If you’ve ever wondered what the largest IPO in India is, or why some IPOs attract so much attention, you’ve come to the right place. Initial Public Offerings, or IPOs, are a fascinating part of the financial world. They mark the moment when a private company decides to go public and offer its shares to investors for the very first time. And some of these IPOs become historic because of their sheer size and impact.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the largest IPO in India and explore the top 10 biggest IPOs in India that have made headlines. We’ll also explain why these IPOs are important, how they’ve shaped the Indian market, and what you should know if you’re thinking about investing in IPOs. Let’s get started!
The Largest IPO in India: LIC
The largest IPO in India to date is the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) IPO, which took place in 2022. LIC is a government-owned insurance giant that has been a household name in India for over six decades. Many people trust LIC for their insurance needs, so its IPO was highly anticipated.
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Why was LIC’s IPO so huge?
LIC’s IPO size was a staggering Rs. 21,000 crores, making it the biggest IPO in India ever. To put this into perspective, Rs. 21,000 crores is more than the GDP of many small countries!
The Government of India decided to disinvest a part of its stake in LIC as part of its broader plan to raise funds and encourage public participation in government-owned enterprises. LIC’s IPO was seen as a major move in India’s capital markets and attracted investors from all walks of life.
Key details of LIC IPO:
- IPO Dates: May 4, 2022 to May 9, 2022
- IPO Size: Rs. 21,000 crores
- Price Range: Rs. 902 to Rs. 949 per share
- Listing Date: May 17, 2022
- Current Market Cap: Over Rs. 4.15 lakh crores (approx.)
Though the IPO was the largest IPO in India, the stock price did not maintain its listing-day gains. In fact, LIC’s share price has fallen below the IPO price at times. This is not uncommon even for biggest IPOs in history due to market fluctuations and investor expectations.
Paytm: The Fintech Giant That Made Waves
Before LIC’s IPO, the title of the largest IPO in India belonged to Paytm, the fintech company known for digital payments. Paytm’s IPO launched in November 2021 raised Rs. 18,300 crores, making it the second biggest IPO after LIC.
Paytm was highly anticipated because it represents the booming digital payments market in India. The company’s business includes payments, banking, loans, and more — all very relevant in India’s fast-growing digital economy.
Paytm IPO details:
- IPO Dates: November 8 to November 10, 2021
- IPO Size: Rs. 18,300 crores
- Price Range: Rs. 2,080 to Rs. 2,150 per share
- Listing Date: November 18, 2021
- Current Market Cap: Around Rs. 34,680 crores
Like LIC, Paytm’s stock price has been volatile post-IPO, falling significantly below its issue price. Despite this, it remains a key example of the biggest IPO in India in the private sector and fintech space.
The Biggest IPO in History Before LIC and Paytm: Coal India
Before LIC and Paytm took the spotlight, Coal India held the record for the biggest IPO in India for more than a decade. Coal India, a government-owned coal mining company, is one of the world’s largest coal producers. It went public in 2010 with an IPO size of Rs. 15,200 crores.
Coal India’s IPO was significant not just because of its size but also because of its status as a Navratna company—a designation given to profitable and well-managed public sector companies.
Coal India IPO details:
- IPO Dates: October 18 to October 21, 2010
- IPO Size: Rs. 15,200 crores
- Price Range: Rs. 225 to Rs. 245 per share
- Listing Date: November 4, 2010
- Current Market Cap: Over Rs. 1.39 lakh crores
The IPO was well-received by the market, although Coal India share price has seen ups and downs. It held the title of the largest IPO in India for nearly 11 years, which shows how rare such huge IPOs are in the country.
Other Noteworthy Biggest IPOs in India
While LIC, Paytm, and Coal India are the top three by size, there have been several other massive IPOs that made history in India. Here’s a quick look at some of them:
Reliance Power
- IPO Size: Rs. 11,700 crores
- IPO Date: January 2008
This was once the biggest IPO in India before Coal India’s came along. Reliance Power, part of the Reliance Group, launched its IPO during a time of rapid growth in India’s power sector. The IPO was initially very popular but the stock price soon fell due to external factors like the global financial crisis.
General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC)
- IPO Size: Rs. 11,257 crores
- IPO Date: October 2017
General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) is a reinsurance company owned by the government. Its IPO was the second largest in India at the time and attracted many investors interested in the insurance sector.
ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation)
- IPO Size: Rs. 10,534 crores
- IPO Date: March 2004
ONGC is one of India’s oldest and largest oil and gas exploration companies. Its IPO was historic as it marked the government’s partial disinvestment in a major Maharatna company.
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SBI Cards and Payments
- IPO Size: Rs. 10,355 crores
- IPO Date: March 2020
SBI Cards is the second-largest credit card issuer in India. Its IPO came just before the COVID-19 pandemic and raised significant capital despite the challenging times.
The New India Assurance Company
- IPO Size: Rs. 9,586 crores
- IPO Date: November 2017
This is India’s oldest general insurance company and went public after being a government-run entity for nearly a century.
Zomato
- IPO Size: Rs. 9,375 crores
- IPO Date: July 2021
Zomato is a leading online food delivery platform. Its IPO was a landmark event for India’s tech and startup ecosystem.
DLF (Delhi Land & Finance)
- IPO Size: Rs. 9,188 crores
- IPO Date: June 2007
DLF is one of India’s largest real estate developers. Its IPO was one of the biggest at the time and helped the company expand its projects.
What Investors Should Know About Investing in Large IPOs
While the largest IPO in India and other big IPOs are exciting, investing in them requires caution.
- Volatility is common: Many large IPOs see their stock prices fluctuate widely after listing. For example, LIC and Paytm have both traded below their IPO prices after listing.
- Research is essential: Don’t just jump in because an IPO is the largest or most hyped. Understand the company’s business, risks, and future prospects.
- Long-term perspective helps: Some IPOs may not perform well immediately but could gain value over the long term.
- Consult experts: Using a trusted brokerage or financial advisor can help navigate IPO investments.
Conclusion
If you are interested in exploring IPOs, especially the largest IPO in India or other biggest IPOs in history, having the right partner matters. This is where SMC Global Securities steps in.
SMC Global Securities is a leading brokerage firm in India, offering seamless access to the stock markets and IPOs. With expert advice, easy-to-use platforms, and transparent processes, SMC Global makes investing in IPOs simple and safe for both beginners and seasoned investors.
Whether you want to participate in the largest IPO in India or explore smaller but promising IPOs, SMC Global Securities provides the support and guidance you need. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of India’s financial growth story.
Author: All Content is verified by SMC Global Securities.
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