Guides
A growing collection of how-to guides and reference notes.
- Money debited greater than allotment (G-Sec)
When more funds are debited from your Zerodha balance than your G-Sec allotment, the difference comes from accrued interest. Explains the mechanism.
- Minimum stock SIP amount on Kite
Minimum SIP investment amounts for equity SIPs on Kite. Explains how the threshold is determined by the scrip's price and the lot-size handling for ETFs.
- Maturity event for G-Secs
What happens when a G-Sec held on Zerodha matures. Covers redemption credit, demat removal, and final coupon.
- Market-wide circuit breakers
Index-level circuit breakers halt entire market trading on extreme moves. Triggered at 10%, 15%, 20% index moves. Explains the framework.
- Market orders blocked for long-dated options
Kite blocks market orders for long-dated (far-month, far-quarter) options to protect against wide-spread slippage. Explains the restriction and limit-order workaround.
- Market orders blocked for deep ITM index options
Why Kite blocks market orders for deep ITM index options. Explains the slippage risk and why limit orders are required for these contracts.
- Market depth view on Kite
Market depth on Kite shows the 5-level bid-ask order book for any tradable instrument. Explains how to open the depth panel, read the bids and asks, and use depth for order placement decisions.
- Mark-to-Market (MTM) explained
Mark-to-Market (MTM) is the daily revaluation and cash settlement of F&O positions to the current price. Explains the mechanics and effect on margin.
- Margins and leverage at Zerodha
An overview of margin and leverage at Zerodha across segments: equity intraday, equity delivery, F&O, currency, commodity. Explains the leverage levels available and the regulatory framework.
- Margin-call timeline at Zerodha
When margin used exceeds available, Zerodha follows a timeline of notifications and actions: alerts, top-up window, and auto-square-off if not resolved. Explains the timeline.
- Margin trading SEBI new rules 2026
SEBI's 2026 framework for Margin Trading Funding (MTF) tightens client eligibility, increases broker capital requirements, and overhauls the pledge mechanics. Explains the changes and their impact on Zerodha and other Indian brokers.
- Margin shortfall penalty notice
The margin shortfall penalty notice (SMS / email from Zerodha) tells you the shortfall amount, the applicable rate, and the action required. Explains the notice and response.
- Margin shortfall instances
Common scenarios that cause margin shortfall in F&O / equity intraday trading. Helps anticipate and prevent shortfalls.
- Margin required on the Kite order window
The margin-required field on the Kite order ticket shows the SPAN + exposure margin a trade will consume before you place it. Explains the calculation, the haircut on collateral, and the difference from settlement value.
- Margin penalty entries on ledger
How margin penalty (SEBI shortfall penalty) appears in the Zerodha Console ledger. Covers entry format, reconciliation, and dispute path.
- Margin on exit calculation on Kite
How Kite calculates the margin released when you close an open position. Explains the SPAN recalculation, partial-close handling, and the cash impact.
- Margin available, used and cash on the Kite funds page
The three core fields on the Kite funds page: margin available, margin used, and cash. Explains the calculation, the relationship to F&O margin, and how the cash component relates to SEBI's 50:50 rule.
- LTP difference between marketwatch and chart on Kite
Why the LTP on the Kite marketwatch can briefly differ from the LTP shown on the chart for the same scrip. Covers tick-update frequency, bar-aggregation lag, and the exchange feed.
- LTP difference between Holdings and marketwatch on Kite
Why the LTP on the Kite Holdings tab can differ from the LTP on the marketwatch row for the same scrip. Covers refresh timing, exchange dual-listing, and end-of-day snapshot vs live tick.
- Lower MTF interest rate negotiation
Can you negotiate a lower MTF interest rate with your broker? Explains how brokers set rates, what factors affect them, and what scope for negotiation exists.
- Lot size revision F&O 2024
SEBI revised F&O lot sizes upward in 2024 to raise the minimum contract size and discourage small-ticket speculative trades. Explains the new sizes for major contracts and the impact on retail participation.
- Long-term ASM Stage 1 to 4
Long-term ASM has 4 escalating stages with increasing trading restrictions. Explains each stage's triggers, restrictions, and the typical timeline for moving between stages.
- Long-dated contracts margin requirements
Long-dated F&O contracts (far month, far quarter) typically have higher margin requirements than near-month contracts due to greater time-related uncertainty.
- Listing-day trading hours
Trading hours and rules on a stock's listing day (the day shares first trade on NSE / BSE after an IPO). Covers special pre-open, circuit relaxation, and order types.
- LIQUIDCASE physical delivery rule
ETFs including LIQUIDCASE follow specific physical delivery rules at settlement. What this means for retail holders on Zerodha.
- LIQUIDCASE as collateral on Zerodha
Pledge LIQUIDCASE ETF on Zerodha to get margin for F&O / equity trading. Haircut, process, and benefits.
- LiquidBees physical delivery margin
LiquidBees ETF settlement and any physical-delivery considerations. Most retail LiquidBees activity is via demat with no physical-delivery margin concern.
- Leverage indicator on Kite
Kite shows a leverage indicator on the order ticket displaying the effective multiplier based on margin available vs notional position size. Explains the indicator and its use.
- Leverage for delivery / carry-over positions
Leverage on delivery (CNC) is 1x (full payment) and on NRML F&O is SPAN-based. Explains the contrast and how to think about overnight carry positions.
- Leverage against available funds
Effective leverage of your trading depends on margin used vs available funds, not just the per-scrip leverage. Explains how to calculate and optimise total-portfolio leverage.