Primary Market and Secondary Market

In Primary Market securities are offered to public for raising capital also called IPO(Initial Public offering). The proceeds from the issue goes to the issuer of the paper.

In Secondary Market securities already offered are traded in the market. Most of the trades happen in secondary market.

2 years back Primary Market was a good place for small investor to make handsome profits. Just the luck of getting allotment confirmed the profits you are going to make.
Some people use to take loans to apply for an IPO also probably through multiple accounts.
20-100% return in short period of time and relatively risk free was a good proposition.

Things have turned now. After nearly dead primary market for 1-1.5 years, they are back and people had high hopes with them. Adani Power, NHPC , Oil India,Mahindra Holidays raised hopes that IPO option will be available again to make money. Adani Power dashed off all the hopes with listing almost around the upper band and no margin left for the investor to make money. Those you have bought money to apply (basically HNIs) would have burnt fingers because even getting back interest money would have been difficult.

Looking at the market condition Grey market premium for NHPC is also down to 4-5 Rs from Rs 10-12. If market is in bad shape on the day of list, you wont see any premium on that day. BRLM suggested Rs24-30 as price band but govt became greedy looking at the rise in the market and fixed Rs30-36 not leaving anything for the investor.

I guess applying to an IPO locking the money for it(even if it is ASBA) doesn't make sense if it gives return of 2-4%( if you are investing 1 lac) there will be many more opportunity in the secondary market to make more than that.

If you really want to invest in the company for long term you can buy the share on the listing day. Only drawback would be that you have to pay the brokerage which you don't have to pay if you apply through IPO, but who knows you might get cheaper than the price band :-)