What is Interoperability in connection with trades executed at Stock Exchanges?

Interoperability refers to a mechanism wherein trades executed on any exchange—BSE, NSE or MSEI —can be settled or cleared through any of the clearing corporations and not necessarily restricted to the clearing corporation of the exchange on which the trade was done. For instance, a trade executed on NSE can be settled through BSE’s Indian Clearing Corporation and vice versa. The interoperability system, which allows smooth settlement of equity trades done across exchanges, is set for an overhaul after the technical glitch at the National Stock Exchange in February raised questions about its effectiveness. The Securities and Exchange Board of India wants to revamp the existing system to ensure that trades will are executed even if one of the exchanges faces a breakdown during market hours.