Upcoming IPO 2026 (Mainboard & SME)

The process through which a private business becomes public is known as an IPO. When a corporation goes public, it engages with investment banks to introduce its shares to the public market, necessitating thorough due diligence, advertising, and regulatory compliance. Selling shares is equivalent to selling a piece of the company's equity to investors. 

When a company launches an IPO in India, shares are offered to different investor categories, including Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs), and Retail Individual Investors (RIIs), during the IPO subscription period. Eligible retail investors can apply for shares while the IPO is open for subscription. If shares are allotted, they are credited to the investor's Demat account before the company's stock is listed on the exchange. 

Markets are of two types: primary markets and secondary markets. Primary markets is where an upcoming IPO is put up for subscription before being listed in the secondary markets.

Upcoming IPOs are public issues that are expected to open for subscription in the future. These IPOs are announced after completing regulatory requirements and submitting necessary documents.

Investors can review details such as the IPO opening date, price band, lot size, financial information, and objectives of the issue before applying.

• Login to your 5paisa account: Open the 5paisa app or website and log in with your credentials.
• Head over to the IPO section: From the menu, select “IPO” to view all the ongoing and upcoming issues.
• Choose the IPO you want to apply for: Click on the IPO to see details such as price band, lot size, and issue dates.
• Enter your bid and UPI ID: Specify the quantity you wish to apply for (in multiples of the lot size) and enter your UPI ID linked to your bank account.
• Submit the application: Review the details and submit your IPO bid through 5paisa.
• Approve the UPI mandate: A notification will appear on your UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, or your bank app). Approve the mandate to block the funds.
• Check allotment status: Once allotment status is finalised, you will be notified. If allotted, shares will be credited to your Demat account. If not, the blocked funds will be automatically released.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) permits participation from four key investor categories during an upcoming IPO:

1. Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs)

QIBs include commercial banks, mutual funds, public financial institutions, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) registered with SEBI, and insurance companies. These investors bring credibility and depth to an upcoming IPO. While SEBI does not mandate a lock-in for all QIBs, anchor investors, a sub-category of QIBs, are subject to a split lock-in. 50% of their allotted shares are locked in for 30 days and the remaining 50% for 90 days from the date of allotment.

2. Anchor Investors

Anchor investors are QIBs who apply for shares worth ₹10 crore or more in a mainboard IPO. They are allotted shares a day before the IPO opens to the public and can be allotted up to 60% of the QIB quota. Their early participation helps build confidence in the offering.

3. Retail Individual Investors (RIIs)

Retail investors can bid for shares worth up to ₹2 lakh in any upcoming IPO. SEBI mandates a minimum of 35% of the IPO allocation be reserved for this category. In case of oversubscription, a lottery system is used to allot shares, ensuring at least one lot is given to as many applicants as possible.

4. Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs) or High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs)

NIIs or HNIs are investors who bid for shares exceeding ₹2 lakh in value. Unlike QIBs, they are not required to register with SEBI. Around 15% of the IPO is typically reserved for this category.

1. Pick the IPO that you want to invest in

Investing in a mainboard IPO or an SME IPO necessitates study since we may lack previous data on performance, management, and other critical basic variables. Deciding which IPO to invest in is an important first step. Every company that announces an IPO distributes a prospectus to the public, which contains information about the firm's operations and future intentions. Before making a choice, thoroughly read this prospectus and research the firm.

2. Create the Necessary Accounts

To invest in a fresh IPO and later trade it on the secondary market, you'll need the following three accounts:

• Demat account: Your shares are kept in electronic form in a Demat account.
• It is essential to fund your stock market operations. A bank account might be helpful when applying for an IPO. Almost all net-banking systems allow you to apply for the IPO using the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (ASBA) feature.
• Trading account: A trader can purchase and sell stocks through a trading account.

3. What happens when you submit an IPO application?

After submitting an upcoming mainboard IPO or an upcoming SME IPO application, your bank account will be debited (blocked) for the amount you choose to invest. Your balance will still show the amount, but you cannot spend it since it is blocked. If you are issued the shares, the cost will be deducted from your account after the complete distribution. If you did not obtain any shares in the IPO, the funds will be released and made available for use.

