What you must NOT do (NSE/BSE)
1. Don't panic The market is volatile. Accept that. It will keep fluctuating. Don't panic. If the prices of your shares have plummeted, there is no reason to want to get rid of them in a hurry. Stay invested if nothing fundamental about your company has changed. Ditto with your mutual fund. Does the Net Asset Value deep dipping and then rising slightly? Hold on. Don't sell unnecessarily.
2. Don't make huge investments When the market dips, go ahead and buy some stocks. But don't invest huge amounts. Pick up the shares in stages. Keep some money aside and zero in on a few companies you believe in. When the market dips --buy them. When the market dips again, , you can pick up some more. Keep buying the shares periodically. Everyone knows that they should buy when the market has reached its lowest and sell the shares when the market peaks. But the fact remains, no one can time the market. It is impossible for an individual to state when the share price has reached rock bottom. Instead, buy shares over a period of time; this way, you will average your costs. Pick a few stocks and invest in them gradually. Ditto with a mutual fund. Invest small amounts gradually via a Systematic Investment Plan. Here, you invest a fixed amount every month into your fund and you get units allocated to you.
3. Don't chase performance A stock does not become a good buy simply because its price has been rising phenomenally. Once investors start selling, the price will drop drastically. Ditto with a mutual fund. Every fund will show a great return in the current bull run. That does not make it a good fund. Track the performance of the fund over a bull and bear market; only then make your choice.
4. 4. Don't ignore expenses When you buy and sell shares, you will have to pay a brokerage fee and a Securities Transaction Tax. This could nip into your profits specially if you are selling for small gains (where the price of stock has risen by a few rupees). With mutual funds, if you have already paid an entry load, then you most probably won't have to pay an exit load. Entry loads and exit loads are fees levied on the Net Asset Value (price of a unit of a fund). Entry load is levied when you buy units and an exit load when you sell them. If you sell your shares of equity funds within a year of buying, you end up paying a short-term capital gains tax of 10% on your profit. If you sell after a year, you pay no tax (long-term capital gains tax is nil).

What you MUST do(NSE/BSE)
1. Get rid of the junk Any shares you bought but no longer want to keep? If they are showing a profit, you could consider selling them. Even if they are not going to give you a substantial profit, it is time to dump them and utilise the money elsewhere if you no longer believe in them. Similarly with a dud fund; sell the units and deploy the money in a more fruitful investment.
2. Diversify Don't just buy stocks in one sector. Make sure you are invested in stocks of various sectors. Also, when you look at your total equity investments, don't just look at stocks. Look at equity funds as well. To balance your equity investments, put a portion of your investments in fixed income instruments like the Public Provident Fund, post office deposits, bonds and National Savings Certificates. If you have none of these or very little investment in these, consider a balanced fund or a debt fund.
3. Believe in your investment Don't invest in shares based on a tip, no matter who gives it to you. Tread cautiously. Invest in stocks you truly believe in. Look at the fundamentals. Analyse the company and ask yourself if you want to be part of it. Are you happy with the way a particular fund manager manages his fund and the objective of the fund? If yes, consider investing in it.
4. Stick to your strategy If you decided you only want 60% of all your investments in equity, don't over-exceed that limit because the stock market has been delivering great returns. Stick to your allocation.

