Mumbai, Aug. 27 -- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is likely to approve the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) initial public offering (IPO) soon, bringing India's largest stock exchange closer to its debut in the capital markets after a decade-long wait.

"Yes, we are close (to giving approval to the NSE IPO)," said Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on the sidelines of an event on Thursday.

On whether NSE would be able to offer its shares on its own platform, the regulatory chief said the decision is yet to be thought about. "We have not thought about it yet (allowing NSE shares to trade under the permitted to trade category). We will have to think about it."

NSE filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for its appro...