Open a Demat Account
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What is a Demat account?
A Demat (short for Dematerialised) is an electronic account used to hold and manage investments like Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds in a digital format. Just as you need to have a bank account to deposit your money and earn interest, you need to open a Demat account to buy or sell financial securities such as Stocks, Mutual Funds, Equity Traded Funds (ETFs), SGBs and more. When you buy stocks or shares, they will get credited to your account.
When you sell the stocks or shares you have purchased,they will get debited from your account.
By opening a Demat account, you do not need to transfer your share certificates physically to the buyer. You need to link your bank account with your Demat account, through which you can easily buy and sell shares. It does not only save your time, but it also reduces the transaction cost. Learn what a Demat Account is and how it works
Advantages of Opening a Demat Account
A demat account offers multiple benefits to investors and traders, other than storing their shares securely. Here are some key advantages of opening a demat account with Upstox:
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Convenience A Demat account allows you to buy and sell shares online without having to handle physical documents or sign cheques. You can buy, sell and access your holdings anytime and anywhere.
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Enhanced Trading Experience All Demat account transactions are settled in a T+1 day cycle. For example, if you buy 100 shares today, the shares will be credited to your account by the next business day. This offers liquidity to traders and investors, allowing them to execute their strategies seamlessly.
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Low Risk of Theft Since a Demat account stores your shares electronically, there is no risk of forgery or losing physical share certificates. Even if you misplaced your device, all your investments will be held safely in your demat account and can be accessed by signing in on your broker's website, using your Client ID and OTP.
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Loans Against Securities You can pledge the securities held in your demat account with banks or NBFCs to secure a loan. This benefits investors facing financial crisis by allowing them to avail loans without having to sell their investments.
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Automatic Receipt of Dividends & Stock Splits All Stock Splits and Bonus issues are automatically credited to your demat account. And dividends on stocks are credited to your demat-linked bank account. For example, if a company declares a 1-for-2 stock split, the shares in your demat account will be automatically split, requiring no intervention.
Eligibility Criteria to Open a Demat Account
To open a demat account with Upstox, you need to fulfil the following criteria:
Age:
The individual should be at least 18 years of age. In the case of minors, their parents or guardians can open and manage a demat account on their behalf until they reach maturity.
Indian Nationality:
Only individuals with Indian citizenship and Non-Resident Indians residing abroad are eligible to open a demat account with Upstox.
PAN & Aadhaar Card:
PAN and Aadhaar cards are mandatory for opening a demat account as they serve as proof of identity and address for the applicant. Check detailed eligibility criteria
How to Open a Demat Account with Upstox
Opening a Demat account with Upstox is quick and easy. Follow the steps below.
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Step 1 Download the Upstox App or visit the Upstox website. Enter your mobile number and verify it via OTP and provide basic personal information.
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Step 2 Complete your paperless e-KYC process and provide your income proof only if you want to activate the derivatives segment in your trading account to trade F&O
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Step 3 Verify your identity by taking a live photo.
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Step 4 Enter and verify your bank account details.
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Step 5 Add a ‘Nominee’ to your Demat account. SEBI mandates adding a nominee to your demat account or completely opt out of the facility.
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Step 6 Read and accept the terms and conditions of opening a demat account with Upstox by e-signing.
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Step 7 Once all the required details are provided, Upstox will verify and activate your demat account within 4 working days.
What Can You Invest In with an Upstox Demat Account
With Upstox, you can trade across various securities, diversify your portfolio and gain access to all markets.
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Stocks: You can buy/sell stocks of companies listed on the Indian stock exchanges (BSE and NSE).
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Intraday Trading/ Scalping: You can buy/sell stocks of listed companies and can potentially earn profits on your short-term investments.
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IPO: You can bid for the upcoming IPOs of companies and become a part of your favourite company’s growth.
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Mutual Funds: Invest in different types of mutual fund schemes to achieve your long-term financial goals.
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Futures & Options: Invest in Futures and Options to manage your risk and hedge your investments. F&O contracts are used to hedge positions and manage risks, but they carry high risk and may not be suitable for all traders and investors.
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Commodity Trading: Invest and trade in commodities via Indian commodity Exchanges such as MCX, NCDEX, NMCE and ACE.
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Margin Trading: Upstox covers up to 75% of the total investment value, allowing you to buy stocks on leverage.
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ETFs: Buy/Sell Exchange Traded Funds and gain exposure to various markets.
Demat Account Charges
| Types of Charge | Charges Applicable |
|---|---|
| Demat account opening charges | ₹0 |
| Annual Maintenance Charges | Non-BSDA Users: = ₹354 (Incl. 18% GST) per year BSDA Users (holdings up to ₹4L) = ₹0 per year BSDA Users (holdings between ₹4-10L): ₹118 (Incl. 18% GST) per year BSDA Users (holdings > ₹10L): ₹354 (Incl. 18% GST) per year |
| Pledging/Unpledging Charges | ₹20 + GST per scrip |
| Invocation Charges | ₹50 + GST |
| Physical CMR Charge | ₹10 per page |
| Off-market Transfer | ₹20 + GST (Per ISIN) |
| Dematerialisation Charges | ₹100 per certificate + ₹50 courier charges |
| Rematerialisation Charges | ₹100 per certificate + ₹50 courier charges |
Safety, Security & Compliance of Your Demat Account
Your Demat Account holds all your investments and wealth, so safeguarding it is crucial. Here are some key tips to keep your Demat Account secure:
A nominee is a person you legally appoint to own your shares in your absence.
