Introduction
Silver is more than just a shiny metal—it’s a powerful mix of tradition, investment, and industry. In India, silver plays a dual role: it’s cherished as jewelry and coins during weddings and festivals, and it’s also a critical industrial material used in solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and electronics.
Unlike gold, which is primarily a safe-haven investment, silver has both precious and industrial demand. This unique dual identity makes silver more volatile than gold—but also more rewarding for traders who know how to use it.
In fact, silver’s growing role in the green energy revolution (solar and EVs) means that demand is expected to remain strong in the years ahead. For traders in India, MCX Silver contracts offer a fantastic opportunity to participate in this global story.
This guide will take you from the basics of silver trading to advanced strategies, packed with examples, pro tips, and case studies. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned trader, by the end you’ll have a clear roadmap to trade silver in India with confidence.
If you are new to commodity trading then do check this post and learn the basics of Commodity Trading in India: A Beginner’s Guide to Earning from Gold, Oil & More
What is Silver?
Silver (chemical symbol Ag) is a precious white metal with high electrical and thermal conductivity. Historically, it was used for coins and ornaments, but today, nearly 50% of silver demand comes from industries.
Key Uses of Silver:
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Jewelry & Ornaments – Especially popular in India and rural areas.
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Investment – Coins, bars, ETFs, and digital silver.
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Industrial Applications:
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Solar panels (photovoltaic cells use silver paste).
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Electric vehicles (batteries & electronics).
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Medical devices (antibacterial properties).
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Electronics (wires, switches, conductors).
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Photography & chemicals.
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👉 This dual role makes silver less predictable than gold, but it also means silver benefits from both safe-haven demand and industrial growth.
Learn Gold Trading in India (2025): Complete Beginner to Advanced Guide.
Why Trade Silver in India?
Silver is one of the most traded commodities on MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange). Here’s why traders love it:
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High Volatility = More Opportunities
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Silver prices swing faster than gold. Perfect for short-term traders.
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Strong Liquidity
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MCX Silver contracts are actively traded, ensuring smooth entry/exit.
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Industrial Demand Growth
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Silver demand is booming due to solar, EV, and electronics industries.
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Variety of Contracts
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From 30 kg standard contracts to 1 kg micro contracts, traders of all sizes can participate.
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Diversification
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Silver provides diversification for investors who already trade gold or crude oil.
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Silver Trading in India (MCX Contracts Explained)
The Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) is India’s main platform for silver trading.
Silver Contract Types on MCX (2025):
Contract Type |
Lot Size |
Approx. Value (₹72,000/kg) |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Silver (Standard) |
30 kg |
~₹21.6 lakh |
Large traders/institutions |
Silver Mini |
5 kg |
~₹3.6 lakh |
Medium traders |
Silver Micro |
1 kg |
~₹72,000 |
Beginners, retail traders |
👉 This tiered structure makes silver trading accessible for all levels of traders.
Example: Silver Mini Contract Calculation
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Price = ₹72,000 per kg
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Lot Size = 5 kg
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Contract Value = ₹72,000 × 5 = ₹3,60,000
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Margin (10%) = ₹36,000
If price rises by ₹500 per kg:
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Profit = ₹500 × 5 = ₹2,500
If price falls by ₹500 per kg:
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Loss = ₹2,500
This leverage allows traders to control large positions with small capital—but it also means risks are amplified.
Factors Affecting Silver Prices
Silver prices are influenced by both global forces and domestic conditions.
1. Global Demand & Supply
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Major producers: Mexico, Peru, China, and Russia.
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Recycling also contributes to supply.
2. Industrial Usage
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50% of silver demand comes from industries.
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Solar growth = silver growth. India’s renewable energy push adds domestic demand.
3. Gold–Silver Ratio
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Ratio = Price of gold ÷ Price of silver.
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High ratio (>80) → Silver undervalued compared to gold.
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Traders often buy silver when the ratio is historically high.
4. USD–INR Exchange Rate
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Silver is priced in USD globally.
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Weak rupee = higher silver price in India.
5. Inflation & Interest Rates
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High inflation → silver demand rises as a hedge.
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Rising US interest rates → stronger dollar → silver weakens.
6. Geopolitical Events
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Wars, crises, and uncertainty boost safe-haven demand for silver (just like gold).
How to Trade Silver in India (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1: Open a Trading + Demat Account
Open a Demat + Trading Account with a best commodity broker registered on MCX such as Dhan or Upstox
Step 2: Add Margin Money
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Margin = 5–10% of contract value.
Step 3: Choose Contract Type
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Beginners → Silver Micro (1 kg).
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Medium traders → Silver Mini (5 kg).
