Overview
- NSE Indices announced the Nifty500 Ahimsa Index on Saturday, July 11, 2026, as a new thematic benchmark that gives investors exposure to companies whose business practices align with Ahimsa, the principle of non‑violence.
- The index was developed with the Ahimsagain Foundation using its Ahimsa Investment Movement (AIM) framework, which classifies firms into Green, Orange and Red bands and allows only Green‑band companies to be eligible.
- Constituents are drawn from the diversified Nifty 500 universe, weighted by free‑float market capitalisation, backfilled to a base date of April 1, 2016 with a base value of 1,000, and will be reconstituted semi‑annually.
- NSE and market participants expect the index to serve as a transparent, rules‑based benchmark for asset managers and to underpin passive products such as ETFs and index funds aimed at values‑focused domestic and global investors.
- The launch reflects a wider push by Indian exchanges to expand ESG and thematic offerings for investors, following similar moves such as BSE’s Saatvik index and growing demand for ethical screening tied to animal welfare.