Basic IPO FAQs

What are the life cycle of an IPO?

Here is the detailed process flow for a 100% Book Building Initial Public Offering IPO. This flow is intended to be easy to understand for retail IPO investors. These are the most common steps involved in an IPO's life cycle. The actual processing steps may vary and be more complex. For the most up-to-date information on IPO lifecycle in Indian Stock Market, please visit SEBI website, stock Exchange website or consult an expert.

  1. Initialization of an IPO by Issuer Company
    1. Assign a lead manager to the role of book runner.
    2. Designate a registrar for the issue
    3. Appoint members to a syndicate.
  2. Part 1 - Lead Manager's Pre Issue Role
    1. Draft an offer prospectus document to be submitted for an IPO.
    2. Send a draft of your offer prospectus to SEBI.
    3. Roadshows for the IPO
  3. SEBI - Prospectus Review
    1. SEBI reviews draft offer prospectus.
    2. If you need clarifications or changes, send it back to the Lead Manager (Step 2)
    3. The draft offer prospectus has been approved by SEBI. It is now known as Offer Prospectus.
  4. Lead Manager - Pre Issue Role - Part 2
    1. Send the Offer Prospectus to Stock Exchanges and the registrar of the issue. Get it approved.
    2. With the assistance of Issuer Company, determine the issue date and issue price range.
    3. Modify Offer Prospectus by adding date and price band. This document is now known as Red Herring Prospectus.
    4. Red Herring Prospectus & IPO Applications Forms are printed. They are then posted to the members of the syndicate. Investors receive them through this channel.
  5. Investors - Participate in the bidding process for the public offering
    1. Investors are invited to bid on the public issue
    2. Investors complete the application forms and place orders for the syndicate members. (The application form publishes the list of the syndicate members).
    3. Members of the Syndicate electronically submit bidding information to BSE/NSE. Bidding status is updated on BSE/NSE websites.
    4. All forms and checks must be physically filled out by members of the syndicate to the registrar.
    5. Investors can revise bidding by filling out a form and submitting it as Syndicate member.
    6. Members of the Syndicate keep updating stock exchange data with the most recent information.
    7. Investors are invited to bid on the Public Issue Closes
  6. Lead Manager - Price Fixing
    1. Lead managers will determine the final price of the issue based on the bids they receive.
    2. Lead managers make the Red Herring Prospectus with the final issue price, and then send it to SEBI or Stock Exchanges.
  7. Registrar - Processing IPO Applications
    1. All applications forms and cheques received from Syndicate members are sent to the Registrar.
    2. They provide applicant data and additional bidding information to computer systems.
    3. Send the cheques to clear.
    4. All bogus applications are listed.
    5. Finalize the pattern to allot shares based on valid bids.
    6. Prepare the 'Basis for Allotment.
    7. Transfer shares to the demat account for investors
    8. You can get the money back via ECS or Cheques.
  8. Lead manager - Stock Listing
    1. The lead manager and the stock exchange concludes Issue listing date after the allocated shares are shifted in investor's dp a/c.
    2. Finally, the stock market finally lists shares of the issuer company.


I have not marked cutoff, but has provided bid price at the upper band in an IPO request. will it make a difference?


Why to bid a cuttoff in a book-building IPO?


I applied for an IPO whose price range has been reduced. I've already applied in the original band and my amount is already blocked. What should I do next?


Where the subscription figure of an IPO can be found?


In the early price discovery session, How the IPO share price is defined?


How can I apply offline in IPO?


If my broker is not offering IPO facility but I have a demat account then how can I apply for IPO online?


Can an individual apply in IPO for both Retail (below 2 lakhs) and HNI (above 2 lakhs)?


Investment of Rs. 2 lakhs minimum is enough or any other eligibility criteria is there for NII?


With my friend's PAN details in my demat ,can I apply for an IPO?


Are the application for NII and retail investor different?


Does an Individuals who wish to apply for NII quota must follow the same procedure online and in person?


At the time of IPO listing , is there any circuit?


During special open time between 9:00 am to 9:45 am ,how to sell IPO shares on listing?


Can I apply online for an IPO on Sunday?


How can I sell IPO?


Which IPO will give positive response if I have to invest for a short period?


Where can I find the old IPO offer documents?


Where can I get updates on every upcoming IPO


Is there any loss or advantage of applying more than one lot in an IPO?