The BSE has launched India's first Saatvik-themed equity index, comprising 100 companies from the BSE 500 universe that align with Saatvik principles. According to reports from Business Standard, the index has a base value of 1,000 with 20 June 2005 as the first value date and will be reconstituted semi-annually in June and December. This marks a significant development in India's index offerings, providing investors with a dedicated vehicle for ethical and culturally aligned investment strategies. As per Live Mint, the index is derived from the constituents of the BSE 500 Index and offers domestic investors a new avenue to invest in companies that adhere to ethical and value-based principles. The launch comes amid growing investor interest in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, where investment decisions increasingly consider social impact, sustainability, and governance standards alongside financial performance.
As reported by Business Standard, the BSE Saatvik 100 Index has delivered annualised total returns of 12.22% over the last three years, 11.11% over five years and 13.70% over 10 years as of 29 May 2026. These performance figures demonstrate the index's consistent long-term returns, positioning it as a viable investment option for investors seeking ethical and culturally aligned market exposure. The launch comes at a time of growing interest in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, which focuses on companies that are not only driven by profits but also contribute positively to society and the environment.
According to Live Mint, financial services dominate the BSE Saatvik 100 Index at 37.55%, making it the single-largest contributor to the index. The sector is followed by Consumer discretionary and Energy, with other key sectors including commodities and industrials, followed by utilities and telecommunication. The remaining exposure is spread across services, fast-moving consumer goods, and healthcare. Among individual stocks, HDFC Bank holds the largest weight in the index, followed by ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries, according to the exchange. Other major constituents include Infosys, State Bank of India, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Mahindra & Mahindra. The composition indicates a strong tilt toward large-cap financial and diversified businesses within the newly launched thematic index.
According to Live Mint, Ashutosh Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSE Index Services, stated that the launch of the BSE Saatvik 100 Index marks an important step in broadening the range of thematic indices available to investors seeking alignment between their investment decisions and value-based principles. As reported by BSE, the index can be used for passive investment strategies such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and index funds, and can serve as a benchmark for portfolio management services (PMS), mutual fund schemes and investment portfolios. Singh added that the index provides a credible foundation for developing passive, structured, and other investment products aligned with this philosophy. The index is managed by BSE Index Services, formerly known as Asia Index, which manages and publishes a range of indices including the benchmark Sensex for domestic and global investors. Singh noted that as capital markets evolve, investor preferences are moving beyond traditional financial metrics and increasingly incorporating ethical, cultural, and philosophy-driven considerations.
