The choice between an SME IPO and a Mainboard IPO depends on your investment goals, risk appetite and market knowledge. Mainboard IPOs are generally safer and more suitable for investors looking for long-term stability and strong fundamentals while SME IPOs carry higher risk but can offer higher listing gains if selected carefully with proper research.

IPO issue size refers to the overall value of shares offered to the public. It is calculated based on the number of shares offered and the price per share, covering both fresh issue and offer for sale portions.

IPOs are listed on stock exchanges, where the company's shares begin trading publicly after the IPO process is complete. Mainboard IPOs got listed on BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and / or NSE (National Stock Exchange) while SMEs list on BSE SME Platform orNSE Emerge Platform These exchanges provide a platform for buying and selling shares once the company becomes public.

After an IPO closes, it usually takes about three working days for the shares to start trading on the stock exchange. During this period, the registrar completes the share allotment, processes refunds, and credits the allotted shares to investors’ demat accounts. Once these steps are completed, the company is officially listed, and its shares begin trading publicly on the designated stock exchange.

In a Book Building IPO, the company sets a price band (e.g., ₹90–₹110), and investors bid at prices within this band. Once the bidding process ends, the issue price is finalised at the price point where the highest overall demand is concentrated, known as the discovered price (e.g. ₹100). Therefore, Shares will be allotted to Investors those have placed bid at ₹100. Example: Price band ₹90–₹110, Maximum demand of shares was at ₹100 hence the final price

The issue price in an IPO is the price determined by the company and its lead managers, based on investor demand and valuation, at which shares are allotted to investors.

To apply for IPO shares in India, investors can use online IPO application services available with stockbrokers and banks. Stockbrokers enable UPI-based applications, while banks allow investors to apply either through UPI or the ASBA facility, where the application amount remains blocked in their bank account until allotment.