The stock market offers multiple ways to earn — and one of the most aggressive, fast-paced strategies is intraday trading. While it promises quick profits, it’s also a double-edged sword that requires skill, discipline, and deep market knowledge.
So, what exactly is intraday trading, and should you be doing it in 2025?
Let’s break it down.
What is Intraday Trading?
Intraday trading, also known as day trading, involves buying and selling stocks on the same trading day.
Unlike long-term investing, where you hold shares for weeks or years, intraday traders square off all their positions before the market closes — typically by 3:15 PM on NSE or BSE.
Example:
- You buy 100 shares of Company A at ₹250 at 10:30 AM.
- You sell them at ₹260 by 2:45 PM the same day.
- Your profit: ₹10 × 100 = ₹1,000 (minus brokerage & taxes).
Key Features of Intraday Trading
- Trades must be settled within the day
- Positions cannot be carried overnight
- Focus is on short-term price movements
- Relies heavily on technical analysis (charts, indicators, price action)
Tools You Need for Intraday Trading
- Real-time trading platform
- Technical indicators like RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands
- Stop loss orders to control risk
- Market news feed for quick reactions
- Discipline and a trading plan
Pros of Intraday Trading
- Quick profits possible in volatile markets
- Lower capital required due to leverage
- No overnight risk
- Learning opportunity in price action and psychology
Cons of Intraday Trading
- High risk of losses, especially for beginners
- Requires constant screen time and decision-making
- Can be mentally exhausting
- Brokerage and taxes may eat into small gains
Mid-Content Insight: Volatility & Price Watching
One of the biggest skills in intraday trading is identifying stocks with movement potential. Traders often scan news and pre-market reports for active stocks.
For instance, a stock like Apollo Green Energy share price might show sudden upward or downward momentum based on industry news, climate policy announcements, or upcoming IPO speculation. While these moves may attract day traders, such volatile stocks also carry higher risk — which reinforces the need for caution and a stop-loss.
Should You Try Intraday Trading?
You can try it — but only if you meet these criteria:
- You have time to monitor the market throughout the day
- You understand risk management and use stop-losses
- You’re emotionally detached from trades
- You’re willing to learn and lose before you win consistently
If you're a complete beginner, it's better to start with delivery-based investing, learn technical analysis slowly, and then experiment with small intraday trades.
Pro Tips for Aspiring Day Traders
- Start with virtual trading or demo accounts
- Limit risk to 1–2% of capital per trade
- Avoid revenge trading after a loss
- Keep a trading journal to review mistakes and successes
- Don’t trade just for action — trade when the setup is strong
Tax Rules on Intraday Trading in India
- Profits from intraday trading are considered speculative income
- Taxed as per your individual income slab
- Losses can only be adjusted against speculative gains, not long-term capital gains
Final Thoughts
Intraday trading is not a shortcut to riches — but a serious skill that requires time, strategy, and emotional discipline. It can be profitable, but only if approached with the right mindset and tools.
If you're just getting started in the markets, consider long-term investing first. Once you're confident in technicals, charts, and market psychology, you can explore day trading in a controlled, low-risk environment.
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