A Demat Account holds digital securities and enables you to manage your shares and transactions from anywhere. It is essential to have a Demat Account to buy or sell shares. Interestingly, you can maintain multiple Demat Accounts and even transfer shares between them. While the transfer process is generally straightforward, it’s crucial to understand all aspects of the share transfer process and the roles of the participants involved.
Different ways to transfer shares from one Demat account to another
Step 1: Obtain and Fill the Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS)
- Get a DIS Slip: Request a Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) from your current broker. This slip contains necessary details for the share transfer.
- Provide Required Information: Complete the transfer details on the DIS slip, including:
- Beneficiary Broker ID: Enter the 16-digit unique ID of both your current and new broker.
- International Securities Identification Number (ISIN): Accurately input the ISIN, which identifies each share in your account, along with the quantity of shares to be transferred.
- Mode of Transfer: Choose "Off-market" for intra-depository transfers or "Inter-depository" for transactions between different depositories.
Step 2: Submit and Finalize
- Sign and Submit: Sign the DIS and submit it to your existing broker.
- Pay Transfer Charges: Brokers may charge a fee for the transfer, and these charges vary between brokers.
Online Transfer Method (via CDSL - EASIEST)
The Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL) offers an online transfer solution called EASIEST (Electronic Access to Securities Information and Execution of Secured Transactions). Here’s how to transfer shares from one Demat Account to another online:
- Register on the CDSL Website:
- Visit the CDSL site and click on “Register Online.”
- Select the EASIEST option.
- Fill in the required details.
- Submit Your Details:
- Send a copy of the completed form to your Depository Participant (DP).
- The DP will forward the details to the Central Depository for verification.
- Obtain Login Credentials:
- Once verified (usually within 1-2 days), you’ll receive login credentials.
- Log in and Transfer Shares:
- Use the credentials to log in to your EASIEST account.
- View the list of brokers and complete the share transfer process as needed.
Why transfer shares from one Demat account to another?
- Reduction in brokerage charges: You may want to reduce brokerage fees by opening a Demat account with a discount broker.
- Better services: You may want to switch from your current broker to avail yourself of benefits such as a robust trading platform with enhanced security.
- Securities management: You may want to categorise shares based on your financial goals such as child’s marriage or retirement planning. Separating for taxation purposes can also be a reason. You can also keep separate Demat accounts for trading activities and investment portfolios.
- Consolidation of holdings: Multiple Demat accounts with different brokers can be consolidated into a single Demat account with all the securities. This approach can help you in lowering Demat account charges for maintaining idle accounts.
There are two primary depositories in India to hold dematerialised securities in a Demat account for investors:
- National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL)
- Central Depository Services India Limited (CDSL)