Calcutta Stock Exchange Eyes Revival with New Trading Platform

The 118-year-old Calcutta Stock Exchange (CSE) is preparing for a potential revival, with the West Bengal government backing plans to establish a new trading platform, upgrade market infrastructure and develop a disaster recovery site.

Before the revival can move forward, CSE must withdraw its voluntary exit application submitted to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in February 2025. The exchange will also require regulatory approvals before trading operations can resume.

Strong Financial Position

The exchange enters this phase with a solid financial foundation.

CSE currently has a net worth of over ₹300 crore, reported ₹26 crore in income during FY25, and recently strengthened its finances through a ₹253 crore land sale. This provides the exchange with the resources needed to invest in technology, infrastructure and operational upgrades.

Opportunity for East India's Businesses

A revived Calcutta Stock Exchange could play an important role in expanding access to capital markets across Eastern India.

Industry experts believe the exchange's biggest opportunity lies in serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups and emerging businesses, rather than competing directly with larger national exchanges such as NSE and BSE.

Lower listing costs and trading expenses could encourage more regional businesses to raise capital, while the revival could also generate employment opportunities in financial services, technology and exchange operations.

Existing Shareholding

According to available information, BSE holds a 5.05% stake in the Calcutta Stock Exchange, while the West Bengal Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation owns 3.4%.

Looking Ahead

The proposed revival represents an opportunity to restore one of India's oldest stock exchanges while strengthening Kolkata's position as a leading financial centre in Eastern India.

If regulatory approvals are secured and the proposed technology upgrades are implemented successfully, the Calcutta Stock Exchange could emerge as a specialised regional exchange supporting the next generation of businesses from across East India.