How to Use TradingView for Indian Stocks: A Beginner’s Setup Guide
TradingView is one of the most popular charting platforms in the world, and it works excellently for Indian stocks and indices like Nifty and Bank Nifty. It offers powerful, professional-grade charts, hundreds of indicators, and drawing tools, with a free plan that covers most beginner needs. If you are learning technical analysis, TradingView is one of the best tools to practise on.
This guide walks you through setting up and using TradingView for Indian markets, step by step, in simple language.
Is TradingView Free in India?
Yes. TradingView offers a free plan that gives you access to charts, most indicators, drawing tools, and watchlists, which is more than enough for beginners learning technical analysis. There are also paid plans (Essential, Plus, Premium) that unlock more indicators per chart, more alerts, and additional features. Start with the free plan; upgrade only if you find you need the extra features.
Step 1: Create an Account and Find Indian Stocks
- Go to TradingView and sign up for a free account
- In the search bar at the top, type the symbol of an Indian stock or index
- For Nifty 50, search “NIFTY”; for Bank Nifty, search “BANKNIFTY”
- For individual stocks, type the name (e.g., “Reliance,” “TCS,” “HDFC Bank”) and select the NSE listing (it will show “NSE” next to the symbol)
Selecting the NSE version ensures you are looking at Indian exchange data.
Step 2: Understand the Chart Layout
Once a chart opens, you will see:
- The main price chart in the centre (candlesticks by default)
- The timeframe selector at the top (1m, 5m, 15m, 1h, 1D, 1W) to switch between intraday, daily, and weekly views
- The toolbar on the left with drawing tools (trendlines, horizontal lines, Fibonacci, etc.)
- The top toolbar for adding indicators, changing chart type, and settings
Beginners should start with the daily timeframe and candlestick chart type. (See our guide on how to read stock charts.)
Step 3: Add Indicators
To add a technical indicator:
- Click the “Indicators” button (often labelled “Fx” or “Indicators”) in the top toolbar
- Search for the indicator you want (e.g., “Moving Average,” “RSI,” “MACD,” “VWAP”)
- Click it to add it to your chart
- Click the indicator’s settings (gear icon) to adjust its parameters
Beginners should start with just one or two indicators (like a moving average and RSI) rather than cluttering the chart. (See our guides on moving averages and the best indicators for intraday trading.)
Step 4: Use Drawing Tools
The left toolbar lets you mark up your chart:
- Trendline tool – draw trendlines along highs or lows
- Horizontal line – mark support and resistance levels
- Fibonacci retracement – draw Fibonacci levels between a swing high and low
- Rectangle – highlight support/resistance zones or chart patterns
These tools help you practise identifying levels and patterns. (See our guides on support and resistance and Fibonacci retracement.)
Step 5: Set Up a Watchlist
A watchlist lets you track multiple stocks at once. Click the watchlist panel (usually on the right), and add the stocks you want to monitor. You can create watchlists for different purposes, like “Nifty 50 stocks” or “stocks I am watching for breakouts.” This keeps your trading organised.
Step 6: Practise with Paper Trading
TradingView includes a paper trading feature that lets you place simulated trades with fake money using real market data. This is one of the best ways to practise without risking real money. (See our guide on paper trading in India.)
Tips for Using TradingView Effectively
- Keep charts clean – do not add too many indicators; clutter causes confusion
- Save your chart layouts so you do not have to set up indicators each time
- Use the replay feature (on paid plans) to practise analysing historical price action
- Set price alerts to be notified when a stock reaches a key level
- Start on the daily timeframe before moving to intraday charts
Common Mistakes Beginners Make on TradingView
- Adding 10+ indicators and overwhelming the chart
- Looking at the wrong exchange data (always select NSE for Indian stocks)
- Jumping straight to 1-minute charts, which are noisy and stressful
- Focusing on tools and features instead of learning actual analysis
- Not practising with the paper trading feature before real trading
Frequently Asked Questions About TradingView
Is TradingView free for Indian stocks?
Yes, TradingView’s free plan provides charts, most indicators, drawing tools, and watchlists for Indian stocks and indices like Nifty and Bank Nifty. It is sufficient for most beginners. Paid plans add more indicators per chart, more alerts, and extra features.
How do I find Nifty on TradingView?
Type “NIFTY” in the search bar for the Nifty 50 index, or “BANKNIFTY” for Bank Nifty. For individual stocks, search the company name and select the listing marked “NSE” to view Indian exchange data.
How do I add indicators on TradingView?
Click the “Indicators” button in the top toolbar, search for the indicator you want (like RSI, MACD, or Moving Average), and click it to add it to your chart. Adjust its settings using the gear icon. Start with just one or two indicators.
Can I do real trading on TradingView in India?
TradingView is primarily a charting and analysis platform. For actual trading, you place orders through your broker. Some Indian brokers integrate with TradingView, but most beginners use TradingView for analysis and their broker app for execution. TradingView also has a paper trading feature for practice.
Learn to Analyse Charts, Not Just Operate Software – IITA Bhubaneswar
Knowing where the buttons are on TradingView is easy. Knowing what the charts are telling you is the real skill. IITA Bhubaneswar teaches you the analysis behind the tools, so TradingView becomes a window into the market, not just a fancy app.
Our trainers use professional charting during live sessions to teach you how to read trends, patterns, indicators, and volume on real Indian market data.
Why IITA for Practical Chart Training
- Live chart analysis teaching the skills behind the tools
- Complete technical analysis – trends, patterns, indicators, volume
- Hands-on practice on real Nifty, Bank Nifty, and stock charts
- Guidance on setting up your charts for effective analysis
- Both classroom and online training available
Visit iita.tech or call us to book a free workshop.
Disclaimer: Stock market trading involves financial risk. This article is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice.