Decoding NIFTY’s Hourly Rhythm for Derivatives Traders

Since its official launch on April 22, 1996, the Nifty 50 index has evolved into India’s most tracked benchmark, representing the performance of 50 large-cap companies across 13 sectors. With a base value of 1000 set on November 3, 1995, Nifty has delivered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~12.93% as of April 2025—a testament to India’s economic expansion and market maturity.

Parallel to this growth, India’s derivatives market has undergone a dramatic transformation. While commodity futures date back to 1875 via the Bombay Cotton Trade Association, modern exchange-traded equity derivatives began in June 2000, when SEBI permitted trading in Nifty and Sensex index futures. Today, derivatives trading accounts for over 99% of NSE’s turnover, with options becoming the preferred instrument for retail and institutional traders alike.

 At the heart of intraday decision-making lies the candlestick chart—a Japanese invention from the 18th century that visually captures market sentiment through price action. Patterns like Hammer, Engulfing, and Doji offer traders a psychological map of buyer-seller dynamics, especially when paired with volume and open interest shifts.

But beyond price and time, some traders turn to planetary horas—a Vedic astrology concept where each hour is ruled by a planet (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn). These planetary hours, starting at sunrise, are believed to influence market mood and momentum. For example, Venus Hora on Fridays is traditionally bullish, while Saturn Hora may signal consolidation or caution.

History of Mutual Funds in India

The mutual fund industry in India has a rich history, evolving significantly over the decades. Here is an overview of its development:

 Early Beginnings

1963: The journey of mutual funds in India began with the establishment of the Unit Trust of India (UTI) by an Act of Parliament. UTI was the first and only mutual fund company in the country, and it operated under the control of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). 

1964: UTI launched its first scheme, Unit Scheme 1964 (US-64), which became highly popular among investors.

Entry of Public Sector Funds

1987: The public sector banks and financial institutions entered the mutual fund space. Key players included:

- State Bank of India Mutual Fund

- Canara Bank Mutual Fund

- Punjab National Bank Mutual Fund

These institutions brought new schemes and increased the reach of mutual funds across the country.

Top Mutual Funds Schemes One Must Have

Picking a best Mutual Fund schemes always a confusing option for Investors as no particular scheme gives consistent top returns year-wise.

Here, I have taken more than 5 years average returns (CAGR), Fund Size (Assets) and Portfolio in consideration choosing Mutual Funds.

Securities and Exchange Board of India under Section 3 of SEBI Act 1992 to protect the interest of Investors in Securities, classified Mutual Funds into 3 Main Categories:

Categories Difference	Risk Type	Min. Invest Duration	CAGR
EQUITY	High	5 to 7 Yrs.	15% - 25%
HYBRID	Moderate	3 to 4 Yrs.	8% - 12%
DEBT	Low	6 M to 1 Yr.	3% - 8%