The Nifty 50 index holds significant importance within the National Stock Exchange (NSE) as a well-diversified index representing 50 carefully selected companies, providing insights into overall market conditions. Nifty’s value is calculated using the capitalisation method of free float. The index encompasses various sectors such as Financial Services, IT, FMCG, power, oil and gas, metal, construction, automobiles, chemicals, and so on.
The Nifty 50 is a crucial stock market index comprising the 50 largest publicly traded companies listed on the NSE in India. It is widely regarded as a reliable gauge of the Indian equity market, measuring the broader market's performance. The index follows a methodology that weighs its constituents based on free-float market capitalisation, thereby reflecting the total market value of the stocks relative to a specific base period. Acting as a benchmark index, the Nifty 50 plays a fundamental role for investors, serving as a reference point for index and exchange-traded funds.
Nifty Options and Futures trading is popular among traders in India, with Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) and Domestic Institutional Investors (DII) actively participating in Nifty trading. Nifty Options Trading expires every Thursday, offering traders opportunities to engage in derivatives trading strategies. Notable stocks within the Nifty 50 index include HDFC Bank, Reliance, TCS, ICICI Bank, SBI, and Larsen & Toubro Ltd., making significant contributions to the overall index performance.
List of Nifty 50 stocks by stock weightage
From industry giants to emerging powerhouses, we will explore the key players shaping India's economy and driving its growth. The Nifty 50 index, comprising the top 50 actively traded stocks on India's National Stock Exchange (NSE), is a barometer of the country's economic health and investor sentiment. The weightage and constituents data are as of January 31, 2025, sourced from NSE India.
Also Read: Top 10 companies in India by market valuation
| Name |
Weightage |
| HDFC Bank Ltd | 12.24% |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | 8.38% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd | 8.14% |
| Infosys Limited | 6.42% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | 4.13% |
| Tata Consultancy Services Ltd | 3.98% |
| Larsen & Toubro Ltd. | 3.98% |
| ITC Ltd | 3.94% |
| State Bank of India | 2.82% |
| Axis Bank Limited | 2.66% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd | 2.65% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd | 2.51% |
| Bajaj Finance Limited | 2.09% |
| Hindustan Unilever Ltd. | 2.08% |
| Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 1.78% |
| HCL Technologies Ltd | 1.73% |
| Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. | 1.53% |
| NTPC Ltd | 1.45% |
| Tata Motors Limited | 1.42% |
| Titan Company Limited | 1.37% |
| Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd | 1.29% |
| UltraTech Cement Limited | 1.24% |
| Trent Ltd | 1.21% |
| Tata Steel Limited | 1.06% |
| Tech Mahindra Limited | 1.01% |
| Bharat Electronics Ltd | 0.99% |
| Asian Paints Limited | 0.99% |
| Oil and Natural Gas Corporation | 0.97% |
| ITC Hotels Limited | 0.14% |
Also Read: What is the price-to earnings (P/E) ratio
Exploring the weightage breakdown of key market segments
Understanding the breakdown of weightage among different sectors offers valuable insights into the overall composition and performance of the market. By exploring the weightage distribution, investors and analysts can better understand the sectors that wield significant influence, enabling them to make informed decisions and capitalise on emerging opportunities.
Also Read: Nifty 50 History: Index movement and PE ratio from 1990 to 2025
| Sector |
Weight (%) |
| Financial Services |
34.35 |
| Information Technology |
13.97 |
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
10.43 |
| Fast Moving Consumer Goods |
8.01 |
| Automobile and Auto Components |
7.61 |
| Telecommunication |
4.13 |
| Construction |
3.98 |
| Healthcare |
3.91 |
| Metals & Mining |
3.27 |
| Power |
2.75 |
| Consumer Durables |
2.35 |
| Construction Materials |
2.12 |
| Consumer Services |
1.35 |
| Capital Goods |
0.99 |
| Services |
0.77 |
How is the Nifty 50 index computed?
The Nifty 50 index is computed using the free float market capitalisation-weighted method. Here's a simplified explanation of how it works:
- Selection of Stocks: The first step is to select the stocks that will be included in the Nifty index. The NSE has specific eligibility criteria, such as liquidity, trading frequency, and market capitalisation, for the stocks to be considered.
- Free Float Market Capitalisation: The index calculation relies on the chosen stocks' free-float market capitalisation. Free float encompasses the shares actively tradable in the market, excluding those held by promoters, governments, or strategic investors. Market capitalisation is derived by multiplying the prevailing market price of each stock by its corresponding free float.
- Calculation of Index Value: The index value is calculated using the formula:
Index Value = (Sum of (Market Capitalisation of Stock * Free Float Factor) / Base Market Capitalisation) * Base Index Value
The free float factor represents the proportion of shares available for trading, and the base market capitalisation and base index value are reference values set at a specific base date.
- Periodic Review: The composition of the Nifty 50 index is reviewed periodically by the NSE. If stocks no longer fulfil the eligibility criteria, they can be substituted with alternative stocks that meet the required criteria.
Also Read: Renewable energy sector in India and top stocks by market capitalisation
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
1. What is Nifty?
The term "Nifty" refers to a stock market index established by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). It derives its name from "NSE Fifty," indicating the inclusion of the top 50 stocks listed on the NSE. For a comprehensive understanding of the companies encompassed within this index, interested individuals can refer to the designated web page for further details.
2. How to buy/invest in Nifty 50?
To invest in Nifty 50 , individuals can buy index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track the performance of the Nifty 50 index. These funds can be purchased through a stockbroker or online trading platforms, providing exposure to the 50 major stocks listed on the National Stock Exchange of India.
3. How is Nifty 50 different from the Sensex?
While both Nifty 50 and Sensex are stock market indices in India, they differ in their composition. Nifty 50 represents the top 50 stocks listed on the NSE, whereas the Sensex represents the 30 stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The selection criteria and weighting methodology are also different for these indices.
