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India Caps Record IPO Year as 2026 Pipeline Swells and Investors Turn Selective

Investor behavior shifted toward SIP-led mutual funds as direct traders sold shares.

Overview

  • Mainboard IPOs in 2025 reached 103 listings raising about Rs 1.75 lakh crore, putting India among the top markets globally by deal count and proceeds.
  • The 2026 calendar shows a large pipeline, with fundraising estimates ranging from roughly Rs 2.65 lakh crore (PRIME Database) to about Rs 4 lakh crore (Pantomath), and marquee names like Reliance Jio, Flipkart, PhonePe, Zepto and OYO preparing offerings subject to regulatory clearance and market conditions.
  • Listing outcomes were uneven as average first‑day gains fell to about 10% and nearly half of 2025 debutants traded below issue price by late December, reflecting greater valuation discipline and selective demand.
  • Direct equity investors turned net sellers in 2025 by about Rs 8,461 crore, while SIP inflows hit a record near Rs 3.03–3.04 lakh crore and domestic institutions provided substantial support to equities.
  • Headline indices ended the year higher with Nifty up around 10% as smallcaps fell roughly 7.5%, and brokerages outlined a cautious‑constructive 2026 playbook favoring quality, reasonable valuations and selective exposure in mid and small caps.