New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- As total fundraising through initial public offers barrels towards a record high in 2025, the definitive trend is of the impressive rise of the retail investors this year - climbing to nearly a quarter of allotments in such share sales.

Marquee IPOs from Aequs, Meesho, Vidya Wires, and Wakefit Innovations hit the Street in December and are set to take total fundraising for the year past Rs.1.61 trillion across 97 issues this week surpassing last year's Rs.1.59 trillion raised from 91 issues. More IPOs are lined up for the rest of the month, making it almost certain that the calendar year will end with an even bigger bounty for companies listing for the first time.

Retail allotments now command a 24% share in the amo...