How to invest in India using ETFs
How do I invest in Indian stocks?
The easiest way to invest in the whole Indian stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.
On the Indian stock market you'll find 3 indices which are tracked by ETFs. Besides these indices, 2 alternative indices are available.
As further alternative, you may invest in indices on Asia or emerging markets.
Performance of Indian stocks (MSCI India)
Indices in comparison
The best indices for ETFs on India
For an investment in the Indian stock market, there are 3 indices available which are tracked by 8 ETFs. On the FTSE India 30/18 Capped index there is 1 ETF. On the MSCI India index there are 6 ETFs. On the Nifty 50 index there is 1 ETF. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0.19% p.a. and 0.85% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSE India 30/18 Capped | India | 1 ETF | 213 (29.02.24) | The FTSE India 30/18 Capped index tracks Indian companies with large and medium market capitalisation. The largest company in the index is limited to a maximum of 30 percent of the index capitalization, all other index components to a maximum of 18 percent. Index factsheet |
MSCI India | India | 6 ETFs | 156 (29.11.24) | The MSCI India index tracks the leading Indian stocks. Index factsheet |
Nifty 50 | India | 1 ETF | 50 | The Nifty 50 index tracks 50 stocks from 22 sectors of the Indian economy. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28.02.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best India ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | Xtrackers Nifty 50 Swap UCITS ETF 1C | -1.49% |
| 2 | Franklin FTSE India UCITS ETF | -1.78% |
| 3 | iShares MSCI India UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | -3.13% |
The cheapest India ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | Franklin FTSE India UCITS ETF | +0.19% p.a. |
| 2 | Xtrackers MSCI India Swap UCITS ETF 1C | +0.19% p.a. |
| 3 | iShares MSCI India UCITS ETF USD (Acc) | +0.65% p.a. |
India indices with a sector or thematic focus
Alternatively, you can consider indices on specific sectors or investment themes. In total you can invest in 2 alternative indices on India tracked by 2 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these alternative indices is between 0.65% p.a. and 0.86% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INQQ The India Internet ESG Screened | India Social/Environmental | 1 ETF | The INQQ The India Internet ESG Screened index tracks Indian companies from the sectors internet and E-commerce. The stocks included are filtered according to ESG criteria (environmental, social and corporate governance). Index factsheet | |
| S&P India Tech | India Technology | 1 ETF | The S&P India Tech index tracks the Indian technology sector. |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28.02.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
Emerging markets indices with a share of India
Besides India ETFs you may consider ETFs on emerging markets. In total, you can consider 2 emerging markets indices tracked by 23 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on emerging markets indices is between 0.11% p.a. and 0.66% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE Emerging | Emerging Markets India: 17.98% (30/11/2022) | 3 ETFs | 2,219 (28.06.24) | The FTSE Emerging index tracks stocks from emerging markets worldwide. Index factsheet |
| MSCI Emerging Markets | Emerging Markets India: 14.85% (30/11/2022) | 20 ETFs | 1,253 (29.11.24) | The MSCI Emerging Markets index tracks stocks from emerging markets worldwide. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28.02.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
Asia indices with a share of India
Alternatively, you may consider investing in Asia. In total, you can invest in 3 indices on Asia tracked by 7 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Asia is between 0.20% p.a. and 0.60% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan | Asia Pacific India: 13.98% (30/11/2022) | 1 ETF | 1,113 (29.11.24) | The MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan index tracks equity markets of the emerging and developed countries of the Asia and Pacific region, excluding Japan. Index factsheet |
| MSCI AC Asia ex Japan | Asia Pacific India: 16.92% (30/11/2022) | 2 ETFs | 1,054 (29.11.24) | The MSCI AC Asia ex Japan index tracks equity markets of the emerging and developed countries of the Asia region, excluding Japan. Index factsheet |
| MSCI Emerging Markets Asia | Asia Pacific India: 19.02% (30/11/2022) | 4 ETFs | 1,010 (29.11.24) | The MSCI Emerging Markets Asia index tracks large and mid cap companies from Asian emerging markets. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28.02.25; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
