BSE 100 Index

As BSE Sensex has only 30 scrips, a need was felt for a more broad-based index, which could also reflect the movement of stock prices on a national scale. In 1989, Bombay Stock Exchange Limited, started compilation and publication of an index series called "BSE National Index".

The equity shares of 100 companies from the "Specified" and the "Non-Specified" list of the five major stock exchanges, viz. Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Madras have been selected for the purpose of compiling the BSE National Index. The shares have been selected on the basis of market activity, due representation to various industry-groups and representation of trading activity on major stock exchanges.

The financial year 1983-84 has been chosen as the base year because of the price stability during that year and its proximity to the index series.