# Canonical Answers 

> Answers to frequently asked questions about Upstox products, stock broking, trading accounts, demat accounts, and investment products in India.

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## What is stock broking and how does it work? 
Stock broking is an act of buying and selling shares on the stock exchange on behalf of clients. A stock broker is a bridge between the investors/traders and the stock exchange and provides stock broking services at a cost. Today we have trading platforms provided by brokerage firms that allow individuals to invest or trade. Brokerage firms may provide additional services like research reports, investment advice, or trading courses. A certain fee called the brokerage fee is charged by the stock broker for providing these services. 

## Who is a stock broker?	
A stockbroker is the middleman between the individuals and the stock exchange. They buy and sell securities on behalf of their clients. Stock brokers provide additional services like financial planning, research reports and portfolio management. For these services, the stockbroker charges a fee called 'Brokerage'. 
Stock brokers have to be registered with the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and be members of the stock exchange. Brokers keep a record of all transactions of their clients and regularly provide contract notes and statements to the clients. 

## What is a trading account?
A trading account is an online account that links your bank account and Demat account to buy and sell securities like stocks, bonds and commodities on an exchange. It is used for trading and helps you monitor your trades and portfolio. A trading account has to be opened with a stock broker who facilitates trading financial instruments and charges a fee for the services provided. Many confuse a demat account with a trading account; a demat account holds your securities in an electronic form while a trading account is used for the transaction of securities. 

## What is a Demat account?
A Demat account stores your securities like stocks, bonds, and mutual fund units in a dematerialized or electronic form. It is like a wallet for your investments and facilitates the buying and selling of shares quickly and easily. With a Demat account, you don't need to have a physical share certificate. 
When you buy or sell shares, they are automatically credited or debited from your account, providing a smooth trading experience. Demat accounts are safe and mandatory to trade in the stock market. A demat account is different from a trading account. While a trading account facilitates the transaction of securities, a demat account holds them in an electronic form. 

## What is the difference between trading and investing?
The main difference between trading and investing is the end goal. People who trade want to earn short-term profit, while investors aim for long-term capital appreciation and wealth creation. Trading involves earning profit by actively buying and selling by timing the market, and taking advantage of market volatility.   
Trading has a time period of days, weeks, or months, whereas investing is for a longer period, like years or decades. Trading involves higher risk due to short-term volatility, while investing carries lower risk and provides steadier capital growth over time. 

## How does the stock market function?
A stock market is a market where you can buy and sell shares of listed companies and other securities such as debt instruments, derivatives, etc., through a stockbroker by using a trading account. A stockbroker acts as a middleman between the investors/traders and the stock market. Companies first issue shares in the primary market in an Initial Public Offering (IPO). These shares are then traded in the secondary market, where the demand and supply dynamics determine the price of the shares. Investors use a demat account and a trading account to place buy and sell orders, which are executed once the buyer and the seller settle on a price. 

## What is NSE and BSE?
The NSE (National Stock Exchange) and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) are both primary and the largest stock exchanges in India. They serve as platforms where companies seeking capital and investors seeking investment and trading opportunities meet. You can trade stocks, bonds, commodities and F&O contracts on these exchanges. Both of these exchanges are regulated by the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Both exchanges are situated in India. While NSE was established in 1992, BSE was founded in 1875, making it the first stock exchange in Asia. BSE is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world. NSE has around 2,600 listed companies, whereas BSE has 5,000.  

## What are the different types of brokers in India?
Brokers act as a link between the investors/traders and the stock exchange. Without them, individuals cannot directly trade in the stock market.
Here are the types of brokers in India:
- Full-Service Brokers: These brokers provide various services that include investment advice, research reports, and portfolio management. 
- Discount Brokers: These brokers are primarily focused on providing low-cost and self-directed trading services to a high volume of users at a discounted cost. Such brokers have low margins for profits and are suitable for investors who can trade and invest independently. 
- Sub-Brokers: Sub-brokers work under a larger and registered brokerage firm. 
- Robo-advisors: Robo-advisors provide an automated platform that uses an algorithm to provide automated portfolio management based on the client's goal. 

