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How to Open Demat Account Online 2026

Demat Account - online opening with broker. Free at many. Required for stocks/IPOs.

📁 Banking ⏱️ 15-30 mins 💰 Free Most Brokers

About This Guide

Demat Account holds securities (stocks, mutual funds, IPOs, ETFs, SGBs) electronically. Mandatory for stock investments. Open online via broker (Zerodha, Upstox, Groww, ICICI Direct, etc.). KYC + bank linkage. Free at discount brokers, ₹100-500 with full-service. Annual ₹200-500 maintenance.

Eligibility Criteria

Indian resident
Adult 18+ (minor with guardian)
PAN mandatory
Aadhaar
Bank account
KYC complete

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready before starting application. Missing documents = delayed approval.

PAN
Aadhaar
Bank account (cancelled cheque)
Photo
Signature
Income proof (some brokers)
Mobile + email
KRA-compliant KYC

Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these steps in order. Each step is critical - skip none.

Choose Broker

Discount: Zerodha/Upstox/Groww (low cost). Full-service: ICICI/HDFC.

Visit Broker Site/App

Online account opening.

Aadhaar e-KYC

OTP-based.

PAN Verification

Auto-fetched.

Bank Linkage

Cancelled cheque upload.

Income Verification

Salary slip or ITR (some brokers).

Risk Profiling

Investment goals questionnaire.

In-Person Verification

OR e-IPV via video call.

Account Opening

1-3 days for activation.

Email + SMS.

First Trade

After account activation.

Annual Maintenance

₹200-500.

Key Benefits

Free at discount brokers
Online opening
Required for stocks/IPOs
Multiple platforms
Mobile-friendly
Single demat for all securities
Fractional shares possible
Direct mutual fund route
SGB, ETF support

What Happens After Application?

1-3 days activation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Multiple demats?

Allowed. Different brokers different services. But all-in-one preferred.

Charges hidden?

AMC ₹200-500/year, brokerage per trade, demat charges per transaction. Compare brokers.