How to Open Demat Account? - A Complete 7 Steps Guide (2024)

Opening a Demat account is simple and can be completed in a few steps. Demat Account stores the shares digitally when you trade online. Since shares are traded in digital mode today, Demat account is essential to get started with online trading.Hence, it is essential as an investor to know how to open Demat account and use it to build and grow their wealth. Thanks to the internet, it is now possible to open Demat account with a few clicks while sitting in the comfort of your home.

What is Demat account and how does it work?

Prior to 1996, trading used to take place physically. However, with the introduction of Demataccount by SEBI, it transformed the way people invest – it became a digital process. Introducing demat accounts became one of the boldest steps taken by the Securities Exchange Board of India, and that, in turn, enabled laypeople to begin investing in the stock markets with relative ease.

Demat Account, often known as a Dematerialised account, is an important requirement to trade in the stock market. The objective of a Demat account is to electronically store the shares you purchase. You can hold several securities,like stocks, ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds in your Demat account.

As the name suggests, Demat account is used to invest in the digital form of securities and shares. Since an investor can access their Demat account from anywhere, it ensures more convenient access. With Demat accounts, physical share certificates get converted into digital format, ensuring that account holders can access them on demand.

How to open Demat account online

You can open a Demat account without stepping out of your home. The entire process is digitized and can be completed in less than 10-15 minutes with just a mobile phone. Detailed below are the steps that will help you open a Demat account:

Step 1: Search for depository participant

Select a DP with whom you want to open your Demat account. Consider the reputation of the DP and whether it can provide the specific services you are looking for

Step 2: Provide basic details

Once selecting a DP, next fill up an online account opening form on DP’s website. In the beginning you will need to provide basic details like your name, phone number, email, address, etc. You will also need to add your PAN Card details

Step 3: Add bank details

You need to add bank details like account number, account type, IFSC code, etc. Adding bank account is essential since it is used for crediting any amount payable to you, like dividend, interest, etc. by the issuer company whose shares you might hold in the Demat account

Step 4: Document upload

Upload your photo, and the documents related to your proof of address and proof of identity to complete this step

Step 5: In-person verification

Since the entire process is digitized, you can perform verification by yourself at your home. No need to wait for an agent from the DP to visit you and confirm your identity. Just record a short video of yourself, reading out the given script (your name, PAN number, address, etc.) and submit it to complete the step

Step 6: E-sign

Most DPs will provide you the option to sign your application digitally using Aadhar linked mobile number. It is a convenient and secure method and reduces paperwork

Step 7: Form submission

Once you have finished these steps, you can submit your form and your Demat account will be created shortly. You will receive details of your account like Demat account number, and the login credentials to access your account

Types of charges associated with opening a Demat account

Stockbrokers levy charges for opening Demat accountand for availing associated services. The fee varies across stockbrokers. Hence, it is imperative to select the right stockbroker so that you pay minimal amount for opening Demat account but still enjoy the features and benefits that come with having this account.

These charges can be broadly categorised as below:

• Account opening fee: Usually, account opening fee is charged one time when you open the Demat account for the first time. Thereafter, the stockbroker will not charge you this fee again.
• Annual maintenance charge (AMC): Annual maintenance charge is a recurring fee charged from the Demat Account holder by the DP for maintaining their Demat Account.
• Pledging charge: It is the fee charged for pledging securities in Demat account to avail trading limits.
• Unpledging charge: When pledged shares are to be unpledged, this charge comes into play.
• Dematerialisation charge: A physical share certificate can be converted to digital form via Dematerialisation. This involves Dematerialisation Charge.
  
• Rematerialisation charge: It is the opposite of Dematerialisation, where a digital share certificate is converted to physical form.
  
• DP charges: DP charge is applicable every-time an ISIN is debited from Demat account.

Some stockbrokers may waive off Demat account opening charge. For example, with Bajaj Financial Securities the Demat Account opening charges are NIL. There are subscription packs that give investors option to choose different brokerage rates while trading.

What are the documents required to open a Demat Account?

When you decide that it is time to begin trading and investing in the stock markets, you will have to submit a few essential documents along with the Demat account opening form. These documents are standard and stipulated by SEBI. The good news is that the documents required to open Demat account are minimal and there is no need to run from pillar to post to collate them. As a result, it becomes easy for retail investors to fill out the account opening form and furnish the necessary documents without any hassle.

To open a Demat account you will need to submit the below documents

1. Pan card
2. Passport sizephoto
3. A copy of your signature
4. Proof of Identity – Your PAN card will serve as the proof of identity
5. Proof of address – Any of these documents can be submitted- Aadhar card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving License,and/ or utility bill (not more than 3 months old)
6. Bank statement or copy of the account passbook as proof of having a bank account
7. Cancelled cheque
8. IT return or payslip if you are interested in currency or derivative market

Why do you need to open a Demat account?

