Towards making the Indian Securities Market - Transparent, Efficient, & Investor friendly by providing a safe, reliable, transparent and trusted record-keeping platform for investors to hold and transfer securities in dematerialized form.
A Depository is an organization which holds securities of investors in electronic form. Depositories provide services to various market participants - Exchanges, Clearing Corporations, Depository Participants (DPs), Issuers, and Investors in both primary as well as secondary markets. The depository carries out its activities through its agents which are known as Depository Participants (DP). Details available on the link https://www.cdslindia.com/DP/dplist.aspx
Brief about the Activity / Service |
Expected Timelines for processing by the DP after receipt of proper documents |
Dematerialization of securities |
7 days |
Rematerialization of securities |
7 days. |
Mutual Fund Conversion / Destatementization |
5 days |
Re-conversion / Restatementisation of Mutualfund units |
7 days |
Transmission of securities |
7 days |
Registering pledge request |
15 days |
Closure of demat account |
30 days |
Type of Activity /Service |
Brief about the Activity / Service |
Value Added Services |
Depositories also provide value added services such as |
Consolidated Account statement (CAS). |
CAS is issued 10 days from the end of the month (if there were transactions in the previous month) or half yearly (if no transactions) |
Digitalization of services provided by the depositories |
Depositories offer below technology solutions and e-facilities to their demat account holders through DPs: |
1. Investor Complaint / Grievances |
Investor can lodge complaint / grievance against the Depository / DP in the following ways: (i) SCORES (a web based centralized grievance redressal system of SEBI) https://www.scores.gov.in/scores/Welcome.html(ii) Respective Depository’s web portal dedicated for the filing of compliant https://www.cdslindia.com/Footer/grievances.aspx(iii) Emails to designated email-IDs of Depository [complaints@cdslindia.com] b. Offline modeThe complaints / grievances lodged directly with the Depository shall be resolved within 30 days. |
2. Investor Grievance Redressal Committee of Depository. |
If no amicable resolution is arrived, then the Investor has the option to refer the complaint/ grievance to the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) of the Depository. Upon receipt of reference, the GRC will endeavor to resolve the complaint/ grievance by hearing the parties and examining the necessary information and documents. |
3. Arbitration proceedings. |
The Investor may also avail the arbitration mechanism set out in the Byelaws and Business Rules/Operating Instructions of the Depository in relation to any grievance, or dispute relating to depository services. The arbitration reference shall be concluded by way of issue of an arbitral award within 4 months from the date of appointment of arbitrator(s). |
Type of special circumstances |
Timelines for the Activity/ Service |
• Depositories to terminate the participation in case a participant no longer meets the eligibility criteria and/or any other grounds as mentioned in the bye laws like suspension of trading member by the Stock Exchanges.. |
Client will have a right to transfer all its securities to any other Participant of its choice without any charges for the transfer within 30 days from the date of intimation by way of letter/email. |
• Participant surrenders the participation by its own wish. |
Dos |
Don'ts |
1. Read all documents and conditions being agreed before signing the account opening form. |
1. Do not deal with unregistered stock broker. |
2. Receive a copy of KYC, copy of account opening documents and Unique Client Code |
2. Do not forget to strike off blanks in your account opening and KYC. |
3. Read the product / operational framework / timelines related to various Trading and Clearing & Settlement processes. |
3. Do not submit an incomplete account opening and KYC form. |
4. Receive all information about brokerage, fees and other charges levied. |
4. Do not forget to inform anychange in information linked to trading account and obtain confirmation of updation in the system. |
5. Register your mobile number and email-ID in your trading, demat and bank accounts to get regular alerts on your transactions. |
5. Do not transfer funds, for the purposes of trading to anyone other than a stock broker. Nopayment should be made in name of employee of stock broker. |
6. If executed, receive a copy of Power of Attorney. However, Power of Attorney is not a mandatory requirement as per SEBI / Stock Exchanges. Before granting Power of Attorney, carefully examine the scope and implications of powers being granted. |
6. Do not ignore any emails / SMSs received with regards to trades done, from the Stock Exchange and raise a concern, if discrepancy is observed. |
7. Receive contract notes for trades executed, showing transaction price, brokerage, GST and STT etc. as applicable, separately, within 24 hours of execution of trades. |
7. Do not opt for digital contracts, if not familiar with computers. |
8. Receive funds and securities / commodities on time within 24 hours from pay-out. |
8. Do not share trading password. |
9. Verify details of trades, contract notes and statement of account and approach relevant authority for any discrepancies. Verify trade details on the Exchange websites from the trade verification facility provided by the Exchanges. |
9. Do not fall prey to fixed / guaranteed returns schemes. |
10. Receive statement of accounts periodically. If opted for running account settlement, account has to be settled by the stock broker as per the option given by the client (30 or 90 days). |
10. Do not fall prey to fraudsters sending emails and SMS sluring to trade in stocks / securities promising huge profits. |
11. In case of any grievances, approach stock broker or Stock Exchange or SEBI for getting the same resolved with in prescribed timelines. |
11. Do not follow herd mentality for investments. Seek expertand professional advice for your investments. |
This document contains the contents pertaining to the qualifier [https://www.cdslindia.com/Investors/InvestorCharter.html] in the Investor Charter main document. The same is to be made available by the Depositories on their websites and web-links to the same is to be provided for incorporation in the Investor Charter.