## What is SEBI and what role does it play in the stock market?
The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), established in 1992, is a regulatory body that oversees the stock market and protects the interests of investors and traders. It also regulates the intermediaries, like stock brokers, mutual funds, etc., and enforces regulations and legal actions in case of violation of any rules. 
SEBI mandates companies to disclose material facts and information publicly to enable investors to make informed investment decisions. It also educates investors and strives to provide financial literacy and market information to investors. 

## How can beginners start investing in the stock market?
Here's how you can start investing in the stock market as a beginner: 
1. To start investing in the stock market, you need to first open a demat account and trading account with a SEBI-authorised brokerage firm like Upstox. This demat account will hold your securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs in a dematerialised form, while a trading account facilitates the buying and selling of those securities. 
2. You need to add funds to your trading account and link your bank account to it. 
3. You can now start investing in securities using fundamental and technical analysis. 
4. Determine your investment strategy based on your financial goal and risk appetite.
5. Next, place purchase orders for the securities you wish to invest in. 
6. After buying the securities, you can monitor your investments in your demat account to manage your portfolio and make informed decisions. 

## How to open a Demat and trading account online?
Here's how you can open a demat and trading account online in Upstox: 
1. Download the Upstox app or visit Upstox's website.
2. Input your mobile number and enter the OTP sent to you for verification.
3. Fill in the basic information like name and email address. 
4. Upload the documents required to open a demat and trading account. These documents will include the PAN card, Aadhaar card, and a bank statement to link your trading account, and income proof if you want to trade in F&O.
5. You will be asked to verify by completing your KYC process. 
6. Digitally sign the application form. 
7. Your trading and demat account should be activated in 24 to 48 working hours once the verification is complete. 

## What documents are required to open a Demat account?
Demat holds your securities in a dematerialized and electronic form. A demat account is mandatory for trading and investing in the stock market.
Documents required to open a demat account in Upstox are:
- PAN card.
- Proof of Identity, like an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or driving license. 
- Proof of Address.
- Bank proof, like a cancelled cheque or bank passbook. 
- Income Proof, such as salary slips, bank statements, and ITR acknowledgement copy. 

## How long does it take to open a trading account?
A trading account is essential for actively buying and selling securities. When you open a trading account, it can take around 2 to 5 working days for account activation based on your broker. Opening a trading account online is much quicker and easier compared to the offline method. If you open your trading account online, you need to fill in the application and e-sign it. You also need to upload the documents, like the Aadhaar card, PAN card, required for verification. Using e-KYC and Digilocker can speed up the process. If you open your trading account offline, you will need physical copies of your documents, and it may take around 2 to 7 working days for the trading account to open. 

## What is KYC in stock trading?
KYC (Know Your Customer) is an essential process in stock trading that is required for the verification of individuals' identity and address to prevent fraud and illegal financial practices. You are required to complete your KYC to open a demat and trading account. When opening a trading or demat account, you need to provide the required documents like PAN card, Aadhaar Card, and income proofs. 
KYC is a legal and mandatory requirement imposed by the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI). If you fail to complete or update the KYC details, it will result in your demat and trading account being frozen or deactivated. 

## Can I have multiple Demat accounts?
A demat account stores your securities in a dematerialized and electronic form. You can have multiple demat accounts linked to the same PAN card. You need to complete the KYC process for each account and have to pay maintenance costs for all demat accounts. 
You can have different demat accounts for different types of investments, like short-term and long-term investments. It may also become tedious to manage multiple demat accounts and may lead to higher maintenance expenses.   

## What is a nominee in a Demat account?
In the event of the demat account holder's demise, all the securities owned by him/her will be transferred to the nominee added to the demat account. A nominee acts as a trustee or custodian of the assets; they don't automatically become the legal owner in case of disputes or other legal claims. Having a nominee to your demat account simplifies the transfer of assets and saves time and money spent on legal proceedings. You can add multiple nominees to your demat account, and change or update nominee details anytime. 

