Clarity on F&O - minimum 50% cash requirement in Intraday

[Pranay_Karwa]

Is the 50% cash/cash-equivalent instrument requirement being enforced strictly from 1st April 2026? Got an email from Zerodha saying that if 50% required margin is not covered by cash/cash-equivalent instruments, I would be charged a brokerage of 40/- per order instead of 20/- per order from 1st April 2026?

[tradewealth]

Is zerodha planning to charge double brokerage if cash collateral requirements are not met post april 1st? Also is it applicable for intraday f&o trades. Also how about intraday cash trades? Can’t find any post yet. Please confirm @siva . Thanks

[NIlesh_Gaikwad]

Is this rule going to change from 1st April 2026?

[siva]

@tradewealth

Also is it applicable for intraday f&o trades. Also how about intraday cash trades? Can’t find any post yet.

Yes , it will be applicable for all intraday trades as well.

[Pranay_Karwa]

So this will effectively mandate people to have 50% of their portfolio in cash/cash-equivalent instruments. If not, pay double the brokerage?

[karanshah137]

What the F. Now we have to have 50% in cash for even intraday options? Please clarify someone from legit sources

[Trader_123]

Can you be a bit more clear , this is a massive change ? Earlier intraday day trading (fno) was not requiring to keep 50% cash and 50% pledged . That was only needed for overnight trades , now are we going to pay 40rs per order in case this is not met ? Most of the expiry trades will go up in the air , if that is the case ?

[karanshah137]

I have mailed it to Zerodha. With the same issues raised, will update.

[Nandha207]

I have a specific query regarding the 50% cash margin rule (Cash vs. Collateral ratio) and how it applies to expiry day trades.

• I primarily trade intraday using collateral margin (from pledged stocks/ETFs).
• I do not maintain a 50% cash balance in my account.
• I know that for overnight positions, brokers charge interest on the cash shortfall.

My Question: If I sell an option (or hold a short position) that expires today and I let it go to settlement :

Will I be charged interest? Since the position technically never stays open ‘overnight’ (it ceases to exist after today), does the 50% cash rule even trigger a debit interest charge?

[chaitanya_v]

Is this only for intraday FnO or Intraday stocks also?

[karanshah137]

Most are doing this only currently, and they have not been charged. But now we don’t know.

[karanshah137]

Stocks as well; if it’s F&O, then the whole universe, not just the index.

[karanshah137]

[Prateek_Malpani]

If you dont carry overnight you will not be charged interest, but as you are not maintaining 50% cash or equivalent the brokerage will be 40 per order.
The brokerage doubling is confirmed by Zerodha in the below thread

Change in brokerage for intraday use of collateral

@Prateek_Malpani It depends on whether there is a debit balance at the time the order is executed. Orders placed when there is no debit balance will be charged 20, and orders placed while there is a debit balance will be charged 40. In your example, it would be 160, not 240.

[Prateek_Malpani]

Yes, that is correct. You will need to pay 40 per order from april 1st

Change in brokerage for intraday use of collateral

@Prateek_Malpani It depends on whether there is a debit balance at the time the order is executed. Orders placed when there is no debit balance will be charged 20, and orders placed while there is a debit balance will be charged 40. In your example, it would be 160, not 240.

[A_K_RAGHAVENDRAN]

Edited

[karanshah137]

Source:

[siva]

@Nandha207

If I sell an option (or hold a short position) that expires today and I let it go to settlement :

Yes, while entering the trade with negative cash balance one will be charged double brok ie 40 instead 20, but if that option expires worthless nothing will be charged on exiting.

[karanshah137]

@siva

entering the trade with negative cash balance one will be charged double brok ie 40 instead 20, but if that option expires worthless nothing will be charged on exiting.

Thank you for clarifying this

[Sushil_Girdher]

What is the position for Option buyers? if Options worth say 2L are bought ( Intraday) and Pledged Margin Available 2L and Cash available say 70000, then (1) Will double brokerage be charged ? (2) Will intrest be charged on 30000? Yes or NO?