CCIL collects Initial Margin and Mark to Market Margin from members in respect of their outstanding trades. Initial Margin is collected to cover the likely risk from future adverse movement of prices of the concerned securities. Mark to Market Margin is collected to cover the notional loss (i.e. the difference between the current market price and the contract price of the security covered by the trade) already incurred by a member. Both the margins are computed trade-wise and then aggregated member-wise. In addition, CCIL may also collect Volatility Margin in case of unusual volatility in the market.

Members are required to keep balances in Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) in such a manner that the same is enough to cover the requirements for both Initial Margin and Mark-to-Market Margin for the trades done by such members. In case of any shortfall, CCIL makes margin call and the concerned member is required to meet the shortfall before the specified period of the next working day. Members’ contribution to the SGF is in the form of eligible Govt. of India Securities/T-Bills and cash, with cash being not less than 10 % of the total margin requirement at any point of time.

Another important risk emanating from the process is Liquidity Risk. To ensure uninterrupted settlement, CCIL is required to arrange for liquidity both in terms of funds and securities. CCIL has arranged for Lines of Credit from Banks to enable it to meet any reasonable shortfall of funds arising out of a default by a member either in its Securities Segment or Forex Segment. In regard to the Securities Segment, member’s contributions to SGF is mainly in the form of securities and through the list of specified securities acceptable for contribution to SGF, CCIL ensures that the most liquid securities in which a significant portion of the trades are settled are likely to be available in the SGF. For requirements of other securities, CCIL has put in place a limited purpose security borrowing arrangement with two major market participants.