Best Futures to Trade with Low Capital in India [2025]

🧠 Finding the Best Futures to Trade with Low Capital in India 2025

Are you looking to enter futures trading with low capital in India? Good news — you don’t need lakhs of rupees to get started. With smart planning and the right contracts, even small traders can access low margin futures and aim for decent returns.

In this guide, we break down:

• Best index futures for small traders
• Lot sizes and contract values
• Futures contracts under ₹2 lakhs
• Return potential with just a 1% move
• Updated margin requirements (2025)

Let’s dive into how you can trade futures in India with limited capital but strategic edge.

In today’s dynamic markets, retail traders are no longer sidelined by capital limitations. Thanks to futures contracts, even a small amount of capital can be leveraged to access large positions. But the key question remains:

📌 Disclaimer

The calculations and return figures shared in this post are for educational and informational purposes only. We are not claiming or guaranteeing any specific profit or return. The examples used (such as 1% price movement return) are meant to help you understand how futures lot size and capital requirement work in practice.

Trading in futures involves risk, and outcomes depend on market conditions, trading strategy, and capital management. Always consult with a SEBI-registered advisor before making any investment decisions.

“Which futures contracts in India offer the best returns with the least capital required?”

If you’re a trader with ₹1–2 lakhs and want to extract maximum profit potential, this post is your detailed roadmap to the best high-leverage, low-risk opportunities in 2025.

📦 What is Lot Size in Futures Trading?

Lot size refers to the minimum quantity of an asset that must be bought or sold in a futures contract.

In Indian markets, lot size is standardized by the exchange (NSE) to maintain consistency in contract value. It varies for each index or stock. You cannot trade less than one lot in futures — it’s an all-or-nothing deal.

🔹 Example:

• Nifty 50 Lot Size: 75 units
• If Nifty is trading at ₹23,500, one futures contract controls:
  75 × 23,500 = ₹17,62,500

This means you’re effectively trading ₹17.6 lakhs worth of Nifty with one lot, even though you only need ~12–13% of it as margin.

---

💰 What is Return in Futures Trading?

In futures, return is calculated based on the price movement of the underlying multiplied by the lot size.

Since you are trading with leverage (only a portion of the total value as margin), even a small move in the asset can yield a large profit or loss.

---

💡 Why Futures Trading Is Ideal for Small Capital

Futures contracts offer leverage — allowing you to control assets worth ₹10–20 lakhs with just 10–15% margin. But that power is a double-edged sword.

To get the best return with less capital, you must focus on contracts that offer:

• ✅ Low margin requirement
• ✅ High liquidity
• ✅ Stable volatility
• ✅ Predictable price movement

Let’s now explore the top futures contracts where a small investment gives you the most bang for your buck.

---

📊 Top Index Futures for Small Capital, High Return

Here’s a detailed comparison of the most popular index futures available in India with current pricing (as of June 2025):

Index	Lot Size	Futures Price	Contract Value	Capital Required (Margin ~12–13%)	P&L on 1% Move (₹)
Nifty 50	75	₹23,500	₹17.63 L	₹2.20–2.30 L	₹17,625
Bank Nifty	30	₹51,000	₹15.30 L	₹2.00–2.10 L	₹15,300
Fin Nifty	65	₹22,000	₹14.30 L	₹1.70–1.80 L	₹14,300
Midcap Nifty	120	₹13,000	₹15.60 L	₹2.00–2.10 L	₹15,600

✅ Fin Nifty stands out as a favorite among small capital traders due to its lower margin and healthy volatility. A 1% move generates ~₹14,000 profit on a capital of ₹1.70 lakh — an 8.2% return in a single day if timed correctly.

---

💼 Best Stock Futures for High ROI with Low Margin

Let’s take a look at stock futures that are both highly liquid and ideal for traders with capital below ₹2 lakhs:

Stock	Lot Size	Futures Price	Contract Value	Capital Required	1% Move Profit (₹)
ICICI Bank	1375	₹1,150	₹15.81 L	₹2.00 L	₹15,812
HDFC Bank	550	₹1,580	₹8.69 L	₹1.10–1.15 L	₹8,690
SBI	1500	₹870	₹13.05 L	₹1.60–1.70 L	₹13,050
Reliance	250	₹2,950	₹7.37 L	₹95K – ₹1.00 L	₹7,375
Bajaj Finance	125	₹7,000	₹8.75 L	₹1.10–1.15 L	₹8,750

✅ Best Return-on-Capital Picks:

• HDFC Bank: You invest just ₹1.10L and gain ₹8,690 from a 1% move — that’s 7.9% ROI on a single price movement.
• ICICI Bank: With stable volatility and high participation, this is a solid choice for positional and intraday traders alike.

---

🔍 Which Contract Gives the Best Return on ₹1 Lakh?

Let’s break it down to Return on Margin Capital (ROMC) from just a 1% price move.

Instrument	Capital Required	1% Move Profit	% Return on Capital
HDFC Bank	₹1.10 L	₹8,690	7.9%
Reliance	₹1.00 L	₹7,375	7.4%
Bajaj Finance	₹1.15 L	₹8,750	7.6%
Fin Nifty	₹1.75 L	₹14,300	8.2%

👉 A single good trade with a 1% price move in any of these contracts can yield a return close to 6–8% on your entire capital!

---

💡 Key Factors to Choose Best Futures for Low Capital

Here’s what to look for:

1. Lot Size Efficiency

Choose contracts where lot size × price movement gives you meaningful returns.

2. High Liquidity

Liquid contracts reduce slippage, allow fast entry/exit, and give tighter spreads.

3. Stable Price Action

Avoid stocks with wild, unpredictable swings unless you’re scalping.

4. Margin Advantage

Pick contracts that offer leverage with lower SEBI margin requirements (~12–13%).

---

📈 Advanced Tip: Combine Trend + Volatility

To truly maximize returns, combine:

• A high-probability trend strategy
• With liquid contracts that move at least 0.5–1% daily

You don’t need multiple trades. One well-executed 1% move could give you ₹8,000–₹15,000 in a single session with smart capital usage.

---

🎯 Final Word: What’s Best for You?

If your capital is:

• ₹1 lakh → Trade Reliance or HDFC Bank
• ₹1.5 lakh → Go for Fin Nifty or SBI
• ₹2+ lakhs → You can comfortably trade Nifty, ICICI, or Midcap Nifty

Best return with less capital isn’t just about margin — it’s about liquidity, risk control, and consistent strategies.