FM Sitharaman Hails BSE’s 150-Year Legacy

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday lauded the Bombay Stock Exchange’s (BSE) technological advancements and its vital role in India’s economic development. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Asia’s oldest stock exchange, marked a historic milestone as it celebrated its 150th anniversary, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was the chief guest at the celebration.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Sitharaman said BSE processes orders worth Rs 1,500 crore daily, reflecting the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology. She added that this truly is a barometer of where the Indian economy is headed.

She emphasized that the government’s budget focus has been on “inclusive growth,” and India remains



well-positioned to navigate global disruptions with policy agility and long-term strategic investments. She added that the strong regulatory framework of the BSE has played a key role in this stability.

Highlighting investor confidence, the finance minister pointed out that the market capitalization of BSE has reached an impressive Rs 400 lakh crore, placing it among the world’s top exchanges. She said retail investor participation has surged, with 4.1 crore demat accounts opened in February 2024 alone, a clear sign of growing trust in the transparency of India’s capital markets. She noted that mutual fund assets under management have also tripled recently, indicating growing investor maturity.