Maintenance Margin
The minimum balance you must keep in your account to keep an open position alive without a top-up demand.
Definition
Maintenance margin is the minimum level of equity you must retain in your trading account to continue holding an open position. While initial margin is what you need to open the trade, maintenance margin is what you need to keep it. If daily mark to market losses pull your balance below this threshold, the shortfall must be funded or the position is at risk of being closed.
Why it matters
Maintenance margin is the line that separates a comfortable position from a forced exit. Leverage means modest adverse moves can quickly erode your buffer, and once you cross below the maintenance level your broker can act. Keeping a healthy cushion above the requirement — not trading right at the limit — is what prevents losses from being crystallised at the worst possible moment.
Example
You open a futures position with Rs 1,10,000 of initial margin, and the maintenance margin is Rs 85,000. A string of MTM losses reduces your usable balance to Rs 80,000 — below the maintenance level. Your broker raises a margin call for the shortfall. Adding funds restores the position; ignoring it risks an automatic square-off.
See it live
Monitor index moves and volatility in real time on TradePulse's live option chain so margin pressure never catches you off guard.