        Dos & Don’ts in Commodity Futures Market ( NCDEX)
          Dos

1. Read, understand, and be updated about the guidelines and circulars of the Exchange and of the Forward Markets Commission.
2. Refer and understand all the provisions of Forward Contracts (Regulations) Act, 1952 dealing with futures trading in commodities and amendments thereof from time to time, including provisions and rates relating to the sales tax, value added tax, APMC Tax, Mandi Cess and Tax, octroi, excise duty, stamp duty, etc., applicable on the underlying commodity of any contracts offered for trading by NCDEX.
3. Read the commodity contracts circulars issued by NCDEX and carefully note the contract specifications of the commodity in which you wish to trade. The contract specifications are subject to change from time to time.
4. Before entering into buy and sell transactions please be aware of all the factors that go into the mechanism of pricing, trading and clearing.
5. Read the product note of the commodity in which you wish to deal to understand the commodity and parameters that impact on the trading and settlement of the commodity.
6. Understand the Delivery & Settlement Procedures of the commodity that you wish to deal in the futures market.
7. Study historical and seasonal price movements of the commodity that you wish to deal in the futures market.
8. Keep track of Governments’ Policy announcements from time to time of the commodity that you wish to deal in the futures market.
9. Apply your own prudent judgment for investments in commodity futures and take informed decisions.
10. Comply with Taxation and other Central Government/State Governments regulatory issues.
11. Go through all Rules, Bye Laws, Regulations Circulars, and directives issued by NCDEX.
12. Since the investment is based on various types of margins, be aware of the risks associated with your positions in the market and margin calls made from time to time.
13. Collect/Pay Mark-to-Market margins on your futures positions on a daily basis from/to your member.
14. Be aware of your risk taking ability and fix stop-loss limits. Liquidate your positions at such levels to reduce further losses, if any.
15. In case of any doubt/problems, contact Exchange’s Help Desk or email at askus@ncdex.com
16. Trade only through registered members of the Exchange.  Check with the Exchange to see whether the member is registered with the Exchange.
17. Insist on filling up a standard ‘Know Your Client (KYC)’ form and on getting a Client-Id.
18. Insist on reading and signing standard ‘Risk Disclosure Agreement'. 
19. Cross check the genuineness of trades carried out at NCDEX through the trade verification facility available on NCDEX website. The trades can be verified online at www.ncdex.com/marketdata/hist trade verification.aspx where trade information is available up to 3 working days from the trade date.
20. While trading through an authorized person ensure that a duly signed contract note has been issued by the member or its authorized persons for every executed trade, highlighting the details of the trade along with your unique Client-Id.
21. Obtain receipt for collaterals deposited with the member towards margins.
22. Go through the Rules, Bye-laws, Regulations, Circulars, directives, notifications of the Exchange as well as of the Regulators, Governments and other authorities and details of Client-Trading Member Agreement to know your rights and duties vis-à-vis those of the member.
23. State clearly who will be placing orders on your behalf. Give precise and clear instructions while placing, modifying or canceling orders.
24. Ask all relevant questions and clear your doubts with your member before transacting.
25. Ensure that the Contract Note contains all the relevant information such as Member Registration Number, Order No., Order Date, Order time, Trade No., Trade rate, Quantity, Arbitration Clause.
26. Insist on receiving the bills for every settlement.
27. Insist on periodical statements of your ledger account.
28. Scrutinize minutely both the transaction as well as the holding statements that you receive from your Depository Participant.
29. Keep Delivery Instruction Slips (DIS) book issued by DPs in safe possession.
30. Ensure that the DIS numbers are pre-printed and your account number (Client-Id) is mentioned in the DIS book.
31. Freeze your Demat account in case of your absence for longer duration or in case of not using the account frequently.
32. Pay required margins in time and only by Cheque and ask for receipt thereof from the member.
    Deliver the commodities in case of sale or pay the money in case of purchase within the time prescribed
    
    Don’ts

1. Do not fall prey to market rumours.
2. Do not go by any explicit/implicit promise made by analysts/advisors/experts/market intermediary until convinced.
3. Do not deal based on Bull/Bear run of commodity markets sentiments.
4. Do not go by the reports/predictions made in various print and electronic forms without verification.
5. Do not trade on any product without knowing the risk and rewards associated with it.
6. Do not start trading before reading and understanding the Risk Disclosure Agreement and entering into the prescribed agreement with the Member.
7. Do not deal with unregistered intermediaries even if their charges are lower and/or margins are lesser.
8. Do not undertake off-market transactions in commodities with a member of the Exchange, unless such member records in the agreement for sale, note or memorandum that he is selling/purchasing the goods as the case may be, for his own account and obtains a consent from you in respect thereof as required u/s 15 (4) of the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952.
9. Do not neglect to set out in writing, orders for higher value given over phone.
10. Do not accept unsigned/duplicate contract note/confirmation memo.
11. Do not accept contract note/confirmation memo signed by any unauthorized person.
12. Do not delay payment/deliveries of commodities to member.
13. Do not get carried away by luring advertisements, rumours, hot tips, promise of unrealistic returns, etc.
14. Do not forget to take note of risks involved in the investments.
    Do not sign blank Delivery Instruction Slips (DIS) while furnishing securities deposits and/or keep them with Depository Participants (DP) or broker to save time.
    
