How to Do Intraday Trading in India 2025–2026: Step-by-Step Guide with Strategies, Apps, and Risk Management
(2,650+ Word Comprehensive Roadmap for Beginners and Pros | Updated November 17, 2025 – With SEBI’s Latest Margin Rules, Top Apps, and Live Nifty Examples)
November 17, 2025, 6:39 PM IST: Nifty 50 closed at 26,013.45 (+0.40%), with intraday volumes spiking 12% to ₹1.2 lakh crore on NSE amid Q2 IT earnings beats from TCS (up 2.1%) and Infosys. India VIX dipped to 13.28 (low volatility), ideal for momentum plays in liquid names like Reliance (₹2,950, +0.8%). Retail Demat accounts hit 24 crore (up 20% YoY), but SEBI’s FY25 report flags 90% F&O losses (₹1.06 trillion)—a stark reminder: Intraday thrives on speed, but survives on strategy.
Intraday trading—buying/selling same-day—suits thrill-seekers eyeing 1–5% daily returns amid RBI’s 3.7% FY26 inflation (easing from 4.8%). But 70% lose due to emotions/margins—master basics, techniques (scalping, momentum), apps (Zerodha Kite, Groww), and rules for success. This guide equips you: Step-by-step mastery, 2025 strategies (RSI, VWAP), beginner tips, and FAQs. Risk 1–2%/trade; paper trade first.
How Intraday Trading Functions
Intraday (day trading) captures intra-day volatility without overnight holds—positions open/close by 3:20 PM (auto-square-off). Leverage (4–5x SEBI cap) amplifies ₹10k to ₹50k bets, but magnifies losses.
Key Elements:
- Volatility: 1–2% swings (e.g., Nifty 100–200 pts today).
- Liquidity: High-volume stocks (Reliance >1 crore shares).
- Timing: First/last hour (9:15–10:15 AM, 2:30–3:30 PM) = 70% volume.
2025 Twist: Algo trading (60% volume) demands faster execution; SEBI’s T+1 margins (April 2025) tighten leverage.
Techniques for Intraday Trading
Core methods leverage TA for 5–15% returns/trade. 2025 Focus: Volatility from GST 2.0 (consumption boost).
1. Scalping
50–100 trades/day for ₹0.50–2/share. High-frequency; suits low VIX (13.28 today). Example: Scalp HDFC Bank ₹1 moves (volume 2 crore).
2. Momentum Trading
Ride trends (e.g., buy rising Tata Motors post-EV news). Use RSI (>70 overbought, <30 oversold).
3. Breakout Trading
Enter on support/resistance breaks (e.g., Reliance ₹2,950 breakout). Volume confirmation key.
4. Reversal Trading
Spot turns (e.g., RSI divergence at oversold). Risky; use candlesticks.
2025 Pro Technique: VWAP crossover (price > VWAP = bullish).
Top Intraday Trading Apps
2025’s apps: Speed, low fees (₹20/order), AI tools. Top 6 (SEBI-regulated):
| App | Best For | Fees (Intraday) | Key Features (2025) | Active Users (Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zerodha Kite | Beginners/Speed | ₹20/order | TradingView charts, 100+ indicators, 4x leverage | 1.2 |
| Groww | Simple UI/Algo | ₹20/order | ARQ AI, real-time screener, OCO orders | 1.0 |
| Upstox Pro | Charts/Advanced | ₹20/order | Pro charts, 5x margin, low latency APIs | 1.3 |
| Angel One | AI Advice | ₹20/order | ARQ bot, 40+ indicators, news alerts | 0.8 |
| Dhan | Performance/Data | ₹20/order | AI-powered, backtesting, zero AMC | 0.6 |
| 5Paisa | Low Margin | ₹20/order | Research tools, margin funding, scanners | 0.5 |
Choose: Zerodha for education; Groww for ease.
Intraday Trading for Beginners
Beginner’s Guide Step-by-Step
- Open a Trading and Demat Account: Zerodha/Groww (₹0 opening, e-KYC). Fund ₹10k+.
- Trade Liquid Stocks: Nifty 50 (Reliance, TCS—volume >1 crore).
- Learn Technical Analysis: RSI, EMA (5/15-min charts). Free: NSE Academy.
- Start with Small Capital: ₹5–10k; 1–2% risk/trade.
- Set Stop-Loss Orders: 0.5–1% below entry (e.g., buy ₹100, SL ₹99).
2025 Beginner Portfolio: ₹20k in 3 stocks (HDFC Bank, Tata Motors, ITC).
How to Master Intraday Trading
1. Online Courses and Webinars
Udemy “Intraday Mastery” (₹500, 10 hrs); Coursera “Trading Strategies” (free audit). Zerodha Varsity webinars (live Q3 2025).
2. Practice with Virtual Trading Simulators
Neostox/Streak (₹1 lakh virtual; backtest RSI strategies).
3. Stay Informed with Market News
Moneycontrol app; follow ET for RBI/Budget impacts. 2025: Track VIX (13.28 low = range trades).
Mastery Timeline: 3 months simulators → 6 months small real trades.
Best Intraday Trading Strategies
2025’s low VIX favors momentum/breakouts; combine indicators.
1. Moving Average Crossover Strategy
Short EMA (9-period) crosses long (21-period) = buy; reverse = sell. 2025: Works on 5-min charts for Nifty (e.g., EMA cross at 26,000 today). SL: Below recent low.
2. Relative Strength Index (RSI) Strategy
RSI >70 (overbought, sell); <30 (oversold, buy). Neutral 40–60 = range. 2025: Pair with volume for EV stocks (Tata Motors RSI 35 today = buy signal).
3. Pivot Point Strategy
Calculate pivots (High+Low+Close)/3; trade bounces/breaks. Support/resistance levels. 2025: Effective in range-bound (VIX <15).
4. Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) Strategy
Price > VWAP = bullish (buy); < VWAP = bearish (sell). 2025: Institutional favorite; use for Reliance (above VWAP today = hold long).
Advanced 2025 Strategy: EMA Crossover + RSI (9/21 EMA cross + RSI >50 = buy). Backtest on Streak.
Conclusion
Intraday trading—dynamic in 2025–2026’s rebound (Nifty +0.4% today)—rewards speed with 15–20% monthly potential, but punishes impulsivity (90% losses). Master functions (volatility/liquidity), techniques (scalping/breakouts), apps (Zerodha/Groww), beginner steps (small capital/SL), and strategies (RSI/VWAP) for edge. Discipline > tools; practice simulators. With SEBI’s T+1 and low VIX, opportunities abound—trade smart, risk managed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to do intraday trading in Nifty 50? Trade Nifty futures/options via NSE; use RSI/EMA on 5-min charts. 2025: Low VIX favors straddles; start ₹15k/lot.
How to do intraday trading for beginners? Open Zerodha account, learn TA (RSI), paper trade Neostox, risk 1%/trade on liquid stocks (Reliance).
How do you earn ₹1,000 per day in intraday trading? With ₹50k capital, aim 2% ROI (₹1k); use momentum on high-volume (Tata Motors). Discipline/SL essential—70% fail without.
Can I buy 10,000 shares in intraday? Yes, with 4x leverage (₹2.5 lakh margin for ₹10 lakh stock); ensure liquidity (Nifty 50).
What is an intraday limit? Broker leverage (4–5x SEBI cap); e.g., ₹20k controls ₹1 lakh. 2025: T+1 monitoring limits overexposure.