Last Updated on July 10, 2025 9:48:31 AM by Vivek Makwana
If you are looking for innovative ways to Earn more income from your long-term stock holdings or want to short-sell stocks legally in India, then SLBM is a term you should definitely know. SLBM stands for Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism, and it’s an integral part of India’s stock market ecosystem, especially for traders and long-term investors.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what SLBM is, how it works, its benefits, risks, key participants, tax implications, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor, this guide will give you everything you need to understand and use SLBM effectively.
What is SLBM?
SLBM (Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism) is a facility offered by Indian stock exchanges like NSE and BSE, which allows investors to lend their idle shares to other market participants for a fixed period in exchange for a fee. Borrowers, on the other hand, use this mechanism to borrow stocks, typically to short-sell them in the market.
It is a regulated system, ensuring safety and transparency for both lenders and borrowers, and is supervised by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
Why Does SLBM Exist?
The SLBM system was introduced to:
- Increase market liquidity
- Enable short-selling in a legal and structured way
- Help long-term investors earn passive income
- Facilitate efficient price discovery
Before SLBM, short-selling in Indian markets was largely limited or carried out through unofficial channels. SEBI introduced to formalize and monitor this essential market function.
How SLBM Works – Step-by-Step
Here’s a simplified view of how the process works:
1. Lender Offers Shares
Investors holding shares in their demat account offer to lend them for a fixed duration (up to 12 months) through a registered broker.
2. Borrower Requests Shares
A trader or institution places a request to borrow shares for a particular period, typically to short-sell them.
3. Exchange Matches Orders
The stock exchange (e.g., NSE) matches the lending and borrowing orders, and a contract is formed.
4. Collateral & Settlement
The borrower must deposit collateral (usually in cash or margin) to ensure security. The shares are transferred temporarily to the borrower’s demat account.
5. Return of Shares
At the end of the contract, the borrower returns the shares to the lender. If not returned, the exchange will conduct an auction to procure them.
6. Lender Gets Shares + Fee
The lender gets their shares back along with a lending fee agreed upon at the beginning.
Key Features of SLBM
- Tenure: 1 day to 12 months
- Security: Fully regulated by SEBI
- Returns: Lenders earn lending fees (like interest)
- Collateral: Borrowers must deposit margin/collateral
- Settlement: Done via NSCCL (National Securities Clearing Corporation Ltd.)
Benefits of SLBM
✅ For Lenders
- Earn Passive Income: You earn a lending fee on idle shares.
- No Ownership Loss: You retain ownership benefits (dividends, bonuses, etc.).
- No Lock-in: You can select the lending period that suits you.
- Safe & Regulated: The system is backed by stock exchanges and SEBI.
✅ For Borrowers
- Short Selling Made Legal: Allows genuine traders to short-sell stocks.
- Hedging Opportunities: Institutions can hedge risk using borrowed shares.
- Increased Liquidity: Facilitates smoother trading in the market.
Risks Involved in SLBM
Though is generally safe, there are a few things to watch out for:
⚠️ For Lenders:
- Early Recall: The borrower might return shares earlier than expected.
- Corporate Actions: During dividends or bonus issues, temporary complexities may arise (though exchanges handle it efficiently).
⚠️ For Borrowers:
- Price Risk: If the stock price rises instead of falling, you may incur losses.
- Margin Requirements: You need to maintain adequate margin or collateral.
Who Can Participate?
SLBM is available to:
- Retail Investors
- High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs)
- Institutional Investors
- Mutual Funds
- Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)
To participate, both lenders and borrowers must go through registered brokers approved by NSE/BSE.
Tax Implications of SLBM
- Lending Fees: Taxable as “Income from Other Sources”
- Capital Gains: Not triggered just by lending, as ownership is not considered transferred
- Corporate Actions: You still receive dividends and bonuses during the lending period, but might need to declare them appropriately during filing
Always consult a tax advisor for accurate filing, especially if you’re an active participant.
SLBM in India: NSE and BSE Platforms
📈 NSE SLB Segment:
- Operated by NSE Clearing (NSCCL)
- Offers automated lending and borrowing with daily settlement
- Offers stocks from the F&O segment and other eligible securities
📈 BSE SLB Platform:
- Similar features as NSE’s
- Settled through ICCL (Indian Clearing Corporation)
Example: How SLBM Works in Practice
Let’s say you hold 100 shares of Infosys in your demat account. You don’t plan to sell them anytime soon.
- You offer to lend the shares for 30 days.
- A borrower agrees and pays a lending fee of 2 per share.
- You earn 200 (100 x 2) without selling your shares.