Step 4: Analyze the Market
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Use both fundamental (global demand, USD-INR, gold-silver ratio) and technical analysis (charts, indicators).
Step 5: Place Buy/Sell Order
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If bullish → Buy.
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If bearish → Sell.
Step 6: Square Off or Hold
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Most traders square off before expiry.
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Delivery option exists but rarely used by retail traders.
Silver as an Investment vs Trading Asset
Silver isn’t just for short-term trading—it also offers long-term opportunities.
Investment Options in Silver (India):
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Physical Silver – Coins, bars, jewelry (storage & making charges issue).
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MCX Futures – Best for active traders.
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Options on Silver Futures – Limited risk, good for hedging.
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Silver ETFs / Mutual Funds – Long-term investors can track silver prices.
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Digital Silver (Apps like Paytm, MMTC-PAMP) – Buy in grams, easy storage.
👉 For short-term profits, use MCX Futures/Options.
👉 For long-term investment, use ETFs, SGBs, or Digital Silver.
Trading Strategies for Silver
1. Intraday Trading
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Buy/sell within a single day.
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Use 5-min/15-min charts, moving averages, RSI.
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Focus on volatility during London market hours (12–3 PM IST).
2. Swing Trading
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Hold positions for days/weeks.
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Track industrial demand reports & USD trends.
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Trade on breakouts from support/resistance levels.
3. Hedging
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Manufacturers using silver can hedge price risk via futures.
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Example: A jewelry business hedges by selling silver futures to lock costs.
4. Arbitrage Trading
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Exploit price differences between spot and futures or between different contracts (Silver vs Silver Mini).
5. Long-Term Investing
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Buy Silver ETFs, Digital Silver, or accumulate physical silver.
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Benefit from industrial growth + inflation hedge.
Case Studies
Case 1: Beginner Trader (Silver Micro)
Ramesh, a college student, starts with ₹50,000.
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Buys 1 lot Silver Micro at ₹72,000.
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Sells at ₹72,300.
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Profit = ₹300.
Though small, it helps him learn market behavior without big risk.
Case 2: Hedging Example
A jewelry business needs 100 kg silver in 2 months.
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To protect from rising prices, they buy silver futures now.
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Even if market rises later, their costs are fixed.
Case 3: Arbitrage Opportunity
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Silver spot = ₹72,000.
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Silver Mini futures = ₹72,300.
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Trader buys spot and sells futures → earns ₹300/kg risk-free.
✅ Example Calculation
Suppose you buy 1 lot of Silver Mini (5 kg) at ₹72,000/kg.
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Contract Value = 5 × ₹72,000 = ₹3,60,000
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Margin = ~₹36,000
If silver rises to ₹72,500/kg:
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Profit = ₹500 × 5 = ₹2,500
If silver falls to ₹71,500/kg:
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Loss = ₹500 × 5 = ₹2,500
👉 With just ₹36,000 margin, you control a contract worth ₹3.6 lakh! That’s the power of leverage in commodity trading.
Risks & Challenges in Silver Trading
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High Volatility – Moves faster than gold.
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Margin Calls – Losses can exceed initial investment.
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Liquidity Risks – Silver Micro sometimes has lower volume.
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Global Dependency – International news strongly impacts prices.
Pro Tips for Beginners
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Start with Silver Micro (1 kg lot).
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Always use a stop-loss.
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Track USD-INR and gold price trends.
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Don’t over-leverage; never use all available margin.
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Read MCX reports and SEBI guidelines.
Advanced Tips for Professionals
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Use options with futures for risk-adjusted trades.
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Monitor gold-silver ratio to time entries.
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Apply advanced charting (Ichimoku, Fibonacci, Bollinger Bands).
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Follow global silver reports (LBMA, COMEX, US Fed updates).
Instruments for Silver Trading
Silver can be traded in multiple ways:
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Futures Contracts (MCX) – Most popular method.
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Options on Silver Futures – Limited risk, good for hedging.
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Silver ETFs / Mutual Funds – For long-term investors.
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E-Silver (NSE, digital platforms like MMTC-PAMP, Paytm Gold/Silver) – Buy in grams online.
To truly thrive in commodity trading, you don’t just need knowledge — you need discipline, habits, and smart tactics. Below are time-tested tips that can help beginners gradually become confident and profitable traders.
📘 1. Master One Commodity First
Don’t try to trade everything from gold to guarseed from day one.
Start with one — preferably Gold, Silver, or Crude Oil, since they:
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Have good liquidity
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Are easy to analyze due to ample global news
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Offer tight spreads (less cost per trade)
Once you master the movement, indicators, and fundamentals of one commodity, you’ll find it easier to expand.
🧠 2. Learn Price Behavior, Not Just Indicators
Indicators lag. Price action tells the truth.
