Listing on NSE could make you a billionaire, says Ashish Chauhan
- Ashish Kumar Chauhan urged entrepreneurs to list on the NSE to achieve billionaire status.
- Last year, a total of $19.2 billion was raised from listings in Indian markets.
- Chauhan believes that improving market conditions will lead to more IPOs in the future.
On March 12, 2025, Ashish Kumar Chauhan, the CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India, encouraged entrepreneurs and startup founders to consider listing their companies on the NSE as a viable path to becoming billionaires. This statement was made during CNBC's CONVERGE LIVE event held in Singapore, where Chauhan highlighted that last year, Indian markets facilitated $19.2 billion in listings, marking the highest number of listings globally. He mentioned that around 200 micro companies were listed on the NSE in 2024 alone, signaling a strong entrepreneurial surge in India. Despite this optimism, Chauhan acknowledged that although the Indian market is experiencing continued listings, it has slowed compared to the previous year. The market dynamics are currently influenced by a weak start to the year, characterized by a downturn in equities and concerns over valuations, especially amidst a stronger U.S. dollar. This situation has impacted the attractiveness of Indian stocks for foreign investors, although Chauhan noted that valuations have returned to near their 10-year average, which may revive interest from both retail and foreign institutional investors. Moreover, the rise of retail investors has been significant, with the number increasing from approximately 16 million in 2014 to around 110 million today, as estimated by Chauhan. The influence of social media and various media outlets is also evident, with consistent messaging aimed at educating new investors that quick buying and selling does not equate to investment, thus promoting a more informed investing culture. As he concluded his remarks, Chauhan expressed hope for the future of IPOs in India, indicating that should market conditions improve, there would likely be an uptick in new public offerings. The clarification on when specific IPOs will be launched remains outstanding, as the NSE awaits regulatory approvals, yet the spirit of entrepreneurship and investment in India is clearly on the rise.