A demat (dematerialised) account holds your shares, ETFs, bonds and mutual-fund units in electronic form with one of India's two depositories — CDSL or NSDL — accessed through your broker (the Depository Participant). You cannot buy delivery shares in India without one.
Demat vs trading account
- Trading account: where you place buy/sell orders.
- Demat account: where delivery shares settle (T+1) and sit until you sell.
- Intraday trades never touch the demat — only delivery does.
Most brokers open both together; see our trading account and demat definitions.
What a demat costs
- Opening: ₹0 at most discount brokers.
- AMC: typically ₹0–₹300/year; some brokers waive the first year.
- DP charge: ~₹15–20 per scrip when delivery shares leave the demat on a sell.
How to open one
Read how to open a demat account for the document list, e-KYC flow, and what to check before you sign up — then compare brokers on pricing, platforms and support.
Educational content, not financial advice.