    Dos & Don’ts in Commodity Futures Market (MCX)
    Dos

• Trade only through registered Members.
  In the interest of your own safety, it is important to trade only through registered members since the commodity exchanges have jurisdiction over them in terms of their own rules, bye laws, etc and can therefore, play a role in resolving investor grievances or even take action against the members if necessary. The exchange has no jurisdiction over entities who are not their members.
• Familiarize yourself with FMC guidelines and rules, regulations, byelaws, circulars, etc. of MCX.
  Familiarize yourselves with FMC guidelines and rules, bye laws, etc. of the exchange to have an adequate understanding of the legal framework under which the commodity futures are traded. This would be useful in terms of giving you a better understanding of the procedures relating to trading, clearing and settlement, your rights as investor, etc.
• Take an informed decision
  Be sure that you are taking an informed decision. Read the product note available on the exchange website to understand the commodity specifications. Keep track of Government policy announcements such as the Minimum Support Price, Export/Import policy, etc, which have a significant impact on the prices of commodities. Also keep track of exchange announcements made through circulars regarding the methodology of computation of due date rates, launch of new contracts, etc. Understand the commodity thoroughly. Study historical and seasonal price movements of the commodity.
• Understand the Delivery and Settlement Procedure.
  Thoroughly understand the delivery and settlement procedure which differs from commodity to commodity in terms of quality implications, place of delivery, options, penalties, margins, etc. This information is given in the product note available on the website. Understanding of delivery would help in avoiding rejection of your delivery.
• Understand and Comply with Taxation and other relevant laws.
  Before initiating a trade, ascertain whether the price of the commodity is inclusive or exclusive of various taxes applicable at the delivery centre at the given point of time. Be aware of implications of various taxes such as Sales tax, Service tax, VAT, etc. Make sure that you understand and comply with accounting standards for derivatives.
• Pay all applicable margins. Collect / pay mark-to-market margins on a daily basis.
  Pay all the applicable margins on your futures position to the member. Also, collect or pay (as the case may be) mark-to-market margins from/to the member which are required to be settled on a daily basis.
• Insist on documentation with the member such as Member Client agreement, and Know Your Client.
  Enter into an agreement with the member since that would ensure that you have recourse to all the investor protection mechanisms of the exchange. Co-operate with the member in filling up the 'Know Your Client form. This form has been devised to ensure that a member knows all his clients properly, and you are thus protected from the risk which may arise out of a member having unsuitable clients. Only clients with pan numbers are allowed to trade on commodity exchanges.
• Read and understand the Risk Disclosure Document.
  The Risk Disclosure Document provides valuable insight into the risk associated with futures trading. It is therefore, in your interest to carefully read and understand this document.
• Insist on signed Contract Notes containing all relevant information such as Member Registration Number, Order Details, Trade Rate, Quantity, etc.
  Insist on signed contract notes with all the relevant information for all your trades. The contract note is a proof of the transaction between you and the member and is absolutely essential for you to be able to approach the exchange for redressal of your complaints, availing arbitration mechanisms, etc.
• Obtain receipt for collateral deposited with the Members.
  Take a receipt from your members for collateral deposited with them.
• Insist on a periodical statement of your ledger account.
  Monitor your account with the member properly by insisting on a periodical statement of your ledger account.
• Freeze your demat account in case of a long absence.
  Freeze your demat account if it is not being used frequently for any reason, so that it is not misused.
  
  Don’ts

• Don't get misled by rumors, luring advertisements and promises, and bull/bear run of market sentiments.
  Take an informed decision. Do not get misled by rumors, luring advertisements, etc. nor get swayed by bull/bear run of market sentiments.
• Don't trade any contract without knowing the associated risks.
  You should be fully aware of risk associated with your position in the market arising out of variety of factors such as Government policy, volatility, macro-economic factors, international price movements, etc.
• Don't undertake off-market transactions.
  Do not undertake off-market transactions which are not only illegal but also unsafe since the same may not fall under the jurisdiction of the exchange.
• Don't accept/pay cash.
  Do not pay cash to the members nor take any cash as payments. It is in your interest to deal through cheques, demand drafts, etc. since these instruments leave a proper audit trail.
• Don't sign blank Delivery Instruction Slips.
  It is not advisable to sign blank delivery instruction slips, since the same can be misused.
• Don't delay payment/deliveries to Members.
  Do not delay payment or deliveries to members to avoid losses arising out of penalties, closing of positions, etc.