In a recent study by Securities and Exchange Board of India, over 96 lakh F&O traders were analyzed—and the findings are hard to ignore.
91% of traders lost money in FY25
Total losses: ₹1.05 lakh crore in just ONE year
But here’s the question most people don’t ask:
Who are the 9% that actually made money?
First, understand who is losing
First, understand who is losingThese aren’t careless gamblers.
75% had annual income below ₹5 lakh
43% were under 30
72% came from smaller cities
These are everyday Indians chasing opportunity—many entering markets with hope, not recklessness.
The uncomfortable truth about the winners
The uncomfortable truth about the winners FPIs made ₹28,000 crore
Proprietary traders made ₹33,000 crore
And here’s the real edge:
97% of FPI profits & 96% of prop trader profits came from algorithmic trading
The winners aren’t just smarter. They’re faster, data-driven, and system-backed.
So what sets profitable individuals apart?
So what sets profitable individuals apart?According to Securities and Exchange Board of India insights:
They treat trading like a business
– Fixed risk per trade
– Strict entry/exit rules
– Zero emotional decisions
They focus on ONE strategy
– No hopping between setups
– Mastery over variety
They factor in costs
– Brokerage, slippage, taxes—everything counted
The hidden cost nobody talks about
The hidden cost nobody talks about Average trader spends ₹26,000/year on F&O costs
That means:
Even if you “break even,” you’re still losing money.
You’re not just competing with the market—
You’re fighting costs, speed, and discipline.
The hard truth
The hard truthF&O is not a scam.
But it is structurally tilted toward:
Institutions
Algorithms
Capital-heavy players
Final Thought
Final ThoughtIf you choose to trade, do it with awareness—not assumptions.
91% lose
Most know the risk
Few truly prepare for it
The difference isn’t luck. It’s structure, discipline, and mindset.