For reasons of convenience, the contents in main Charter and this document have been mapped with the same superscript.
(a). Basic Services Demat Account (BSDA): The facility of BSDA with limited services for eligible individuals was introduced with the objective of achieving wider financial inclusion and to encourage holding of demat accounts. No Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC) shall be levied, if the value of securities holding is upto Rs. 50,000. For value of holdings between Rs 50,001- 2,00,000, AMC not exceeding Rs 100 is chargeable. In case of debt securities, there are no AMC charges for holding value upto Rs 1,00,000 and a maximum of Rs 100 as AMC is chargeable for value of holdings between Rs 1,00,001 and Rs 2,00,000.
(b). Transposition cum dematerialization: In case of transposition-cumdematerialisation, client can get securities dematerialised in the same account if the names appearing on the certificates match with the names in which the account has been opened but are in a different order. The same may be done by submitting the security certificates along with the Transposition Form and Demat Request Form.
(c). Linkages with Clearing System: for actual delivery of securities to the clearing system from the selling brokers and delivery of securities from the clearing system to the buying broker.
(a). E-account opening:: Account opening through digital mode, popularly known as “On-line Account opening”, wherein investor intending to open the demat account can visit DP website, fill in the required information, submit the required documents, conduct video IPV and demat account gets opened without visiting DPs office.
(b). Online instructions for execution: internet-enabled services like Speed-e (NSDL) & Easiest (CDSL) empower a demat account holder in managing his/her securities ‘anytime-anywhere’ in an efficient and convenient manner and submit instructions online without the need to use paper. These facilities allows Beneficial Owner (BO) to submit transfer instructions and pledge instructions including margin pledge from their demat account. The instruction facilities are also available on mobile applications through android, windows and IOS platforms.
(c). e-DIS / Demat Gateway: Investors can give instructions for transfer of securities through e-DIS apart from physical DIS. Here, for on-market transfer of securities, investors need to provide settlement number along with the ISIN and quantity of securities being authorized for transfer. Client shall be required to authorize each e-DIS valid for a single settlement number / settlement date, by way of OTP and PIN/password, both generated at Depositories end. Necessary risk containment measures are being adopted by Depositories in this regard.
(d). e-CAS facility: Consolidated Account Statements are available online and could also be accessed through mobile app to facilitate the investors to view their holdings in demat form.
(e). Miscellaneous services: Transaction alerts through SMS, e-locker facilities, chatbots for instantaneously responding to investor queries etc. have also been developed.
If no amicable resolution is arrived, then the Investor has the option to refer the complaint/ grievance to the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) of the Depository. Upon receipt of reference, the GRC will endeavor to resolve the complaint/ grievance by hearing the parties and examining the necessary information and documents
The Investor may also avail the arbitration mechanism set out in the Byelaws and Business Rules/Operating Instructions of the Depository in relation to any grievance, or dispute relating to depository services. The arbitration reference shall be concluded by way of issue of an arbitral award within 4 months from the date of appointment of arbitrator(s).
• Receive a copy of KYC, copy of account opening documents
• No minimum balance is required to be maintained in a demat account.
• No charges are payable for opening of demat accounts.
• If executed, receive a copy of Power of Attorney. However, Power of Attorney is not a mandatory requirement as per SEBI / Stock Exchanges. You have the right to revoke any authorization given at any time.
• You can open more than one demat account in the same name with single DP/ multiple DPs.
• Receive statement of accounts periodically.
• In case of any discrepancies in statements, take up the same with the DP immediately. If the DP does not respond, take up the matter with the Depositories.
• Pledge and /or any other interest or encumbrance can be created on demat holdings.
• Right to give standing instructions with regard to the crediting of securities in demat account.
• Investor can exercise its right to freeze/defreeze his/her demat account or specific securities / specific quantity of securities in the account, maintained with the DP.
• In case of any grievances, Investor has right to approach Participant or Depository or SEBI for getting the same resolved within prescribed timelines.
• Every eligible investor shareholder has a right to cast its vote on various resolutions proposed by the companies for which Depositories have developed an internet based ‘e-Voting’ platform.
• Deal with a SEBI registered DP for opening demat account, KYC and Depository activities.
• Provide complete documents for account opening and KYC (Know Your Client).
• Fill all the required details in Account Opening Form / KYC form in own handwriting and cancel out the blanks.
• Read all documents and conditions being agreed before signing the account opening form.
• Accept the Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) book from DP only (preprinted with a serial number along with client ID) and keep it in safe custody and do not sign or issue blank or partially filled DIS.
• Always mention the details like ISIN, number of securities accurately.
• Inform any change in information linked to demat account and obtain confirmation of updation in the system.
• Regularly verify balances and demat statement and reconcile with trades / transactions.
• Appoint nominee(s) to facilitate heirs in obtaining the securities in their demat account.
• Do not fall prey to fraudsters sending emails and SMSs luring to trade in stocks / securities promising huge profits.
Annexure C- Investor Complaints Data – Depository Participant (DP)