Zerodha Demat Account Online – Opening, Charges & Documents
A Demat account, also known as a dematerialised account, is an electronic repository that allows you to keep shares and assets in an electronic form. Thus, as an investor, you can buy and sell your securities saved in a Demat account via an online brokerage firm. When it comes to online brokerage firms in India, Zerodha has emerged as a true game-changer. Founded in 2010, the Bangalore-based fintech company offers a wide range of services to its customers, including a Demat account, a trading platform, and research reports. This article will go through the Zerodha Demat account opening process, documents required, associated charges and more.
How Does the Zerodha Account Opening Work?
- Where your securities are held: Zerodha is a CDSL depository participant. Your demat ID is a 16-digit number, which is the DP ID combined with your BO ID. You can view these in Console › Account › Demat on the official Zerodha Console website.
- Buy → credit to demat (T+1): After you buy shares, the exchange settles them on T+1; they appear in demat by the next working day (shown as T1 on Kite until then).
- Sell → CDSL authorisation + DP charge: To sell delivery holdings, CDSL must authorise the debit from your demat (via TPIN + OTP unless you’ve given DDPI/POA). You can pre-authorise once per day. A DP charge applies per scrip per day when shares are debited.
- Corporate actions: Cash dividends go directly to your linked bank account; other actions (e.g., bonus/split) reflect as units in your demat.
- Using holdings for margins (pledge): You can pledge eligible holdings to receive collateral margin for F&O. Pledging costs are ₹30 + GST per ISIN per request; unpledging is free. (Pledged instruments can be sold without first unpledging.)
- Off-market transfers: You can move securities to/from another CDSL demat account via CDSL. This is easiest by adding “trusted accounts” and initiating an off-market transfer.
What are the Documents Required for the Demat Account Opening on Zerodha?
- PAN: (PAN number/e-PAN as prompted).
- Aadhaar: Linked to your mobile (for OTP/e-sign).
- Bank account proof: To link your bank account, please provide either a personalised cancelled cheque or a bank statement/passbook that includes the account number, bank logo & seal, MICR, and IFSC.
- If Aadhaar isn’t linked to your mobile: You can’t open the account online; use the offline process, which involves physical forms and standard address proofs, sent by courier to Zerodha.
- Note on address records: When you complete online KYC, Zerodha fetches and stores the address from KRA/DigiLocker (Aadhaar XML). Thus, no separate address proof is usually needed in the online flow.
- Income proof (only if you enable F&O): Any one of the accepted proofs listed below:
- 6-month bank statement with an average balance of more than ₹10,000.
- Latest salary slip with a gross monthly income above ₹15,000.
- Latest ITR acknowledgement or Form 16 with a gross annual income above ₹1,20,000.
- Net-worth certificate above ₹10,00,000
- Latest demat holdings statement with a value above ₹10,000
(Submit only if activating F&O.)
Note: This data was taken on 19th August 2025. For the latest updates, please check out the official Zerodha Console website.
Step-by-Step Guide for Opening a Zerodha Demat Account
One can open a demat account via online and offline methods. Therefore, here we have listed out a step-by-step guide on how to open a Zerodha demat account online.
1. Zerodha Demat Account Opening via smallcase
You can open a Zerodha Demat account simply via smallcase. Here is the step-by-step process breakdown:
- Go to the smallcase website. Under the ‘More’ section, click on the “Open Account” button.
- Enter your phone number to receive an OTP.
- Enter the OTP
- Next, select Zerodha as your broker. You can go for any other registered broker as well.
- After entering the preferred broker, add your name and email ID.
- Once the details have been entered, complete your application process on the official Zerodha Console website. The steps for this application process are shared below.
- Wait for a few seconds for Zerodha to confirm your demat account.
8. Once approved, your Zerodha demat account is opened.
2. Open Zerodha Demat Account Online
- Start the application: Install the Kite app (iOS/Android) or visit signup.zerodha.com and begin the sign-up. Verify your mobile (OTP) and email (OTP).
- PAN & DOB: Enter your PAN and date of birth.
- Choose segments: Select the segments you want (Equity, F&O, etc.).
- KYC via Aadhaar/DigiLocker: Complete Aadhaar/DigiLocker verification (Aadhaar number, OTP, captcha, and your 6-digit DigiLocker PIN).
- Personal details & bank link: Enter your details and link your bank via UPI or by entering account details. If UPI verification succeeds, no separate bank proof is needed; if it fails, you’ll be asked for a cheque/statement.
- IPV (video) & signature: Record the short In-Person Verification (IPV) video and draw/upload your signature.
- Upload documents only if prompted: Bank proof (only if you added bank details manually). Income proof (only if you enable F&O).
- Add nominee (optional): You can add a nominee now or later.
