Quantwala field notes · 5 minute read
Paper trading in India. Practise before you decide.
Learn how to practise a written trading process with virtual money, understand simulated fills, and combine paper trading with historical backtests in Quantwala.
For Indian equity researchers and first-time strategy builders. Published 5 October 2026.
Practise the process with virtual money.
Paper trading records simulated positions without placing a real-money order. In Quantwala, the virtual portfolio starts with ₹10 lakh. It is a place to rehearse decisions, record positions and inspect how the portfolio changes.
Quotes may be delayed. Simulated trades are not proof of a price you could obtain from a broker. Keep your research separate from any real-money decision.
Give every practice session a purpose.
- Choose one idea. Write down an entry, an exit and a position size before entering a simulated trade.
- Check the cost. Use the charges calculator to understand what a round trip could cost.
- Record what happened. Compare the result with the original rule; keep changes and mistakes visible.
- Test the history. Use a historical backtest to examine the same idea over more than one session.
Backtesting and paper trading answer different questions.
| Question | Useful exercise | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| How did these rules behave in a past period? | Historical backtest | Depends on data, timing and fill assumptions. |
| Can I follow a written process consistently? | Paper trading | Virtual money does not reproduce real-money pressure or fills. |
| Will I make money in the future? | Neither proves this | Both are educational evidence, not a guarantee. |
What Quantwala gives you.
A chat-based workspace for Indian market research, historical strategy testing, chart discussion and a virtual portfolio. Watch the product demo, then start a 7-day trial without a card. Plans and credit packs are shown on the pricing page.
Build a repeatable research habit.
Backtest an idea, 7 days free7-day trial. No card required. Educational research and paper trading only.
Next: backtest Indian stocks · See the methodology in action