New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- NSE MD and CEO Ashish Chauhan proposed implementing minimum qualification criteria (such as capital or net worth thresholds) for F&O trading, drawing inspiration from markets like the US and Singapore to protect retail investors.

Speaking to ANI, he said that the government cannot prevent small investors from trading in futures and options (F&O) by taxing derivatives more heavily; instead, eligibility should be linked to the investor's tax-paying capacity, cautioning policymakers.

His remarks follow the recent hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) in the Union Budget, where the government increased the levy on F&O trades amid concerns over rising retail participation and speculative activity in the derivatives s...