Imagine this: The market is surging, Sensex hits a record high, and you’re seconds away from booking your profits. But suddenly, your screen freezes. Your orders are stuck in “open pending,” and there’s nothing you can do. The app stops working due to a BSE technical glitch.
By the time the system recovers, the opportunity is gone, and so is your money.
This isn’t a rare nightmare—it’s the reality many traders faced during BSE technical glitches over the past few years. From massive F&O order failures to connectivity blackouts, these issues have cost traders lakhs and shaken their trust in the system.
In this blog, we’ll uncover why these glitches happen, share real cases where traders paid the price, and tell you what steps to take if you’re ever caught in one.
BSE Not Working
The BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) platform is generally considered stable and reliable, but like any large-scale trading infrastructure, it has faced occasional glitches and technical issues. Some common types of glitches or disruptions reported by traders and brokers on the BSE platform include:
- Order Execution Delay
- Issue: Orders placed by traders take too long to execute or remain in pending status.
- Impact: Missed entries/exits, slippage, and frustration among intraday traders.
2. Trade Confirmation Mismatch
- Issue: Orders appear as executed in broker terminals but are not confirmed by the exchange.
- Impact: Portfolio mismatch, accounting errors, and uncertainty in trading positions.
3. Market Feed Delay
- Issue: Live price feeds or indices like Sensex experience delays or stop updating temporarily.
- Impact: Traders cannot make real-time decisions, especially during high volatility periods.
4. Sudden Disconnection or Downtime
- Issue: BSE trading services become temporarily unavailable due to backend or server issues.
- Impact: Brokers may shift to NSE for continuity, and affected trades may not go through.
5. Discrepancy in Contract Notes
- Issue: Downloadable files like end-of-day Bhavcopy or trade contract notes reflect incorrect or delayed data.
- Impact: Affects portfolio tracking, settlement, and reporting.
6. Login or Authentication Failure (via broker platform)
- Issue: Difficulty logging in or getting authorized to place trades, particularly during peak hours.
- Impact: Missed opportunities, especially in early morning trades or pre-open sessions.
7. Auction Settlement Errors
- Issue: Faults in settlement or auction processes, especially in T+1 or BTST scenarios.
- Impact: Margin penalties or unexpected debits for traders.
8. Circuit Breaker Malfunction
- Issue: Circuit breakers not activating as per limits or triggering incorrectly.
- Impact: False panic or trading halts, especially in volatile markets.
9. Mutual Fund or SME Segment Lags
- Issue: Trades or NAV updates in the Mutual Fund or SME segments are not reflected in time.
- Impact: Confusion in small-cap/MF investing and settlements.
BSE Technical Glitch History
We’ve all had moments when technology fails us—but in trading, even a few minutes of downtime can cost lakhs.
Over the last year, BSE glitches have left many traders stuck mid-trade, unable to buy, sell, or even cancel their orders. Let’s look at some real incidents where these technical issues caused actual financial pain.
1. July 12, 2024: “Open Pending on Sensex Expiry Day”
Imagine this: Sensex is soaring to a record ~80,893 on expiry day, volatility is high, and you’re poised to cash in on your positions. But suddenly, your orders freeze.
That’s exactly what happened when BSE’s F&O system malfunctioned, leaving countless trades stuck in “Open Pending” status.
Jaipur-based trader Anil Hudda couldn’t cancel or modify his positions and watched helplessly as the market moved against him.
By the time his positions auto-squared off, he had lost over ₹15 lakh. Zerodha later acknowledged that all brokers were affected because the issue originated from BSE.
2. July 12, 2024: “Connectivity Failure Around F&O Orders”
On the very same day, panic spread across trading communities as Zerodha and other brokers sent out alerts about connectivity issues with BSE’s F&O segment.
For many traders, their screens showed pending orders while the market kept moving.
Those trying to exit losing positions were particularly hit hard. The glitch lasted for around 30 minutes—enough time for some to see potential profits vanish or small losses balloon.
3. July 2024: “Opportunity Loss of ₹4.53 Lakh”
For one trader, a BSE connectivity hiccup turned what should have been a successful trade into a nightmare.
He attempted to exit his position as the market hit his target, but repeated order rejections kept him locked out.
By the time he finally managed to place the order, the opportunity was gone, and he suffered a significant loss.
Determined to fight back, he took the issue to arbitration and was eventually awarded ₹4,53,081.60 in compensation, a rare but reassuring outcome for impacted traders.
