Everything You Need to Know About CDSL Demat Accounts

Remember the days when stock certificates were physical and prone to damage or theft? Totally fine if you don’t. Because today, owning securities is as easy as owning a wallet. The stock market’s wallet being—CDSL. But instead of cash, a CDSL Demat account holds your stocks, bonds, and mutual funds securely. 

Central Depository Services Limited (CDSL), one of India's two primary depositories (the other one is NSDL), manages crores of accounts for investors across the country. According to CDSL’s FY2023-24 Annual Report, it has achieved the milestone of reaching over 10 crore Demat accounts. As of 12 February 2025, it has touched the 15 crore mark.

In this article, you’ll explore everything you need to know about CDSL Demat accounts, from features to fees and more. 

Table of Contents:

• What is a CDSL Demat Account?
• Features of CDSL Demat Accounts
• How to Open a CDSL Demat Account?
• CDSL Charges and Fees
• How to Check Your CDSL Demat Account?
• CDSL vs NSDL: Key Differences
• Brokers Linked to CDSL

What is a CDSL Demat Account?

Established in 1999, CDSL has been the backbone of India's financial market, offering a secure and efficient way to manage securities. By converting physical shares into electronic form (dematerialisation), CDSL simplifies investing, ensuring your assets are just a click away. 

Regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), CDSL provides trust, safety, and ease to all the investors out there like you. 

Regulated and overseen by the SEBI, CDSL ensures that your investments are safe, secure, and transparent. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a newbie, understanding CDSL Demat accounts is essential to exploring today's digital investment world.

Features of CDSL Demat Accounts

Ever wondered what makes a CDSL Demat account so popular and convenient? It’s more than just a safe place to store your securities. Below are some of its features that make it a top choice among investors:

• Simplified & secured: A CDSL Demat account allows you to store and manage stocks, bonds, ETFs, and other securities digitally. Gone are the days of worrying about physical certificates or damage.
• 24/7 accessibility: You can access your holdings anytime using CDSL's online platform or through partner brokers like Groww. Think of it like this: you can see how your stocks are performing while sipping coffee. It’s that simple!
• Transparency in transactions: Each transaction is recorded and available for you to view, making it easy to track your buys, sells, and holdings. No need to guess or rely on paperwork. For you, everything is clear and easily accessible.
• Simple pledge facility: You can easily pledge your shares through CDSL DP (Depository Participants) to get a loan or for margin trading, making the process flexible.
• Corporate actions: CDSL ensures you receive dividends, bonus issues, and rights offerings on time.

So, enjoy the benefits of all these features and take control of your investments by opening a CDSL Demat account. And here’s how you can get started.

How to Open a CDSL Demat Account?

Step into the stock market with ease by opening a CDSL Demat Account, which is a straightforward process as follows:

• Choose a Depository Participant (DP): CDSL operates through a network of DPs. Popular brokers like Groww, Zerodha, and Angel One are linked to CDSL. These brokers will help you open and manage your CDSL Demat Account, so pick one that suits your investing needs and goals.
• Fill out the account opening form: The next step is to complete the account opening form provided by your chosen DP. It's important to ensure everything is in order for your account to be activated. 
• Complete KYC: Remember, the KYC process is a simple but necessary step in your investment journey. You’ll need to submit essential documents like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details. This ensures that everything is verified, making your account secure and ready for trading/investing. 
• In-Person Verification (IPV): Some DPs may require you to undergo an IPV, i.e., you’ll need to visit the DP’s office and provide your biometric information. This may seem like an extra step, but it’s to ensure that your account is fully authenticated and safe from any potential fraud.
• Receive your CDSL account number: After verification, you’ll get a unique 16-digit CDSL Demat account number, granting you access to your portfolio.

When it comes to investments, every rupee matters. Isn’t it? So, it’s important to check the CDSL charges and fees that will help you make the most informed decisions for your portfolio.

CDSL Charges and Fees

CDSL charges are competitive and vary based on the DP you select. Let’s break down the charges and fees that keep your investments running smoothly. 

• Account opening charges: Brokers typically charge a small, non-refundable fee for opening a Demat account. However, some online stock brokers offer free account openings. And if you opt for a 3-in-1 account (savings, Demat, and trading), the Demat account fee is usually included in the overall charges.
• CDSL DP charges: These are transaction charges for buying/selling securities. While seemingly small, they can add up over time, especially for frequent traders, so it’s important to factor them into your investment costs.
• Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC): It’s the yearly fee brokers charge to maintain your Demat account. Most brokers follow a fixed yearly AMC model, with some offering the first year free as a special promotion. Alternatively, some brokers offer a Zero AMC Demat Account, providing lifetime-free maintenance.
• Transaction charges: Every time you trade securities, a transaction fee comes into play. While some brokers offer a flat fee for each trade, others charge a small percentage of your transaction value.
• Dematerialisation charges: Dematerialisation lets you convert physical share certificates into electronic form to store in a Demat account. Brokers charge a fee for this, either a flat rate per certificate or a percentage of the securities value.
• Other charges: Additional services like rematerialisation (converting electronic securities back to physical form), transferring securities, or pledging shares come with their own specific fees, as per CDSL guidelines.

