Types of IPOs in India: SME IPO vs Mainboard, Fresh Issue vs OFS Explained
An IPO can be classified in different ways. In India, the most common types of IPOs are Mainboard IPOs and SME IPOs, based on where the company lists. IPOs can also be classified as Fresh Issue or Offer for Sale, based on where the money goes.
For a beginner, this distinction is important. Two IPOs may both look like public issues, but their risk, lot size, liquidity, pricing method, and use of funds can be very different. In this chapter, we will understand the main types of IPOs in India and how you can identify them before applying.
Types of IPOs in India: What Does It Mean?
When people say "types of IPOs", they are usually talking about three different classifications.
- First, IPOs can be classified based on the listing platform. This gives us Mainboard IPOs and SME IPOs.
- Second, IPOs can be classified based on where the IPO money goes. This gives us Fresh Issue and Offer for Sale.
- Third, IPOs can be classified based on how the IPO price is decided. This gives us Book Building Issue and Fixed Price Issue.
| IPO classification | Types | What it tells you |
| Based on listing platform | Mainboard IPO, SME IPO | Where the company will list |
| Based on use of money | Fresh Issue, Offer for Sale | Whether money goes to the company or existing shareholders |
| Based on pricing method | Book Building, Fixed Price | How the IPO price is decided |
| Related fundraising route | Rights Issue | Existing listed company raising money from current shareholders |
A single IPO can fall into more than one category. For example, a Mainboard IPO can have both a Fresh Issue and an Offer for Sale. It may also use the book building method for pricing.
Mainboard IPO: Meaning and How It Works
A Mainboard IPO is the regular IPO that most investors think of when they hear the word IPO. In this type of IPO, a company lists its shares on the main platform of NSE or BSE.
Mainboard IPOs are usually brought by larger companies compared with SME IPOs. These companies generally have a longer operating history, larger business size, and wider investor interest.
For example, if a large Indian company wants to raise money from the public and list on NSE or BSE mainboard, it may come out with a Mainboard IPO.
Mainboard IPOs usually attract retail investors, institutional investors, high net-worth individuals, and mutual funds. Because of this wider participation, post-listing liquidity is usually better than SME IPOs. Liquidity means how easily you can buy or sell shares without a big impact on price.
But this does not mean Mainboard IPOs are risk-free. The company may be good, but the IPO price may still be expensive. A strong listing gain is also not guaranteed.
SME IPO: Meaning and How It Works
An SME IPO is an IPO by a small or medium enterprise. These companies list on SME platforms such as NSE Emerge or BSE SME.
SME IPOs help smaller companies raise money from public investors. These companies may use the money for business expansion, working capital, debt repayment, or other business needs.
SME IPOs can offer growth opportunities, but they also carry higher risk. The business may be smaller, less tracked by analysts, and more sensitive to industry changes. After listing, trading volumes can also be lower.
One important point is lot size. SME IPOs usually require a higher minimum investment compared with Mainboard IPOs. Recent rules have also made SME IPO applications less retail-friendly because the minimum application size is now above ₹2 lakh for individual investors. This makes SME IPOs more suitable for investors who understand higher risk and lower liquidity.
SME IPO vs Mainboard IPO: Key Differences
| Basis | Mainboard IPO | SME IPO |
| Meaning | IPO by a company listing on NSE/BSE mainboard | IPO by a small or medium company listing on SME platform |
| Company size | Usually larger companies | Usually smaller companies |
| Listing platform | NSE mainboard or BSE mainboard | NSE Emerge or BSE SME |
| Minimum investment | Usually lower compared with SME IPOs | Usually higher due to larger lot size |
| Liquidity after listing | Usually better | Can be lower |
| Risk level | Can still be risky, but generally more tracked | Usually higher due to smaller business size and lower liquidity |
| Investor participation | Retail, HNI, QIB and other investors | Individual investors and other eligible categories, but lot size can be a barrier |
| Best suited for | Investors who want more widely tracked IPOs | Investors who understand higher risk and lower liquidity |
The main takeaway is simple: Mainboard IPOs are generally more accessible for regular investors, while SME IPOs need more caution. In SME IPOs, you should pay extra attention to business quality, financials, promoter background, valuation, and liquidity risk.
Fresh Issue vs Offer for Sale: Where Does Your IPO Money Go?
Fresh Issue and Offer for Sale explain where the IPO money goes. This is one of the most important things to check in any IPO. Many beginners think that whenever they apply for an IPO, the company receives the money. That is not always true.