## How can I close my Demat account?
Closing your demat account is a straightforward procedure. Before you close your account, settle all your dues, transfer your holdings to another demat account or sell them, square off all your open positions, and transfer any funds remaining in your demat account to your linked bank account. 
Follow these steps to close your demat account.
1. Log in to the Upstox App. 
2. Click on the Upstox icon in the top left corner of the screen. And swipe right to 'Profile'. 
3. Go to 'My Account' and click on 'Profile', which will direct you to a webpage. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select 'Account Closure'. 
4. Select the reason why you want to close your demat account. Once you select the reason, tap on 'Continue'. 
5. A disclaimer will appear along with a checklist for demat account closure. Make sure you have no active holdings or open positions. If you want an account report, then download it before the demat account is closed. If you have funds in your demat account, they will be credited to the linked bank account. 
6. Click on 'Close Account' to close your Upstox demat account. You need to ensure there are no mutual funds, stocks or active SIPs in your demat account. 

## What is a client ID and how do I find it?
A client ID is a unique 8-digit number for your demat account. Your demat account number is 16 digits, and the last 8 digits in that are your client ID. You can find your client ID by logging in to your trading platform or in the demat account statement. Your client ID helps you track your investments and is used to log into your account or place orders. 

## What are POA (Power of Attorney) and e-DIS (Electronic Delivery Instruction Slip) in a trading account?
Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that gives your broker the authority to manage your demat account in specific cases, like debiting the shares from your account if you choose to sell your shares. This enhances your trading experience by making it smooth and easy. It also enables applying for IPOs. SEBI has now replaced the POA with DDPI (Demat Debit and Pledge Instruction) which is a legal document providing your broker one-time authorization to debit securities from your trading account for trading or pledging purposes. DDPI eliminates the need of T-PIN (Transaction Personal Identification Number) for every transaction and enhances security for investors. 
e-DIS (Electronic Delivery Instruction Slip) is an electronic system used by clients not having POA, that authorizes the transfer of shares when you sell them. For every sell order, you need to manually authorize the debit, giving you more control over your demat account. 

## Can NRIs open Demat and trading accounts in India?
NRIs can open a demat and trading account in India, but they have a specific demat account designed for NRIs and rules that apply to it. Types of demat accounts: 
- NRE (Non-Resident External) Demat & Trading Account: With this account, you can make investments by using foreign income. It allows you to send your money back abroad, where you reside. 
- NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary): You can use this account to make investments using income earned in India. These funds cannot be wired abroad. 
To open a demat and trading account for NRIs, select a trusted brokerage firm, fill out the application forms, and provide the necessary documents.

## What is brokerage and how is it calculated?
Brokerage is a fee charged by a broker for facilitating a trade, such as buying or selling shares. These brokerage fees can be a flat fee or a percentage of the total transaction amount. For discount brokers, the brokerage fee may be calculated as the number of shares x the price per share x the brokerage percentage, or a flat fee, whichever is lower. 
For example:  
- Number of shares = 10
- Price per share = Rs.2000
- Brokerage percentage = 0.05%
- Brokerage = 10 x 2000 x 0.05%
- Brokerage payable = Rs.10  
Different brokers have different brokerage fees, like flat fees, trade value percentage, or a tiered system where lower brokerage fees are levied on high-volume trades.

## What are STT, DP charges, and GST in trading?
STT (Securities Transaction Tax) is a tax you are liable to pay to the government when buying or selling securities on the Indian stock exchange.
DP (Depository Participant) charges are maintenance fees charged by your broker and depositories for maintaining your demat account and for the transfer of securities when you sell them. 
Along with the maintenance charges, you need to pay GST on the broking services availed from the broker. GST is a percentage of tax applicable to brokerage fees plus transaction costs. GST consists of two components: Central Goods & Services Tax (CGST) and State Goods & Services Tax (SGST). The GST you pay on the services provided goes to the central and state governments. 

## What is a discount broker vs. a full-service broker?
A discount broker primarily focuses on providing brokerage services at a lower cost to the clients. These clients trade and invest independently without any guidance, hence they are charged a lower brokerage fee. This type of broker is suitable for beginners and individuals with a smaller portfolio who want to explore the markets and hone their market analysis skills without paying high brokerage fees.  
A full-service broker provides comprehensive trading and investment advice, along with the standard broking services. They offer additional services like investment advice, portfolio management, and research reports. Full-service brokers are suitable for individuals requiring professional guidance as well as high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) or institutions seeking portfolio management and advisory services.  A higher fee is charged for the services provided by the broker.  