If a person wants to invest his/ her money by trading in stock market, he/ she cannot do so until and unless they have a Demat account. Online brokers have made it simple for retail investors to get a Demat account quickly and effortlessly. So, knowing how to open a Demat account online allows to understand the KYC requirements, which are mandated by SEBI and all stockbrokers have to adhere to them.

Your Demat account will hold the financial securities such as shares, bonds, mutual funds etc. in an electronic form, as stated before. Other than keeping the securities in a digital mode, there are other reasons as well which makes the Demat account more important such as:

1. Protection/ safety:Previously, when the shares were in physical form, it was very difficult to maintain them. The risk of losing it by misplacing or getting stolen was always there. Now, with a Demat account, one can hold the securities in electronic form which is much safer. The rules, regulations and statutory compliances makes a Demat account more protected and a safer option.
2. Handiness: Since, all the securities are in electronic form, one can access them from anywhere anytime.
3. One-stop: There are many financial products where an investor invests. It is confusing plus time-consuming to maintain separate accounts for these products. A Demat account helps an investor to hold their multiple securities in one single account and makes the tracking hassle-free.
4. Ease of transfer: When you execute a trade, the stockbroker can directly transfer the securities from the seller to the buyer. If you are maintaining Demat account for a minor, you can purchase the shares and conveniently transfer from your Demat account to the minor’s Demat account.
5. Effortless Dematerialisation of securities:If you have physical certificates, you can easily convert them to electronic form through your Demat account. You can also convert electronically held securities into physical form with a simple click of a button.
6. Instant and easy access: A Demat account allows you to easily access your investments using the internet. So, at any given time, you will know the investments you have and make smarter decisions to build your wealth.
7. Convenient access to dividends: Before the introduction of Demat account, it used to be a time-consuming process to request for dividends. However, now dividends are automatically credited to Demat accounts using an electronic clearing service. Each Demat account has a unique ID and when you buy shares and securities, any resultant dividend is paid to that ID.
   

Click here to open Demat and trading account now!

Benefits of opening a Demat Account with BFSL

BFSL is one of the prominent stockbrokers in India. It is a registered stockbroker and enables investors to choose between National Securities Depository Limited and Central Depositories Services Limited as their depository partner and offers transparent trading opportunities to investors. Retail investors enjoy several benefits when they open a Demat account with Bajaj Financial Securities Limited.

• Nil charges for Demat account opening: BFSL enables retail investors to open a Demat account online without incurring any costs. They do not have to pay any charges for opening and maintaining their Demat accounts.
• Begin trading in minutes: The entire account opening process with BFSL hardly takes 15 minutes. If you keep your PAN card, address proof, and bank details on hand, you can open your Demat account within no time and begin trading.
• Diversified investment portfolio: Besides investing in shares and stocks, a Demat account with BFSL also allows you to invest in equities, mutual funds, IPOs, and equity derivatives. When you diversify your investment portfolio, you not only minimize risks but also maximize profits.
• User-friendly trading platforms: You will find that BFSL gives you access to a number of trading platforms that are not just user-friendly but also convenient. Using the mobile app for iOS or Android, you can trade on the go.
• Low brokerage charges: BFSL helps to maximize profits of retail investors by charging one of the lowest brokerage charges in the market. With the help of affordably priced subscription plans, retail investors can save up to 99% of brokerage charges, depending on the plan their choose.
  

Things to remember while opening a Demat account

Before you open a Demat account, there are certain things that must be considered. Almost all discount stockbrokers today offer Demat and Trading account together, however, if you are opening only Demat account with a broker it is also important to open a Trading account and link it to your Demat Account, through which you will be able to buy and sell shares. Before you choose a broker to open your Demat account you should check the below mentioned points to ensure you open a Demat and trading account with the right broker.

• A trusted brand name: Choosing a trusted platform with a great market reputation is important. The platform where you are opening your Demat account should be a SEBI registered platform. It must be a depository participant and adhere to all the guidelines issued by all relevant government agencies.
• A secured platform: The platform you choose must ensure complete security of your Demat account.
• Brokerage-fees: Before you open a Demat account, please check the brokerage that will be charged by the broker as it will be a long-term affair.
• Easy to use user interface: A good online trading platform will make things simple for you with its simple UI and uncomplicated navigation within the app.
• Help & support: If you are stuck on a trade and need urgent support, the platform should have the ability to do that.