You can add a nominee by following these steps: How can I add a new nominee to my account?
- Never share your Upstox Demat and Trading account passwords or PINs with anyone.
- Regularly update your Upstox app for the latest security patches and bug fixes.
- Beware of phishing attempts. Upstox will never ask for passwords or sensitive information via email or messages.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
- Secure your devices with a strong passcode or biometric authentication.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when accessing your Upstox app.
- Monitor your account activity regularly. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to Upstox immediately.
Always be cautious online and follow the best security practices to protect your Demat Account.
Awards and Accolades

Most Promising Broking House of the Year
2020
Most Promising Broking House of the Year
2021
Leading Member -
Options
Bronze - BFSI and Fintech Category
2023Testimonials
I have been using upstox since 2021 for investing and trading. And till now not a single glitch happened in this system while trading and personally I didn't find any glitch in this system. They really maintained their systems well. And I really think my money is safe here. In this app we can invest and trade in stocks, we can book FD also, we can buy insurance also and many more. Just want to request the team that if possible make this app globally investible, so that we can invest anywhere.
Sainath Sawant
I’ve been using Upstox for the past 7 years, and my experience has been consistently smooth. The platform navigates seamlessly without any hiccups, and the information provided is detailed and reliable. Overall, a great experience — highly recommended! 👍
Ravindra Reddy
The new Upstox upgrade is great. Company Financials, Charts, News are all in one place. Helped me avoid jumping across apps. Now, I'd like to keep Upstox always running without logging out!
Siva prasad
Excellent Trading Experience with Upstox! I've been using Upstox for a while now, and I must say it's one of the best trading platforms out there. The user interface is clean, fast, and very beginner-friendly. I love how easy it is to track my investments and execute trades instantly. The charts and analytical tools are top-notch, helping me make informed decisions. Also, the account opening process was super quick and completely paperless.
Somnath Das
It's good to see upstox getting better day by day...I started my trading journey with the upstox app and I can say a lot of improvements have been made and keep the good work team!
Akhil Nair A
I have been using upstox since 2021 for investing and trading. And till now not a single glitch happened in this system while trading and personally I didn't find any glitch in this system. They really maintained their systems well. And I really think my money is safe here. In this app we can invest and trade in stocks, we can book FD also, we can buy insurance also and many more. Just want to request the team that if possible make this app globally investible, so that we can invest anywhere.
Sainath Sawant
I’ve been using Upstox for the past 7 years, and my experience has been consistently smooth. The platform navigates seamlessly without any hiccups, and the information provided is detailed and reliable. Overall, a great experience — highly recommended! 👍
Ravindra Reddy
FAQs about Opening a Demat Account
Who can open a Demat Account?
Why should I have a Demat account?
Can an NRI Open Demat Account?
Yes, NRIs can open a Demat account in India to invest in Stocks, IPOs, Mutual Funds, F&O and more, but there are some key considerations to keep in mind.
- To get started, NRIs must have either a PIS NRO (Portfolio Investment Scheme Non-Resident Ordinary) or a PIS NRE (Portfolio Investment Scheme Non-Resident External) account.
- Here's a breakdown of these accounts:
- NRE Account (Non-Residential External): This account is designed to hold foreign income, and the funds in it are fully repatriable. This means you can freely transfer money back to your home country.
- NRO Account (Non-Residential Ordinary): On the other hand, an NRO account is meant for holding Indian income. The funds in this account are non-repatriable, meaning you can't easily take the money abroad.
- In addition to an NRE or NRO account, NRIs looking to invest in the Indian stock market through a Demat account must also obtain permission from the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) through one of our partner banks, such as HDFC or Axis Bank. This process falls under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS).
- With a PIS account, NRIs have the flexibility to use funds from both their NRO (non-repatriable) and NRE (repatriable) bank accounts for making investments in India.
How much time does it take to open a demat account on Upstox?
Demat Account vs Trading Account
| Trading | Demat |
|---|---|
| Stores the cash used to buy shares. Any profit and losses from trading reflected here. | Stores the bought shares, bonds, government securities, and Mutual Funds in electronic format |
| Opened via a stockbroker | Opened via a depository participant - CDSL or NSDL |
| Facilitates trading related transactions | Ensures the safety of shares |
Can I have two Demat accounts?
What are the types of securities one can hold in a Demat account?
How to transfer shares from one Demat account to another online?
You can transfer shares from one Demat account to another via an offline or online process.
Offline via a Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) included in the Demat account's welcome kit
- Fill in the DIS with details like BO ID, ISIN, DP Name, and Depository
- Choose 'Off Market' if transferring within the same Depository
- Submit the filled DIS to the current broker
- The broker verifies and sends it to the Depository
- Depository transfers shares to the new broker
- Some fees may apply, but closing a Demat account is free with an unused DIS

