The onboarding process is digital. This means you can open an account online without physical paperwork
Indian investors have a way to buy shares of global companies like Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft and Tesla. The NSE International Exchange (NSEIX), a wholly owned subsidiary of NSE, based in GIFT City, has launched its Global Access platform to make investing in US stocks easier and more direct. The platform was recently rolled out as part of India’s push to bring more global investment options under a regulated domestic framework.
No demat required
The platform operates from GIFT City, which offers a tax-efficient structure while staying compliant with RBI rules. One key advantage is that investors do not need to open a separate overseas demat account, as the entire portfolio can be managed digitally through a simpler, integrated system.
It currently allows Indians to invest in US stocks and ETFs, and in the next few months, it plans to expand access to more than 30 international markets, including Europe, Japan and Australia, according to a source.
Who can invest
Resident Indians and non-resident Indians (NRIs) can invest through NSE IX Global Access. The platform is primarily aimed at retail investors and high-net-worth individuals seeking to diversify globally. However, it is not meant for entities that exceed the LRS limit or for other non-resident categories outside the permitted group.
How you can invest
The onboarding process is digital. This means you can open an account online without physical paperwork.
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To get started with NSE IX Global Access, visit the NSE IX portal or app and go to the Global Access section. Click on sign up and complete a quick video KYC using your PAN and Aadhaar for verification. Once verified, fund your account under the LRS route by converting Indian rupees into US dollars, within the annual limit of US$ 250,000.
After funding, you can browse available options such as US stocks and ETFs and start investing immediately. You can place orders even in small amounts through fractional or value-based trading. Your portfolio can be tracked in real time in US dollars, and there is no fixed minimum investment, with trades possible from as low as US$ 10.
Recently, a BSE company, India INX GA, has also launched a platform offering access to international exchanges and global products for investors.
Fractional trading
Fractional trading is a key feature. This means you do not need to buy one full share of a company. For instance, if a share costs more than Rs 15,000, you can still invest a smaller amount, such as Rs 1,000.
Sachin Jasuja, Head of Equities and Founding Partner, Centricity WealthTech, said, “It removes the high price barrier that has historically kept retail investors away from expensive global stocks. You can invest as little as $1–$10 in companies like Amazon or Google, diversify small amounts across multiple stocks, and invest monthly in a SIP-style format using dollar-cost averaging.”
“Technically, this works either through receipts—where one share is split into smaller units—or through broker pooling, where you own a fraction such as 0.005 of a share. You receive proportional returns and dividends, though voting rights are generally not extended unless you hold a full share,” added Jasuja.
Taxation
When you invest in US equities, taxation depends on how long you hold the investment and the type of income you earn. Capital gains are divided into two parts. If you hold the shares for more than 24 months, the gains are treated as long-term and taxed at 12.5 percent without indexation. If the holding period is 24 months or less, the gains are treated as short-term and added to your total income, and taxed as per your income tax slab.
“Dividends from US stocks are also taxable in India as per your income tax slab. However, a 25 percent tax is usually deducted in the US under the India–US tax treaty. This amount is not lost, as you can claim it as a Foreign Tax Credit in India by filing Form 67, as per income tax rules,” as explained by CA Chandini Anandan of ClearTax.
In addition, Tax Collected at Source (TCS) may apply when you send money abroad for investing. A 20 percent TCS is levied under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme if your total outward remittance in a financial year exceeds Rs 10 lakh.
You also need to report your foreign investments on your income tax return.
Risk involved
There are a few risks investors should keep in mind. Under LRS, the annual limit of US$250,000 may restrict how much you can invest abroad. Returns can also be affected by movements in the rupee against the US dollar. “Since US markets operate late in the evening for Indian investors, the timing may not suit everyone. There are also currency conversion charges and spreads that can add to costs. Any changes in LRS rules by the RBI can impact investments, and currently the offering is limited mainly to US markets in the first phase,” according to a spokesperson seeking anonymity.
Companies using US brokerage accounts
Currently, financial apps such as Vested Finance, INDmoney, and Groww allow Indians to invest in US stocks through a digital process that follows RBI rules. These platforms typically opened US brokerage accounts for users by partnering with foreign brokers such as Alpaca or DriveWealth.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.