What is IPO Lot Size?
You cannot buy just 1 share in an IPO. Shares are offered in fixed bundles called lots. The minimum application is always exactly 1 lot.
For example, if the lot size is 50 shares and the issue price is ₹200:
Minimum investment = 50 × ₹200 = ₹10,000
Why Does SEBI Set Lot Sizes?
SEBI mandates a minimum application value of approximately ₹10,000–₹15,000 per lot for Mainboard IPOs. This ensures that:
- The number of applicants stays manageable
- Retail investors aren't applying with trivial amounts
- The IPO process runs efficiently
Retail Investor Limit
Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) can apply for a maximum of ₹2,00,000 in a single IPO. The maximum number of lots = ₹2,00,000 ÷ (lot size × issue price).
More Lots = Better Allotment? (Retail)
No. In oversubscribed Mainboard IPOs, retail allotment is a lottery where each applicant can win at most 1 lot. Applying for 3 lots gives you the same probability as applying for 1 lot.
The only advantage of applying for more lots is if the IPO is undersubscribed — in that case, you may receive more than 1 lot.
Lot Size for SME IPOs
SME IPOs have much larger lots. A single lot can require ₹1–3 lakh. SEBI's rules for SME platforms allow larger minimum ticket sizes to attract serious investors.
Practical Tip
Always check the lot size and total minimum investment before applying. On GMP IPO Watch, every IPO listing shows the lot size and minimum investment amount upfront.
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