How to buy a Nifty 50 ETF on Zerodha
A Nifty 50 ETF tracks the Nifty 50 index , giving you broad-market equity exposure without picking individual stocks. Buying a Nifty 50 ETF on Zerodha is the standard equity buy process via Kite .
Conflict-of-interest disclosure. This guide is published by WebNotes Editorial Team for informational purposes. WebNotes has no commercial relationship with Zerodha or any specific ETF issuer.
Step-by-step procedure
Six steps per the procedure infobox. The notes below cover ETF selection and the cost / tax considerations.
Choosing the ETF
Popular Nifty 50-tracking ETFs:
| ETF | Symbol | Issuer | Approximate expense ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon India ETF Nifty BeES | NIFTYBEES | Nippon India MF | Low (under 0.05%) |
| SBI Nifty 50 ETF | SETFNIF50 | SBI MF | Low |
| ICICI Prudential Nifty 50 ETF | ICICINIFTY | ICICI Pru MF | Low |
| Kotak Nifty 50 ETF | KOTAKNIFTY | Kotak MF | Low |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty 50 ETF | Various | Motilal Oswal MF | Low |
NIFTYBEES is the largest and most liquid; preferred for tight spreads. For others, check the ETF page for current AUM and liquidity.
Why ETF over the index directly
You cannot buy “the Nifty 50 index” directly. ETFs hold the underlying constituents in proportion to the index weight, tracking the index closely (with small tracking error and expense ratio).
For a Rs 10,000 investment in NIFTYBEES at Rs 220/unit, you get ~45 units representing proportional exposure to all 50 Nifty constituents.
Where to find the symbol
Search “NIFTYBEES” (or other ETF symbol) in the Kite marketwatch search field. The result shows the live LTP and exchange tag.
Tracking error
ETFs aim to track the index but have small tracking error due to:
- Expense ratio (annual fee).
- Cash drag (small cash position).
- Distribution mechanics.
For Nifty 50 ETFs, tracking error is typically very small (a few basis points per year). For mid-cap and small-cap ETFs, larger tracking error.
Tax treatment
ETF holdings are taxed like equity:
- STCG if held under 12 months: 15% (subject to applicable surcharges).
- LTCG if held over 12 months: 10% above Rs 1.25 lakh threshold (with applicable surcharges).
This is the same as direct equity holdings.
For complex tax situations involving ETF rebalancing or large positions, consult a Chartered Accountant before filing.
Dividend distribution
Some Nifty 50 ETFs (like NIFTYBEES) accumulate dividends rather than distributing; others distribute periodically. Check the ETF’s KIM (Key Information Memorandum) for distribution policy.
Settlement
- T+1 settlement for standard CNC buys.
- T+0 if the ETF is in the T+0 segment (some popular Nifty 50 ETFs are).
After settlement, ETF holdings appear on Kite Holdings .
See also
- How to buy NiftyBeES on Zerodha
- How to buy Bank BeES on Zerodha
- How to buy GoldBeES on Zerodha
- How to buy LiquidBeES on Zerodha
- How to buy Junior BeES on Zerodha
- How to buy CPSE ETF on Zerodha
- How to buy Bharat Bond ETF on Zerodha
- How to buy Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 ETF on Zerodha
- How to buy MAFANG ETF on Zerodha
- How to add Bharat Bond ETF to Kite
- How to add scrips to the Kite marketwatch
- How to use the marketwatch on Kite
- How to search stocks, ETFs, MFs, IPOs, G-secs on Kite
- How to search gold bonds on Kite
- Nifty 50
- ETF (India)
- Kite Holdings tab explained
- Kite Positions tab explained
- Day’s P&L on holdings calculation
- Realised vs unrealised profit calculation
- Capital gains tax (India)
- STT and STCG tax (India)
- Long-term capital gains (LTCG)
- Short-term capital gains (STCG)
- Settlement cycle changes 2025-26
- T+1 settlement in Indian equity
- Instant settlement T+0 stocks list
- CNC product type
- Mutual fund
- Mutual funds in India
- Kite (Zerodha)
- Zerodha
- Zerodha Console
External references
References
- NSE Indices Limited, Nifty 50 index methodology, niftyindices.com.
- Zerodha Support, ETF trading on Kite, support.zerodha.com.
- Income Tax Act, 1961, section 112A (equity LTCG).