How to start investing in the Indian stock market in 2026

Most first-time investors lose time on the wrong question. They ask which share to buy before they have decided how much they can afford to invest every month. Start with the second question and the first one becomes far easier.

Step one is documentation: PAN, Aadhaar-linked mobile number, a cancelled cheque or bank statement, signature on white paper and a short video verification. With Market Live this is a paperless process and accounts are usually live the same working day.

Step two is deciding the split between trading capital and long-term capital. A simple rule works well: keep at least 70% of your market money in long-term equity or mutual funds and cap active trading at what you can genuinely afford to lose.

Step three is your first order. Use a limit order rather than a market order, keep position size small and write down why you bought. That note is worth more than any tip, because it turns every trade into feedback.