- After 30 days, you get your 100 Infosys shares back.
It’s that simple—and a smart way to generate extra returns.
Here are Some Brokers Offering This Services
· Kotak Securities
· HDFC Securities
· Systematix Group
· Eureka Securities
· Navkar Direct
· LKP Securities
· Matalia Stock Broking Pvt. Ltd.
· Bajaj Broking
· Zerodha
· Angel One
Always check with your broker for activation and charges.
📝 How to Get Started with SLBM
To participate in SLBM:
- Open an account with a broker that offers SLBM services.
- Complete the necessary documentation, which may include signing an SLB agreement.
- Access the SLBM platform through the broker’s website or trading application.
- Start lending or borrowing eligible securities as per your investment strategy.
✅ Is SLBM Safe?
🔒 1. For Lenders (the Share Owners)
- Yes, it is generally safe.
- Your shares are not lent directly to another trader. They go through a clearing corporation (like NSE Clearing Limited), which acts as a counterparty and ensures settlement.
- Collateral and Margins: Borrowers have to deposit cash or other securities as collateral, which protects lenders in case of default.
- Lenders receive interest (called lending fees), and at the end of the contract, shares are returned.
📌 Your risk as a lender is low because:
- NSE Clearing guarantees the transaction.
- SLBM is settled on T+1 basis, reducing counterparty risk.
- You can recall your shares early if needed (with advance notice).
⚠️ 2. For Borrowers
- Risk is market-related. You borrow a stock hoping the price drops (for short-selling), but if it rises, you face a loss.
- You must maintain sufficient margin to avoid penalties.
- Need to return the shares before the contract expiry or face penalties.
📊 SLBM in Practice
| Feature | Is It Safe? |
| Lender’s Capital Risk | 🚫 No |
| Counterparty Risk | 🔐 Minimal (guaranteed by clearing corp) |
| Liquidity Risk | ⚠️ Moderate (Not all stocks are actively traded in SLBM) |
| Regulatory Oversight | ✅ Strong (SEBI + NSE) |
💡 Who Should Use SLBM?
- 🧓 Long-term investors: Earn extra income by lending idle shares.
- 🧠 Traders/Arbitrageurs: Borrow shares to exploit price differences.
- ❌ Not for beginners without understanding market risk.
📝 Final Verdict: Yes, SLBM is Safe ✅
…for lenders, especially if you’re working through NSE’s regulated platform.
For borrowers, it can be risky depending on market volatility, but operationally, the system is safe, transparent, and SEBI-regulated.
📌 SLBM – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
❓ What is SLBM in the share market?
Stock Lending and Borrowing Mechanism, is a facility provided by Indian stock exchanges (NSE/BSE) that allows investors to lend their shares to other traders in exchange for a fee. It enables short-selling in a regulated and transparent manner.
❓ Is safe for retail investors?
Yes, SLBM is completely safe and regulated by SEBI. All transactions are settled through clearing corporations like NSCCL and ICCL, which significantly reduces counterparty risk.
❓ Who can participate in SLBM?
SLBM is open to:
- Retail investors
- High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs)
- Institutional investors
- Mutual funds
- Foreign institutional investors (FIIs)
❓ How can I start lending shares?
To lend shares through SLBM:
- Open a demat and trading account with a broker offering SLBM.
- Activate SLBM by signing an agreement.
- Select eligible stocks and place a lending offer.
- Earn a lending fee after the shares are borrowed.
❓ Do I lose ownership of shares during SLBM?
No. You still retain beneficial ownership, meaning you will be entitled to dividends, bonuses, and voting rights. The lending is temporary and governed by a contract.
❓ What happens if the borrower doesn’t return the shares?
If the borrower fails to return the shares by the expiry date, the exchange conducts an auction to buy back the shares, ensuring the lender is protected.
❓ Can I short-sell stocks using SLBM?
Yes. Borrowers use SLBM primarily for short selling, allowing them to sell stocks they do not own by borrowing them for a fixed duration.
❓ Is there any tax on SLBM earnings?
Yes:
- The lending fee is taxable as “Income from Other Sources”.
- There is no capital gain since ownership is not transferred.
- Corporate actions (like dividends) are usually taxed as per your regular slab.
❓ Is there a minimum investment required for SLBM?
There is no fixed minimum, but only stocks in the F&O segment or as specified by exchanges are eligible for SLBM. Check with your broker for applicable requirements and eligible scrips.
📌 Important Note:
The stock market involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. The suggestions and opinions expressed in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. The author is not responsible for any losses incurred from the use of this information.
