NSE Indices Limited has introduced the Nifty500 Ahimsa Index, a thematic benchmark designed to help investors gain exposure to companies whose businesses align with the principles of Ahimsa, or non-violence. Developed in collaboration with the Ahimsagain Foundation, the index seeks to support values-based investing while maintaining broad exposure to India’s equity market.
NSE Indices Limited, the index services subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), on Monday announced the launch of the Nifty500 Ahimsa Index, a thematic index comprising companies from the Nifty 500 universe whose products, services and business practices are aligned with the principles of Ahimsa.
The index has been developed in partnership with the Ahimsagain Foundation under its Ahimsa Investment Movement (AIM) framework. The framework evaluates companies on the basis of their alignment with non-violence principles, particularly with regard to activities that may cause harm to animals.
Under the AIM framework, companies are classified into Green, Orange and Red categories. Only companies placed in the Green category qualify for inclusion in the index, while firms in the Orange and Red categories are excluded.
According to NSE Indices, the benchmark is aimed at investors seeking exposure to companies that do not engage in activities harmful to animals while following a transparent, rules-based investment approach.
The exchange said the launch expands its portfolio of thematic and ESG-linked indices in response to changing investor preferences.
“As investment preferences continue to evolve, the index offers market participants a transparent, rules-based benchmark that integrates ethical considerations with broad-based equity market exposure,” the exchange said.
Drawing its constituents from the diversified Nifty 500 universe, the index is intended to provide sectoral representation while highlighting companies that demonstrate stronger commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.
NSE Indices said the Nifty500 Ahimsa Index is expected to serve as a benchmark for asset managers and support the development of passive investment products, including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), index funds and other structured investment solutions.
The index has a base date of April 1, 2016, with a base value of 1,000. It will be reconstituted twice a year, while the weight of each constituent stock will be determined based on its free-float market capitalisation.
With the launch of the new benchmark, NSE aims to further strengthen its range of thematic and ESG-focused indices, offering investors an opportunity to align their portfolios with ethical investment principles while retaining diversified exposure to India’s equity markets. Market participants believe the index could also attract domestic and international investors increasingly adopting values-based screening in their investment strategies.
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