Spend time reading candlestick charts, support/resistance zones, and volume spikes. Understand why a price moves — not just that it moved.
Example:
When crude oil hits ₹7,000 and volume rises, is it:
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A breakout?
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A bull trap?
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A news-based pump?
Don’t just react — interpret.
📉 3. Always Use a Stop-Loss (SL)
SL is your seatbelt in the trading highway.
Never enter a trade without knowing:
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Where you will exit if you’re wrong (SL)
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Where you will exit if you’re right (target)
Even professional traders have a 50–60% accuracy rate — risk management is how they stay profitable.
🔍 4. Follow Economic Calendar Weekly
Track major global events affecting commodities:
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Crude Oil: US inventory reports (EIA), OPEC meetings
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Gold: US Dollar index, interest rate changes
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Agri: Indian monsoon, crop reports, MSP changes
Use sites like:
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MCXIndia.com
📱 5. Use a Trusted Trading App or Platform
Pick a broker that offers:
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Fast execution
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Low brokerage
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Good charting tools (like TradingView)
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Margin calculator
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Education material or paper trading
Some beginner-friendly brokers in India:
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Dhan – Best Overall Broker for Commodity Trading in 2025
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Why it’s #1: Zero-cost tools, deeply integrated with TradingView, free APIs, and modern UI make Dhan the top choice.
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Strengths:
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Dedicated commodity-focused trading tools
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Fast order execution
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Live market scanners and strategy builder
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Free access to advanced charts
- Also gives Margin Trading Facility (MTF)
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Ideal For: Both beginner and pro traders looking for low brokerage with high-end tools.
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Deep TradingView Integration: Unlike others who offer limited TradingView functionality, Dhan lets you trade directly from TradingView charts, a game-changer for active traders.
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Custom Strategy Builder: Dhan offers an in-built visual strategy builder that requires no coding—perfect for creating and testing commodity strategies on-the-go.
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Split-second Order Execution: With latency optimized infrastructure, Dhan offers faster order placement, crucial for volatile commodity markets like Crude Oil or Gold.
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Live Market Scanners for MCX: Filter top movers, unusual volume, or high volatility commodities in real-time.
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Pre-built Commodity Dashboards: See price trends, open interest, and volume in one glance.
- Have different types of orders available such as Gtt, Limit order, Market order, Stop-loss order, forever, after market, basket order, super order and lot more.
Did You Know?
If you place just 50 commodity trades a month, switching from a ₹20-per-order broker to Dhan (0.03%) could save you ₹500–₹800/month, especially if your trade sizes are small.
Feature for Commodity Traders
Dhan offers specific features that matter to commodity traders:
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Margin details shown upfront
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Real-time commodity news feed
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Custom alerts for commodity price levels
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Night mode optimized for after-market MCX traders
- Auto-Detection of Candlestick Patterns on Charts on their trading platform which means charts should automatically recognize & display the names of widely known Candlestick Patterns.
- Other features like 20 Depth Data, Price Alerts, Import Watchlists, etc. you have enough data to help you with your trades.
Dhan mobile App have been downloaded on playstore by more than 1.5 million people with a user rating of 4.5 which also shows the trust they have created among users within small time period.
If you’re serious about commodity trading in 2025, Dhan gives you the edge with powerful tools, zero hidden costs, and blazing-fast execution. Don’t just trade—trade smart with Dhan.
Open Your Free Dhan Account Now with no AMC charges
Steps top open an account:
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Submit PAN, Aadhaar, Bank proof
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Enable Commodity (Derivatives) in account settings
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Add funds and get started
Click Here to Open Your Free Dhan Account
No paperwork. No account opening charges. Get started in 5 minutes! Dhan also offers advanced tools like TradingView & Options Trader built-in.
📝 6. Keep a Trading Journal
Track every trade with:
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Entry/Exit price
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Why you entered
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What worked/what didn’t
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Lessons learned
This is your personal trading autopsy report. Over months, it will reveal patterns in your success/failures.
📊 7. Build a Risk Plan
Don’t risk your entire capital on one trade.
Use the 1% Rule:
Risk only 1–2% of your capital per trade. If you have ₹50,000, your loss per trade should not exceed ₹500–₹1,000.
That way, you stay in the game even with multiple losses.
🧪 8. Paper Trade Before You Go Live
Don’t jump in with real money. Simulate.
Do mock trading. Use it to:
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Test strategies
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Understand contract behavior
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Build confidence
🧘 9. Control Emotions
The biggest enemy of a trader is:
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Fear of losing
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Greed to win more
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FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Follow a plan. Detach emotionally. Avoid trading when angry, tired, or bored.
Example Case Study
Ramesh, a college student, starts with ₹50,000.
