BAJAJ BROKING

Notification
No new Notification messages
Vishal Mega Mart IPO is Open!
Apply for the Vishal Mega Mart IPO through UPI in just minutes.
Open a Free Demat Account
Pay ZERO maintenance charges for the first year, get free stock picks daily, and more.
Trade Now, Pay Later with up to 4x
Never miss a good trading opportunity due to low funds with our MTF feature.
Track Market Movers Instantly
Stay updated with real-time data. Get insights at your fingertips.

Understanding Demat Account Charges: Hidden Fees and Costs

Listen to our Podcast: Grow your wealth and keep it secure.

0:00 / 0:00

Types of Demat Account Charges

There are four major types of charges that are usually levied on a demat account:

  • Account opening fee: This is the one-time fee that you have to pay for demat account opening charge with a depository participant (DP), who is an intermediary between you and the central depository (NSDL or CDSL). The demat account opening charge may vary from DP to DP, and some may even offer it for free as a promotional offer.
  • Annual maintenance fee: This is the recurring fee that you have to pay every year to keep your demat account active. The annual maintenance fee depends on the type of demat account you have, the value of your holdings, and the services offered by your DP. The annual maintenance fee can range from Rs. 300 to Rs. 800 per year, depending on your DP and demat account type.
  • Custodian fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to the central depository for holding your securities in electronic form. The custodian fee is usually charged monthly, and it is calculated as a percentage of the value of your holdings. The custodian fee can vary from 0.01% to 0.05% per month, depending on the depository and the type of securities you hold.
  • Transaction fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to your DP every time you buy or sell securities through your demat account. The transaction fee is also calculated as a percentage of the value of your transaction, and it can vary from 0.03% to 0.04% per transaction, depending on your DP and the type of securities you trade.

Hidden Fees and Demat Account Costs

Apart from the above-mentioned charges, there are some other demat account fees and demat account costs that you may have to incur. These are:

  • Dematerialization fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to convert your physical share certificates into electronic form. The dematerialization fee is usually charged on a per certificate basis, and it can range from Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 per certificate, depending on your DP and the issuer of the certificate.
  • Rematerialization fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to convert your electronic shares back into physical form. The rematerialization fee is also charged on a per certificate basis, and it can range from Rs. 15 to Rs. 25 per certificate, depending on your DP and the issuer of the certificate.
  • Pledge fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to pledge your securities as collateral for a loan or margin trading. The pledge fee is charged on a per transaction basis, and it can range from Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 per transaction, depending on your DP and the lender of the loan or margin.
  • Unpledged fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to unpledge your securities after repaying the loan or closing the margin position. The unpledge fee is also charged on a per transaction basis, and it can range from Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 per transaction, depending on your DP and the lender of the loan or margin.
  • Freeze fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to freeze your demat account for a certain period of time, to prevent any unauthorised transactions or misuse of your account. The freeze fee is charged on a per request basis, and it can range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per request, depending on your DP and the reason for freezing your account.
  • Unfreeze fee: This is the fee that you have to pay to unfreeze your demat account after the specified period, to resume your normal trading activities. The unfreeze fee is also charged on a per request basis, and it can range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per request, depending on your DP and the reason for unfreezing your account.

How to Reduce Demat Account Charges

As you can see, there are many fees and costs associated with using a demat account, which can eat into your profits and returns. However, there are some ways to reduce demat account charges and save money on your demat account cost, such as:

  • Compare different DPs: Before opening a demat account, you should compare the fees and charges of different DPs and choose the one that offers the best value for money.
  • Negotiate with your DP: You can also try to negotiate with your DP and ask for a lower fee or a waiver of some charges, especially if you are a high-volume trader or a long-term investor. You can also look for promotional offers and discounts that your DP may offer from time to time and avail them to save money on your demat account.
  • Opt for a 3-in-1 account: A 3-in-1 account is a combination of a bank account, a demat account, and a trading account, offered by some banks and brokers. A 3-in-1 account can help you save money on your demat account, as you can get a lower or zero account opening fee, a lower or zero annual maintenance fee, and a lower or zero transaction fee, depending on your bank or broker. You can also enjoy the convenience of having all your financial services under one roof and avoid the hassle of transferring funds between different accounts.
  • Opt for a discount broker: A discount broker is a type of broker that offers low-cost trading services, by charging a flat fee per trade, instead of a percentage of the transaction value. A discount broker can help you save money on your demat account, as you can get a lower or zero account opening fee, a lower or zero annual maintenance fee, and a lower or zero transaction fee, depending on your broker. You can also enjoy the benefits of online trading, such as speed, convenience, and transparency.

Conclusion

A demat account is an essential tool for investing and trading in the stock market, but it also comes with various fees and costs that you should be aware of. By comparing different DPs, negotiating with your DP, opting for a 3-in-1 account, or opting for a discount broker, you can reduce these charges and save money on your demat account. However, you should also consider other factors, such as the quality of service, the reliability of the platform, the security of the account, and the customer support, before choosing a DP or a broker for your demat account. Remember, a demat account is not just a cost, but also an investment, and you should choose the one that gives you the best returns.

Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.

This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

For All Disclaimers Click Here: https://bit.ly/3Tcsfuc

Share this article: 

Read More Blogs

Our Secure Trading Platforms

Level up your stock market experience: Download the Bajaj Broking App for effortless investing and trading

Bajaj Broking App Download

8 Lacs+ Users

icon-with-text

4.4+ App Rating

icon-with-text

4 Languages

icon-with-text

₹4700+ Cr MTF Book

icon-with-text