In a Fresh Issue, the company issues new shares and receives the money. In an Offer for Sale, existing shareholders sell their shares and receive the money. The company does not receive fresh funds from the OFS portion.
Fresh Issue: Money Goes to the Company
A Fresh Issue means the company creates new shares and sells them to IPO investors. The money raised goes to the company. The company may use this money for:
- business expansion
- debt repayment
- working capital
- acquisitions
- setting up new facilities
- general corporate purposes
For example, suppose an IPO raises ₹1,000 crore through a Fresh Issue. This ₹1,000 crore goes to the company. If the company uses it to reduce debt or expand capacity, it may strengthen the business over time.
But there is one thing to note. A Fresh Issue increases the number of shares. This can dilute existing shareholders. Dilution means each existing shareholder owns a slightly smaller percentage of the company after new shares are issued.
Offer for Sale: Money Goes to Existing Shareholders
Offer for Sale, or OFS, means existing shareholders sell part of their stake through the IPO. These shareholders may be promoters, private equity investors, early investors, or other existing shareholders. The company itself does not receive money from the OFS portion.
For example, suppose an IPO has a ₹1,000 crore OFS. In this case, the money goes to the selling shareholders, not to the company.
OFS is not automatically bad. Sometimes early investors sell because they have been invested for many years and want to exit partly. Sometimes promoters sell a small stake to meet public shareholding rules.
The important question is not just whether there is an OFS. The important question is who is selling, how much they are selling, and why.
Should You Worry About OFS-Heavy IPOs?
An OFS-heavy IPO means a large part of the IPO is made up of existing shareholders selling their shares. This can be a warning sign, but not always. You should study the DRHP carefully if:
- promoters are selling a large stake
- the company is not receiving much fresh capital
- the business still needs money for growth
- selling shareholders are exiting aggressively
- valuation looks expensive compared with business growth
A beginner mistake is assuming every IPO helps the company raise money. If the IPO is mostly OFS, the company may not get fresh funds. That does not make the IPO bad by itself, but it changes what you should analyse.
Book Building Issue vs Fixed Price Issue
Book Building and Fixed Price explain how the IPO price is decided.
In a Book Building Issue, the company gives a price band. Investors place bids within that range. Based on demand, the final issue price is decided.
For example, if the price band is ₹95 to ₹100, investors can bid within this range. If demand is strong, the final price may be fixed near the upper end.
In a Fixed Price Issue, the company sets the IPO price upfront. Investors know the exact price before applying.
| Basis | Book Building Issue | Fixed Price Issue |
| Price | Price band is given | Fixed price is given |
| Price discovery | Based on investor bidding | Decided before the issue opens |
| Common usage | Common in larger IPOs | More common in smaller issues |
| Investor view | You bid within a range | You apply at the fixed price |
For most beginners, this is not the most important IPO classification. It matters, but not as much as understanding SME vs Mainboard and Fresh Issue vs OFS.
How to Spot IPO Type in the DRHP
DRHP means Draft Red Herring Prospectus. It is the draft offer document filed before an IPO. It contains details about the company, financials, risks, IPO structure, promoters, and use of funds.
To identify the type of IPO, check these sections:
- Issue structure: This tells you whether the IPO has Fresh Issue, OFS, or both.
- Objects of the issue: This tells you how the company plans to use the money raised from the Fresh Issue.
- Selling shareholders: This tells you who is selling shares in the OFS.
- Listing platform: This helps you identify whether the IPO is a Mainboard IPO or SME IPO.
- Price band or fixed price: This tells you whether the IPO follows book building or fixed price pricing.
You do not need to read every page of the DRHP on day one. But before applying, at least check where the money is going, who is selling, how the company earns money, and what risks are listed.
Final Takeaway: Which IPO Type Matters Most?
Different IPO types answer different questions. SME IPO vs Mainboard IPO tells you where the company will list and what kind of risk and liquidity profile you may face.
Fresh Issue vs OFS tells you whether the company is receiving money or existing shareholders are selling their stake. Book Building vs Fixed Price tells you how the IPO price is decided.
For a beginner, the most important check is not just whether an IPO is popular. You should understand the IPO type, use of funds, valuation, business quality, and risk before applying. An IPO can list at a premium or a discount, and past listing gains do not guarantee future returns, so you must be aware about common beginner’s mistake.