Have you ever placed a trade in the stock market and noticed that it didn’t go through as you expected? Sometimes, an order gets executed only partly, and the rest disappears in seconds. This is where IOC meaning in share market becomes important.
IOC order stands for Immediate or Cancel. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. In this blog, I’ll explain Immediate or Cancel orders in very simple words, what they are, how they work, and why traders use them. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly when this order can help you and when it’s better to avoid it.
In the share market, IOC stands for Immediate or Cancel. As the name suggests, this type of trading order has only two possibilities: it gets executed instantly (either fully or partially), and whatever portion of the order cannot be matched at that moment is cancelled automatically. Nothing is left pending in the order book for later execution.
Think of it like this—imagine you walk into a fruit shop and ask for 5 apples. The shopkeeper only has 3 available right now. Instead of waiting for him to bring 2 more later, you take the 3 immediately and forget the rest. That’s exactly how an IOC order in the share market works: whatever is available at your price is executed instantly, and the rest gets cancelled in seconds.
In the share market, IOC orders mainly come in two types: Market IOC Orders and Limit IOC Orders. Both are designed to help traders get instant execution, but they work slightly differently depending on how you set your price.
A Market IOC Order means your trade will be executed immediately at the best available market price. You don’t set any specific price, the system automatically finds the current price and completes the trade as much as possible at that moment.
If the full quantity of shares is available, your entire order gets executed instantly. If only part of it is available, that portion is executed and the rest is cancelled.
Let’s say you want to buy 100 shares of Infosys. The current best market prices available are ₹1,650 for 40 shares and ₹1,652 for 60 shares. Your Market Order will buy all 100 shares instantly at those prices. But if only 60 shares are available, those will be bought, and the remaining 40 will be automatically cancelled.
A Limit IOC Order allows you to decide the maximum price you’re willing to pay (for buying) or the minimum price you’re willing to accept (for selling). The system will execute as much of the order as possible at that price or better and cancel whatever can’t be matched immediately.
You place an order to buy 100 shares of TCS at ₹3,600 (your limit price). If only 50 shares are available at ₹3,600, those 50 will be purchased instantly, and the rest of your order (50 shares) will be cancelled right away.
Here are the key features of Immediate or Cancel orders in the share market that make them different from other order types:
An IOC order is most useful when speed and certainty are more important than waiting for a perfect price. It’s a trader’s best tool in situations where even a few seconds can change the outcome of a trade.
Here’s when you should use Immediate or Cancel orders:
An Immediate or Cancel order is valid only for that moment — it either executes instantly or gets cancelled. A Day order, on the other hand, remains active until the end of the trading day if not executed immediately.
Feature | IOC Order | Day Order |
---|---|---|
Full Form | Immediate or Cancel | Valid for One Trading Day |
Execution Time | Executes instantly (within seconds) | Can execute anytime during the trading day |
Pending Orders | Not allowed — unfilled part cancelled instantly | Unfilled orders remain active till market closes |
Validity in Trading | Valid only for a few seconds (immediate) | Valid till the end of the trading day |
Best For | Fast-moving, intraday, or volatile markets | Long-term or patient traders waiting for price levels |
Risk Factor | Low risk of unwanted later execution | May execute later at an undesired price if market moves |
Example | Buy 100 shares instantly — only 60 available → remaining cancelled | Buy 100 shares at ₹200 — order stays open till market closes |
Placing an IOC order in the share market is simple once you know where to look. Most Indian trading platforms allow you to place this order directly through their web or mobile apps. The process is nearly the same across all platforms, you just have to select the right order type and validity.
The validity of an IOC order in trading is only for that exact moment when the order is placed. As soon as you submit an order, the exchange tries to execute it instantly. If the trade can’t be matched at that very moment—either fully or partially—the unfilled portion gets cancelled automatically within seconds. In short, its validity doesn’t last for minutes or hours like Day or GTC orders; it’s valid only for a split second during placement. This ultra-short validity makes this order ideal for fast-moving or intraday trading where quick action matters most.
To sum it up, the IOC meaning in share market is simple—it’s an order that focuses on speed, certainty, and instant action. Traders use this when they want quick execution without leaving pending orders behind. While it’s not suited for every trading style, it’s a smart choice for active and intraday traders who need to move fast in volatile markets. Always use Immediate or Cancel orders strategically, especially in highly liquid stocks where execution chances are higher.
IOC stands for Immediate or Cancel. It’s an order type where a trade must be executed instantly, either fully or partially, and if it can’t be done at that moment, the remaining quantity is automatically cancelled.
IOC validity lasts only for a split second—just long enough for the order to execute instantly. If it can’t be matched immediately, the order is cancelled on its own without staying in the order book.
Yes, it is perfect for intraday traders who need fast execution and don’t want their orders to remain pending. They help capture quick market moves without the risk of delayed execution.
An Immediate or Cancel order focuses on instant execution, while a limit order waits until the stock reaches the set price. IOC executes immediately at or below your limit price, cancelling any unfilled quantity right away.
Yes, most trading platforms on NSE and BSE allow Immediate or Cancel orders in the F&O segment. They’re especially useful when you want immediate trade execution in highly volatile contracts.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only. Please note that the data related to the mentioned companies may change over time. The securities referenced are provided as examples and should not be considered as recommendations.