** Constructed as per Global Best Practices **

With the view to provide the Indian Capital Market with quality sector benchmarks, the BSE announces the launch of “Sector Series (90/FF)” indices effective Monday, August 23, 2004.

The “Sector Series (90/FF) indices are a set of indices across 9 significant sectors listed on the BSE. They are constructed and maintained as per the global best practices. Three new sectors will be covered under the new series and the existing sector indices (except BANKEX) will be shifted to the free-float methodology and would become part of the “Sector Series (90/FF)” indices. (BANKEX is already computed on Free Float methodology).

“90/FF” implies that the index covers 90% of the sector it represents and is based on the Free-Float methodology. Detailed explanation of each index within the “Sector Series (90/FF)” indices is given as a separate note.

Base Date for the three new indices would be February 1, 1999 and Base Index Value would be 1000 points.

BSE Sector Series (90/FF) Indices:

New Indices:

• BSE Auto - 16 stocks
• BSE Metal - 12 stocks
• BSE Oil & Gas - 10 stocks

• BSE BANKEX - 16 stocks
• BSE Capital Goods - 16 stocks
• BSE Consumer Durables - 10 stocks
• BSE FMCG - 10 stocks
• BSE Healthcare - 21 stocks
• BSE IT - 11 stocks