What Does Assignment Mean in Options?
Assignment is when an option seller is obligated to fulfill the contract after the option is exercised. On NSE, options are European style, so exercise and any resulting assignment occur only on the expiry date. The settlement outcome depends on whether the contract is an index option or a stock option.
Assignment meaning
- Call option assignment: The seller of the call must deliver the payoff. For stock options, this usually means delivering shares at the strike price at expiry if the option is in the money.
- Put option assignment: The seller of the put must accept the payoff. For stock options, this usually means buying shares at the strike price at expiry if the option is in the money.
- When it happens: In India, exercise and assignment happen only at expiry, not during the life of the contract.
Who controls assignment?
- Sellers do not control assignment. The exchange and clearing corporation allocate assignments using a fair, random process among all eligible short positions.
- No accept or reject. A seller cannot accept, reject, or delay an assignment. If short and eligible, you may be assigned.
Settlement type in India
- Index options: Cash settlement at expiry. If in the money, the net intrinsic value is credited or debited in cash.
- Stock options: Physical settlement at expiry if in the money. You may have to deliver shares or take delivery, based on your position.
- Out of the money: Both index and stock options expire worthless, so no assignment occurs.
Managing assignment risk
- Close or roll before expiry if you do not want to face assignment on short options.
- Maintain required funds or shares for stock options to meet physical delivery obligations if you choose to hold to expiry.
- Monitor margins since short options can require additional margin near expiry.
If you do not want assignment, square off or roll short options before expiry and ensure funds or shares are ready for stock options that may settle physically.
What If...
| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|
| I am short an in the money call at expiry | Likely assignment. For stock options, deliver shares at strike or settle per physical delivery rules. For index options, pay intrinsic value in cash. |
| I am short an in the money put at expiry | Likely assignment. For stock options, buy shares at strike or settle per physical delivery rules. For index options, pay intrinsic value in cash. |
| I am short an out of the money option at expiry | No assignment. The option expires worthless. |
| I want to avoid assignment on my short option | Close the short position or roll to a later expiry before the cut off. |
| I am assigned but lack funds or shares | Possible penalties or broker risk-driven square off or auction obligations as per exchange and clearing rules. |
Last updated: 04 Nov 2025
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