Can Demat accounts be opened jointly?
- Answer Field
-
Yes, you can open a joint Demat account with up to three people. All account holders must complete the KYC process.
BAJAJ BROKING
A Demat Account (also known as a Dematerialised Account) is an online account that is used to hold financial securities such as shares, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and government securities in dematerialised or electronic form. Instead of dealing with physical share certificates, financial holdings are held electronically to minimise the possibility of theft, loss, or forgery.
Put simply, this is an account for securities that works like a bank account; as opposed to money, this account stores your investments. Based on account and holding ease, a Demat account is a necessary requirement if you are investing in any stock market in India. A Demat account allows you to finish the transaction smoothly, keep records effortlessly, and with significant security on your holdings.
If you want to buy or sell stocks on an exchange like NSE or BSE, you must have a Demat account. It is the principal place to hold securities and also transfer them. Along with enabling you to trade, it helps you to get benefits such as dividends, bonus shares, rights issues, etc., directly to your account.
Opening a Demat account is now a quick and paperless process. With some brokers you can do your eKYC, upload documents online, and begin investing in a matter of minutes. The facilitatory process makes it much easier for Indian retail investors to participate in the stock market.
Dematerialisation refers to the transition from paper-based share certificates to a digital holding. The process began in the 1990s when dematerialisation was introduced to eliminate the inefficiencies or risks of physical certificates that could be damaged, lost or delayed in transfer. Any holdings which are dematerialised are credited to your Demat account and can be viewed or sold online using the trading platform. Dematerialisation is a one-time process and is an integral part of investing today.
Prior to 1996, the investment process involved physical share certificates, which were slow, prone to mistakes, and created risks for investors. National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) entered the market in 1996 and cleared the way for investments to take place with a more electronic and secure way of storing securities.
After NSDL was established, the Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL) was also set up, which established a dual-depository system. Both NSDL and CDSL are regulated by SEBI and provide a secure way of keeping investor holdings through Depository Participants (DPs). Further advancement in technology allows faster trade settlements to take place and more retail investors to participate.
A Demat account works in coordination with a trading account and a linked bank account to enable buying and selling of securities. Here's how the typical flow works:
This streamlined process ensures real-time, paperless transactions with complete transparency. Demat accounts are not limited to equities—you can also hold ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, NCDs, government securities, and more.
A Demat account is the backbone of digital investing. Here’s why it is indispensable:
For modern investors, a Demat account is not just convenient—it’s non-negotiable.
A Demat account offers a host of features that simplify and enhance your investing experience:
These benefits make a Demat account versatile, secure, and essential for any investor.
Depending on your residential and repatriation status, there are three types of Demat accounts available:
Choosing the right type ensures compliance with FEMA guidelines and helps in seamless fund flow management.
To open a Demat account, ensure you have the following documents ready for a smooth and paperless application process:
Most brokers now offer eKYC and video verification for a completely online and hassle-free onboarding process.
Every Demat account comes with two key identifiers:
When combined, these numbers help identify your account for transfers, credit of IPO allotments, and other transactions. For example, in NSDL, your Demat number is formed by combining the DP ID and client ID, while in CDSL, it's a straight 16-digit numeric code.
These identifiers are essential when:
While opening a Demat account is often marketed as "free," there may be some charges to consider. Here's a breakdown:
Charge Type | Details |
Account Opening Fee | Usually waived by most brokers; some may charge a nominal one-time fee. |
Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) | Ranges from ₹300–₹500 annually, depending on the service provider. |
Transaction Fees | Charged per debit transaction (sell orders); credit transactions are usually free. |
Custodian Fees | Charged for certain securities (rarely applicable now). |
Dematerialisation Fee | If you're converting physical shares to electronic form. |
Always review the broker’s fee structure before opening an account.
These are two processes that give flexibility to investors who hold or inherit physical share certificates.
These processes are regulated by NSDL and CDSL, ensuring safety and transparency for investors.
Using a Demat account is simple, even for first-time investors. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
The seamless integration of Demat with trading and banking functions ensures fast, paperless investing with complete transparency.
A Demat account is now a must-have for anyone investing in India. It helps you hold, manage, and trade securities like shares, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and IPOs—completely online. This means you no longer have to deal with physical share certificates, which can get lost or damaged. Everything is stored safely in digital form.
With a Demat account, your transactions are faster, more secure, and easier to track—all in one place.
Whether you're just starting out or already experienced, a Demat account is your first step toward building long-term wealth in the stock market.
Before getting started, compare charges, service quality, digital experience, and research support offered by different Depository Participants. A reliable DP can make your investment journey smoother and more rewarding.
Share this article:
No Data Found
Yes, you can open a joint Demat account with up to three people. All account holders must complete the KYC process.
There may be account opening fees, annual maintenance charges (AMC), transaction fees (for selling), and occasional charges for dematerialisation or custody.
Demat stands for "Dematerialised Account". It holds your financial securities in digital format instead of paper certificates.
A Demat account lets you safely hold, buy, sell, and manage securities like shares, ETFs, and mutual funds online.
Any Indian resident or NRI above 18 years with a valid PAN and KYC documents can open a Demat account.
Yes, you can. But you will only be able to hold or transfer securities. To buy or sell them on the stock market, you’ll need a trading account too.
Yes, a Demat account is required to receive IPO shares. The allotment and holding of IPO shares are done electronically.
You need your PAN card, proof of ID and proof of residence, bank information, a passport-size photograph, and your signature. You also require proof of income if you want to trade in derivatives.
It is an electronic account where you can hold all of your financial securities in electronic form. This will allow you to invest or trade easily, and without paper!
Disclaimer :
The information on this website is provided on "AS IS" basis. Bajaj Broking (BFSL) does not warrant the accuracy of the information given herein, either expressly or impliedly, for any particular purpose and expressly disclaims any warranties of merchantability or suitability for any particular purpose. While BFSL strives to ensure accuracy, it does not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or timeliness of the information. Users are advised to independently verify details and stay updated with any changes.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without prior notice. BFSL shall not be responsible for any consequences arising from reliance on the information provided herein and shall not be held responsible for all or any actions that may subsequently result in any loss, damage and or liability. Interest rates, fees, and charges etc., are revised from time to time, for the latest details please refer to our Pricing page.
Neither the information, nor any opinion contained in this website constitutes a solicitation or offer by BFSL or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities, futures, options or other financial instruments or provide any investment advice or service.
BFSL is acting as distributor for non-broking products/ services such as IPO, Mutual Fund, Insurance, PMS, and NPS. These are not Exchange Traded Products. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions please read the sales brochure carefully before investing.
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 more disclaimer, check here : https://www.bajajbroking.in/disclaimer
Level up your stock market experience: Download the Bajaj Broking App for effortless investing and trading