FII Share in Indian Equities Hits 17-Year Low of 15.1%: Report
Why in the news
A report by OmniScience Capital, carried by IANS on 12 October 2026, found that the share of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in Indian equities has dropped to 15.1%, the lowest in 17 years, although the dollar value of their holdings has grown sharply.
Key facts
- FII ownership share: now 15.1%, a 17-year low.
- Holdings growth: about 3.6 times since 2012, from roughly $217.3 billion to about $783 billion.
- Peak: holdings touched nearly $930 billion in September 2024.
- Outflows: around $50 billion has left since 2024; currency depreciation has also cut the dollar value of holdings.
- Domestic investors, including retail, are adding to equities faster than FIIs, aided by households moving savings into financial assets instead of real estate.
FII share and holdings over time
| Year | FII ownership share | FII holdings (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 15-16% | $217.3 billion |
| 2015 | about 30% | $300 billion |
| 2020 | about 20% | $550 billion |
| 2024 | about 17% | peak $930 billion (Sept) |
| 2026 (now) | 15.1% | $783 billion |
About the report
OmniScience Capital is an investment firm; its CEO and Chief Investment Strategist is Vikas Gupta. The study used FPI assets under custody (AUC) data. It notes that domestic equity participation in India is still below the levels seen in developed markets.
Exam angle
- A falling FII share alongside rising holdings means domestic ownership is expanding faster.
- Remember the figures: 15.1% share, $783 billion holdings, $930 billion peak (September 2024).
- Link with themes of financialisation of household savings and retail participation in markets.