Why is India's securities market so small?

Small? That's a joke. India's securities market is very large.

There are 23 stock trading systems in India, the most important of which are Mumbai Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), with more than 10000 listed companies. In 2005, the trading volume of Indian National Stock Exchange was second only to new york Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Exchange. In March 2006, the market value of NSE was 4.4 billion Indian Rupee, equivalent to about 4 trillion yuan, while the market value of A shares in China was about 2 trillion in the same period. Of course, now A shares have greatly surpassed India. (Link to data reference page)