NEPSE, explained — and how to buy shares in Nepal
Everything a beginner needs to start with the Nepal Stock Exchange: what NEPSE is, how the buying process actually works, trading hours, the accounts you need, and how to practise risk-free before you commit a single rupee.
What is NEPSE?
NEPSE (Nepal Stock Exchange) is the only stock exchange in Nepal — the marketplace where shares of listed public companies are bought and sold. It is regulated by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), and share ownership is held electronically through the CDSC depository. When people talk about “the NEPSE index”, they mean the benchmark that tracks the overall movement of all listed shares.
How to buy shares in Nepal — step by step
- 1
Open a Demat account
Visit a bank or broker that offers Demat services and open a Demat account. This is the electronic locker that holds your shares — nothing can be bought or sold without it.
- 2
Get a Meroshare login
Meroshare (by CDSC) is the online portal you use to apply for IPOs and manage your holdings. Your Demat provider (DP) issues your Meroshare credentials.
- 3
Open a trading account with a broker
Pick a NEPSE-licensed broker and open a trading account. They give you access to the TMS (Trade Management System) used to buy and sell listed shares.
- 4
Link an ASBA bank account
For IPOs, your application money is blocked in your own bank via ASBA. Make sure your bank account is ASBA-enabled and linked in Meroshare.
- 5
Fund and place your order
Add funds through your broker, then place a buy order on the TMS for the quantity and price you want. Once matched, the shares settle into your Demat.
- 6
Practise first, then commit
Before risking real money, learn how each stock moves. Paper-trade real NEPSE names on StockYatra with virtual coins — same mechanics, zero risk.
NEPSE trading hours
NEPSE trades Sunday to Thursday (closed Friday and Saturday and on public holidays). A short pre-open session sets opening prices, followed by continuous trading through to the afternoon close (around 3:00 PM Nepal time). Timings are occasionally revised, so confirm the current schedule with your broker or NEPSE before you trade.
Browse NEPSE by sector
NEPSE groups companies into sectors. Explore each with live prices and the full company list:
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Frequently asked questions
What is NEPSE?
NEPSE — the Nepal Stock Exchange — is the only stock exchange in Nepal, where shares of listed public companies are bought and sold. It is regulated by the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON).
What are NEPSE trading hours?
NEPSE typically trades Sunday to Thursday. The continuous trading session generally runs late morning to around 3:00 PM Nepal time, with a pre-open session before it. Exact timings can change, so always confirm with your broker or NEPSE for the current schedule.
How do I buy shares in Nepal?
You need three things: a Demat account (holds your shares), a Meroshare login (for IPOs and holdings), and a broker trading account (to place buy/sell orders on the TMS). New issues are applied for via Meroshare (ASBA); listed shares are bought through your broker.
What is a circuit / price limit on NEPSE?
NEPSE applies a daily price band (circuit) that limits how far a stock can move up or down in a single day, to curb extreme volatility. When a stock hits its circuit, trading in it is capped for the day.
Do I need money to start learning NEPSE?
No. You can learn how NEPSE stocks behave for free on StockYatra — a paper-trading simulator with live-tracked prices and 10,000 virtual coins, with no Demat, broker or KYC required.
Practise NEPSE before you risk a rupee
Open a free StockYatra account and paper-trade real NEPSE names on live-simulated prices with 10,000 virtual coins.
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