Nifty 50 Maximum Drawdown — Worst Crashes in History (Mar 2002–Jun 2025)
Data as of 2025-06-30 · Window: Mar 2002 – Jun 2025 · Source: NSE index month-end closing values
Answer
On a month-end basis, the deepest drawdown of the Nifty 50 index between Mar 2002 and Jun 2025 was -55.1%, from a peak in Dec 2007 to a trough in Nov 2008 (11 months peak-to-trough). Recovery to the prior peak took 59 months from the trough. Intra-month daily drawdowns were deeper than these month-end figures. Past performance does not predict future results.
Five deepest drawdowns of the Nifty 50 (month-end basis)
| Peak | Trough | Depth | Peak→Trough | Recovery (from trough) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2007 | Nov 2008 | -55.1% | 11 months | 59 months |
| Dec 2019 | Mar 2020 | -29.3% | 3 months | 8 months |
| Feb 2015 | Feb 2016 | -21.5% | 12 months | 13 months |
| Dec 2003 | May 2004 | -21.1% | 5 months | 6 months |
| Mar 2002 | Apr 2003 | -18.0% | 13 months | 3 months |
Source & methodology
- Source: NSE index month-end closing values. Data window: Mar 2002 – Jun 2025. As of: 2025-06-30.
- Source: NSE index month-end closing values (price return — closing values exclude dividends; total-return variants of these indices compounded higher).
- CAGR computed between month-end closes: (end / start)^(1/years) − 1.
- Calendar-year returns computed December-close to December-close.
- Drawdowns computed on month-end closes (month-end basis). Intra-month daily drawdowns were deeper than month-end figures.
- All statements are historical observations, not forecasts or recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
What was the maximum drawdown of the Nifty 50?
The deepest month-end drawdown in this dataset (Mar 2002–Jun 2025) was -55.1%, peaking in Dec 2007 and bottoming in Nov 2008. Daily-data drawdowns were deeper. Past performance does not predict future results.
How long did the Nifty 50 take to recover from its worst crash?
From the Nov 2008 trough, the Nifty 50 took 59 months to regain its Dec 2007 peak, measured on month-end closes (price return, dividends excluded).
Why do these drawdowns differ from daily-data figures?
These figures use month-end closes only. A drawdown measured on daily closes captures intra-month lows and is therefore deeper — e.g., indices fell further intra-month in March 2020 and October 2008 than month-end values show.
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BacktestIndia is an educational research platform, not a SEBI-registered investment adviser or research analyst. Everything on this page is a historical computation from recorded market data, presented for education. It is not investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any security. Past performance does not predict future results. Backtested results have inherent limitations and do not represent actual trading. Consult a SEBI-registered investment adviser before making investment decisions.