Module 1 ยท Stock Market Basics

Demat and trading accounts

5 min read

To buy shares in India you need a demat account to hold them and a trading account to trade.

In India, shares are held electronically in a demat (dematerialised) account, managed by a depository - either NSDL or CDSL. Your demat account is where your shares live.

A trading account is what you use to place buy and sell orders through a broker. When you buy, shares move into your demat account; when you sell, they move out.

You also need a bank account linked to your trading account for the money to move in and out. Many brokers offer all three together.

Example: Infosys

To buy Infosys shares, you place an order in your trading account. On settlement, the shares are credited to your demat account and the money is debited from your bank account.

Glossary terms

Check your understanding

Where are your shares held after you buy them?

Reflection

If you opened a brokerage account today, what documents would you need? Why does KYC exist?

Educational content. Not investment advice.