Is 2026 the Year of IPOs? A Data-Driven Look at India's Biggest IPO Cycles

India's primary market has entered a golden era. From traditional manufacturing giants to fintech unicorns and stock exchanges, companies worth lakhs of crores are preparing to list on Indian exchanges. If the current pipeline materializes, 2026 could become one of the largest IPO years in India's history.

But this isn't the first time India has witnessed an IPO boom. History shows that every major bull market has been accompanied by a surge in IPO activity. Some years created enormous wealth, while others reminded investors that not every IPO is a winning investment.

India's IPO Journey (2007–2026)

Year	Mainboard IPOs	Funds Raised
2007	108	₹33,946 Cr
2008	39	₹18,340 Cr
2009	22	₹19,307 Cr
2010	66	₹36,362 Cr
2011	40	₹5,977 Cr
2012	13	₹6,834 Cr
2013	5	₹1,284 Cr
2014	7	₹1,201 Cr
2015	21	₹13,513 Cr
2016	27	₹26,501 Cr
2017	38	₹75,279 Cr
2018	25	₹31,731 Cr
2019	16	₹12,687 Cr
2020	16	₹26,628 Cr
2021	63	₹1,19,882 Cr
2022	40	₹59,939 Cr
2023	58	₹49,437 Cr
2024	68	₹1,17,728 Cr
2025	103+ Mainboard (373 total including SMEs)	₹1.95 Lakh Crore
2026 (Expected)	100+	₹2–4 Lakh Crore Pipeline

IPO Fundraising Has Exploded

Consider how quickly India's IPO market has grown.

• 2013: ₹1,284 crore
• 2017: ₹75,279 crore
• 2021: ₹1.20 lakh crore
• 2024: ₹1.80 lakh crore (including SME IPOs)
• 2025: ₹1.95 lakh crore

That's nearly a 150-fold increase in just over a decade.

IPO Wave #1: 2007 – Infrastructure Boom

The Indian economy was growing above 9% GDP, foreign investments were pouring in, and infrastructure was the hottest investment theme.

Major IPOs

• Reliance Power
• DLF
• Mundra Port (Adani Ports)
• Power Grid
• Cairn India

Market Performance

• Sensex crossed 20,000 for the first time.
• Nifty gained nearly 54% in 2007.

What Happened Next?

Then came the Global Financial Crisis. The Sensex crashed from around 21,000 to below 9,000, wiping out years of gains. Many IPOs that listed at premium valuations corrected significantly.

Lesson

A strong IPO market often reflects optimism — but not immunity from broader market risks.

IPO Wave #2: 2017–18 – Financials Take Over

After GST and improving corporate earnings, India entered another IPO cycle.

Major IPOs

• Avenue Supermarts (DMart)
• SBI Life
• ICICI Lombard
• GIC Re
• New India Assurance

Numbers

• 2017: ₹75,279 crore raised
• Highest IPO fundraising since 2010 at that time.

Market Impact

• Nifty crossed 10,000.
• Domestic mutual fund inflows surged.
• SIP culture accelerated.

Unlike 2007, many businesses that listed during this phase became long-term wealth creators.

IPO Wave #3: 2021 – Startup Revolution

COVID changed investing forever. Low interest rates and massive liquidity created India's startup IPO boom.

Major IPOs

• Zomato
• Nykaa
• Paytm
• Policybazaar
• CarTrade

Record Numbers

• 63 Mainboard IPOs
• ₹1.2 lakh crore raised

This was India's biggest IPO year until then.

Market Impact

Nifty reached an all-time high above 18,600. Retail Demat accounts crossed 8 crore. Technology became a mainstream investment theme.

However, many startups corrected 30–70% after listing due to expensive valuations.

IPO Wave #4: 2024–25 – Record Breaking Years

This phase completely changed India's capital markets.

2024

• 317 IPOs
• ₹1.8 lakh crore raised

2025

• 373 IPOs
• 103 Mainboard IPOs
• ₹1.95 lakh crore raised

Mainboard IPOs alone contributed nearly 94% of total fundraising.

Why Is 2026 Different?

Unlike previous IPO waves, 2026 isn't driven by just one sector.

Sector	Companies Expected
Telecom	Jio Platforms
Fintech	PhonePe
Consumer	BigBasket
Hospitality	OYO
Asset Management	SBI Mutual Fund
Beverages	Carlsberg India
Financial Services	HDFC Securities

This diversification makes the pipeline broader than previous cycles.

Expected Mega IPO Pipeline

Some of the biggest expected listings include:

Company	Estimated Size
NSE	~₹30,000 Cr
SBI Mutual Fund	~$1.2 Billion
Jio Platforms	Expected to be among India's biggest IPOs
Carlsberg India	Confidential filing submitted
OYO	Updated DRHP filed

These offerings could collectively account for tens of thousands of crores in fundraising.

How IPO Booms Affect the Stock Market

1. Liquidity Increases

Large IPOs attract:

• Retail investors
• Mutual funds
• Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)
• Pension funds

More capital enters equities.

2. Market Capitalization Expands

Every large IPO increases India's listed market value. This improves:

• Index diversification
• Sector representation
• Investment opportunities

3. Retail Participation Surges

During major IPO cycles:

• Demat accounts rise sharply.
• First-time investors enter the market.
• SIP inflows generally remain strong.

4. Temporary Liquidity Drain

Mega IPOs also absorb cash. Institutional investors often sell existing holdings to subscribe to large issues, which can temporarily pressure secondary market stocks.

Does a Strong IPO Market Mean a Bull Market?

Not necessarily.

IPO Cycle	Market Outcome
2007	Bull market followed by crash
2017	Sustainable long-term rally
2021	Startup correction after listing
2024–25	Record fundraising with selective performance
2026	Yet to unfold

History suggests IPO activity is strongest during bullish periods, but post-listing returns depend more on fundamentals than market excitement.

Will 2026 Break Every Record?

Industry reports estimate India's IPO pipeline could exceed ₹2–4 lakh crore if all planned issues come to market. That would surpass previous records and make 2026 one of the most active years ever for Indian primary markets.

If major listings such as NSE, Jio Platforms, SBI Mutual Fund, OYO, and other large issuers proceed on schedule, 2026 could redefine the scale of India's IPO market.

Final Thoughts

The evolution of India's IPO market tells a remarkable story:

• 2007: Infrastructure fueled optimism.
• 2017: Financial services dominated.
• 2021: Startups transformed the landscape.
• 2024–25: Record-breaking fundraising showcased the depth of India's capital markets.
• 2026: A diversified pipeline spanning finance, technology, telecom, consumer, and industrial sectors may mark the next chapter.

For investors, history offers a consistent lesson: the biggest IPOs are not always the best investments. The companies that generate long-term wealth are typically those with strong business models, sound governance, sustainable earnings, and reasonable valuations — not just the loudest headlines.