is considering significant changes to the derivatives segment, including extending the tenure of Futures & Options (F&O) contracts. The regulator may phase out weekly expiries in favor of monthly ones, aiming to simplify the structure and reduce the number of expiry days. According to sources, SEBI is in talks with stock exchanges, which have also proposed shifting to monthly expiries. A final consultation paper outlining these changes is expected soon. SEBI Chairman has indicated a clear direction toward reducing market volatility and speculation linked with frequent contract expiries.
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Stock Market Live Updates Highlights: Market Rallies For Sixth Straight Day; Pharma Lifts Nifty Above 25,000, Sensex Gains 143 Points
🕒 Updated: August 21, 2025 16:09:39 IST
✍️ Written by: Aishwarya Samant
✍️ Written by: Aishwarya Samant
Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex and Nifty Set for Flat Start; GIFT Nifty Signals Slightly Positive Opening
Stock Market Live Updates: Good morning readers, Before we dive into the charts, here are few tips on how to choose a platform for yourself before you begin-
Here’s a quick and helpful tip for beginner traders, especially if you’re just getting started and feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.
Choosing the right trading platform can make or break your experience in the stock market. To help you out, here’s a quick checklist to guide your decision:
- Start with a user-friendly platform – Look for one that’s simple, clean, and easy to navigate, especially if you’re new to trading.
- Go for low brokerage fees – When starting small, high fees can eat into your profits.
- Check mobile accessibility – A reliable app lets you trade or monitor markets anytime, even on the go.
- Look for basic research tools – Watchlists, price alerts, and stock charts will help you learn faster.
- Prefer platforms with educational content – Some apps offer free webinars and articles tailored for beginners.
- Ensure strong customer support – Helpful assistance can make your early trading days much smoother.
Pick smart, start small, and keep learning!
Here are few platforms that are suggested by exeperts-
Top Trading Platforms in India (2025)
| Platform | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Zerodha (Kite) | Beginners & advanced traders | Low brokerage, easy UI, excellent charts, trusted by millions |
| Upstox | Budget traders & mobile users | Fast app, low-cost plans, solid research tools |
| Groww | Beginners (investing + trading) | Simple interface, no jargon, easy for first-time traders |
| Angel One | Full-service with discount pricing | Personalized advisory + trading in one, good research reports |
| ICICI Direct | Trusted full-service platform | Seamless banking + trading, strong customer support |
| HDFC Sky | Premium full-service offering | Banking-backed platform with advanced tools and research |
| 5Paisa | Low-cost trading | Very low brokerage, good for high-frequency traders |
| Motilal Oswal | Research-driven investing | Deep analysis, multiple investment options beyond just stock |
(Compiled from various sources, for informational purposes only)
Stay Tuned To Newsx For Stock Market Today, Sensex, NSE, BSE, Nifty Live Updates
Live Updates
- 16:08 (IST) 21 Aug 2025
Stock Market Live Updates: Market At Closing | Nifty Holds Above 25,050 And Sensex Gains 143 Points
- Nifty closed above 25,050 for the sixth consecutive session on August 21.
- Sensex ended up 142.87 points (0.17%) at 82,000.71.
- Nifty rose by 33.20 points (0.13%) to close at 25,083.75.
- Market breadth: 2025 shares advanced, 1886 declined, 145 unchanged.
- Top Nifty gainers: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, SBI Life Insurance.
- Top losers: Bajaj Auto, Coal India, Power Grid Corporation, Eternal, Tata Consumer Products.
- Sector performance: Pharma index up 1%, Realty index up 0.4%.
- Auto index down 0.3%, FMCG index down 0.6%.
- BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices ended flat.
- 13:32 (IST) 21 Aug 2025
Stock Market Live Updates: GST Exemption May Raise Insurance Premiums
Industry leaders have welcomed the proposal to exempt health and life insurance premiums from GST for individuals, but they warn of possible unintended consequences. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, insurance executives stated that if the exemption is implemented without addressing the inverted duty structure, it could lead to a 7–10% increase in premiums. This is because insurers would lose input tax credits on services used, thereby increasing operational costs. Such a rise in premiums could dampen consumer demand, especially in price-sensitive segments. Experts urge policymakers to address the structural issues to avoid negatively impacting insurance penetration in India
- 13:32 (IST) 21 Aug 2025
Stock Market Live Updates: SEBI Plans to Streamline Derivatives Market
- 10:55 (IST) 21 Aug 2025
Stock Market Live Updates: Rupee Gains 14 Paise to 86.93 vs US Dollar
The Indian rupee rose 14 paise to 86.93 against the US dollar in early trade on August 21. This gain was supported by positive domestic stock markets and improved investor risk appetite, boosting confidence in the currency.
- 10:53 (IST) 21 Aug 2025
Stock Market Live Updates: Insurance Stocks Surge on GST Exemption Proposal
Shares of insurance companies rose on Thursday, August 21, following reports that the Group of Ministers (GoM) proposed exempting life and health insurance premiums from Goods and Services Tax (GST). This move is expected to reduce costs for consumers and boost the insurance sector’s growth.
