Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Infosys
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
International stock exchange listings are major milestones for companies, especially when they are among the first from a country. NASDAQ in the United States is known for technology and growth companies. The identity of the first Indian company to list on NASDAQ is therefore a popular question in business awareness sections of exams and interviews.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The question highlights the following.
Concept / Approach:
The main concept tested is knowledge of Indian information technology company milestones. Among the options, Infosys pioneered global listing moves earlier than several peers. It became the first Indian company to list on NASDAQ, setting a benchmark for others. The logical approach is to recall historical facts about each company and associate them with their capital market achievements.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that all four options are large Indian companies, with three strongly linked to information technology.
Step 2: Recall that Tata Consultancy Services TCS listed on foreign exchanges later and is more strongly associated with listings on the New York Stock Exchange.
Step 3: Remember that Reliance Industries has focused mainly on domestic listings on Indian exchanges.
Step 4: Identify that Infosys became the first Indian company to be listed on NASDAQ in the 1990s, enhancing its visibility among global investors.
Step 5: Confirm that HCL Technologies listed later in time and therefore cannot be the first.
Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done through company history notes and financial market summaries. Official Infosys investor relations material often highlights the honour of being the first Indian company listed on NASDAQ. Business news archives and exam based GK books repeat this fact. No credible record attributes this specific first listing to TCS, Reliance Industries or HCL Technologies, which confirms that Infosys is the correct choice.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A TCS did list on international exchanges but not before Infosys on NASDAQ. Option C Reliance Industries is a diversified conglomerate that remained focused on Indian exchanges and did not pioneer NASDAQ listing among Indian companies. Option D HCL Technologies is also a major information technology firm but its listing timeline places it after Infosys. Therefore these options do not match the historical first referred to in the question.
Common Pitfalls:
A common confusion is between Infosys and TCS because both are iconic Indian information technology companies with significant global presence. Some candidates rely on brand popularity instead of exact historical dates, which can lead them to incorrect guesses. Another pitfall is not carefully noting that the question asks for the first Indian company on NASDAQ and not the largest or most valuable. Accurate recall of the specific achievement helps avoid such mistakes.
Final Answer:
The first Indian company to be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange was Infosys.
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