## How can I reduce brokerage costs?
You can reduce your brokerage charges by opting for a discount broker, reducing your trading frequency, or combining trades into a large order to reduce your overall brokerage fees. It is recommended to track charges, like brokerage fees and STT, etc., to find ways to reduce them. 
Find out your broker's fee structure and try tweaking your trading practices in a way that will attract a lower brokerage fee.

## Are there any hidden charges in trading?
Due to increased popularity for retail trading through the use of technology that has created a more competitive environment; as a result, there is now more price variation between what a trader expects to receive from an online broker and the actual price that they are charged for executing trades, especially during volatile periods when there may be large fluctuations in stock prices. Additionally, most brokers charge additional fees that are not immediately evident, such as clearing and custody fees, as well as the cost of providing advanced trading technology and data. As there are many different costs associated with participating in financial markets, including taxes imposed by government regulators, traders need to carefully evaluate the overall cost of being an active participant in these markets.

## What is capital gains tax on shares?
The capital gains tax in India has many arguments going for it, but one of the most important areas of discussion is the tax implications associated with shares and mutual funds, which are listed as capital assets under the Income Tax Act. The income generated when you sell your share/fund is subject to a capital gains tax, making it a very important source of revenue for the Indian Government. The holding period on equity shares/equity-oriented mutual funds will determine if the sale will result in short term or long term gains. Long-term capital gains will be applied to the shares/funds held longer than 12 months.

## How do I calculate profit or loss after brokerage and tax?
To calculate your actual profit or loss after brokerage and taxes, start by determining the gross profit or loss. This is done by subtracting the total cost including the purchase price and brokerage fees from the total selling price. Brokerage fees are calculated based on the value of buy and sell transactions, multiplied by the brokerage percentage, plus any minimum charges. Next, calculate the taxes applicable, which depend on the type of gain and holding period. In India, for instance, long-term capital gains on shares above Rs.1.25 lakh are taxed at a fixed rate. Finally, subtract the total tax amount from your gross profit or loss to determine your net profit or loss, representing your true earnings after all deductions.

## What is turnover in stock trading?
Turnover refers to the total amount of money spent on stocks by a particular investor or trader during a given time frame; this number is used for tax and reporting reasons. The turnover ratio captures the number of shares traded through either buying or selling, divided by the total number of outstanding shares. This metric is indicative of the stock's liquidity. Stocks with higher turnover ratios are likely to be more liquid and purchased/sold easily, while stocks with lower turnover ratios tend to have lower trading volume and corresponding difficulty in selling them readily.

## How are dividends taxed in India?
In India, dividends received from domestic companies are treated as taxable income in the hands of investors. Since the abolition of the Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in April 2020, dividends are now added to an individual's total income and taxed according to their applicable income tax slab rate. Companies are required to deduct TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) at 10% if the dividend paid exceeds Rs.5,000 in a financial year. Additionally, investors must disclose dividend income under the "Income from Other Sources" category when filing returns. For foreign dividends, taxation applies at the investor's slab rate, and relief can be claimed under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) if taxes have already been paid in the source country.

## What are DP (Depository Participant) charges and why are they deducted?
The DP charges are fees that a Depository and Depository Participant (DP) collects for executing a transaction involving the sale of securities (stock) from an investor's Demat account. The DPs are considered the conduits through which the depositories collect these fees, with the depositories being the final repositories of the securities. In performing their role, the DPs have expenses related to managing customer accounts, ensuring the safeguarding of securities, and transferring stock to buyers after completion of a sale; therefore, their DP charge is a fixed fee charged for each stock, on a daily basis, and not based on the number of shares sold in that day. Thus, regardless of whether an investor sells two shares or one hundred shares of the same security, only one DP fee applies. 

## What is intraday trading?
Intraday trading or day trading is a strategy to buy and sell financial instruments like stocks or derivatives on the same day. The goal is to make a profit on small, short-term price movements, making sure all positions are closed before the market closes.