Once you’re aware of the CDSL charges, the next step you can think about is tracking your investments. And doing that is quite easy. Scroll down to learn about the simple steps for your CDSL Demat account check and keep a close eye on your portfolio anytime, anywhere.

How to Check Your CDSL Demat Account?

Stay in control of your investments with just a few clicks. Checking your CDSL Demat account is easier than you think. Here’s how you can do it quickly and effortlessly:

• Visit CDSL’s official website: Login to CDSL’s website using your Beneficial Owner Identification Number (BO ID) and password. Once logged in, you’ll have access to your account overview, including your securities holdings, transaction history, and other crucial details. 
• CDSL Easi/Easiest portal: Register for the CDSL Easi or Easiest platform to view holdings, track transactions, and even manage pledges. Whether you’re a passive investor or an active trader, this tool is designed to give you full control and clarity over your investments.
• Broker platforms: Brokers integrated with CDSL, such as Groww, Zerodha, and Angel One, offer real-time portfolio tracking. They combine convenience and functionality to help you effortlessly manage your investments.

Let’s now understand the difference between CDSL and NSDL Demat accounts. Knowing the key differences between India’s 2 biggest depositories can help you make the right decision for your investment journey.

 CDSL vs NSDL: Key Differences

Okay, it’s fine if you’re confused about choosing one depository from CDSL or NDSL. Honestly, who wouldn’t be? They’re both highly reliable and SEBI-regulated depositories and while both CDSL and NSDL facilitate electronic security storage, they differ in the following areas:

Aspect	CDSL	NSDL
Stock exchange	BSE Limited	NSE Limited
Founded	1999	1996
Promotors	Promoted by the BSE, SBI, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, HDFC Bank & Standard Chartered Bank	Promoted by IDBI Bank Ltd., Unit Trust of India & the NSE
Number of DPs	620	284
Market share	14%	86%
Demat account number format	Numeric-only format, with 16 digits	Alphanumeric, starting with "IN" with 14 characters
Active Demat accounts	15 crore+	3 crore+

Choosing between CDSL Demat and NSDL often depends on your broker, as most brokers are linked to one depository.

Brokers Linked to CDSL

In most cases, you don’t choose your depository directly. When you open a Demat account with a broker, you'll be assigned either a CDSL or NSDL account, depending on the depository the broker is linked to. 

However, you can easily find out which depository your broker is registered with, and there are many brokers offering CDSL accounts for you to choose from. Popular options include:

• Groww: Focusing on customer-first values, Groww offers easy-to-use tools for managing investments in stocks, mutual funds, and other assets.

  • Account opening fee: ₹0

  • AMC: ₹0

• Zerodha: One of India's leading discount brokers, Zerodha stands out for its low-cost trading and innovative approach to making trading more accessible while being integrated with CDSL for Demat account services.

  • Account opening fee: ₹0

  • AMC: Upto ₹300 + GST (depending on the holding value)

• Angel One: Known for its user-friendly platform, Angel One offers low-cost trading across stocks, commodities, and mutual funds with a strong focus on research-driven tools and insights.

  • Account opening fee: ₹0

  • AMC: Upto ₹100 + GST (depending on the holding value)

• Upstox: With an emphasis on simplicity and low-cost services, it provides a powerful trading experience, including advanced charting and analysis tools.

  • Account opening fee: ₹0

  • AMC: ₹150 + GST 

• 5paisa: It offers a seamless, tech-driven trading platform with a focus on ease of use, allowing users to invest in stocks, mutual funds, and IPOs. 

  • Account opening fee: ₹0

  • AMC: Up to ₹100 + GST (depending on the holding value)

Other than these, there are many brokers that can provide an easy interface to manage your CDSL account details and execute trades. 

Conclusion

A CDSL Demat account isn’t just a gateway to stock market investments; it’s a staircase to financial growth. With its vast network, cost-effective charges, and user-friendly tools, CDSL has empowered crores of retail investors.

Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting, understanding a CDSL account, from its features to fees, ensures you make informed decisions. 

So, go ahead, open your Demat account, and take a confident step towards building wealth.

And if you’re still not sure which broker fits your investing style—let Finology Select help you choose the best one for your wealth-building journey.