Securing shares in an upcoming IPO can be competitive, especially when demand outpaces supply. While allotment is ultimately a lottery-based process for retail investors in oversubscribed issues, there are a few ways to improve your chances:

• Submit Applications from Multiple Demat Accounts: Applying through family members' accounts with valid PANs and bank details can increase the number of bids under the retail category.
• Avoid Big Bids in Retail Quota: Instead of applying for multiple lots in a single application, place bids for just one lot per application to stay within the retail investor quota. This aligns better with SEBI’s fair allocation rules in oversubscription scenarios.
• Apply on the First or Second Day: Submitting your application early ensures you don't miss the window due to last-minute technical glitches or bank cut-offs.
• Maintain a Sufficient Bank Balance: Ensure that your linked bank account has the required amount at the time of application. Insufficient funds may lead to application rejection.
• Choose UPI Mandates Carefully: Opt for a trusted UPI ID linked to your primary bank account, and approve the mandate request promptly.

To apply for an IPO in India, you typically need:

• A PAN card 
• A Demat account to receive the allotted shares
• A bank account linked to UPI (or ASBA-enabled net banking, where applicable) for blocking the application amount
• A valid mobile number and email ID registered with your bank and broker

A trading account is not required to apply for an IPO. However, if shares are allotted and you wish to sell them after they are listed on the stock exchange, you will need a trading account.

Besides the eligibility, you must also research the company you wish to invest in. While previous year has so far been a great year for upcoming IPO, some companies have still shown a lackluster performance. Hence, proper research is vital before investing in an IPO. 

• UPI as a payment option - Fill in the bid details in the application form and process with your UPI ID. IF you do not have a UPI Id, create one, find here the list of Banks on UPI. You can use your UPI ID to apply with three options, read here to know the New Process for applying in IPO using UPI ID 
• A Bank Account - ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount) is another option to apply for an IPO. However, you cannot apply for an IPO if your account does not have a sufficient balance.

Where to Find Upcoming IPO Listings

For investors hoping to make early, informed decisions, knowing where to track upcoming mainboard IPO or upcoming SME IPO can make all the difference. After all, missing a strong listing could mean missing out on value - especially in a year like 2026, where the pipeline is packed with promising names across fintech, digital platforms, and legacy sectors.

But the real question is—where do you go for accurate, up-to-date information? Here's a breakdown: 

Stock Exchange Websites – NSE and BSE

Both NSE India (nseindia.com) and BSE India (bseindia.com) maintain dedicated sections on their websites for upcoming IPO. These pages list: 

• Draft Red Herring Prospectuses (DRHPs) and final RHPs 
• Offer timelines and issue sizes (when disclosed) 
• Company background and risk factors 

For anyone serious about IPO investing, these are non-negotiable starting points. 

SEBI Website – For Official Filings

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) provides a list of companies that have either filed or received approval for IPO. While this platform won’t tell you which IPO opens next week, it’s an excellent place to track pre-listing intent and regulatory clearance. 

Financial News Platforms – For Market Buzz

Business dailies and digital portals like Mint, Economic Times, and Moneycontrol often break IPO-related developments even before exchanges update their pages. These outlets are especially useful for: 

1. Market sentiment around upcoming IPO 
2. Expert commentary and subscription strategies 
3. Grey market premium (GMP) trends 

But remember: not all reports are equally vetted. Stick to reputed sources. Further, things like GMP are highly volatile, illiquid, and can give a wrong impression of an upcoming IPO.

Brokerage Platforms Like 5paisa – All in One Dashboard 

If you're looking for speed, simplicity, and curated insights, brokerage platforms such as 5paisa provide everything in one place: 

• Live IPO calendars 
• Subscription details by investor category 
• RHP summaries and company analysis 
• Seamless online application tools (via UPI or ASBA) 

As a registered investor, you'll also get alerts when a new IPO opens—so you never miss out.

To plan your IPO investments more effectively, keep an eye on every major upcoming IPO in 2026. Prominent names like OYO, Meesho, Ola Consumer, boAt, and Zepto are expected to launch their public issues.