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He trades 1 lot Silver Micro (1 kg).
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Buys at ₹72,000 and sells at ₹72,300.
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Profit = ₹300 × 1 = ₹300.
👉 It may look small, but with consistent learning, he can scale up to Silver Mini and earn bigger profits.
⚪ FAQs on Silver Trading in India
Q1. How do I start trading silver in India?
Silver trading is done mainly on the MCX exchange through silver futures and options contracts. You need a commodity trading account with a broker to get started.
Q2. What is the lot size for silver trading on MCX?
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Silver Futures (30 kg)
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Silver Mini (5 kg)
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Silver Micro (1 kg)
These smaller contracts make it easier for retail traders to participate in silver trading.
Q3. Why is silver more volatile than gold?
Silver has dual demand – as a precious metal for investment and as an industrial metal for electronics, solar panels, and manufacturing. This industrial link makes silver prices more volatile compared to gold.
Q4. Is silver trading good for beginners?
Yes, beginners can trade silver by starting with Silver Mini or Silver Micro contracts, which require lower margin amounts. However, silver tends to move faster than gold, so beginners should trade cautiously with stop-loss orders.
Q5. Which is better to trade in India – gold or silver?
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Gold is more stable and less volatile, making it better for long-term investors.
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Silver is more affordable and volatile, offering higher short-term trading opportunities for active traders.
Q6. What factors affect silver prices in India?
Silver prices are driven by:
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Global silver demand (especially industrial use)
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US dollar strength
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Gold price trends (silver often follows gold)
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Inflation and interest rates
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Import duties and taxes in India
Q7. How can I start trading silver in India?
By opening a commodity trading account with a broker registered on MCX.
Q. 8What are the lot sizes?
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Silver Standard = 30 kg
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Silver Mini = 5 kg
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Silver Micro = 1 kg
Q9. Is silver good for beginners?
Yes, but start with Silver Micro contracts and use strict stop-loss.
Q10. Why is silver more volatile than gold?
Because silver has dual demand: investment + industrial.
Q11. What drives silver prices in India?
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Global silver demand
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USD strength
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Gold price trends
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Inflation, interest rates
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Import duties in India
Q12. Which is better: Gold or Silver?
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Gold = Stability, safe-haven asset.
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Silver = Volatility, short-term profit opportunities.
Q13. Can I invest in silver without MCX?
Yes—via Silver ETFs, Mutual Funds, Digital Silver.
Conclusion
Silver is one of the most exciting commodities in India. Its dual role as a precious and industrial metal makes it volatile, but full of trading opportunities.
For beginners, the best path is to start small with Silver Micro, learn step by step, and focus on capital protection. For advanced traders, silver offers strategies ranging from swing trading to arbitrage and hedging.
As industries like solar energy and EVs expand, silver demand is only expected to grow. With discipline, knowledge, and risk management, silver trading can become a profitable and rewarding part of your portfolio.
If you’re looking for a modern, feature-rich, and trader-friendly platform, Dhan is easily one of the best choices available today. From zero account opening charges to advanced tools like native TradingView, options strategy builder, and free API access, Dhan is clearly built with the modern Indian trader in mind.
Whether you’re an intraday trader, an options strategist, or a long-term investor, Dhan offers the perfect blend of speed, simplicity, and smart technology — without burning a hole in your pocket.
Why wait? Open your Dhan account now and take control of your trading journey with confidence.
👉 Click here to get started with Dhan
Open a Free Dhan Trading & Demat Account
Dhan offers cutting-edge tools for fast, powerful, and informed trading:
- ✅ Zero brokerage on delivery trades
- ✅ Auto-detection of candlestick patterns on charts
- ✅ Advanced Option Chain with Greeks, Max Pain, PCR & more
- ✅ Pre-built & custom Option Strategy Builder (Free)
- ✅ 20 Depth Market Data and Flash Trade execution
- ✅ Margin Trading Facility (MTF) with 4X leverage (75%)
- ✅ 3 Platforms: Mobile App, Web App & Dedicated Options App
- ✅ ScanX Screener: stock insights, trends & news
- ✅ Advanced orders: Trailing SL, Iceberg, Forever Orders
- ✅ Instantly pledge 1,500+ stocks for options margin
- ✅ Trade commodities: Gold, Silver, Crude, Natural Gas
- ✅ Fundamental + Technical analysis across all platforms
No paperwork. Zero account opening charges. Setup in minutes.
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Note: Please do your own research and make investment. Moneycontain will not be responsible for any of your losses at all. The point made is for educational purpose only and intended to give information. All investments are subject to risks, which should be considered prior to making any investments.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. Commodity trading involves risk. Please consult a financial advisor before investing. We do not provide financial or investment advice.
