Utility

Open a demat account: the whole checklist

Everything you need to open an account with any Indian stock broker, in one place. Have these ready and the whole thing takes minutes. Most accounts open online within a few hours to 48 hours after e-sign.

What you'll need

PAN card
Mandatory for every demat account.
Aadhaar card
For paperless KYC and e-sign (linked to your mobile).
Bank proof
A cancelled cheque or recent bank statement showing your name, account no. & IFSC.
Signature
A clear photo of your signature on white paper.
Selfie / live photo
An in-app selfie or short video for in-person verification (IPV).
Income proofoptional · F&O only
6-month bank statement, salary slip or ITR. Only needed to enable F&O (derivatives).

The 6 steps

1
Enter mobile & email
Verify both with an OTP to start the application.
2
PAN & Aadhaar KYC
Fetch your details via DigiLocker or Aadhaar e-KYC. Most of the form auto-fills.
3
Add bank & personal details
Link your bank account and fill occupation, income band and nominee.
4
In-person verification (IPV)
Record a quick selfie/video to confirm it's really you.
5
E-sign with Aadhaar
Digitally sign the form with an Aadhaar OTP. No paperwork.
6
Activation
The broker verifies and activates your account, then sends your client ID.

How long it actually takes

Time to fill the formabout 10 to 15 minutesPAN, Aadhaar e-KYC, bank and personal details, done online in one sitting.

Time to activationsame day to about 48 hoursThe broker verifies your details, activates the account and sends your client ID.

Filling the form is quick; the broker still has to verify and activate before you can trade. Both are benchmarks, not guarantees.

What can slow it down

Enabling F&O
Adding derivatives needs income proof, a 6-month bank statement, salary slip or ITR, which adds a review step.
PAN or name mismatch
If your name or details do not line up across PAN, Aadhaar and your bank record, the broker asks you to correct and re-submit.
Manual review
An unclear signature, a blurred selfie or an address proof that needs a human check can add a day or so.