Different Types of Demat Account

There are four different types of Demat accounts currently offered by depositories in India. Here’s everything you need to know about each account type.
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Different Types of Demat Account
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3 mins
24 October 2024

A Demat account is a type of digital account that can safely store securities in an electronic format. The securities may include equity shares, debentures, bonds, and mutual fund units. Currently, there are four different types of Demat accounts that you can open with a Depository Participant (DP) in India.

If you’re planning to invest in the Indian stock market, you must be aware of the various types of Demat accounts. In this article, we take a closer look at the different types of demat accounts available.

The types of Demat accounts

The four types of Demat accounts you can currently open in India are regular demat accounts, Basic Service Demat Accounts (BSDA), repatriable demat accounts, and non-repatriable demat accounts. Check out the details of these four types offered by depositories through DPs.

1. Regular Demat account

Regular Demat accounts are the type of accounts that depositories like the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL) offer by default. They are meant for investors who reside in India.
With a regular Demat account, there is no limit to the number or value of securities you can hold. To hold a regular Demat account in your name and keep it active, you are liable to pay an Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC) ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 999 every year to your Depository Participant.

2. Basic service Demat account (BSDA)

As the name implies, a Basic Service Demat Account (BSDA) is a more basic version of the regular Demat account. It is also meant for investors who reside in India. It is advisable to open a BSDA if you don’t invest or trade frequently and if the total value of your Demat account holdings is unlikely to cross Rs. 2 lakhs.

One of the major advantages of the Basic Service Demat Account is its low Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC). Depository Participants don’t levy any AMC on BSDA accounts if the total value of holdings is Rs. 50,000 or lower. However, if the value of your holdings is between Rs. 50,001 and Rs. 2 lakhs, you will be liable to pay a nominal AMC of just Rs. 100 per year.

That said, there’s also a limitation of BSDA accounts that you need to be aware of. You cannot have more than one BSDA linked to your PAN.

3. Repatriable Demat account

Meant for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investors, a repatriable Demat account can be opened only if you have a Non-Resident External (NRE) bank account. With this type of Demat account, you can transfer the proceeds from the sale of securities to your country of residence (outside India). Due to this benefit, the repatriable account is one of the most popular types of Demat accounts among NRI investors. However, it is important to note that you can repatriate only up to $1 million per year.

4. Non-repatriable Demat account

Also meant for NRI investors, a non-repatriable Demat account requires a Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) bank account. The proceeds from the sale of securities held in your non-repatriable Demat account cannot be transferred to your country of residence (outside India). However, you’re free to transfer the funds to other domestic bank accounts held with Indian banks.

Additional Read: Transfer share from one demat to other

Pro tip

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demat

Documents required for opening the Demat Account with Bajaj Financial Securities Limited]

Opening a Demat account with Bajaj Financial Securities Limited or any other financial institution typically requires a set of documents for verification and compliance purposes. While specific requirements may vary, here is a general list of documents that are commonly required:

  • PAN card
  • Proof of address (Aadhar card, driving license, passport)
  • Photograph
  • Signature on white paper
  • Income proof, for activation of futures and options segment
  • Cancelled cheque or last 3 months’ bank statements

Is a Demat account mandatory?

Yes. According to the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), a Demat account is one of the mandatory prerequisites for trading or investing in the Indian stock market. Without the account, you cannot purchase or sell equity shares or other securities electronically on the stock exchange. However, if you plan to invest in mutual funds, having a Demat account is not mandatory. Instead, you can hold your mutual fund units in the physical format.

Conclusion

A Demat account is important if you wish to invest in the stock market. Although you don’t need one to invest in mutual funds, opening a Demat account before you start investing in them is always advisable. This way, purchasing and redeeming mutual fund units becomes easier and hassle-free.

If you’re an Indian resident, you can open a regular demat or a BSDA account, depending on your trading volume. On the other hand, if you’re an NRI, you can either open a repatriable or a non-repatriable demat account, depending on whether or not you wish to repatriate your Indian investments back to your country of residence.

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Broking services offered by Bajaj Financial Securities Limited (Bajaj Broking) | REG OFFICE: Bajaj Auto Limited Complex, Mumbai –Pune Road Akurdi Pune 411035. Corp. Office: Bajaj Broking., 1st Floor, Mantri IT Park, Tower B, Unit No 9 &10, Viman Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014. SEBI Registration No.: INZ000218931 | BSE Cash/F&O/CDS (Member ID:6706) | NSE Cash/F&O/CDS (Member ID: 90177) | DP registration No: IN-DP-418-2019 | CDSL DP No.: 12088600 | NSDL DP No. IN304300 | AMFI Registration No.: ARN –163403.

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This content is for educational purpose only.

Investment in the securities involves risks, investor should consult his own advisors/consultant to determine the merits and risks of investment.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Demat account?

A demat account electronically stores a wide range of securities, such as equity shares, bonds, debentures, and mutual fund units.

How many types of Demat accounts are there?

Depositories in India offer four different types of demat accounts. They include a regular demat account, Basic Service Demat Account (BSDA), repatriable demat account, and non-repatriable demat account.

What is a Demat account number?

A demat account number is a unique 16-digit number assigned to every account holder. It is a combination of an 8-digit Depository Participant (DP) ID and an 8-digit Beneficial Owner (BO) ID.

What is the DP ID in a Demat account number?

The DP or Depository Participant is a member of a depository such as the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) or Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL). The DP ID is an 8-digit unique number used to identify the Depository Participant with whom you have opened your demat account.

What is BSDA account?

A Basic Service Demat Account (BSDA), often referred to as a BSDA account, is a simplified and cost-effective option for individuals who wish to hold and manage their securities in an electronic form. Demat accounts are essential for trading and investing in the Indian stock market, allowing investors to hold stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other securities in a digital format, eliminating the need for physical certificates.

How to know demat account type?

Demat accounts in India are primarily categorized based on the residency status of the account holder:

  • Regular Demat Account: This is for Indian citizens residing within the country.
  • Repatriable Demat Account: Designed for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), this account allows for the transfer of funds abroad. It must be linked to a Non-Resident External (NRE) bank account.
  • Non-Repatriable Demat Account: Also intended for NRIs, this account restricts the transfer of funds outside India. It must be linked to a Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) bank account.

What is PINS and NON-PINS demat account?

While PINS and NON-PINS accounts are not specific types of Demat accounts, they are terms associated with certain aspects of trading for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

  • PINS Account: This is a type of NRE account specifically designated for equity trading. NRIs are required to have a separate PINS account even if they already have an NRE account.
  • NON-PINS Account: This is another type of NRE account primarily used for investments in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or mutual funds.

In essence, both PINS and NON-PINS accounts are NRE accounts with specific purposes for NRIs engaged in equity trading or other investment activities in India.

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