In the early 1900s, the United States was not yet the world’s financial epicentre. Its markets were fragmented, governance was inconsistent, and investor trust was fragile. The turning point came through gradual but decisive steps: stronger disclosure norms, independent research, deeper pools of institutional capital, and a regulatory architecture that aligned market behaviour with long-term growth. These reforms did more than attract listings; they built confidence. Eventually, companies from Europe and Latin America began seeking U.S. listings not because the markets offered scale, liquidity and long-term credibility. India today stands at an inflection point. It is already gaining scale. Now it must build the depth. Refining the following five pillars can solidify India’s standing.
Deeper Institutional Capital
India’s retail investor base is a strength, and mutual-fund participation continues to rise. But for India to host the region’s largest and most complex IPOs, it needs pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurers to operate at far greater scale. This is not a criticism—it is a sign of how close India is to unlocking a much larger opportunity. When U.S. public markets began attracting global issuers in the mid-20th century, it was the entry of large institutional investors that stabilised pricing, absorbed sizeable floats and set valuation benchmarks. India is heading down this path, but accelerating institutional participation will continue to drive the biggest Asian listings home.
Richer Research and Analysis Ecosystem
The most successful listing hubs are built not only on liquidity but on the richness of debate around listed companies. Analyst notes, sector roadshows, and transparent data collectively deepen market understanding and make price discovery more efficient. India already has strong broker research, but the long tail of mid-cap and new-age companies would benefit from more consistent coverage. This is not about impressing global investors; it is about building the intellectual infrastructure that supports sustained capital formation.
Stronger Governance and Stewardship
India has implemented important reforms—independent directors, enhanced disclosure norms, and quicker regulatory action—yet governance concerns continue to influence perception. A few additional steps are needed to close the gap versus best-in-class. Strengthening board independence, encouraging more active institutional stewardship, and creating more transparent disclosure templates can eliminate lingering doubts and move India further into the global mainstream.
Smoother Listing Process and Funnel
India has already simplified many steps, from disclosure formats to public-offer norms, and SEBI’s recent willingness to modernise rules signals real responsiveness. But procedural friction—foreign investor eligibility, certain lock-in norms, or fast evolving regulatory iterations—can slow companies at precisely the moment they need momentum. The goal is not to reduce scrutiny; it is to provide clarity. When companies know what to expect, they can plan larger listings and attract more global anchors. Which will in-turn attract larger investor pools and strengthen infrastructure. This virtuous cycle can make India a global venue.
Wider Valuation Framework
India has seen numerous successful IPOs, but questions around pricing and post-listing performance still arise, especially for high-growth or technology businesses. To be honest these questions never go away, and core underlying phenomena, such as, macro tailwinds, scarcity of quality, will persist. However, the next iteration lies in better disclosures, stronger benchmarking against global peers, and transparent communication of unit economics. India can make rapid gains here because the building blocks already exist.
These five pillars highlight a simple truth: India is close—much closer than some acknowledge—to becoming a regional listing hub. The ecosystem is maturing, domestic investors are becoming more sophisticated, and global capital is watching with fresh conviction. Every improvement from here compounds the opportunity.
If India sustains its current trajectory, the next decade could mirror a historic shift: just as global companies turn to U.S. exchanges for scale and credibility, Asian innovators may soon look to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The promise is within reach. What India does next determines its destiny.
(The author is partner & Head of Asia, QED Investors)
(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
