The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has taken a key step toward its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) by appointing 20 merchant banks and eight law firms to manage the process. This marks one of the largest advisory rosters for an Indian IPO, highlighting the scale of the listing.
The selected merchant bankers include India’s leading firms such as Kotak Mahindra Capital, ICICI Securities, Axis Capital, JM Financial, SBI Capital Markets, IIFL Capital Services, and Nuvama Wealth Management. International banks like Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and J.P. Morgan will also assist in managing the IPO.
On the legal side, the NSE has engaged top Indian law firms including Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB & Partners, Khaitan & Co, Trilegal, and S&R Associates. Global legal advisors such as Latham & Watkins and Sidley Austin will provide additional support.
The IPO is expected to be primarily an offer-for-sale (OFS), allowing existing shareholders to sell a portion of their holdings rather than raising significant new capital. This approach reflects the NSE’s strategy to let current investors unlock value while listing on the public market.
The exchange has been preparing for a public listing for several years, with regulatory approvals and compliance reviews causing delays. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granted final clearance for the IPO earlier this year, enabling the NSE to move forward with its plans.
With the advisory teams in place, the NSE is set to begin drafting its detailed offer documents, a process that may take several months. Market observers note that the listing could become one of the most closely watched IPOs in India, given the NSE’s critical role in the country’s capital markets and the scale of its operations.
The move has generated optimism among investors, with NSE’s unlisted shares remaining stable amid broader market volatility. The participation of leading domestic and international banks and law firms signals the IPO’s potential to attract significant interest from institutional and retail investors alike.
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