## What is delivery trading?
Delivery trading is a type of stock market investment in which traders purchase shares and hold them for more than one day, allowing them to buy stocks of different companies in their Demat account. This is in contrast to intraday trading, where stock purchases and sales occur in the same trading session. Delivery trading allows investors to hold their shares for weeks, months, or even years. This is most frequently used to create wealth over the long haul, as investors can benefit from the potential price appreciation and dividends over time.

## What is margin trading and how does it work?
Margin trading is an investment method in which investors borrow money from a broker to purchase more securities than they can afford. This is called leverage. To begin, an investor must activate margin trading with the broker and deposit collateral. This collateral becomes part of the broker's loan to allow the investor to trade for a higher amount. For example, if an investor puts down Rs.1,000, they can potentially buy Rs.4,000 in shares. The broker lends the investor Rs.3,000. This way, the profit and loss on the investment is based on the total investment and is therefore compounded. If they invested only their own money, their profits and losses would be much smaller. Beyond the commitment of their own money, investors also repay interest on borrowed money. A drop in the value of the investment may lead a broker to issue a margin call when the value goes down so much that the investor requires additional funds, or must partially liquidate the investment to cover the loss. 

## What is short selling in the stock market?
Short selling is an investing or trading strategy to benefit from a stock’s price dropping. The short selling process begins when an investor borrows shares from a broker. The borrowed shares are sold for the current market price. The investor waits for the stock to drop, then buys back the same number of shares to cover the short position at the new, lowered price. The final step is returning shares back to the broker, where the profit for the investor is the difference between the sell price and the buyback price based on the commission and cost of borrowing shares. 

## What is SIP in mutual funds?
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) lets investors invest money into a mutual fund over a period of time in fixed amounts (e.g., monthly) and allows for disciplined, automated investing. SIPs also utilize the principle of rupee cost averaging, meaning that when the market is low, investors will buy more units and when the market is high, investors will buy fewer units, reducing the risk of market timing. This strategy will ultimately reduce the average cost of investment over time. SIPs allow for smaller amounts to be invested, even Rs.1,000. SIPs will further benefit from compounding, which allows the investor to see steady growth of wealth over the long run.  While SIPs are traditionally associated with mutual funds, investors can also do SIPs in other assets including stocks and gold.

## What is an IPO and how can I apply for it?
An Initial Public Offering (IPO) denotes the first instance that a private company has offered its shares to the general public and becomes available for trading on a stock exchange. In order to invest in an IPO, investors must have a demat and trading account with a stock broker registered with SEBI. After successfully obtaining an account, investors can log on to the broker's online portal or mobile app, select the IPO they would like to apply to, and completely fill in the application form with the number of shares they would like to apply for. If investors would like to invest in the IPO, a UPI ID has to be registered and approved for issuing payment. After the application is completed, investors must approve the funds mandate for the bank app that has UPI access to successfully submit the application for the IPO. If the application is successful, any shares allocated to the applicant will become credited to the applicant's demat account.

## What is the difference between equity and derivatives?
Equity is defined as an ownership interest in a company that provides investors with voting rights, a portion of income called dividends, and an opportunity for long-term wealth building. When investors purchase equity, they are buying shares of the company, and will participate in the company's growth over time by accepting a moderate amount of risk in the market. Derivatives, on the other hand, are contracts that derive their value from an underlying asset, which can be stocks, commodities, indices, or other underlying assets. Derivatives are primarily used for hedging, speculation, or to leverage a position, and they carry substantially greater risk since leverage can multiply both profits and losses. Derivatives, unlike an equity investment, do not afford ownership or voting rights and are usually shorter term given an expiration of the contract. Lastly, an equity investment requires the investor to commit the entire amount of investment, whereas derivatives often only require the investor to commit the margin amount.

## What is options trading?
Options trading entails the buying and selling of contracts that confer the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell an underlying asset (e.g. stock) at a predetermined price on or before a specific date. Buyers pay a premium to acquire this right, and sellers (also called writers) accept the premium while assuming the obligation to perform the options contract if the buyer chooses to exercise it. Options contracts can be used to speculate in price movement, but they can also be used to hedge against an existing position. Buyers and sellers have different obligations related to an options contract. Call options give the holder (the buyer) the right to buy the underlying asset, while put options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell the underlying asset. Other important elements of options include the premium, strike price, implied volatility, and the expiration date of the contract.