- e-Sign & completion: Click Sign now and e-sign using Aadhaar OTP + DigiLocker PIN. Your User ID shows immediately after e-sign. Orders can be placed after exchange activation.
3. Open Zerodha Demat Account Offline
- Prepare documents & forms: Download and fill out the Equity application form (follow the signature guidelines). Keep a passport photo, self-attested PAN, an accepted address proof (DL/Voter ID/Passport/NREGA job card/NPR letter/masked Aadhaar), bank proof (personalised cancelled cheque or statement/passbook with account no., bank logo, seal, MICR & IFSC), and income proof only if you want F&O.
- Email a soft check: Email the completed set to the Zerodha email ID for review; make any corrections they suggest.
- Complete IPV (video): Go to the IPV page, note the on-screen 4-digit OTP, enable your camera, and show the OTP while you’re clearly visible. (IPV is the mandated in-person verification done over video.)
- Courier the physical set: Courier the signed forms and documents to Zerodha’s support & mailing address.
- Processing & activation: You’ll receive your credentials by email; trading becomes available after exchange activation.
Key Features of Zerodha Demat Account
Here are some of the key features of a Zerodha Demat Account:
- 16-digit demat account number: Zerodha demat accounts are held with CDSL. Your demat ID combines the DP ID and beneficiary owner (BO) ID.
- Next-day credit of shares: Shares you buy in the equity segment are credited to your demat account on the next working day. Until then, your holdings are shown as pending.
- Secure authorisation for selling shares: Selling shares from your demat account requires authorisation via a secure OTP process, unless you have opted for a pre-approved debit instruction.
- Automatic corporate actions: Cash dividends, bonus shares, splits, rights, and buybacks are automatically processed and reflected in your demat account.
- Use shares as collateral: You can pledge eligible holdings to receive collateral margin for trading in futures and options. Pledged holdings can also be sold without first unpledging.
- Transfers and gifting: You can transfer shares off-market or gift them to another Zerodha demat account.
- Nominee management: You can add or update nominees online via Console or offline using standard forms.
How to Get the Zerodha Demat Account Number?
Once your demat account is active, your 16-digit demat account number is available in Zerodha’s Console:
- Go to console.zerodha.com and log in with your Zerodha credentials.
- Click on Account in the top menu, then select Demat.
- You will see your DP ID, beneficiary owner (BO) ID, and the combined 16-digit demat account number.
This number is unique to your demat account and is required for all demat-related transactions, such as pledging shares, off-market transfers, or corporate actions.
Note: Your demat account number is automatically generated after account activation; you do not need to request it separately.
What are the Zerodha Demat Account Opening Charges and Fees?
Account Opening & Demat fees
| Transaction | Charges | Note |
| Account opening — Online (Resident individual) | Free | Also free offline for resident individuals. |
| Account opening — NRI / Non-individual (Partnership/LLP/HUF/Corporate) | ₹500 | Offline only. |
| Demat AMC — BSDA: holdings up to ₹4 lakh | ₹0 / year | Charged quarterly; BSDA holders can’t hold more than one demat. |
| Demat AMC — BSDA: ₹4–10 lakh | ₹100 / year | Charged quarterly. |
| Demat AMC — BSDA: above ₹10 lakh | ₹300 / year | Charged quarterly. |
| Demat AMC — Non-BSDA (resident) | ₹300 / year + GST | Billed quarterly (≈ every 90–91 days). |
| DP charge on selling from demat (per scrip, per day) | ₹15.34 | ₹3.50 CDSL + ₹9.50 Zerodha + ₹2.34 GST; female first-holders get ₹0.25 discount on CDSL fee; MF/bonds get an extra ₹0.25 discount. |
| Pledging (to use holdings as collateral) | ₹30 + GST per pledge request per ISIN | Unpledge: Free. |
| Off-market transfer | ₹25 per security per transaction + GST | Applies to gifting/transfers. |
| Corporate action orders via Console (OFS/buyback/takeover/delisting) | ₹20 + GST per order | |
| Payment gateway (adding funds) | ₹9 + GST | Not levied on UPI transfers. |
Can We Buy and Sell Stocks on Zerodha?
Yes, once your Zerodha demat and trading accounts are active, you can buy and sell shares on the NSE and BSE through Zerodha’s platforms (Kite for web and mobile, and Console for portfolio tracking).
- Equity delivery trades: You can buy shares and hold them in your demat account for any duration. These trades are free of brokerage charges.
- Intraday and futures & options trading: Trades executed within the same day or in derivatives segments incur a flat fee of ₹20 per executed order or 0.03%, whichever is lower.
- Order placement: You can place market orders, limit orders, stop-loss orders, and more, directly via Kite.
- Selling shares: Delivery shares in your demat account can be sold after you have authorised the debits through Zerodha’s secure OTP/TPIN process, or via a pre-approved daily debit instruction.
