There are various ways through which One can invest in stock market and these are IPO Direct Investment in Stocks Bonds Derivatives Mutual Funds ETF Any company's stock gets listed in Stock Exchange through Initial Public Offer (IPO) . So this is the first point when company ready to sell its equity in the form of stocks to public or other institutions. Primarily, one can invest in stocks through IPO. We need to apply for the same. Apply for IPO is not a guarantee to get the stock. It is based on Bid price and allocation of the stocks by company. If you are not getting stocks through IPO then no need to worry. We can by the same stock from secondary market directly through registered stock broker at available price. Bonds are issued with assurance of certain rate of interest by certain date. It is comparatively less volatile and safer. Bonds are also traded in stock market. Derivatives are future contract of fixed number of stocks called LOT to be ...