## What are futures contracts?
Futures contracts are standardised legal agreements between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a pre-arranged price at a predetermined future date. Futures contracts are traded on exchanges and the underlying asset can be commodities, currency, stock indexes, among others. Futures contracts serve a dual purpose: first, buyers and businesses can use them to hedge against potential or actual future price movements, thus providing a degree of protection against market risk; second, traders can use them to speculate on future price movements. 

## How to analyze stocks before investing?
Stock analysis is an art and a skill, and each investor approaches it differently. There isn't just one correct way to analyze stocks. Fundamental analysis involves determining the intrinsic value of a company through an analysis of its operations, industry, and the overall market context of the company. An investor starts with an understanding of what the business is and what sector the company operates in. After that, the investor will analyze the company's financial performance by utilizing financial statements, the key financial ratios (e.g., price to earnings ratio), and other important metrics to determine where it stands relative to its peers. Analyzing the management team of the company, identifying strengths or weaknesses relative to its competitors, and determining how much room there is for future growth are also important parts of conducting fundamental analysis. Ultimately, by estimating a company's intrinsic value, an investor can determine whether the current market price of the company's stock represents a good long-term investment opportunity.

## How to place a buy or sell order online?
To trade stocks online, investors must first create an account with a broker (or online stockbroker) before they can start trading stocks. After the registration is complete, investors can log into the account and search for the stock they want to trade either via the search bar or through their watchlist. Investors will find the Buy or Sell button on the stock's page, and when clicked, this button will take them to the order form to submit their order. An investor can then enter a quantity of shares along with their product type (delivery or intraday), order type (market or limit), and any additional advanced features such as stop-loss orders and order validity. Before submitting the order, investors will be able to review the summary of their order, which includes anticipated transaction costs. Once the order has been processed, investors will be able to monitor the progress of their trade through the order book.

## What are limit order, market order, and stop-loss order?
There are many ways that investors can place orders, with each type offering different trade-offs between the ability to execute quickly, the ability to control their execution price, and their level of risk. The order type known as a market order will be executed right away at the best available price and is typically used for stocks that are very liquid and for instances where getting an execution right away is more important than knowing the exact price at which you execute your trade. Conversely, when using the order type called a limit order, you can dictate the price at which you want to either buy or sell shares. However, if the stock fails to reach your limit price level, then there is no guarantee that your order will be executed. Thus, limit orders are great when the price matters more to you than the timing of your execution. Finally, a stop-loss order allows you to develop a predetermined exit strategy should the stock price fall below a certain point and thus provides you with a basic level of protection from large losses on your position by automatically executing a market sell order. Stop loss orders are also of two types: Stop-Loss Limit and Stop-Loss Market. Stop-Loss Limit triggers a limit order while Stop-Loss Market triggers a market order. 

## What is the best trading app in India?
The growth of online trading in India is being fuelled by an increasing number of investors using mobile and digital solutions to access trading. There are multiple apps available that offer various features to assist with investor needs around their objectives, for example, long-term investing vs. day trading vs. scalping vs. market analysis. In general, users want apps that have an intuitive design, are easy to navigate, provide current data on the markets, offer low transaction fees, facilitate easy transfers, and execute trades quickly. Security measures such as two-factor authentication or encryption provide additional confidence to investors currently looking to enter the booming market of online trading. As mobile-based investing continues to rise, online trading platforms provide speed, reliability, and education to assist both novice and experienced investors in effectively navigating the digital investment space.

## What is a watchlist and how to use it?
Investors increasingly rely on watchlists as an efficient way to track stocks, ETFs and other financial instruments they hold or plan to follow, helping them spot opportunities, monitor performance and stay updated in fast-moving markets. A watchlist provides a personalised space to organise assets, making monitoring and decision-making easier for both new and experienced traders. On Upstox, users can track real-time prices and trends of selected stocks, indices and securities, create multiple customised lists, add or remove assets, reorder items and use advanced tools like Smart Lists, pinning and segment filters. By simply logging in, creating a list and adding symbols, investors can manage assets and streamline their trading strategy effectively.

