Zerodha increases intraday margins during volatile market conditions to manage risk beyond the minimum exchange requirements. While exchanges set minimum margin requirements based on security volatility, these may not adequately reflect actual market conditions during significant events like election results or budget day.
Margin requirements adjust based on security volatility - higher volatility means higher margins, and lower volatility means lower margins. Exchanges set minimum margin requirements that brokers must collect from customers to prevent defaults. During volatile periods or major market events, minimum exchange requirements may not capture the actual risk, so Zerodha increases margins above exchange minimums. MIS trading can also be disabled for certain securities depending on market volatility levels.
Once the volatility subsides or the event passes without any volatility, Zerodha will revert to the minimum required margins. Depending on market volatility, MIS can also be disabled for certain securities.
Zerodha's margin calculator lists stocks that can be traded with leverage. The bulletin updates the list of available leverages and any changes in Zerodha's policy.