What are the Benefits of Opening a Zerodha Demat Account?
- Free account opening for resident individuals: Zerodha does not charge any fee to open an account online or offline for resident individuals.
- ₹0 brokerage for equity delivery & direct mutual funds: Long-term investors can buy and hold shares or invest in direct mutual funds without paying brokerage or commission.
- Flat, low brokerage for intraday and F&O: Active traders benefit from a transparent and straightforward pricing model, ₹20 or 0.03% per executed order (whichever is lower).
- Modern trading platform: Zerodha’s Kite app and web platform offer a fast, clutter-free interface to track markets, place orders, and manage your portfolio.
- Safe and regulated: Zerodha is a SEBI-registered broker and a CDSL depository participant, offering regulatory-backed account protection and seamless integration for demat holdings.
- Direct access to IPOs and ETFs: Apply for IPOs via UPI and invest in ETFs and index funds directly from the Kite platform.
- Access to additional tools: Get portfolio analytics on Console, mutual fund investing on Coin, and learn investing basics through Varsity, all integrated into your Zerodha account.
What are the Important Tips and Precautions for Zerodha Account Holders?
- Login credentials and account access: Zerodha accounts operate with a two-factor login system via Kite. The platform recommends strong passwords and provides TPIN-based authentication for demat access. Account access is only possible through official channels like the Kite app or web platform.
- Demat authorisation process: When selling shares, demat authorisation is required via CDSL’s TPIN and OTP gateway. This ensures that the account holder verifies the transaction. Users who submit a signed DDPI form can bypass the daily OTP step for convenience.
- Portfolio visibility and settlement cycle: Holdings are settled on a T+1 basis, meaning shares appear in the demat account on the next working day after a trade. Until then, they show up as “T1” in Kite. Portfolio details are reflected in both Kite and Console with near real-time sync.
- Use of pledged holdings: Zerodha allows pledging of eligible shares to generate collateral margin for F&O trading. Once pledged, holdings remain visible and tradable. Charges apply per ISIN for pledging, while unpledging is free.
- Platform security and access: All trading and account activity is intended to happen through official Zerodha platforms only. Use of third-party sites or tools for login is not supported. CDSL authorisations are also routed through secure, official gateways only.
- Notifications and alerts: CDSL and Zerodha send real-time email and SMS alerts for all account-level actions, including orders, pledges, and debits. These alerts act as a secondary confirmation mechanism and help track account activity.
- Product awareness: Zerodha offers access to multiple segments, including equity delivery, intraday, F&O, and mutual funds. Each carries different levels of risk and complexity. Resources like Zerodha Varsity are available for anyone looking to understand these products better.
To Wrap It Up…
Zerodha offers a simplified and digital-first approach to opening and operating a demat and trading account in India. With features like zero brokerage on equity delivery, flat charges for active trading, and access to modern platforms such as Kite and Console, it serves a wide range of investor and trader needs. However, like all investment decisions, it is essential to conduct thorough research and understand all the underlying factors before opening a demat account with Zerodha!
Frequently Asked Questions About Zerodha Demat Account
A demat account is an electronic account that holds and facilitates the trading of financial securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds in electronic form.
The account opening fee for a Zerodha demat and trading account for resident individuals is entirely free, both online and offline. This policy has been in effect since 29th June 2024.
Zerodha accounts are typically activated within 48 working hours after online sign-up and e-sign. Offline applications take about 3-5 working days after receiving the physical forms.
There is no minimum deposit required to start trading or investing with Zerodha. Users can fund their account with any amount, as low as ₹1 via UPI or above ₹50 via bank transfer.
Zerodha may suit beginners looking for a simple, low-cost way to start trading or investing. Its platform is streamlined, though some features may require basic familiarity with stock market operations. However, one must consider their risk appetite and investment goals before investing.
You can withdraw funds from your Zerodha account as long as they are part of your withdrawable balance. Instant withdrawals must be between ₹100 and ₹2,00,000 per day.
Zerodha does not charge a monthly maintenance fee for its accounts. The only recurring fee is the demat account maintenance charge (AMC), which is quoted annually but deducted quarterly. For non‑Basic Services Demat Accounts (non‑BSDA), the fee is ₹300 + GST per year, taken in four instalments of approximately ₹75 + GST every three months.
Yes, you can transfer money to your Zerodha trading account from any bank account held in your name. Transfers from third-party accounts are not allowed due to regulatory restrictions.
To close your Zerodha demat (and trading) account, log into Console → Account → Segments → Close Account, select a reason, e‑sign via Aadhaar OTP, and submit. Zerodha processes closure within approximately 72 working hours.
All About Demat Accounts on Smallcase –
Learn what are demat accounts, how to use them, process to open a new demat account with the multiple broker supported on smallcase platform. Below is the list of such articles to help you with the Demat process –