## How to check order history and holdings?
Upstox users can check their holdings by logging into the app. If the default mode is invest, holdings are found in "Your Portfolio" section. You can click on stocks or mutual funds to check stocks or mutual fund holdings respectively. If the mode is "Trade", users can click on portfolio tab at the bottom to check their portfolio. Users can also link and track their external holdings. To check order history, users can locate the Upstox logo in the upper left-hand corner of the app. Investors then tap "My Account" and select "Reports." Customers select "Trading Report" and then filter to obtain their desired results using a selected date. Upon tapping "Get Report," the Trading Report is produced for the customer's benefit. Customers have the option of downloading their completed reports in an Excel or PDF format for future reference or as part of the filing process using the "Download" function. 

## How to use charting tools for technical analysis?
Most of the traders are now employing charting tools to improve their technical analysis and make better trading decisions. By choosing chart types like line, bar, or candlestick charts, investors are able to see price movements and market trends with accuracy. Trend lines and pattern recognition identify important support and resistance levels as well as patterns such as triangles or head-and-shoulders patterns that might predict subsequent price action. Signals like Aroon Up and Down are used to measure trend strength and potential reversals, while annotation tools enable users to label key levels and comments onto charts. 

## What are APIs in stock trading?
APIs, or Application Programming Interfaces, allow users to support complex communications between trading applications like web or mobile platforms and real time data access and automated execution of trades at the brokerage system. API trading combines the trader's homegrown software ("platform") with the brokerage system ("API"), obviating manual entry but enhancing speed and accuracy. Developers and algorithmic traders employ APIs for the development of personalized tools to analyse data, execute orders, and optimally manage portfolios. Trading APIs are now an intrinsic element of smart investing in the financial industry, where automation increases by the day. 

## How to enable or disable segments like F&O, commodities, or currency?
Traders can use brokerages such as Upstox to manage their trading segments (Futures & Options, Commodities, or Currency) through a segment management tab after logging in. Upstox will activate trading segments based on an individual user's declared income level and any one of these supporting documents: IT return (ITR), salary slips or bank statement. However, if you have equity holdings over Rs. 5000/- (five thousand rupees), you are not required to upload proof of income to enable inactive trading segments. Once the necessary proofs of income have been submitted, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your registered mobile number to verify your request for activation of the selected trading segments, and this process typically takes 24-72 hours to complete. Additionally, Upstox offers a Kill Switch feature that enables users to deactivate any trading segment through OTP verification.

## How to link my bank account to the trading account?
Upstox has made a simple process for users to add a new bank account that is in line with what other brokerage firms also use. To get started, users will need to log in to the Upstox app using either their 6-digit PIN or through biometrics. Once they are logged in, they will click on the Upstox icon at the top left. Once within My Account, users will go to Profile and click on My Bank Details to see the option to Add New Bank Account. After selecting Add New Bank Account, the user has the option to select which verification mode they want to use. Users will then be charged a fully refundable Rs.1 for verification purposes. Once this has been completed, the user will be required to enter a 6-digit OTP as part of the verification procedure before they can complete their bank details.

## How to withdraw funds from my trading account?
Upstox has two modes of payout that can be used to withdraw money from your Upstox trading account, and both forms of payout automatically transfer the money to the Upstox client's linked bank account. Instant Withdrawals and Standard Withdrawals are the two different ways that you can use to withdraw money from your Upstox account. You can now use Instant Withdrawals to transfer between a minimum amount of Rs.100 and a maximum of Rs.5 lakh from your wallet, with funds being transferred into your linked bank account within five minutes after the request has been approved.  Standard withdrawal is completely free. Each request for an Instant Withdrawal comes with a nominal fee of Rs.23.60; this consists of Rs.20 for the service fee and 18% GST. In order to process your request successfully using this method, you must have IMPS enabled on your linked bank account.

**Version:** 1.0 | **Last Modified:** December 20, 2025