How These Glitches Hurt Traders
When a technical glitch strikes the exchange, it’s not just about numbers on a screen—it’s about real people losing hard-earned money, missing opportunities, and facing moments of sheer panic. Here’s how these glitches hit traders where it hurts:
- Missed Trades at Crucial Moments
You spot the breakout, your strategy aligns perfectly, and you hit “Buy.” But nothing happens. The order hangs in limbo, and by the time the system comes back online, the price has moved. For many traders, these missed entries and exits can turn a winning day into a frustrating loss.
- Duplicate or Stuck Orders
In some cases, technical hiccups have caused orders to remain stuck or even get duplicated without warning. Imagine placing a single sell order and ending up with two or three unintended trades. These errors can quickly escalate losses, especially in a volatile market.
- Emotional Stress and Panic
It’s not just about the money—it’s about the stress of watching the market move while you’re locked out. For traders with large positions, the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. Some have described these moments as “the longest minutes of their trading life.”
- Forced to Keep Backup Accounts
Because of recurring glitches, many experienced traders now maintain backup accounts with other brokers like Angel One, Dhan, or Fyers. While this helps as a safety net, it also shows how trust in a single system is eroding.
What to Do If BSE Faces a Glitch
- Check for Official Updates
The first step is to confirm whether the problem is on your end or a wider issue. Check your broker’s app notifications, BSE’s website, or their Twitter handle (now X) for any outage alerts. - Take Screenshots Immediately
Capture your screen showing error messages, stuck orders, or delays. Note the exact time too. These screenshots will be critical evidence if you need to file a complaint or claim compensation later. - Contact Your Broker ASAP
Reach out to your broker’s support team through a call or ticket system. Inform them about the issue and request a ticket number for reference. The sooner they log your issue, the better your chances of resolution. - Keep Records of Communication
Save all emails, chat transcripts, and ticket responses from your broker. This will help if you need to escalate the matter to SEBI or arbitration. - Escalate to SEBI if Needed
If your broker doesn’t resolve the issue within 30 days, you can raise a complaint with SEBI through the SCORES portal. Attach all your proof for a stronger case.
How to File a Complaint Against BSE Glitches
If you’ve lost money or faced issues due to a BSE glitch, here’s how you can raise your complaint step by step:
- Report the Issue to Your Broker First
-Contact your broker (like Zerodha, Angel One, etc.) through their support system.
-Explain the issue clearly and provide proof (screenshots, timestamps, contract notes).
-Ask for a ticket ID or complaint reference number—they’ll need this for tracking.
-Wait for broker resolution for 30 days. - File a Complaint in SEBI
In case you get no response from SEBI, then raise the concern in SEBI SCORES portal by following the steps below:
-Register on SCORES with your details.
-Submit your complaint under “Technical Glitches/Trading Issues”.
-Attach screenshots, emails, and ticket IDs for proof.
-Track the complaint’s status through the portal. - Arbitration in Stock Market
-If SEBI’s intervention doesn’t bring a solution, you can apply for arbitration with your broker’s exchange (BSE/NSE).
-Arbitration panels have awarded compensation in past cases if traders provided strong evidence of losses..
Need Help Reporting an Issue?
If you’re unable to report your complaint to BSE or SEBI on your own, don’t worry, register with us. We can guide you through the process.
Whether it’s filing on BSE‘s investor portal or escalating it to SEBI’s SCORES, reach out to us, and we’ll help you step by step.
BSE Glitch Recovery
One trader faced a serious issue during a BSE trading session on July 12, 2024, where his executed order was reversed without consent, and the stock was sold at a lower price due to a technical glitch on the exchange side.
Despite having a clear trade confirmation and holding the stock, the order was rolled back, resulting in a financial loss. Initially, the broker did not take responsibility and blamed the exchange.
After the trader reached out for help, we assisted him in drafting a strong complaint, compiling all necessary proof, including order history, trade confirmation, and screenshots.
The complaint was escalated to the broker’s compliance team and BSE grievance cell, and eventually filed on SEBI’s SCORES platform.
With proper follow-up and regulatory pressure, the issue was acknowledged, and the trader received a full refund of ₹4.53 L, proving that glitch-related losses can be recovered if approached systematically.
Conclusion
BSE glitches might be rare, but when they strike, they hit hard. Missed trades, stuck orders, and panic—it’s every trader’s nightmare.
The regulators are tightening rules, and some traders have even won compensation. But as traders, we also need to stay prepared.
Keep records, stay calm, and always have a backup plan. It’s the smartest way to trade in an imperfect system.
